COM 273
Media Event Planning & Promotion
Spring 2016
Section 01 – Tuesday/Thursday 9:35 – 10:50 a.m. Fell 152
Section 02 – Tuesday/Thursday 11:00 a.m – 12:15 p.m. Fell 102
Instructor: Chelsey Eimer
Office: 405 Fell
E-mail:
Office Hours: Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., or by appointment
TEXTBOOKS
Kilkenny, S. The Complete Guide To Successful Event Planning. Atlantic Publishing, 2011, 2nd edition.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this class is to explore the dynamics of event planning with an emphasis on media promotions and events utilizing the media. Special attention will be given to radio and local television promotions. It will prepare students for the competencies required to plan special events for organizations of all types. This class will combine theory and application as students attend events and plan promotional events for non-profit organizations.
Student Tasks and Assignments
· Case Studies: Students will complete three written case studies on live promotional events. Case studies will become more detailed as you learn more about the event planning and media industries.
· Event Design and Plan: Students will work in groups to design and plan an event from initial idea to the actual event, including timelines, client list and budget information. Groups will be assigned a local non-profit organization to work with. Each group will present their idea to the class and to their contact at the organization. . Groups will be expected to produce radio or television spots and press releases to promote their event. 200 pts.
· Exams: You will take two exams in this class. Exams are objective (short answer, multiple choice, etc…) and are taken outside of class on Reggie Net.
Course Policies
In this course I challenge you to strive for perfection (or at least near perfection) in your work. Why? The answer is that your bosses, peers and, especially, clients will expect that from you throughout your career. This course is designed to extend your knowledge, strengthen your technical skills, and refine your work habits. To manage matters in this course, the several policy areas given below.
You also are expected to be familiar with ISU’s Code of Student Conduct. Concerning online course content, you also are expected to be familiar with and apply principles of Communication/Netiquette.
Class Meetings
The following are policies about specific matters for class meetings.
· Starting On Time — The official starting time for class meetings is not your arrival time. Come early! We will begin on time, and this is why your assignments are due before/by the official starting time of class as stated in the semester schedule. Remember this and act on it: “Early is on time. On time is late. Late is unacceptable.”
· Finishing Early — Whenever we finish our class meetings early, this still can be important time for you to help your own learning at an individual level. Visit with me, talk with each other, or get things organized for yourself in that time. You may leave, if you wish. But remember that because we all have our class meetings already blocked off inour schedules, the time can be used well for your individual needs. And you can still visit with one of us during office hours and make appointments.
· Late Start to Class — On the very rare possibility that I am not in class promptly at the official starting time (or early), rest assured that I am on my way. Please remain in the classroom until I arrive. I will take attendance. We'll cover what material we can that is scheduled for that day. Any homework that is due will be collected. Any exam scheduled for that day will be given as planned.
· Class Cancellation — Only two conditions are likely to exist when classes are cancelled: (1) ISU’s president has closed the university for a weather-related or another reason, or (2) I am unable to make it to ISU because of an illness, jury duty or another situation. Either way, if class is cancelled, you will receive an official notice by e-mail. If I must cancel class, a notice will be posted in the classroom and/or on the doorway. Any assignment due or exam scheduled for a day when class is cancelled will be due or done at the next class meeting.
Additional Policies and Procedures:
1) Reggie Net: Assignments, power point presentations, exams, materials and examples will be placed on Reggie Net. All assignments (unless otherwise noted) are to be posted to Reggie Net by the assigned date and time. If you are registered for the course, you are automatically enrolled in Reggie Net. Use of Reggie Net will be discussed in class, but additional assistance can be found at: http://helpdesk.illinoisstate.edu/kb/1803/Overview_of_ReggieNet/
2) Late work: Late work will not be accepted, unless it is tied to a previously excused absence.
3) Plagiarism: Evidence of plagiarism or cheating will result in an F on the assignment and possible dismissal from the University. The University Handbook contains the plagiarism policy that will be followed in this course and all ISU courses. Read it and understand it.
4) Grading: There are both objective and subjective criteria I use when grading your writing and layout designs. Objective criteria include following directions using the correct format for your assignments. Subjective criteria include my overall impression based on my experience and how well you perform compared to your fellow students. Students will be evaluated on the variety of skills and knowledge acquired in this course. Both individual and group assignments will be assessed to determine students’ comprehension and demonstration of course material. If you ever have a question about one of your grades please feel free to speak with me during my office hours (not in class).
5) Cell Phones, Laptops, Voice Recorders, iPods, MP3 Players, Text Messaging, etc.: I encourage you to bring and use a laptop or tablet computer with wireless connectivity during class, but please use it only to help you in your learning this class’ content and not surf the Web or do any other non-class-related stuff. If you find something useful, please share it with the class. Turn off the volume, and no earphones are allowed.
6) Attendance: I expect that you are all adults and will attend every class, however I will be taking attendance each class. You will receive 5 points for every class attended (losing points, should you miss class). For an absence to be considered “excused” you must inform me prior to class, if at all possible. Excused absences include participation in a university-sanctioned event, the death of a family member (see University Policy and Procedures 2.1.27 Student Bereavement Policy online), incapacitating illness, and natural disaster. Other absences (e.g., cold/flu, weddings, babies, car trouble, house/apartment problem, etc.) will be considered individually. As an added incentive to attend every class, those that have perfect attendance will receive 20 extra credit points at the end of the semester.
7) Online Communication: Proper formatting and good language use is necessary in every written document you prepare, including e-mail. Electronic communication should be complete with a greeting body text, salutation, and signature. I understand that we are all very busy people, however, you will not be taken seriously (in school or in your career) if you cannot properly communicate through e-mail. I will only open and respond to your e-mail me within 24 hours when:
1. A clear and simple subject line is given that, within 10 words or less, says exactly which class you're in and what topic(s) you're writing about. Don't be lazy and leave an old subject line from a previous e-mail I sent that has nothing to do with your e-mail's content. I will not reply to e-mail that uses a subject line that is not directly related to your e-mail content.
2. Your e-mail text is written effectively and concisely, and it should be as free of errors as possible.
By the way, I will apply these rules when I send e-mail to you. During the weekdays, I will respond to emails within 24 hours. On the weekends, I will respond within 48 hours.
**Any student needing to arrange reasonable accommodations for a documented disability should contact Disability Concerns, Fell 350, (voice) 438-5853, (TDD) 438-8620.
NOTES
This class will requires at least two out of class experiences. Students will be expected to attend live events in order to complete the case studies. Every effort will be made to provide a list of local events for attendance and analysis. We will be developing our “professional eyes” when reviewing events.
COM 273 SCHEDULE
** NO FINAL EXAM. WE DO NOT MEET DURING FINALS WEEK.
Date
/Week
/Topic
/Readings Due
/Assignments Due – items are due ON THE DATE they are listed
1/12 / 1 / Introduction to the course1/14 / Event Planning and Media Promotions / Rosen’s “Why Hold an Event”, Ch. 2 &4
1/19 / 2 / Timing and Budgets / Ch. 5 & 6, Rosen’s “Business Plan”
1/21 / Location & Date / Ch. 10
1/26 / 3 / Atmosphere, Food & Drink, Technology / Ch. 11 & 12, Ch. 14-16
1/28 / Participation Activity
2/2 / 4 / Event Promotions / Ch. 13
2/4 / Event Promotions (Cont). / Case Study #1 Due
Post to ReggieNet by midnight
2/9 / 5 / Event Promotions (Cont).
2/11 / Participation Activity
2/16 / 6 / Exam #1 Review
2/18 / Exam #1 (In Reggie-Net) / Exam #1 due by midnight
No Class Meeting
2/23 / 7 / Event Logistics / Ch. 17-22
2/25 / Event Evaluation
3/1 / 8 / Media Events
3/3 / Media Events / Case Study #2 Due
Post to ReggieNet by midnight
3/8 / 9 / SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS MEETING
3/10 / SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS MEETING
3/15 / 10 / Media Promotion
3/17 / Radio/TV Promotion
3/22 / 11 / Radio/TV (Cont.)
3/24 / Exam #2 (In Reggie Net) / Exam #2 due by midnight
No Class Meeting
3/29 / 12 / Guest Speaker, Linda Healy – WGLT
3/31 / Event Design
4/5 / 13 / Event Design / Project Proposal due by midnight
4/7 / Event Design
4/12 / 14 / Group Work / No Class Meeting – Groups must meet
Agenda & Meeting Minutes required
4/14 / Group Work / No Class Meeting – Groups must meet
Agenda & Meeting Minutes required
4/19 / 15 / Event Design
4/21 / Event Design / Event Plan due at midnight
4/26 / 16 / Group Presentations
4/28 / Group Presentations
*** This course schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. I will announce any notable changes in class, through email and/or on ReggieNet. You are responsible for noting any such changes,
Assignments/Exams – subject to change
Case Study #1 100
Case Study #2 100
Project Proposal 50
Event Plan 150
Event Presentations 100
Exam #1 Reggie Net, Objective, Multiple Choice/True False (50 points)
Exam #2 Reggie Net, Objective, Multiple Choice/True False (50 points)
Attendance 150
TOTAL 750
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