Platform Online Magazine Provides Opportunities for Public Relations Students
Platform Online Magazine is an online publication produced by Public Relations students in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at UA. The magazine encourages the ethical practice and enhancement of leadership in the field of public relations through its Web site and blog. It is written for future PR professionals, as well as educators and practitioners.
We recently got a chance to talk with Tracy Sims, Faculty Advisor for Platform, and Josh Morris, President and Student Marketing Director of the magazine, about the opportunities it affords to students at UA and beyond.
Bamalog: How did Platform Online Magazine get started?
Tracy Sims: The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations board charged a spring 2007 PR campaigns class (taught by Dr. Meg Lamme) with developing the publication and a comprehensive marketing plan. The site went live May 3, 2007.
After that semester, the course changed from a campaigns class to an advanced writing class, and I began teaching the class. We added the Platform blog in spring 2008 and changed to four article uploads instead of one end of the semester upload to make the site more current.
We also opened the magazine and blog to contributions from outside writers who are PR students, educators and practitioners. Our current issue of Platform features five contributing writers: two PR students from Michigan State University and Rowan University who are members of the PRSSA national committee and three PR professionals from Florida, Alabama and the Middle East.
Bamalog: Platform has a student editorial board as well as contributing writers. What’s the difference?
Tracy Sims: The 10 to 12 students who serve on the student editorial board are competitively selected for the APR 415 Online Magazine Writing and Editing course each fall and spring semester. Candidates must successfully complete APR 332 Public Relations Writing, submit an application and writing samples and complete an interview with the instructor.
Students in the course are responsible for writing at least two articles using primary sources and at least two blog posts. They also are responsible for promoting the magazine to our key publics by developing and implementing a marketing plan each semester. Some of our key promotional tools are regular updates via Twitter, Facebook and PROpenMic, a social network for PR people.
At least one Platform student attends the PRSSA national conference each year to promote Platform and the Plank Center to PR students across the nation.
As for contributing writers, once students are declared PR majors or minors at UA or other universities and colleges, they can pitch article or blog ideas to the student editorial team. If the idea is approved, we encourage them to submit an article or blog post draft for review. So, they definitely have a chance to get published on the site and to have their biographies published on the Contributing Writers page.
Bamalog: Josh, what made you decide to get involved with Platform?
Josh Morris: I chose to apply for Platform Online Magazine because it offers unique experiences, exposure, portfolio material and classmates. No other class in the communications curriculum is as selective as Platform and its production definitely reflects not only the selection process, but the capabilities of those involved.
Platform taught me to handle adversity positively and that hard work and persistence pay off. Whether large or small, an online or print production magazine has a lot going on behind the scenes, and it’s exciting. Like a clock, there are many working parts and team work is crucial to complete assignments and meet deadlines. Just as certain are hiccups and dead-ends that will either kill an idea or generate another, possibly more intriguing one.
Bamalog: What role do you play on the Platform team?
Josh Morris: I serve as President for Platform Online Magazine, although this semester I am also contributing as Student Marketing Director, overseeing primary and secondary research for internal and external communication.
I have researched topics and conducted interviews for blog entries and magazine articles and helped out with editing. I also created Platform stationery, article pictures, handouts, uploaded content and tweeted as a web/design team member.
Bamalog: Would you recommend that future students participate in Platform?
Josh Morris: Absolutely. It is the ideal learning environment. The small class size and selection process intimidate some students enough to deter them from applying, but the benefits of Platform far outweigh the myths and preconceived notions that Platform is “just another student publication.” Platform was the most involving, rewarding and educational class I have taken at UA.
Thanks to Tracy and Josh for talking to Bamalog about their work with Platform Magazine.
To learn more about getting involved with Platform, visit platformmagazine.com. For more information about the College of Communication and Information Sciences, visit cis.ua.edu.
