Coca Cola Advert - It Must Be Christmas!

Its that time of year again and I know it is, because of this infamous advert!

Coca Cola are so successful! I now associate Christmas nearly here as soon as I see their 'holidays are coming advert on television! How do they do it? Their advert is so magical, I love it! Coca Cola calls itself ' the world's soft drink' for a very good reason, that reason I believe is definitely helped by its 

Public Relations campaigns!

Something I have to say is the fact that until studying public relations I would never have considered whether as an organisation they live up to their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) now I have, but I can't say it has put me off buying the product or stopped me enjoying their holiday ads! Coca-Cola's largest bottling plants in India, in Plachimada, Kerala, has been shut down since March 2004 because government and independent agencies have confirmed that the bottling plant has polluted the water and soil in the area. How did they keep this so under wraps? Why does this not affect their reputation like it would another smaller Corporation? 

Coca Cola where found out! They did not respect the rights of farmers and groundwater conditions leaving the community in a very valuable situation.

How has Coca Cola retained their reputation and leading sales figures over their rivals Pepsi? 

How have they come out the other end of their unethical sourcing in Indian unscathed?

This has sparked activist debates around the world! – Have you heard about it?

If not, why do you think this is?

Surely the Cornish Floods Highlight the Need For Effective Communication?!

Another flood disaster hits Cornwall, could they have been more prepared?!!

The flood waters in Cornwall have finally subsided and the people of Cornwall are starting to mop up the devastation it left behind. What made this flood into a disaster was the fact it happened so fast and at such speed, everyone was caught off-guard! Despite the forecast: 

You would think though, that after the other flood disasters that have hit the area like Boscactle (2004) some sort of contingency plans would have been put into place!

I am told on a daily basis by my lecturers that planning for a disaster is much more effective than just clearing up after and in this case it has definitely proven to be! The cleanup is estimated to cost millions for the region! I read in PR Week with regards to the floods that crises are the opposite of 'business as usual' and people need to be prepared for the unusual and unexpected, this is so true and Cornwall's local government now need to do this!

Do you think that through communication the local government can show leadership and, through the media, show it is in charge and dealing with the situation in a proactive manner. Increasing popularity of social networking media means this type of incident receives a great deal of exposure very quickly, so those in charge need to show they are on top of the situation!

How can we as PR professionals plan for a crisis effectively?! Is it easy to prepare for a disaster 

no one really expects?

Abortion - Right or Wrong?

Should Abortion be illegalised?
I was told today that 512 women in the UK have abortions everyday! I couldn’t believe it! Never in a million years did I think it was THAT many!
Some people think that abortion is always wrong. Some think that abortion is right when the mother's life is at risk. Others think that there is a range of circumstances in which abortion is morally acceptable.

I personally believe that is such a difficult subject to hold one opinion or view on. Different circumstances affect any decision I believe that I could possibly make, and I cannot say honestly I know what I would do unless in the situation. I don’t know what I would do if I fell pregnant now, probably keep it as I feel as though I’m in a position in which I would be able to keep it. My parents would support me; I have a loving partner and a roof over my head. I’m hard working and so is my boyfriend, but if you had asked me 2 or 3 years ago I have no idea at all what I would do!

Something else to think about is up to how many weeks do you think a baby should be aborted to? It currently stands at 24weeks and at that length of time, the baby could survive, just look at this picture of a premature baby that could have been aborted:

Different people in different circumstances have to make very tricky decisions based on different personal experiences and reasons. Surely we should respect that?

The ongoing debate as to whether abortion is right or wrong is never going to reach a definative answer, everyone will always have altering views due to their own life experiences. Who are we to say categorically whether it is right or wrong? I know for a fact that some people will say they think its right for one person and not for another; surely it is down to the mother.

Having said that, what I think is that people’s attitudes to abortion especially in the UK NEED to change! No way should abortion be made illegal in my opinion! Given you had been raped – wouldn’t you like to have the opportunity to abort it without being prosecuted!?!

Is abortion ethical, what do you think?