Ziem Phala

A hardworking and energetic communicator, Ziem has a passion for public relations. Her drive and creativity have helped her succeed in a team managing musicians and as a self starter . Her education in mass communication and public relations give her a unique outlook on communications and social media in todays corporate and non-corporate world.

About Me
Twitter
My Blog
My Photos

Skills & Talents
- Writing I am an excellent writer. I am proficient in speech writing, research, news releases and radio copy.
- Quark Xpress I am able to use Quark Xpress proficiently. I can produce brochures, pamphlets and posters in the program.
- Fashion Stylist Have worked on various campaigns and photo-shoots putting together outfits for various artists.,
- Dance I have an extensive background in classical dance including ballet, jazz and contemporary dance.

Education

Algonquin College	Public Relations	Sep 2008 to Apr 2010
Ottawa, ON
The public relations course blends public relations theory with practical experience in research, writing, editing, time and resource management, concept creation, speaking, and organization. In addition to public relations courses, the curriculum includes courses in desktop publishing, production (photography, the Internet, and layout), and business. The emphasis of the program is on attention to detail and creative and critical thinking in all public relations activities, from media relations to special event coordination.

Carleton University	Mass Communication	Sep 1999 to Apr 2004
Ottawa, ON
Focusing on the role of communications in our modern society. Looked at the role of communications in women's and children's lives, the role of the emerging Internet age.

Experience

Hilton Garden Inn	Event Coordinator	May 2010 to Aug 2010
Niagara on the Lake
Member of a team responsible for organizing social functions such as wedding, corporate events and large birthdays. I was also the catering manager and was responsible for a team of 7-10 people per function. I also attracted clients through cold calling, networking and a series of open house programs.

Retail Council of Canada	Media Relations Intern	Mar 2010 to Apr 2010
Toronto, ON
As a media relations intern at Retail Council of Canada I wrote a series of by-lined articles for Canadian Retailer and the Gananoque Chamber of Commerce. I also researched and wrote an overview of the credit card payments legislation in regard to interchange fees in Australia, the European Union and Canada. This document is used internally at the Retail Council office in Toronto. In addition, I also compiled a comprehensive stakeholder map that is used internally internally at Retail Council of Canada. http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/RETS0310/index.php?startid=4#/12

Kinki Asian Fusion		Feb 2009 to Mar 2010
Kinki Asian Fusion Restaurant
During my tenure at Kinki I helped write speeches for managers to give to tables that were coming to either Kinki or Mambo. I helped in promotion and organization of events, such as Johnny Vegas Thursdays, Ladies Nights and various theme nights throughout the summer months.

Algonquin College Public Relations Program	VIP Gala Co-chair	Jan 2009 to Apr 2009
Touch a Little Life CHEO Campaign
As the VIP Gala co-chair, my partner Sarah Budgell and I were responsible for securing Foundation Restaurant as the venue for our event. We were also responsible for writing speaking notes for veteran CTV news anchor Max Keeping, CHEO representatives and for ourselves. In addition we negotiated pricing for food, arranged for a dj and arranged for door prizes. www.touchalittlelife.ca

Odyssey Showcase	Public Relations officer	Jan 2010 to Feb 2010
Ottawa, ON
Working alongside Jessa Millar we were responsible for public relations endeavours for the production A Musical Taste of Our Canadian Heritage. We wrote news releases, radio releases, feature stories and helped with their social media endeavours through Flickr, Twitter and Facebook. The link to the website is here: www.odysseyshowcase.ca

E.A.G.L.E. Centre	Public relations help	Jan 2010 to Feb 2010
Ottawa, ON
The E.A.G.L.E. Centre is a nonprofit organization that helps multicultural youth with job opportunities and school tutoring. I was responsible for their Twitter page (www.twitter.com/EAGLECentre) and their Facebook group. I will also be helping with their Honouring Our Seniors event by organzing spoken word artists, dancers and djs, and will also be emceeing the event.

DeeJay Frame	Manager	Apr 2007 to Mar 2009
Ottawa, ON
While managing DeeJay Frame, I was responsible for organzing shows, events and bookings. I was responsible for putting Frame in contact with various record labels and artists including Planet Asia, StonesThrow and A-Plus of Souls of Mischief.

Accomplishments

Touch a Little Life	Fundraising	Jan 2009 to Apr 2009
Algonquin College Public Relations program
With the Public Relations class of 2010, i helped raised over $30 000 to buy a piece neonatal equipment for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

A.N. Myer Secondary School	Ontario Scholar	Sep 1998 to Jun 1999
Niagara Falls, Ontario
I was named an Ontario Scholar for having an average over 90 per cent, and I was also awarded the history and English awards.

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Maverick Idol

May 7th, 2010

I’m doing Maverick Idol!

It’s a PR “audition” where they give you a fake product, you go to Maverick PR head office, and you do a five minute PR presentation on the product. If you make it to the second round, you’re asked five questions and then they decide who gets the paid internship that day.

Even if I don’t make it, I’m excited to have to experience of having to be creative under such strict deadlines.

Wish me luck!

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Internship at Retail Council of Canada

April 28th, 2010

I recently finished my internship at Retail Council of Canada and it was awesome. I was able to put my PR and writing skill to use by producing a stakeholder map, writing bylined articles for various publications and getting a taste of event planning by helping with a human resources conference that RCC was hosting.

Things To Do as a new intern:
– Before you get there do some research on the company and make sure you know what they’re about, what their power structures are, etc.

Make sure on your first day to bring an updated resume; you never know if they might need you later on

Get to know as many people as possible. These might be your future co-workers.

Find out simple things like how long lunch is, if there is a “new hires” package that is given out, and what the dress code is.

When there is a social event with the company, I highly recommend going. You’re not going to get to know these people if you aren’t social with them

If your work comes back with tons of red ink, breathe and remember that this is your first time doing this “for real.” They’ve trusted you with assignment and you should trust your abilities

Always ask for more work… But don’t feel pressured to take on too much.

Ask tons of questions. They’d prefer it if you asked.

That’s about it!

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Boys Club

February 11th, 2010

Last night I worked a party for the Royal Bank of Canada. Now, I’ve worked this party before as they have had it at my workplace for a few years now, but last night was the worst.

The whole night made me question the corporate culture at RBC. There was an open bar, and that coupled with the high ratio of males in the room made for an increasingly uncomfortable night.

As the liquor flowed and they loosened up, their inhibitions went out the window. They were rude, I had my butt pinched, and there were several rude comments made about my other two female co-workers. It instantly turned into a boys club.

Now there were women there, but alas the world of high-stakes finance is dominated by men (they were from branches of RBC from Wall Street, Bay Street, here in Ottawa and a few were from European markets). The ladies were equally as brash and I’m wondering if it’s because of the alcohol or because they’re used to being in a male dominated work environment and they’ve had to adapt their ways to fit in.

At any rate, it was thoroughly disappointing. No server should ever have to ask a customer the question “How would you feel if you’re daughter came home and told you that a grown man copped a feel?”

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Hello world!

February 1st, 2010

This is my first post! Hopefully my insights into the communications and fashion world will be interesting and exciting for both you and me. I’ve never done this before, but I guess we all have to start somewhere…

I’m an avid sneaker collector and it is something that has become an obsession. I have over 50 pairs of Nikes, with some Alife, and New Balance thrown in for a different style profile. Two of my favourite websites to visit are www.sneakerfreaker.com and www.femalesneakerfiend.com. They are excellent sources for finding the latest releases and connecting with the sneaker collecting community.

Because I also love fashion and social media, a good part of my day is spent reading fashion blogs. The team at Highsnobiety and Highsnobette are always on the cutting edge and are willing to profile designers that are not as mainstream and are slightly more affordable than what is shown in Vogue. I’ve convinced myself that one day I will own at least one pair of Nicholas Kirkwood high heels preferably something along these lines k2-1