Public Relations and Advertising Commons^™

Understanding The Impact Of Special Events: A Look At One Company's Annual Event, Eileen M. Harduk

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines large-scale corporate entertainment to gain an understanding of the measurable impact companies who host these events receive in return. More specifically, the researcher studied one company's Appreciation Day event and collected data on how its 320 customers and suppliers felt about the company after the event and what facets of the event impacted attendees most.

Attendees were asked to participate in data collection for the research through a pen and paper survey. Responses were tabulated using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. For further understanding of the survey results, an eleven-person focus group was held …

Effective Messages And Channels Of Communication Used By Assisted Living Facilities To Attract Residents, Allyson L. Wisniewski

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to pinpoint the most effective messages and channels of communication used by assisted living facilities to attract residents.

The study includes three in-depth interviews with marketing/public relations representatives from three successful assisted living facilities in Gloucester County, NJ. The author asked the representatives questions about their marketing/public relations efforts. The study also includes a content analysis of the promotional folders distributed by each of the three facilities.

The study shows that assisted living facilities should focus on building relationships with referral sources. Also, facilities should work to maintain their visibility by participating in community …

Investor Relations: Defender Of The Faith At Commerce Bancorp, Paul H. Welitzkin

Theses and Dissertations

The study's results will show that the investor relations department at Commerce Bancorp Inc. helped to minimize damage to the company following the indictments of two of its officials in a Philadelphia corruption probe.

Primary and secondary research will show that Commerce's IR department helped the company during its crisis after June 30, 2004. Interviews with Commerce's IR director and two Wall Street analysts reveal that Commerce minimized the damage to its reputation and brand by communicating effectively with the financial community, a major constituency.

A content analysis shows that Commerce conducted successful crisis communication despite an unusual amount of …

Revitalizing The Subaru Difference: A Communications Audit To Determine Effectiveness At Subaru Of America, Inc., Thomas Paolella

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was multifaceted. The first purpose was to examine the Subaru Difference Initiative campaign of several years ago and see what aspects succeeded and what areas needed change. The second purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Subaru Difference and the role it currently plays within the Subaru of America Corporation. The third purpose was to perform research to obtain a better understanding of how employees would like to be communicated with in the future regarding the Difference and also what future steps can be taken to improve the overall clarity and effectiveness of this …

The Effects Of Debater Styles On Audiences During Televised Political Debates, Juliette J. Broglin

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study is to examine the effects of certain predetermined debate styles on television viewing audiences. The study used three separate gubernatorial debates with identical questionnaires attached to determine the behavioral traits viewers found most appealing in state level political candidates during organized, televised events. The author acknowledges that many studies of this nature are conducted on the national level. The author chose to analyze the same type of material on a lower level of government to determine what potential voters find appealing in state level potential elected officials. The study places the two selected candidates in …

2004 Gender Study Of The New Jersey Public Relations Society Of America, Megan A. York

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine the climate of New Jersey Public Relations Society of America, 2004. The researcher sought to find logical alternatives to the much-touted theory of the "glass ceiling," that many researchers blame for salary differential between the genders. E-mail surveys were distributed to research salary, title, industry, experience, etc.

Although NJPRSA men and women have much in common, not everything is mutual. The average male is older and more experienced. Overall female dominance continues in the trade, including in two of the three highest-paying industries. Most respondents were in management positions; however, men occupy …

Online Crisis Management, Mauru Rushwaya

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to learn if public relations practitioners are using the Internet to its fullest capacity, when responding to crisis situations. The study attempted to find out if public relations practitioners had the necessary tools in place to respond to a crisis online.

The sample originally selected consisted of 515 United States public relations practitioners, all members of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and listed under the State of Pennsylvania. A survey consisting of 13 multiple-choice questions was posted on surveymonkey.com with a link included in the body copy of the query letter emailed …

The Impressions Of New Jersey High School Guidance Counselors On The Quality Of Education At Rowan University, Carolyn A. Krehel

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis provides a comprehensive examination of New Jersey guidance counselors' impressions of Rowan University. Rowan University, a state funded school, is a rapidly improving and growing institution in the state and its region. However, the University is met with much opposition from those who remember it as a small teachers' college in South Jersey.

This thesis focuses on the history of the university, old impressions of the school, current impressions of the school and recommendations on how to improve the overall awareness and perception of the University.

An email survey was mailed to 1,000 school counselors in the six …

Media Relations Between The Hotel Casino Industry Of Atlantic City, New Jersey And The Press Of Atlantic City, Patrick T. Kuhlen

Theses and Dissertations

This study fulfills four purposes. First, it is essential to gain a perspective of public relations and public relations practitioners, specifically those in the Atlantic City hotel casino industry, from the point of view of media representatives. Secondly, how do public relations practitioners view the relationship between their organizations and similar organizations with local media? Next, what can an organization's public relations practitioners do to foster and subsequently nurture positive relationships with media representatives and public relations practitioners? Lastly, what can a public relations practitioner do to move the relationship with media representatives, reporters and editors from mere media relations …

Professional Sports Team Fan And Media Relations: A Public Relations Case Study Of The 2003-04 Philadelphia Flyers Professional Hockey Team, Joseph Mathew Harasta Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The relationships between a professional sports team, its fans and media determine the fiduciary success of the team. The responsibility of developing and fostering this relationship falls to the team's public relations department.

The purpose of this study was to (a) determine the influence team performance has on the relationships between a sports team, its fans and media and (b) find ways to improve these vital relationships. In doing so, sports teams' public relations practitioners might better understand the relationships between their team and its key publics while maintaining these relationships during both winning and losing seasons.

To examine the …

Use Of Online Technologies By Higher Education Public Relations Practitioners And Practitioners' Perceived Preference For Their Use By Their Institutions' Audiences, Mary Elizabeth Erwin Hegel

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the use of online technologies by university public relations specialists, and the PR professionals' perceived preference for their use by media, internal and external audiences. The research also looked at other aspects of online technology use by university practitioners such as Web site content and emerging technologies.

The researcher collected primary data through a cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire, designed for this study. The author gathered information for the survey from a literature review of Rowan University databases, scholarly journals, books and Internet searches. The survey contained Likert scale type questions, …

Amusement Park Crisis Management And Its Effect On The Crisis News Life Cycle, Kristin B. Siebeneicher

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate whether effective amusement park crisis management can shorten the crisis news life cycle. Twenty-two in-depth interviews with seasoned media, amusement park public relations practitioners, and park PR practitioners who formerly worked in media were conducted and analyzed through content analysis. Coverage of an amusement ride incident was analyzed through content analysis to support interview findings. Numerous strategies are identified to build a foundation for effective crisis management, and to shorten the duration of crisis news coverage. Differences in managing print media versus television media are discussed. The thesis identifies amusement park incident …

Public Relations In Print: A Study And Profile Of Public Relations-Generated News Stories That Appear In Delaware Valley Daily Newspapers, Mark R. Marmur

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine public relations practice's impact on journalism throughout the Delaware Valley through analysis of journalistic attitudes about public relations and the success of public relations practice on publicity for Rowan University.

The study analyzed the results of a regional survey given to editors and reporters at 25 daily newspapers throughout the Delaware Valley. The study also included an analysis of publicity gained by Rowan University through its Office of University Relations over a two-month period.

The study found that although a majority of Delaware Valley daily newspaper editors and reporters see public relations …

The Significance Of Integrated Marketing Communication Techniques In The 21st Century Marketplace, Janice D'Amico Nee

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to examine integrated marketing communication techniques used to develop successful apparel brands. This author researched existing data and explored the IMC development of three successful brand apparel companies: Nike, Ralph Lauren Polo, and Tommy Hilfiger. The study included the process of building brand identity, including the tenets of brand management and the symbolic process, as well as the significance of brand equity and architecture.

This author conducted a pen and paper quantitative survey to a random sampling of 50 Cumberland County College undergraduate students concerning the influential factors in their choice of brand …

Assisted Living: Internal Communication To Align Identity And Image, Katherine Pittman Govito

Theses and Dissertations

Accomplishment of the mission of any organization relies on relationships developed. Key to these relationships is an internal communication program. As a function of public relations, the value of an internal communication program must be recognized as a requirement and implemented to achieve objectives set forth in an organization's mission statement.

This case study established the core elements of the mission statement of Meadow Glen, an assisted-living facility. The researcher evaluated its internal communication program by conducting surveys of Meadow Glen's three central internal relationships to measure alignment of its identity with its image. The three groups surveyed were: employees, …

The Use Of Incentives In Increasing Survey Participation, Anne Glowacz

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides information on the effectiveness of incentives in increasing survey participation.

The author searched the online databases of Rowan University's Campbell Library as well as Internet search engines in an effort to locate secondary research on the topic.

The author collected and analyzed data from eight online surveys concerning the use of incentives. The surveys were completed by market research professionals.

Research indicated that the use of incentives is widespread and has become virtually necessary as the public increasingly realizes the value of providing personal information to survey administrators. Recommendations regarding the use of incentives were compiled based …

The Benefits Of Public Appearances For A Sports Figure's Image, Andrea L. Pujat

Theses and Dissertations

In this day and age of high salaries, free agency and shuffling around from city to city and team to team, sports figures are not concerned with being role models. Public appearances, management of image and the distinct understanding of how actions affect fan approval are being ignored.

This study examines the benefits of public appearances for a sports figure's image and examines if there is a discrepancy between what executives think fans feel is important and what fans really feel is important.

Six interviews were conducted with sports executives and sports professionals to gather information about the views of …

A Public Relations Approach To Recruiting Studio Audiences For Start-Up Shows, Chekesha K. Bunch

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis sought to determine the methods audience coordinators used to recruit studio audiences. This portion of the thesis included a ten-question interview emailed to audience coordinators for current daytime talk shows in New York City. Interviews were also conducted with production executives and a director to determine the purpose and significance of audience as well as audience-related costs.

Second, the thesis sought to answer what audiences like and dislike, what they have done, what they will do, and what they believe as it pertains to studio attendance. This portion of the thesis included a fifteen-question survey addressing incentives, show …

A Study Of Student Recruitment Practices At Rowan University, Daniel P. Reigel

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides advice to admissions counselors at Rowan University so they can better recruit prospective students.

For secondary research, the author did an online search of Rowan University's Campbell Library databases, an Internet search and a book search at Gloucester County Library.

The author collected data from 269 surveys distributed to prospective students at one of seven open house events at Rowan University during the 2002/2003 academic school year.

Surveys showed that students visiting Rowan University's one of seven open house events were happy with the overall program. Financial aid sessions proved to be the only part of the …

Public Perception: Comparing Tobacco Industry Public Relations Campaigns Of Today And Yesteryear, Cristin E. Kastner

Theses and Dissertations

This study compared public perception of tobacco industry public relations campaigns of today and yesteryear. Little study has been devoted to the public's changing perception of tobacco public relations since the Master Settlement Agreement changed tobacco public relations efforts in 1998.

Written history of tobacco industry public relations served as the base of determining perception of yesteryear. Surveying 281 undergraduate Rowan University students determined today's public perception of tobacco industry public relations.

Significant survey findings include:

• 80 percent felt the tobacco industry is not honest about the products it sells
• Half said the tobacco industry should not run its own …

Perceptions Of Public Relations: Key Communicators Share Their Opinions, Kamali A. Brooks

Theses and Dissertations

This study had three main purposes: first, determine how key communicators (those who talk to many people on a daily basis and share their opinions with others) in today's society feel about the public relations field; second, show that positive public relations does take place; and third, change the negative perceptions society holds for public relations, so that public relations will lose its negative image.

The author used many sources to obtain research for this thesis, including Rowan University's on-line databases, the University of Delaware's on-line databases, Internet searches, the Rowan catalogue, DELCAT and Temple University.

The author collected data …

Internal Communication: The Changing Roles Of Human Resources And Public Relations, E. Morgan Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides public relations and human resource professionals with information on which office is communicating to employees.

For secondary research, the author did an online search of Rowan University's Campbell Library databases and an Internet search.

The author collected data from 51 online surveys distributed to public relations, human resources and communication professionals.

Surveys indicated that the human resource office deals largely with communicating training, policy and management decisions to employees. Survey responses indicated that the public relations office reports new product/service updates and community involvement/activities to employees.

The author also conducted an e-mail interview with an internal communications …

Aids In The African-American Community: Celebrities As An Ineffective Communication Strategy, Wendy A. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine whether using celebrities to deliver HIV/AIDS prevention awareness messages to the African-American community is an effective public relations strategy.

Celebrities are used to persuade people to buy shoes, cars, toothpaste, etc., but can they persuade people to change risky behavior: protecting themselves and others from the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases?

Research conducted for this thesis found celebrities to be effective tools when their actions coincide or mirror the message. Celebrities that are perceived to be irresponsible or whose lyrics and/or actions do not coincide with safe-sex aren't taken …

State Of The Union Addresses And Their Impact On Popularity And Credibility, Lea L. Shapiro

Theses and Dissertations

This is a study of the impact of presidential messages and style upon the American public following the annual State of the Union address. This researcher focused on two similar presidents, Ronald Reagan and William J. Clinton. The State of the Union addresses used were for the years 1982 and 1994, respectively. The impact was measured by the poll results taken before and after each State of the Union speech.

A content analysis of each address was done to determine the major themes and messages and to determine which of those messages resulted in increased poll numbers.

Additionally, this researcher …

Cancer Cluster Communications: Bridging The Gap Between Science And Public Perception, Loretta A. O'Donnell

Theses and Dissertations

In response to the increasing request for cancer cluster investigations and the challenges in communicating the complexities of the studies and results, the author conducted case studies of childhood cancer cluster investigations in Dover Township, New Jersey and Fallon, Nevada to review state government communication and responses from residents. The purpose was to assess the residents' understanding and acceptance of the communication and to recommend guidelines for similar investigations based on lessons learned by officials and on recommendations by health risk communication experts in the public and private sectors. The study included content analyses of newspaper articles, intercept surveys, mail …

A Case Study Of The Efficacy Of Community Policing In Camden, New Jersey, Sophia L. Peele

Theses and Dissertations

Community policing initiates a valuable relationship between police and residents. It is often viewed as a problem-solving method of policing. Many police departments across the country have instituted this philosophy into one unit. However, some police administrators have found ways to implement community policing throughout the department.

This study was developed to determine the attitudes of both the patrolling community policing officers and the residents to evaluate the efficacy of community policing. The study was also used to determine if the uses of public relations skills increase the officers' ability to communicate effectively with residents of the community. Patrolling officers …

How To Recruit More International Students, Chien-Wen Huang

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to determine international students' perspectives regarding the (U.S.) school application process, and 2) to compare recruiters' perspectives regarding the application process. Results indicated affordable tuition and alumni's satisfaction greatly influenced potential students' willingness to seriously entertain matriculation at U.S. schools. Major findings from the study included: Asian students represent over half (55%) of all international students on U.S. campuses; the United States remains the preferred destination for the vast majority of international students (80%) due to its advanced educational system; and recruiters, by a wide majority, chose paper-based application forms over online …

An Analysis Of Basic Public Relations Needs Of Non-Profit Associations, Jennifer Szwalek

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the basic public relations needs of nonprofit associations, tiered according to association structure.

A sample of 100 non-profit association executive directors, obtained from the International Association of Association Management Companies (IAAMC), were surveyed by e-mail and in-depth interviews on their public relations needs. Twenty percent of the sample chose to participate.

Online research was conducted at the Web sites of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and within the Association Management Company (AMC) section, the International Association of Association Management Companies (IAAMC) and the Association Management Institute (AMCInstitute).

Research steps also …

Television Public Service In Philadelphia: A Thing Of The Past?, Jill Flanagan

Theses and Dissertations

The researcher carried out this study to determine if national trends in television public service have influenced decision makers in Philadelphia and to provide public relations practitioners with detailed information about local practices. Online and library searches were conducted to secure information about television public service. In addition, the author interviewed communication experts, surveyed staff at six local channels and reviewed station materials.

The author found that Philadelphia's television stations continue to provide free airtime to charities along with traditional public service campaigns. However, research shows that paid PSA campaigns and third-party advertising agreements have grown in popularity. Public relations …

Minor League Baseball Pr Guidelines: Techniques For First Year Class A Teams, John Sadak

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to accumulate information relative to the various public relations practices, methods and procedures utilized by the 60 Class A Minor League Baseball teams and to determine the extent of common public relations elements. Although the 60 teams are located in different markets, results of interviews and surveys of the teams led the author to conclude that some current practices are common among them.

Phone interviews were conducted with four practitioners to determine a preliminary list of items important to a Minor League Baseball promotional campaign. From that list a survey was created and mailed …