#comm3550

[mmolosso-blog]

Week 1: Post 3 Extended (3550)

Photo from https://www.ungerplus.de/projekte/landtag-von-baden-wuerttemberg/ 

Prompt 3 (extended): The Landtag (parliament) of Baden-Württemberg is the government seat for this region. How does this body function as compared to the state governments in the U.S.? Thinking of our readings and discussions thus far, and based on both your own research and on what you learned in the parliament tour, how does the state parliament engage in public relations? What types of stakeholder relationships are important here? 

The Landtag of Baden-Württemberg functions the same and different compared to the U.S. state government.  They are both similar forms of government by both being apart of a federation.  A federation can be defined as a group of states with a central government but independent in internal affairs (Dictionary.com).  An example of this governance at work that is the same in both the US and Germany is education.  The school system is control by the state legislature and parliament in both countries.  In my opinion it is important for individual states to create legislation for education rather than  the national government because it can’t be better monitored.  Meaning, that breaking the systems up into parts allows the social and economic norms of each state to be assessed so the school system can be as effective as possible for each reason. 

To be able to monitor a program there has to be an agreement across parties. This has been difficult in the U.S. lately but in Germany this is done through a system called a coalition.  Coalition are just the beginning to the major differences between the U.S. and German government.  There are a lot more parties in the Germany.  Specifically in the Landtag of Baden-Württemberg, there are five major parties represented: SPD, Grüne, FDP/DVP, CDU, and AFD. Germany’s system of government provides the parties with a lot more power than the U.S.  For example, in the U.S. each candidate raises their own money or uses personal money to run for office and Primaries are used to decide who will represent the party in the election.  In contrast, German parties finance the election campaigns and pick which candidate will represent their party.  Then based on the percentage of votes each party receives taxes are distributed to finance each party.  On that note, another major difference between how the  German and U.S. government functions is the majority system.  In the U.S. the “winner takes all or majority system is used which means the voters gets to decide between several candidates and the candidate with the most votes wins.  Germany uses a mixture of proportional and majority systems in order to ensure the proportion of the parliamentary seats a party receives is exactly the same as the proportion of voters favorite that party” (http://math-www.uni-paderborn.de/~axel/us-d.html).  This same system in the US is used for voting in all elected officials including the Governor and President.  This is again, not the same in Germany.  Once the lawmakers are elected those members vote for minister president which is compared to the Governor in the U.S. This allows the Minister President to have a lot more power in Germany than the U.S.. By being elected internally they each have a majority behind them which means almost every bill the Minister President agrees with or presents will be passed.  As seen in the last few comments, there is no clear separation of power in parliament since there are a lot of elections internally for other positions in the government.  

The state parliament did clearly engage in public relations. As stated in Chapter one of the Guthe and Marsh textbook, “Public relations is a service for the entire organization and has to be its voice. That’s why public relations should have unfiltered access to the CEO”.  German government utilizes the process of unfiltered access through making transparency a major priority.  Architecture is critical used as a symbol of democracy.  The building which is pictured above is mostly made of windows.  These widows work both ways so the citizens can see in and law makers can see the citizens that will be effected by the law. In the debate room the star emblem shines straight through the windows of the Landtag of Baden-Württemberg which also reminds the citizens that the government is transparently serving them.  Similarly a chess piece, specifically a pawn, is used to represent how the laws apply to the people which is located inside of the building but reaches the outside. This again reminds the lawmakers who they are effecting while also giving assurance to the citizens that the lawmakers are thinking about them.  Another architectural important symbol is the stairs located in the back of the building, the ones our class used to enter and exit the building.  These stairs were engineered to resemble the Ancient Greek market which was the first democracy recorded.  This helps remind the citizens and the law makers that they are here to serve and be served in a democracy.  

The stakeholder relationships that are important are the parliament members with the government. Defined in Chapter one of the G&M reading stakeholders are defined as, someone who “has stake in the organization or in an issue involving the organization”.  The stakeholders are the parliament members by being the people who the government (organization) relies on their contribution and attendance to make laws and ensure the democracy preforms correctly.  The how the building is engineered is a perfect example of how the government is trying to please the parliament members.  The building is set up to be comfortable for the law makers.  Some examples include, putting art in the hallway with particular lighting to help members with claustrophobia not have panic attacks walking to their office and back to the Landtag.  The stairs that lead to the debate room are made of carpet to make walking quieter and more comfortable.  These stairs are also specifically designed to make the lawmakers stride in a way that they are standing completely straight up which is suppose to help remind them that they are working together in a democracy.  Finally, the major architectural component used with the lawmakers in mind is the updated lighting in the debate room.  The ceiling was specifically made with polyethylene plastic, led lighting, a skylights which helped make the lighting more natural and calm.  

[cecehensley-blog]

week 3 prompt 1

Pick a concept from the chapter 14 reading on cross cultural communication and PR that you have seen exemplified during our time here so far. Perhaps at a cafe you’ve witnessed differences in how space is used (Proxemics). Maybe on a weekend trip you’ve seen ways that people from some countries view time differently than we tend to (Chronemics). Or perhaps you have seen a really clever ad that bridges cultural/linguistic boundaries. Post a photo or video, and explain how it illustrates the concept you choose.

Among the many differences between American and German cultures is out attitude towards food and drink. According to Guth, “For many public relations practitioners, cuisine is the reward for mastering the subtleties of cross cultural communication” (Guth, 434). I have included a picture of McDonalds as a sort of connection between the two cultures, but from here the attitudes change drastically. The German diet is typically full of very heavy and hearty foods designed to fill you up and make you “fat and happy”, while in America the current trend is healthy, vegan, and light food options. In Germany, a typical snack is something like bratwurst or currywurst, which in my experience are always served with fries and mayo; all of which are not super healthy options. (The entire thing is kind of ironic because the level of obesity in America far surpasses that of any other country when our focus is on healthy foods). Although the contents of our diets are extremely different, the real difference comes with portion size, and the manner in which our food is served.

In America, everything is gigantic, while in Germany the opposite is true. When I visited McDonalds I ordered an chicken sandwich meal where I received my sandwich, fries, and a drink. Typically, at an American McDonalds the sheer amount of french fries that comes with a meal is enough to feed two people, but in Germany the fries that came with a meal are equivalent to the American size small, the perfect amount to supplement the meal. This remains pretty standard when it comes to sizing of food and drinks in Germany, everything is much smaller/ promotional to what we should actually be eating. When I go to a restaurant I don’t feel like I need to take a to-go box every-time I have a meal. `

Another trend I have noticed is the fact that in Germany, ice is not typically included in drinks unless you order a cocktail. This is a huge contrast to America because most of the times when you order a drink half of it is actually ice. Maybe this is why we offer free refills, and they don’t? When I ordered my drink at McDonalds I expected a super cold and refreshing cola with a bunch of crunchy ice at the bottom, but the ice in my drink melted before I could even finish my drink.

Another slight cultural difference is that here in Germany you have to pay for every single thing you want, this includes water and condiments. Although it doesn’t seem like a big thing it is definitely something I have noticed. In America if we go to Chickfila and ask for fifteen ranches, twelve water refills, and a couple of mints it will not cost us a thing, but here in Germany I am pretty sure I would have to take out a small loan to have more than two bottles of water at dinner.

The final difference comes to the service of the food in Germany. In America, it is essentially a requirement for customers to tip wait staff, even if they have done a terrible job. In Germany and other places in Europe it is completely fine to tip .5 euro, or nothing at all. In fact it is considered rude to tip generously because they see it as an insult to their work.

[pheebz-abroadingermany-blog]

Prompt 1 (extended): Pick a concept from the chapter 14 reading on cross-cultural communication and PR that you have seen exemplified during our time here so far. Perhaps at a cafe you've witnessed differences in how space is used (Proxemics). Maybe on a weekend trip you've seen ways that people from some countries view time differently than we tend to (Chronemics). Or perhaps you've seen a really clever ad that bridges cultural/linguistic boundaries. Post a photo or video, and explain how it captures or illustrates the concept you choose. 

This picture is of the closed DM by our hotel. I took it as I walked towards REWE only to find out that it was closed as well. One thing that I have noticed that Germany takes to heart are their national holidays. Unlike the United States, most, if not all stores close on national holidays. While we have been in Germany there have been two national holidays. The first, Ascension Day, occurred while we were in Stuttgart. The second, Whit Monday, happened yesterday. Yesterday, many of us found it frustrating when we could not go into our local REWE due to the holiday and as well as the fact that it was closed the day prior too. Although I frown upon Walmart and other stores being open on Christmas, having limited stores open on national holidays is a major cultural difference between Germany and the United States.

In Germany, some things have more importance to people than they do in the United States. In the United States, which has a capitalistic economy, we are known for assigning money with time. It is more important for stores to stay open during major holidays than it is here in Germany. For instance,“cultures have difference attitudes about time.” (Guth 431). This is known as Chronemics. Like was said in class, money is time and time is money. Americans place such an importance on how we address time that enjoying holidays is not seen in the same way as it is in Germany. Surprisingly, the United States is placed in the middle of 31 different countries when it comes to the amount of importance placed on time.

I believe that Germany places a higher importance on the ideas and celebration of holidays than people in the United States do. In the United States, Christmas is seen as a holiday where many companies make a majority of their year’s profit. I believe that for corporations in America it is more important to make money than it is to take time off to observe a holiday. More than half of the population in Germany is made up of Christians meanwhile in the United States there tends to be more diverse amounts of different religions. It is helpful to understand “religious conventions and traditions of a culture” in order to understand why a specific country decides to place such importance on national holidays (Guth 433). I have noticed other differences as well including how Germans eat, what they eat, placement of wedding rings and personal space differences, but I think that the differences in how holidays are addressed maybe one of the more interesting ones to point out.

[lesterj28-blog]

COMM 3550

Week 3 Prompt 1 (extended): Pick a concept from the chapter 14 reading on cross-cultural communication and PR that you have seen exemplified during our time here so far. Perhaps at a cafe you've witnessed differences in how space is used (Proxemics). Maybe on a weekend trip you've seen ways that people from some countries view time differently than we tend to (Chronemics). Or perhaps you've seen a really clever ad that bridges cultural/linguistic boundaries. Post a photo or video, and explain how it captures or illustrates the concept you choose. 

One concept that really stood out to me while reading chapter 14 of the readings was chronemics, or the concept of time. While time itself seems like such a concrete and natural part of life, it is quite interesting to consider that different cultures have different attitudes about time. On page 431 of the G&M text, different national attitudes towards time are ranked on a scale of slow and flexible to rapid and time-oriented. The United States ranks in the middle of the pack, while Switzerland takes the prize of the most timely nation and Mexico claims the title of country that moves at the slowest pace. This concept of chronemics has been seemingly unavoidable no matter where I go abroad, as I cannot stop focusing on how time in these European countries is so much different than in the United States.

I first noticed how time was treated differently overseas when walking through the city of Stuttgart on our first day in Germany. It was a Monday, yet the city was filled with people casually lounging about and taking in the beautiful outside weather. Many people where enjoying time laying out in grassy areas while others sat outside their storefront breathing in fresh air and calmly awaiting potential customers. This relaxed feel was unlike anything I had seen in the United States. Our capitalist society focuses very much on the phrase “Time is money” and wastes little time relaxing instead of working long hours anxiously waiting until they are able to leave and go home.

The feel in Berlin is very much the same. While Berlin is a larger city than Stuttgart, things still seem to move at a slower pace than they do in the states. Germans do take appointments seriously and do not expect to wait on anyone. Our tour guides have very rarely been late to our tours, and the few times they have been seem to be because of miscommunications. They are also very timely about their train stops. When the train says it will be there in 10 minutes, it means it. And they leave very promptly (believe me I have experienced that the hard way numerous times). However, the Germans here in Berlin still seem to make time for leisure to spend in the outdoors. Their work shifts seem shorter than those of Americans and in the small amount of time we have been here I have already noticed the Germans observe several holidays. Sundays are also recognized as a day of rest and most businesses are closed so that their employees have time to relax. The extent to which stores are closed on Sundays in Germany would shock most Americans, as we cannot imagine not being able to go to a grocery store because a day of rest is being observed. Because Germans value their free time much more than Americans, they are able to spend much more time outdoors and seem more active and happier as a result.

Even on my weekend excursion to Prague, I witnessed chronemics much like those of Stuttgart and Berlin. The picture I posted above is of a family enjoying a nice meal on a dinner cruise in the city of Prague. The cruise was three hours long and allowed everyone to relax, eat, and talk amongst themselves. I am considered to be a slow eater among my friends at home, but I cant say that I had ever dedicated three hours to a meal in my life before that dinner cruise. When we ate lunch earlier in the day, I noticed how those around us who had been eating when we entered the restaurant were still there when we were leaving. We had to waive down the waiter for our check. Those in Prague, as well as Stuttgart and Berlin, dedicate vast amounts of their time to eating. They do not go to a restaurant simply to eat and leave, but actually sit down and talk with those whom they are with for quite some time. In Prague and Stuttgart, and Berlin to a lesser extent, people do not seem nearly as concerned about rushing as they do in the U.S. I admire this quality that I have witnessed in the cities I have explored. If Americans treated time more like those I have encountered here in Europe, I believe the United States would have happier and more active citizens. I am certainly glad that I took the opportunity to study abroad so my eyes could be opened to the different ways in which different cultures view time, and what they choose to do in their free time.

[arhindeutschland-blog]

Prompt 1 (extended): Pick a concept from the chapter 14 reading on cross-cultural communication and PR that you have seen exemplified during our time here so far. Perhaps at a cafe you've witnessed differences in how space is used (Proxemics). Maybe on a weekend trip you've seen ways that people from some countries view time differently than we tend to (Chronemics). Or perhaps you've seen a really clever ad that bridges cultural/linguistic boundaries. Post a photo or video, and explain how it captures or illustrates the concept you choose.

pictured above; French Cathedral cir. 1705

Germany, previously known as the “Holy Roman Empire,” has long struggled over their perception of religion. In the 18th century, the "nation-state" was divided into thousands of smaller kingdoms which were not united by a central religion. Philosopher and historian, Voltaire, is quoted during this time as observing that, “the Holy Roman Empire is neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire," yet, “Holy” remained in the name of the land until 1806. Skipping ahead to the early 1900s, Germany's government systems through the end of World War II were secular and some, such as the Nazi Regime, even discouraged religious practices. With a history such as Germany, how do we expect German culture to perceive religion in the present day? How does German culture communicate these perceptions?

pictured above; Census Map - Unaffliliated with Religion (Ergebnissen des Zensus 2011)

In present-day Paris, there are a total of 197 places of worship in city-center. Compare that to Berlin’s measly 11 (Berlinfo.com). Berlin, and Germany as a whole, has a culture that is less focused on religion compared with other nations. The percentage of German citizens who say they are unaffiliated with any religion is 35.4% as compared to only 24% in the United States. Those who lived in East Germany were subject to socialist ideology throughout the Cold War which discouraged faith and encouraged concrete physical community in areas such as sports. Even still today, we can see the striking regional religious differences in the map above showing those claiming to be “non-religious”.

Fun Fact: The Kirchensteuer, or Church Tax, has existed in Germany since 1827. All members of a church must pay a government tax to that church in the form of a paycheck deduction. In a 2015 poll, 84% of Germans said they disapprove of this tax model. This may contribute to German’s sour mood towards religion. (Der Tagesspiegel)

pictured above; Sign at Bus Stop Defaced by AfD supporter 

More recently, Germany has seen some changes to their cultural perception of religion. Culture is defined in Chapter 14 as, “behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought”. Regarding behavioral patterns, it has been publicized that over 200,000 Germans left the Catholic Church last year (christiantoday.com). Along with that, Germany has seen the dramatic rise of power of the AfD, which stands for Alternative for Germany. This organization is a far-right political party which was founded in 2013 and now is the 2nd most popular party in Germany (thelocal.de). The sign above stating “Muslims Not Welcome” shows the effects of this rise to power.  The party’s platform centralizes on blaming Muslim immigrants for the majority of Europe’s problems. AfD and its members’ rejection of other religions and sects of people shows a rejection of globalization – “the growing economic interdependence of the world’s people” (Chapter 14). The audacity of party leaders leads members to show their support for the party in more “vocal” ways, which explains the sign which reads, “AfD Territory” on the back.

Overall, Germany’s unique historical situation has shaped it’s culture’s struggle with faith. As you venture through Berlin, you see less religious icons and more “technological marvels”, such as the Berlin TV tower seen towering over a church steeple in the first image. Recently, German culture has reflected less church attendance and more anti-Islamic rhetoric as the world moves through the uncharted waters of the 21st century.

[pailzingis]

COMM 3550 - WEEK 3 - PROMPT 2 - BMW FACTORY

The BMW Motorcycle factory was an experience that gave so much insight behind the scenes into the production of BMW motorcycles. It’s hard to imagine that our group was on the property for over two hours and still was no where near seeing enough to fully grasp the size  of the full production that goes on. We were not allowed to take pictures during the museum itself but their was a few interesting things inside the main building that relate to the Zerfass reading as well as play right into internal/external stakeholders.

Internally, BMW did a great job promoting the ideas of ‘fans’ and ‘community throughout their entire presentation to us. Obviously, the biggest component of internal stake holders is keeping them happy once their involved in your organization. Their are many types of internal stakeholders but these exhibits specifically focused on them at a fan level.

On an external level (our group being one of the external public groups) their tour did a very good job of promoting their products. Something that I noticed was that they not only gave us very up-close access to many products but they also pushed the most advanced and coolest tech that they were producing. Something like this will obviously drive up the consumers want to purchase their products. 

Something our tour guide also continuously stressed throughout the experience was how safe BMW was and how they did everything according to and by the customer. This plays on both an external and internal level. Internally, stakeholders know that their relationship with BMW is important and that BMW is going to do by their wishes. Externally, this shows how much BMW cares for it’s consumers and this should let you know what exactly you are getting into.

[laurengetsforeign]

Week 3-Dinner in Paris

Prompt 1 (extended): Pick a concept from the chapter 14 reading on cross-cultural communication and PR that you have seen exemplified during our time here so far. Perhaps at a cafe you've witnessed differences in how space is used (Proxemics). Maybe on a weekend trip you've seen ways that people from some countries view time differently than we tend to (Chronemics). Or perhaps you've seen a really clever ad that bridges cultural/linguistic boundaries. Post a photo or video, and explain how it captures or illustrates the concept you choose. 

While I don’t have a photo of the restaurant, I have many pictures of our meal and experience. Prior to arriving in Germany, I spent three days in Paris. If there is one thing that stood out to be above all else it is the lax approach they take to eating meals. Noted in the reading, “In some cultures, a designated time is a flexible timeline; in others, it’s a specific target,” (G&M, p.431). Prior to this experience, I never thought that meals would be what set us apart from Europeans, nonetheless I appreciate their approach to meal time. 

In the United States, we don’t have a set timeline for dinner, however, it is common for most families in America to eat from 5:00-7:00. While we eat earlier in America, we also don’t emphasize meal time as a time to share with loved ones, catch up, or converse about life in general. We shove meals into our schedules as if they are a burden and are constantly ready to move onto the next thing. After a long day of exploring Paris, Kellen and I decided to go have dinner around 8:30 which we thought was a rather late meal. Much to our surprise, we were some of the first ones at the restaurant. It wasn’t until about 9:00 or 9:30 that people began to sit down for their meals. 

When Kellen and I sat down at our restaurant in Paris, I immediately noticed the opposite. Not only where they not rushing, they weren’t rushing through their meals or constantly flagging the waiter down. We waited ten minutes before our waiter spoke to us and when he came over we ordered drinks and meals at the same time. He would drop off bread and drinks to our table without saying a word, giving a polite smile. It was such a contrast to the American restaurant experience. Waiters in the United States make it a point to get you in and out the door because they need their next tip desperately. 

Not only did our waiter give us time and space, I spent a lot of time observing the people eating around me. Not only did they arrive to dinner around the time that I would go to bed, they were very present. No one was on their phones or scrolling through Instagram, people were conversing, ordering drinks, laughing and talking to one another. This seems like a lost concept to me as an American. Specifically as an American who grew up in the biggest technology explosion to date, I am so used to my friends sitting on their phones at dinner or sitting in a room and everyone scrolling through social media. 

Their lax approach to time and meals says a lot about the culture in Paris in my opinion. While we are such an individualistic, constantly ready for the next thing, they value experiences and time with people. Meal time is a staple in their culture, one could even argue that it is the focal point of their day. Overall, I was impressed with how efficient they are as a society, using the metro and fast-paced walking to get from point A to point B but finding time to be lax about time and enjoy the company of others when it matters most to them (meal time). 

[quintonabroad-blog]

Sports in Communication: More Than an Student-Athlete’s Major

Comm 3550; Prompt 2: How is the Mercedes-Benz Arena utilized for public relations? Who are the key publics here, how are they engaged, and what types of relationship management strategies are employed to engage with these publics? Again, using information learned on the tour is a good idea.

A majority of top-tier Fußball stadiums across Europe have a specific, yet broad audience: sports fans. Whether it be the home fans, the visitors, sponsors, new fans, or even media outlets, there are plenty of ways that the stadium owners, and the football club can communicate to each party in different ways. Because we visited the Mercedes-Benz Arena, the home field of VfB Stuttgart, this arena will be the model for this conversation. In this post, I want to focus more on the hardcore fan-team/stadium relationship.

When a person is a die-hard fan of a sports team, they want to be engaged in the history and heritage of team. Not just about what’s happening now. It creates a sense of belonging when you are part of the same community and fan club. When looking at VfB Stuttgart’s stadium. There is A LOT of ritualistic communication here. There aren’t just 1, but TWO hallways in the stadium, that honor the great and historic teams, games, and players. Along with that, during the tour, we had the chance to run through the field entrance with the entrance music. Enter Sandman was not was I was expecting, but it somehow fits. All of these elements are ways that fans can communicate to other fans (or rivals) to say that, “Hey, I’m part of this group!”, but in german, obviously. This is one example of how the team keeps their fans loyal.

Unlike sports teams in the States, German soccer clubs have a separate entity that deals with the fans and their support. A team’s fan club is an organization made by, and for the the fans of that certain soccer team. This is an interesting dynamic, because the team and stadium have NOTHING to do with the cheers, “choreographies”, or any other fan-related activities. It is ALL organized by the fans. The leaders of the fan clubs are the ones who talk to the owners of the stadium/team. They represent the entire fanbase. During the tour, our guide told us that there are around 65,000 fans in the Stuttgart fan club. The total capacity of the stadium is only barely 61,000. No joke.

Another example of this fan-stadium relationship, is the use of standing rails on of the goal sides, instead of seats. This is something that the fans wanted and the stadium provides, even if they had to move in a few thousand chairs for international games. The stadium puts it’s fans first. They bring in the money for every game, and they deliver to their needs whenever the situation arises. I honestly like this model, rather than the “you’ll come anyways, so deal with it” mentality that some stadiums have. (@ Clemson Athletics)

[tgrate-blog]

The state parliament of Baden-Württemberg is made up of 143 elected members of the state. It consists of five parties, starting with the Green party, Christian Democratic Union, Social Democratic Party, Free Democratic Party, and the Alternative for Germany. The government is solely run by the parliament and not-exclusively by the executive compared to the United States which is run by the systems of checks and balances. Parliament is run by a speaker, according to the tour guide, it is run by the first Women from Turkey. The majority party has to form a coalition government with the other parties listed in order for the government to function. The coalition government forms a cabinet with ministers that they choose to elect.  Making laws is the most important task of the Baden- Württemberg parliament. The state parliament exercises legislative power and monitors the state government use of executive powers. This system of government makes it easier for laws to be pass, it makes the government more efficient. 

The state parliament of Baden-Württemberg uses public relations mainly through the design or architecture of the parliament building and the art inside the building. The government refuses to promote a political party over another party. An example of this restraint was our tour guide who insisted on his refusal of not give his opinion about the parties or policies put forth by parliament. According to Gelder's public relations is supposed to foster dialogue between the organization and the public attempt to seek a mutual benefit. The tour guide uses his platform to be non-partisan because of his role in parliament and what government means to the people.  

The cube-shaped parliament building is surround by glass and this is an example of government being transparent through symbolism. The state government, “want to see the people and the people want to see the government.” In order for Democracy to function and for freedom to reign, the government must be honest and transparent with its citizens. The big mural with the national colors of Germany represents the unity that Germans have for one another regardless of race, religion, or creed. In order for government to meet the needs of its citizens there must be unity not division.  

[keepingupwithkellen-blog]

COMM 3550 Week 4

Prompt 2: You have now seen the Mercedes-Benz arena & museum, the BMW Motorcycle Factory, and the VW Autostadt. How are these various locations similar in terms of stakeholder engagement? In what ways are they different? As a tourist viewing these locations (rather than as a local fan, a native German, or a customer), which was more effective in creating a compelling experience for you? Think about the Ramshaw reading as you answer, and include specific examples.

In terms of stakeholder engagement, the Mercedes-Benz Arena and Museum, BMW Motorrad and the VW Autostadt all allow their stakeholders, also known as their customers, to experience the creation and lifestyle of their products.  They allow people to form a personal connection past just going through the motions of buying or enjoying their products and services.  Why do these entities do this? Creating not just products but experiences allows the stakeholders to feel involved in the decision-making process and connect in ways unable before.  These personal connections foster relationship development and help to manage it simultaneously.  

 Starting with differences, Mercedes Arena was a fan experience, which is far different than a customer experience.  They were engaging with the community in a different way because they are not selling their product to the masses but backing a fan experience, creating name recognition and association.  There is large discussion in sports communication and scholarly articles of fan experiences and interaction with teams and how they are unlike any other. Although little is understood by it, Mercedes attaching itself to a sports team, especially a city’s most popular team, creates a trifecta of association and engagement.  The attachment to the city, the sport, and the recognition of Mercedes as a leading brand in the area creates a plethora of personal experience within the stadium and manages a number of stakeholder relationships.  It engages with stakeholders by allowing them to experience the arena from a new side: that of the players.  Because it is such an exclusive experience, it creates a special bond with the stakeholder and the arena/team.  Speaking from my experience on the tour, I am now more engaged with Stuttgart as a team and found the experience of touring the locker room and running onto the field to not only be exciting, but a way to feel more connected to their organization.   

The Mercedes Benz museum was different from all others because of the major historical component.  All of the places we visited gave us a brief history of their company, but the museum was different.  It gave not only the history of Daimler-Benz AG and Mercedes as a brand, but situational context from around the world, painting a broad picture of the times and how their brand was affected by them or responded to them.  By giving stakeholders the chance to see old restored cars, learn about their history and see what they are working towards in the future, Mercedes gave its’ stakeholders the option to feel present for all of it’s work and understand more about and the interesting things they do and have done.  

 The BMW Motorrad was the most different of all experiences because it was mainly about the science, technology and manufacturing behind their motorcycles.  While there were discussions of brand history and identity, it revolved a lot around the manufacturing process and the attention each bike got.  The level of engagement was different here because it was a lot of concepts that are difficult to communicate to people in layman’s terms.  Our tour guide had the responsibility of not only explaining what was happening to us, but explaining the information in a way that we as the average stakeholder could understand and retain. The tour was probably my least favorite because while I do feel that those concepts were communicated well, it was more for people who want to own or own a motorbike and understand the creation and technology behind it.  Prior knowledge was necessary to fully grasp the concepts being communicated.

The VW Autostadt was the most collective stakeholder engagement experience.  Instead of just creating a brand experience, they created a lifestyle experience for the different brands within the park.  From the Ritz-Carlton on campus and varying restaurant options, all the way down to the architecture of the buildings and set up of the land created a curated experience for the stakeholder. A curated experience means giving people the chance to create it themselves, and the Autostadt does exactly that.  The brands under the VW umbrella are so different in terms of identity and target customer, and because of that VW needed a way to cater to each stakeholder and their lifestyle.  A person who comes to the Autostadt for a Sköda family car is not the same person coming to buy a new Bugatti, and VW recognizes that, giving people the choice to create the experience they most agree with, but regardless, keeping their brand at the center of it.  

Quoting Ramshaw et. al (2013), it states “…tangible entities are only ‘heritage’ because of the intangible meanings and values constructed about them (p. 18).”  All of these companies create amazing products, but maintain relationships and create new ones by attaching personal experiences with their brand. The history and heritage means nothing to a product if the abstract and ‘intangible’ are not communicated.  There a product and brand finds it’s meaning within a stakeholder’s life, and all of these tours created that.  

[cecehensley-blog]

[pheebz-abroadingermany-blog]

Prompt 2: You have now seen the Mercedes-Benz arena & museum, the BMW Motorcycle Factory, and the VW Autostadt. How are these various locations similar in terms of stakeholder engagement? In what ways are they different? As a tourist viewing these locations (rather than as a local fan, a native German, or a customer), which was more effective in creating a compelling experience for you? Think about the Ramshaw reading as you answer, and include specific examples.

Even though Mercedes-Benz Arena & Museum, BMW Motorrad, and VW Autostadt are all car companies, each experience while visiting was way different.  A commonality among all was that each product should be made with care and should provide an experience for the consumer. 

Mercedes Benz differed in that it was a self-guided tour and in addition to an arena tour afterward. The Mercedes Benz museum focused more on the history of the company and their cars and transforming to current day, while the others focused only on the current day with some explanation of the past. Mercedes Benz did a good job with making some parts of it interactive, for instance, the race simulator and the interactive futuristic exhibit, but for the most part it was really based on what interested the tourist the most since you are directing your own path. The tour of the arena was also interesting in that they engaged us to talk and ask questions while learning about their brand. It allowed us to go further than just viewing the stadium, we got to walk throughout the press rooms and the dressing rooms. It was an amazing experience being able “to cross the symbolic boundaries that distinguish the worlds of the audience and the worlds of the performer or privileged” (Ramshaw, pg. 19, 2013). Mercedes-Benz has universal recognizability of their brand, and so it was very cool to see the history of the company and what it is doing to modernize itself.

Of the three BMW had the least amount of products to show. Given this is an actual motorcycle plant rather than a museum it is hard to make the comparison. It was interesting to see the true enthusiasm of each employee over the product. They provided great explanations of their guaranteed quality care. For true motorcycle enthusiast, the BMW plant provided the pinpoint marks of the construction of the bike. In order to be more compelling, I wish that it was a little bit more interactive but because it is a plant it might be hard to do so.

In regards to interest, I think that VW did an amazing job of engaging the tourist and because the company is so big we got to see many different brands of cars like a Lamborghini, a Bugatti, and a few Porsches. VW is the only company that can show each brand while keeping concise and interesting. In comparison with BMW, we were less aware of what type of quality care procedures but especially with the very expensive cars it seemed as though that was a given. In regards to size, VW was by far the largest with almost everything needed to spend the weekend at Wolfsburg without leaving and each different brand had its own artistic touch. I think that VW provided me the most compelling experience. Our tour guide was amazing, and she showed us each brand without dragging on the conversation. What really caught my attention with VW was the video which they played at the beginning of the tour. It showed how through a large company how each separate groups works together to provide the exceptional experience for the consumer.

[brussgermany-blog]

COMM 3550 4-3

Week 4

Prompt 3: At Teufelsberg this week you will see a lot of graffiti. It's a cultural phenomenon here - highly skilled artists have been allowed to paint the walls of this defunct spy station. Some murals have lasted years, while others are painted over from one week to the next. As Ledingham tells us, "Public relations is best defined and practiced as the active attempt to restore and maintain a sense of community." How is this graffiti a function of community building/maintenance? How might this space be different in the U.S.? Would the owners of this property or the federal government be likely to allow this long-term graffiti haven to continue untouched by anyone who isn't part of the community? Post a selection of murals to illustrate your post. 

Tuefelsburg has become a part of the community itself. The murals are from local artists and give them a chance to express themselves to the community. From this freedom to express themselves has come this sense of community. The Tuefelsburg has become a cultural phenomenon because it allows the artist to show their true colors and express their identity with the community. Graffiti and murals are a common sight across Berlin and are synonymous with the culture. Art is best shared with others, especially if it creates the kind of community present at Tuefelsburg. 

The art at Tuefelsburg comes from renowned artist from all over the world. The art there is a celebration of world culture, as Berlin is a melting pot of the world. The tour today highlighted the diversity in the art as it encompasses societal, political, and world issues. Famous world figures such as Trump, Putin, and Obama are highlighted throughout the facility. Through portraying these usually sensitive topics in a unique and artistic way, the art works to bring people together. A normal poster of President Trump in Berlin would usually cause distaste. However, the portrayals of Trump in this artistic way work past the issues related to the name. In the U.S. street art and graffiti is a punishable crime and is looked down upon in society. In most conservative States I can't see this kind of exhibit being successful. Especially given the political climate in America, depictions of important U.S. figures, even if they are done in an artistic and joking way, would be frowned upon. 

Overall, I loved what they did at Tuefelsburg. It celebrated the culture of Berlin and allowed artists from every background to come and express themselves. The art celebrates all walks of life and through this expression comes a sense of community and belonging.

[arhindeutschland-blog]

Prompt 1 Extended: Capture an advertisement that you think would be ineffective in the U.S. Tell me why it would be ineffective, and then describe how you might do it differently for a U.S. market. Post a photo of the advertisement so that your classmates and I can see what you're referring to. (Note: You cannot post something in German and say "it would be ineffective because it isn't in English" or something similar. Think in terms of the intended message, intended audience, and how both are communicated - would the spirit of the message be ineffective? Why?) Make a connection to at least one of our readings from the program.

Pictured above are posters advocating for the Communist Renaissance in France. Translations include “Break the chains of the European Union” and “Macron & EU: They destroy our Social Conquest”. The Pole de Renaissance Communists en France or PRCF are advocating for a rebirth of communism and the dismantlement of democracy in France and the rest of the European Union.

These posters would most likely be ineffective in the United States due to a difference in culture. As we have learned from our readings, culture can be defined as “the set behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought characteristic of [a] group” (GM Chapter 14, pg. 428). France, along with much of the European Union, has had direct experience with socialism and communism throughout history that has recently been seen in a romantic light due to the current EU government’s shortfalls (Cato.org). In contrast, American culture has, since it’s infancy, celebrated the strength of the individual and the power of a self-balancing capitalistic model (newhistory.org). These fundamental historical differences produce a present-day culture that values different economic models and favors different ways of governance. 

The fundamental differences between the European Union and the United States can complicate international relations and public communication. With the rapid onset of globalization, the “increasing economic, social, and political interdependencies around the world” (Zerfass, 2015, pg. 785), the Communist Renaissance potentially will want their message to be adapted to reach the American public without alienating them. If pulled directly, translated, and posted around major American cities, the result would be just short of disaster. 

First, the poster appeals to anger with the European Union. As mentioned before, European citizens have had experiences with their central government that Americans have not experienced which has led them to regress back to communistic ideals, i.e. overreaching regulation, wasteful spending, wealth inequality among member nations (washingtonpost.com). Although it can be argued that the United States shares these experiences, American culture tends to place blame on the politicians and not the political system. The closest appeal some American’s could stomach for a call to switch to communism is the toxicity of big corporations and wealth inequality brought about by capitalism.

Second, the poster advocates for communism. In America, a nation with a history of hunting down communists and sending them to prison (amnh.org), the idea of openly calling for a shift to communism is a culture-shock. Therefore, taking all into consideration, adapting this poster for use in the United States should substitute the EU with big corporations and substitute the word communism with something to the effect of “positive change”. My idea would be a minimalistic poster with different facts about wealth inequality in America and statements of brotherhood and community.

[pailzingis]

COMM 3550 - WEEK 3 - PROMPT 1 - CULTURAL EXPERIENCE (FOOD) - EXTENDED

Prompt 1 (extended): Pick a concept from the chapter 14 reading on cross-cultural communication and PR that you have seen exemplified during our time here so far. Perhaps at a cafe you've witnessed differences in how space is used (Proxemics). Maybe on a weekend trip you've seen ways that people from some countries view time differently than we tend to (Chronemics). Or perhaps you've seen a really clever ad that bridges cultural/linguistic boundaries. Post a photo or video, and explain how it captures or illustrates the concept you choose. 

One of the things I wish I knew before leaving for Study Abroad was how drastically my eating patterns and diet would adjust to the food from Germany. I had been to Germany before; unfortunately however, I was just a young kid and did not have an appreciation for the German cuisine and wound up complaining about a lack of ‘American’ food most of the trip. Their are also differences amongst ‘restaurant culture’ that can be seen very easily when you compare both countries. Chapter 14 of Guth & Marsh "Values-based PR" talks about the differences among these things in culture. I have experienced a few examples so far.

Pictured above are two caesar salads I have ordered during study abroad. The top salad is from Germany and the bottom salad is from Prague. In Guth & Marsh "Values-based PR" the reading says “The culinary diversity of the world is dazzling as well as gratifying but also rife with opportunities for serious blunders” (Page 434). The serious blunders, throughout the first half of the trip, have come on my behalf. The clear difference in the two salads is the sheer size of the one served in Germany. This has been a common theme since the arrival here. I’ve noticed that often times the servings for every meal or dish are huge in Germany; not only that, but they’re often served with a side dish as well as bread or some other ‘starter’. It’s been hard to predict meal sizes based on prices because both salads were no more than 8-10 euro; roughly translates to 10-12$ U.S. Dollars which is standard of a salad at a nice restaurant. German dishes tend to come bigger for a little bit cheaper (depending on the delicacy) and this is important to know because it is common for Americans to over order like we tend to do in the United States and be totally ‘slammed’ with food.

The concept I have related this to in Chapter 14 is the idea of time. Guth & Marsh "Values-based PR" states “Different cultures have different attitudes about time” (Page 431). In restaurant culture, Germans have a very different attitude about time than Americans do. In the United States, it is common place for meals to be prepped smaller, eat-times to be shorter and for their to be an overall general faster pace to the dining experience (I can attest to this from my 2.5 years of experience working at a restaurant. In German restaurants their is a lack of a sense of urgency; it is common place for a group to sit down for over 1-2 hours and enjoy a meal at a restaurant for breakfast or lunch even. Their is no internal clock going off in the restaurant staffs head to ‘flip’ the table in order to open it for another guest. This, in fact, does create a much more relaxing environment to enjoy a meal; I've had some of my best dinners in years while eating out with my friends in Germany. 

Another ‘restaurant culture’ related component is tipping. Tipping in European countries can be vastly different than the United States. Guth & Marsh "Values-based PR" Chapter 14 talks about different symbols. Often times, tipping (depending on a lack of one, a small one, etc.) can be a symbol used to communicate you had received bad service. It is common place in America that regardless of how good or bad the service most people leave a 15% tip. It’s important to understand these differences before heading to a different country because they can vastly impact experiences.

Side note: This is a crepe (referred to as a pancake in Prague) that we ordered while eating near the Castle on the Hill. An absolute must order if you are in Prague. My life has changed forever and the standard of dessert has now been emancipated as I look down on other non-worthy desserts through my crepe-colored glasses. Life changing.

[lesterj28-blog]

COMM 3550

Week 4 Prompt 2: You have now seen the Mercedes-Benz arena & museum, the BMW Motorcycle Factory, and the VW Autostadt. How are these various locations similar in terms of stakeholder engagement? In what ways are they different? As a tourist viewing these locations (rather than as a local fan, a native German, or a customer), which was more effective in creating a compelling experience for you? Think about the Ramshaw reading as you answer, and include specific examples. 

Today we visited the Volkswagen Autostadt, where we toured the site and took in exhibits of many Volkswagen companies including Lamborghini, Porsche, Bugatti, and Audi. In many ways the Autostadt is comparable to the Mercedes-Benz arena and museum and the BMW Motorcycle Factory, but there are also distinct differences. In terms of stakeholder engagement, all three sites appealed to their respective audiences by highlighting the quality of their products. Not only does this strengthen the brand of these companies, but it also entices audience members to purchase their products. Another way in which all three locations appealed to stakeholders was through descriptive histories of their respective companies. All locations gave their presentations emotional appeal by detailing where their companies began and what they endured to be as successful as they are today, creating admiration of their companies in their stakeholders. As stated in the Ramshaw text, “heritage is something to be experienced and performed.” (Ramshaw p.21). By not only showing the heritage of their companies but presenting it in an interactive exhibit allow stakeholders to really connect with the companies on a whole different level.

While there are certain similarities between these three locations, there are also differences in the ways in which they appeal to their respective stakeholders. The Mercedes-Benz museum is exactly what it sounds like, a museum that details the history of their brand along with global history from the beginning of their company to modern day. The BMW Motorcycle Factory was quite different. While it briefly touched on the history of the company, the BMW Motorcycle Factory focused more on what they are currently doing to make their company a success, appealing to stakeholders through showing off their cutting-edge factory and explaining their quality parts and production process. The Volkswagen Autostadt differed from both the previous locations in the way it fostered stakeholder engagement. The Autostadt is set up very much like a college campus, with different buildings dedicated to different Volkswagen-owned brands. Because of this, guests are able to tour the Autostadt by going to the exhibits that are most interesting to them. The exhibits are also extremely interactive. For example, the Audi exhibit issued each group a sphere that when pressed up against a panel would explain a section of the exhibit in the selected language of the audience. Because of this, the Autostadt was most effective at creating a compelling experience for me. It’s interactive features and ability to make it what you want it really set it aside from the other two.