Massey student puts PR theory into practice
Anna Cudby likes a challenge. The Massey University communications student is currently studying for her final exams, while also launching her first marketing campaign – featuring herself.
The final-year student has been fielding media calls, including from Australia’s youth broadcaster Triple J, ever since she posted a novel auction on Trade Me. Cudby is proposing to wear a t-shirt featuring the logo of the winning bidder for up to five months.
She plans to set up a Facebook page and upload a new picture of herself wearing the t-shirt each day. It will cost businesses $5000 per month to take advantage of the opportunity, and Cudby promises to be an enthusiastic brand mascot.
“I’ve specified no offensive content, but otherwise businesses can put whatever they want on the t-shirt. I’ll do whatever I can to help promote their brand – I’m really passionate about this project, so I’m going to be really passionate about their brand,” she says.
Cudby says she wants to demonstrate the public relations and marketing skills she has learned during her degree at Massey in the hope of distinguishing herself in the job market. If successful, the idea will also help her pay off her student loan.
“I just thought it would be so cool to be someone’s brand mascot, and to be able show off the skills I’ve learned at university. If it works, it will look great on my CV and might open up some interesting job opportunities; if it doesn’t, then I’ll have no regrets. I’ve at least had some of my media releases published.”
So far, Cudby has executed her media plan with great success. She’s attracted international attention and been interviewed by some of the country’s leading newspapers. Her next step, she says, will be to market to businesses, and she has some other ideas like a t-shirt launch party and a social media plan that she is still developing.
“I love media relations, and my Media Skills paper really taught me about newsworthiness and how to write a media release,” says Cudby, who topped her class in the subject. “My ideal job after graduation would be something in PR, or a brand manager.”
In the meantime, it’s back to studying for those final exams.