Week 8 Practical & Inquiry - Instagram

I am a self proclaimed insta-addict. I follow a variety of different people on Instagram including chefs, restaurants, celebrities, photographers, fashion designers, interior designers, comedians, businesses, friends and florists. I follow people on Instagram for inspiration, entertainment and enjoyment. I use my own Instagram page to give people a snapshot of my life and what my interests are, I love taking photos so it isn't hard to find something to post on Instagram.

I believe Instagram is a great tool for businesses to use for public relations and marketing. By posting well photographed pictures of a product or appealing photo of a serviced offered, it catches the attention of viewers who are then inclined to 'follow' the business. This means that the viewer will then receive further updates from the business and learn about other products or services through photos posted. The great thing about Instragram is that it is free, easy to use and has the capability to incorporate links and further information into each post. 

Instagram Review

Instagram is a social media site that allows users to upload videos and photographs to share with their friends or make public. Instagram is widely popular amongst celebrities, businesses and people who share images of their life and interests. Instagram made its debut into the world of apps a few years ago and has done well to maintain its users and popularity by constantly updating software and keeping users interested.

Unlike other photography apps, Instagram has combined both photography and social media aspects to create an app that is unlike others on the app market. Instagram has an easy to use and relaxed feel and is adjustable to all users. Once a user has uploaded a photograph or video to Instagram, they have the ability to hashtag a ‘tagline’ that relates to their photo or video. Instagram users then have the ability to search Instagram for users or hashtags, which gives the opportunity for viewers to search for common interests.

Instagram have a selection of filters that users can apply to their photographs before they upload them, combining digital photo editing and social media into one simple click of a button. Users are also able to share their Instagram post directly to Facebook, and other social media websites which is another aspect of ease of use. Although Instagram has been marketed as an app, their website also allows users to log in and view their Instagram account and use the same functions available on the app.

Overall, Instagram is a great social media photography and videography site that has stood the test of time in the technology world and proves its success and popularity time and time again. 

References:

Instagram, (2015). Instagram. [online] Available at: http://www.instagram.com [Accessed 7 Sep. 2015].

                                                                                                                                        

Week 5 Practical - Norma Barnham's Committed to Leaving a Legacy

Norma Barnham is Committed to Leaving a Legacy

Norma Barnham is an 86 year old war widow who has dedicated her life to raising children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; today revealed that her greatest passion is leaving a legacy that her family will be proud of.

My Great Grandmother, Norma Barnham, said that she it is important to her to teach her immediate relatives about the family history and to create a legacy that will live on after she is gone.

"I am so lucky to have had all of you kids in my life, I think I have done a good job in being there for you all," Mrs Barnham said.

"It is now really important to me that you understand your family history, that you all hear all of the stories that only I can tell you", she said.

Norma's late husband, Stan Barnham, my Great Grandfather passed away over 30 years ago from injuries he sustained in the war. Norma still struggles with his death on a daily basis. 

"My poor husband never got the chance to tell his stories about when he was a boy or what he experienced in the war, he was too traumatised from the war, and his sickness claimed his life very quickly," Norma said.

Norma Barnham has raised two children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. While juggling her family duties, Mrs Barnham also volunteers her time at her local RSL and War Widows organisations. 

Grandma has had such a positive impact in my life, she has taught me many life lessons and has been a constant support system. Norma's legacy is larger than life, she is such an inspiration to those who know her. 

https://twitter.com/monique_windsor/status/632513760440090624

Week 1 Inquiry - Different Purpose/Different Writing

Gold Coast Titans supporters cheering on their now NRL owned club - NRL Photo

There has recently been hype around the financial position of the Gold Coast Titan's NRL Team, with this hype comes many news articles with varying facts and statements.

The NRL website, Gold Coast Bulletin and ABC News have all published articles on the 24th of February addressing the financial issues surrounding the Gold Coast Titans and the NRL's decision to take over the club. Each of these articles have a bank of interested parties and are aiming towards an audience who are interested in sporting, business or potentially people who live on the Gold Coast. 

The NRL's Article: NRL takes control of Gold Coast Titans confirmed the facts about the recent transfer of the Gold Coast Titans, the article focused on the positive aspects of the takeover by commenting on the club has a long term future on the Gold Coast and the club will be performing as per normal. 

The specific audience for this article would be those who were doubting the decision of the Titans takeover, the audience is constantly reminded of the benefits of the NRL taking over the ownership of the club. This aligns with the key message of the article, being that although there has been financial difficulties in the past for the Gold Coast Titans, fans and supporters can now put these issues behind them due to the commitment of the NRL. 

The Gold Coast Bulletin's article: 'Five-year blueprint convinced NRL boss to save Titans just weeks before Gold Coast NRL club would have folded' takes a more critical stance on the situation and produces more information about the possibility of a five-year blueprint was presented to the NRL CEO. The article also eludes to 'off field dramas' that the club was experiencing, which was not at all mentioned in the article written by the NRL. This article includes a lot of figures and focuses on the scandalous nature of the situation which would appeal to a much larger audience than the article written by the NRL. 

The angle of the story is to highlight the dramatic nature of the situation and name and shame key people within the Gold Coast Titan NRL take over. The key message in the statement varies between highlighting the recent drug scandal surrounding the Titans, reviewing the decision of the take over and reinforcing the importance of the sustainability of the club, which would be a concern of the audience. The Gold Coast Bulletin has successfully written a story focused on the take over while also incorporating facts and statements which would be of interest to the reader. 

The ABC News article 'Gold Coast Titans taken over by NRL, placed in voluntary administration after drug scandal' takes almost the same stance as the article written by the NRL. Throughout the article, references are made to quotes which highlight the benefits of the takeover and the positive outcomes that the take over will achieve. The article is not at all detrimental to the Titans and takes a non-partial angle in the situation. The audience would be quite similar to that of the NRL article, including people interested in sports and business and fans of the Gold Coast Titans. 

It has to be said how one story can generate a different audience, tackle the article at a different angle and force a different key message. Each of these articles would influence the audience in various ways, including excitement about the recent take over to disgust for the cocaine scandal. The opinion of the public is in the hands of the media writer. 

REFERENCES

‘Gold Coast Titans taken over by NRL, placed in voluntary administration after drugs scandal’, ABC NEWS, 24 February 2015, viewed 20 July 2015, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-24/nrl-takes-over-control-of-gold-coast-titans-amid-drugs-scandal/6247574

Meyn, T 2015, ‘Five-year blueprint convinced NRL boss to save Titans just weeks before Gold Coast NRL club would have folded’, Gold Coast Bulletin, 24 February 2015, viewed 20 July 2015, http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/five-year-blueprint-convinced-Copyright of NRL Photosnrl-boss-to-save-titans-just-weeks-before-gold-coast-nrl-club-would-have-folded/story-fnj9yd9w-1227237781936

NRL, 2015, ‘NRL takes control of Gold Coast Titans’, 24 February 2015, viewed 20 July 2015, http://www.nrl.com/nrl-takes-control-of-gold-coast-titans/tabid/10871/newsid/84020/default.aspx