David Hall, Professor in the Algonquin College Public Relations program and communications blogger, provides his look ahead at 2015.
(Ottawa, December 19, 2014) Wearable tech and the music industry could be in for a bumpy ride in 2015, while content marketing and higher education technology is expected to be #trending according to Professor David Hall.
Below are excerpts from his 4.5 tech and social media predictions for 2015 – visit davidhallsocialmedia.com for full details!
1. Wearables will not live up to expectations. “I’m thinking that these products may fall below expectations because: first, the price point. Google Glass is selling for around $2,000 on Amazon.com, and smart watches range from about $100, but if you want a watch with good two-way connectivity, you’ll be putting out a couple hundred dollars for these watches. I’m not convinced that the average Jane or Joe will opt to fork out another couple hundred bucks for an accessory for their smartphone, which already set them back close to $1,000.” Continue reading AC Experts: Top Tech and Social Media Trends to Watch for in 2015
(Ottawa, December 18, 2014) Music Industry Arts program Coordinator Colin Mills offers up his top album picks from 2014.
5) Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence
I find myself listening to albums like this when I’m marking assignments, but then having to turn it off because I find myself enthralled in the music! The production is excellent and being able to listen to something mellow but deep like this is refreshing. The recording is never too busy and there’s lots of air bringing out the songs.Continue reading AC Experts: Top Albums of 2014
Algonquin College Public Relations program Coordinator Stephen Heckbert names top five public relations crises in 2014.
(Ottawa, December 18, 2014) From political washouts such as Alison Redford’s travel spending scandal, to international crises like the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 debacle, 2014 has had a fair share of PR slip-ups and mishandlings.
Stephen Heckbert, who is also a communications consultant, names the following scandals as having the most buzz in Canada this past year
5. Rob Ford getting cancer and being replaced by his brother, Doug, in the Toronto mayoral election. “Mayor Ford provided many moments before this one, but the speed of this, and the shock factor, made Doug Ford’s entrance into the Toronto mayoralty race such a shock — had it been handled properly, Doug Ford would be mayor today, but his anger came through right away. Continue reading AC Experts: 2014 Top Five PR Crises
Algonquin College faculty members and former journalists Dan Pihlainen and Julie McCann weigh in with their top five news stories affecting people living in Ottawa this year.
(Ottawa, December 18, 2014) They were talked about in the hallways and classrooms of Algonquin College, and in coffee shops and offices, around dining room tables, and on talk radio all year long. And finally, from a list of 40 down to five, expert faculty members Dan Pihlainen of the Radio Broadcasting program and Julie McCann of the Journalism program have named their picks for the Top Five Stories of the Year
5. Alfie: “The prodigal son returns,” explains Julie. “Mending the fences with Alfie and allowing him to retire where he belongs makes this the human interest and sports story in Ottawa this year.”
4. City gets set for 2017: “Between federal projects like the Museum of Science and Technology, the National Arts Centre, and Lebreton flats, to city projects like the LRT, it seems like we will be looking at a very different nation’s capital when Canada celebrates its 150th,” says Dan.
3. Uber: “Technology continues to challenge established business models, and our city government insists we have to do things the same way they have been done for 70 years,” adds Dan. “This one incident speaks to a larger issue that will certainly continue to be an issue in 2015.”
2. Ghomeshi fallout: “Jian Ghomeshi was the domino that set many similar stories in motion,” says Julie. “And it is far from over. It has opened up the conversation about sexual assault – online, on the airwaves, and on Parliament Hill.”
1. Parliament Hill incident: “The phrase that was used is, ‘We lost our innocence’ that day,” adds Julie. “Sometimes Ottawa has a reputation as being sleepy. This was a wake-up call. Everyone remembers where they were when Michael Zehaf-Bibeau opened fire. We are only starting to see the consequences for Ottawa as a city and Canada as a nation.”
TV Broadcasting students release their annual holiday video, featuring Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind dogs in training paying a special visit to Algonquin College students and employees.
(Ottawa, December 11, 2014) It can be a little ‘ruff’ this time of year, being a student.
The perfect winter remedy for that? Taking a ‘paws’ for a surprise visit from Santa and a group of young guide dogs in training! Broadcasting – Television students teamed up with the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind and students from the Police Foundations program to help de-stress students before exams.
Morning event serves as update for multiple projects underway or starting soon on the former Domtar lands in downtown Ottawa.
(Ottawa, December 4, 2014) It’s not every day students get to contribute to the development and construction of Canada’s most sustainable mixed-use community. But as Windmill Development Group and Algonquin College come together to re-sign the MOU originally signed in March 2014, the opportunities for students are growing and taking shape.
“Hands-on projects with real-world applications give our students the skills, knowledge, and experience they expect from an Algonquin College education,” says Cheryl Jensen, President of Algonquin College. “We are so pleased to be able to connect our students and employees with Windmill Development Group on this ground-breaking project. Years from now, we will be able to look at this environmental showpiece and say, ‘Algonquin College students helped make it happen’.”
“This is one of the most important projects in our City’s history, and Algonquin College and its students are honoured to be part of it,” says Richard Briginshaw, program coordinator of the Green Architecture program at Algonquin College, and Co-Chair of the Algonquin College on the Isles committee. “We strongly believe our students will play a critical role in the development of Windmill’s vision.”
Architectural Technology students have completed their site analysis and have begun preliminary design work for 10 sustainable building design projects culminating as their third year project. Environmental Management and Assessment students will be sampling and conducting their own soil and ground water research, while also analyzing past reports. Finally, Applied Museum Studies students will be completing an integrated framework and an integrated master plan of the site. Some of the upcoming opportunities for student involvement include the development of multimedia materials, the restoration of stonework, and market research.
For more information on the AC on the Isles Project and the partnership between Algonquin College and Windmill, please visit www.algonquincollege.com/isles.
Recently, about 40 first year students in the Advertising and Marketing Communications Management program got a behind-the-scenes look at the new TD Place and Lansdowne Park. The tour was hosted by members of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), the students’ client for their major project in their marketing class. For five years the first year “adkids” have worked with the 67’s, and now OSEG, on this project which has become known as the Ottawa 67s marketing face-off.
This year the students were taken out on the field so see the new TD place from the field, and then were led to the media room where they were given a presentation by John Mathers, Vice President of Marketing and Ticket Sales for OSEG ,who shared his views on the challenges the organization has faced as it has grown and evolved.
After being provided with a presentation and a Q&A session from the client, the students took in a 67’s game, and then worked in groups to prepare marketing plans to help the client achieve specific goals. Then, on December 2 and 3, the students present their work and creative concepts to the client.
Congratulations to Taryn Albert, Corynn Mountain, Raven Salter, Rosaly Welsh, Chris Burt, and Zoe Easton – part of the first winning team! And the second winning team included Ryan Byberg, Courtney Franks, Monique Jones, Adrianna Hickey, Wes Theoret, and Nicole Meier!
In recognition of the students’ hard work, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group presented the winning group in each section with Ottawa 67’s jerseys, vouchers for game tickets and concession vouchers to each group member. The first runner up group in each section also received ticket vouchers to take in an upcoming 67’s game.
“It’s been a real win-win…” says Steve Jenkins, the course instructor. “The client receives innovative ideas and a fresh perspective on their marketing efforts while the students benefit from the experience of working with and presenting to a local prominent client.”
Algonquin College one of the first Canadian colleges to sign on to protocol, which reaffirms the Colleges’ commitment to Indigenous education.
(Ottawa, December 3, 2014) Today, Algonquin College signed Colleges and Institutes Canada’s (CICan) historic Indigenous Education Protocol. This aspirational document reaffirms the Colleges’ commitment to Indigenous education and provides a vision of how it will strive to improve and better serve Indigenous peoples.
“With 1,000 Aboriginal students, Algonquin College is committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities that honours and respects the culture and values of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit learners,” says Cheryl Jensen, President, Algonquin College. “We are committed to helping our Aboriginal students succeed – through our Aboriginal student centre, the largest in the Ontario college system; through our support services, events, and initiatives; and through our Aboriginal Education Council.”
The Indigenous Education Protocol was developed by CICan’s Indigenous Education Committee, comprising college and institute representatives from across the provinces and territories, as well as through consultations held at the Serving Indigenous Learners and Communities Symposium in December 2013, and the CICan annual conferences in 2013 and 2014. Algonquin College is a member of CICan.
“As key providers of applied postsecondary education for Indigenous communities, colleges and institutes recognize that they have important responsibilities and obligations to Indigenous education,” says Denise Amyot, President and CEO of CICan. “This protocol will encourage our members to be even more inclusive of Indigenous cultures and even more proactive in eliminating the barriers to education that many Indigenous learners still face.”
Fast Facts
This CICan protocol has seven main points, including “Commit to making Indigenous education a priority” and “Implement intellectual and cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples through curriculum and learning approaches relevant to learners and communities.” (Read the Protocol)
Approximately 1,000 students of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit heritage study at Algonquin College.
The College actively consults with local Aboriginal communities and educational organizations about the goals and needs of indigenous learners through the College’s Aboriginal Education Council.
In 1994, Algonquin College established a General Arts & Science program in Aboriginal Studies.
Algonquin College, along with other Ottawa-Gatineau area postsecondary institutions, regularly participates in Aboriginal community activities, such as Pow Wows and an annual graduation celebration.
Galileo Galilei once said, “All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.”
Discovering truths about how businesses operate and make decisions, and providing a map of the key information about their network of suppliers, partners, processes, lines of business, distribution channels and customers was the goal of the Galileo Interactive Business Navigator project – an Applied Research project undertaken by Algonquin College students and faculty, along with client Global Advantage Consulting Group. The project took first place at today’s Applied Research Day 12.2.
Six students and two faculty members, including Adam Jarvis from the Interactive Multimedia Developer program worked on the Interactive Business Navigator project.
Taking second place at Applied Research Day 12.2 was an eCommerce website designed for Hummingbird Chocolate Maker. The site was designed using WordPress as their main platform, and using Shopify for their new online store.
In third was MicroMetrics Customer Insight Platform, a product that allows companies to survey customers in-store, rather than sending them home with a code on their receipt to use online.
Three times a year, Algonquin College students and employees, together with industry partners and professionals, come together for Applied Research Day. These projects span a variety of programs and business sectors, and aim to solve everyday challenges faced by organizations and individuals.
Over 25 projects, were displayed in Algonquin College’s Marketplace Food Court and shown to students, faculty, and employers looking for talented future employees and collaboration opportunities. The day ended with a short award ceremony for winning projects.
Applied Research Day will kick off another round of projects in 2015.
Local media monitoring company MediaMiser has put out an infographic of the top Canadian colleges on social media – and you’ll never guess who took the top spot! Algonquin was tops in terms of Twitter mentions, with far and away the largest share of the top 10 colleges on Twitter (beating even Hamilton’s Mohawk College).
AC was just a bit behind Alberta’s NAIT in terms of retweets, but the quality of our retweets were better – blowing away the competition with our reach and followers.
Kudos to the many individuals who help make Algonquin College a social media superstar! If you’re not already following the College on Twitter, check us out @AlgonquinColleg. On Facebook it is www.facebook.com/algonquincollege.
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