SOJC Ducks Take a Step in the Right Direction for Effective International Communication

This weekend, I worked on a social media press release for a group of SOJC advertising students who are heading to Shanghai this week for an international advertising workshop. The workshop, put on by The One Club, is an internationally recognized non-profit organization that fosters creativity in advertising. The workshops will be held from Nov. 14 to Nov. 21 at the International Convention Center in Shanghai. The students will work on branding and social issue campaigns. They will work in groups on creative briefs with the Chinese students. This experience will help the students understand how advertising problems are solved in each other’s countries.

The students told me that the experience will mostly be about an exchange of communication and creativity between the two cultures. “I’m excited to build friendships and work with the Chinese to help understand their business culture better,” said senior Max Radi of Portland.

Megan Nuttall, Rachel Hom, Max Radi, and Andy Liu show their thanks for Dean Gleason with a colorful Post-It mural.

I was interested in writing this press release because of how popular doing business in China has become. I have learned about business in China in my PR Plans and Problems class. This assignment sparked my interest in the basic communication “rules” of business in China. From studying the Proctor & Gamble SK-II crisis in China, I have learned that sensitivity for the Chinese government’s authority is crucial.

With U.S. markets entering China, I think it’s a great idea to get students involved in international communication first-hand. It’s awesome that the SOJC is getting involved in international events such as this workshop. After Tim Gleason, the SOJC Dean, gave the group the go-ahead for the trip, the students thanked him by making a mural of thank you Post-Its.

The UO will be the only U.S. university in attendance at the workshops. This certainly makes the group feel privileged and fortunate to participate in such an innovative event for advertising. Senior Megan Nuttall said, “This opportunity shows how the University of Oregon is taking a step to expand the advertising program. It truly sets us apart from other schools.”

The students will be keeping a blog, called “Ducks In China,” during their stay. I look forward to reading the posts so I can learn a thing or two about international advertising.

To view the SMRs I wrote for the students, follow these links:

UO Selects Olympia Native for Creative Advertising Opportunity in China

UO Selects Hillsboro Native for Creative Advertising Opportunity in China

UO Students Selected for Creative Advertising Opportunity in China