Week 11

Tonight was a committee meeting. There was a large turn out and lots of issues were discussed.

I was told by a truck driver/member that 'Big Rigs' is a good free magazine to contact with editorial. I will follow up on this.

Mark Harrison has also notified 'Truck and Trailer' a magazine with a 'whats on' section in the back. He is confident that we will receive coverage from them.

Other than that everyone is organising areas very well. I still have to get some tasks done. I'll update with any work as I do it.

Heather...

Week 9 - #2

Friday at Westpac I created an editorial piece about the Road Transport Awareness Day. I then created a list of industry magazines to send the editorial and media release out to (we decided it was too early for newspapers). This took so long!

Now my supervisor has gone jetsetting for 3 weeks and has left me with a list of tasks to complete whilst she's away. Hopefully I can do all this and more before she gets back.

I'll update you with any progress in this event organising experience...

Week 9 - #2

Today the Chairman of the RTA Group, the media committee member and myself met with both the Herald and NBN to discuss media partnerships for the event. These two media bodies have connections with Westpac Rescue Helicopter and have a strong relationship with the RTA Group as media partners.

The Herald meeting was conducted with the marketing and promotions co-ordinator and manager. It was decided that the same logo from previous years would be used with changes to the details (sponsors, dates etc). The editorial piece that the Herald do for the RTA Group was also discussed – word length, content etc. The editorial will be put together by someone in the industry and the committee. In return the Herald is a logo right sponsor with their logo appearing on other advertising and signage (on trucks and elsewhere).

The meeting at NBN was with Mike Rabbitt, the promotions manager. Again the same partnership agreements from previous years were kept, with minor changes. It was also discussed that Mike Rabbitt does a session on 2HD radio station on Saturday mornings 6am – 10am. The RTA Group have a media partnership with 2HD too and it was suggested that Mike Rabbitt interview me on the Saturday prior to the event to promote the day. I will be on radio!

The morning finished with a meeting with two committee members (Mark Harrigan and Harro) about website designs and features. A design was chosen and hopefully the site will be operating soon.

Heather.

Week 9

Friday last week was a fairly productive day at the office. I posted the Road Transport Awareness Day on the following websites for inclusion in their online calendar:
o KOFM
o Prime TV
o NBN
o Southern Cross Broadcasting (TEN) – have included a transcript to be read on TV.
o Newcastle Council
o Port Stephens Council

I also emailed the following bodies media releases asking for inclusion on their online calendars:
o Cessnock council
o Muswellbrook council
o Dungog council
o Maitland council
I have also emailed Purser Communication with details to be uploaded onto the website when it is eventually activated.

This Thursday I have a meeting with Janine and Tony (the Chairman of the committee) with both the Herald and a radio station.

I will next post after the meeting.

Week 8

On Monday there was an RTA committee meeting. There will be a website for the event that should be up and running in a couple of weeks – www.transportawarenessday.org.au. Having a website, I think, is only appropriate for an event this large – there should be a source that year round acts as a marketing tool, it will only increase awareness of the day and ease communication. This will be a great tool for promoting the day and communicating with any industry participants prior to the day. Having the site up and running will act as a reference point for any information or plans for committee members to refer to as well – it gives the committee and the promotional day a concrete place (so to speak) where their identity will constantly exist. Major sponsors have been guaranteed a logo and link on the website as well – this means that the website can act as another attraction to potential sponsors.

There is the possibility of entering an editorial into the ‘Owner Driver Magazine’ as well – which is a task that has been left to Janine and myself.

I really like attending the meetings – they are a wealth of information (and all the members have been lovely).

Week 7

My placement has been approved! I've been in to Westpac to work with Janine Chandler once so far. I created a media plan based on previous plans for other events that Janine has co-ordinated. I wrote a media statement and a community service announcement. My next task is to research some industry bodies online that I can send media statements or event announcements to. I've started to make a list of potential websites that will display announcements but I have yet to send off emails.

On Monday I've got the monthly meeting with the Road Transport Awareness Group at Hexham. So hopefully I'll have some more information and direction after the meeting.

Heather