WM MAGAZINE

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Editorial:

Our letter to you, our lovely readers

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How to Keep The Media Interested

Launching a New Product

Embracing Downtime

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Fund-raising options for entrepreneurs

Opportunities with Flow In Style with Alex Jordan

Social Videos Media Parking

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Message from the Editor

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The Learning Curve: How to Keep the

Media Interested

Ever been to an event and everyone’s eyes are glazed over ?

Maybe you’ve hosted one and are wondering how you could have made a greater impact on those who’ll be sharing your information with the public. You want that article, radio cast or television interview, to come across as exciting to the rest of the world as you feel about your brand.

You know, in that place deep inside where you dance a little every time you think about it? That’s the feeling you want the public to have.

Before we move onto how you can WM Magazine August 2015

make that happen, there’s something that you need to understand: Individuals who work in the mass media industry have seen and heard it all. They have been to every kind of event -- brand launches, ceremonies, sporting, entertainment, competitions . . . you name it, and they’ve done it. Often they are simply bored and rinse, wash, repeat without blinking an eye.

Break through the fog by first identifying your audience and deciding Page 05

which media outlets are best suited to deliver your message. Not only does this allow you to reach a targeted audience, but you’re also able to create new media contacts that you can approach in the future.

Make what you’re pitching interesting. Instead of saying “Dog Show in Central Park”, how about “Furry Friends Strut Their Stuff ”? It might raise a few eyebrows, but that’s just the point, you want to get the media’s attention, your aim is to make them interested enough to want to find out more. Capture their interest then hold it, that’s key.

So, how do you keep that interest going? Well, if you’re sending a press release with the information, add a unique tidbit or two, that would make anyone sit up and take notice.

Don’t just talk about an event, share the passion that went into it. This doesn’t require a thesis to achieve, a couple lines will suffice. In interviews, be open and charming, leave room for follow-up questions and be ready to talk about your product at length – ‘yes’ and ‘no’ will not suffice. Make sure you know your stuff inside out and even if you trip a little,

know how to laugh at yourself and recover where necessary.

Another little trick is timing. For example your new product may be an app that tracks the way sunlight affects the body, in the middle of a record-breaking heat wave, your app can become newsworthy overnight.

Keep updated with what’s going on in society and see how you can use it to your advantage, when approaching the media to pitch a story.

Here’s the bottom line: If you don’t seem that interested in what you’re selling and don’t put the effort required to make it really pop and stand out, why would the media approach it any differently?

Make glazed over eyes a thing of the past, keep the media interested and soon they’ll be calling you to find out what’s next for your brand.

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nteracting with the media can seem like a daunting task, especially for new entrepreneurs.

Members of the media are effective gatekeepers to the public and without their involvement ,the promotion of your new product, services or brand, could easily flop.

No pressure right? Right.

Here are a few easy steps to making the media bend to your will successfully interact with the media when launching a new product or service.

these very basic details, which leaves media personnel to have to figure it out for This is one of the most important things themselves and in many cases, they simply you should know before approaching the won’t bother. If you’re not as handy with media. What defines your brand? Why constructing a press release, use the talents should the public attend your event? What of others who can. Freelance writers and sets your company apart from others? companies with writing and editing serThese are just a few of the questions you vices are always up to the task. should be asking yourself before you even sit to write a press release. That’s right, up Disseminate the press release next . . .

So you have your shiny new press release and it sits on your desktop catching virtual Write a press release dust. Your event comes and goes and you As concisely as possible, share all relevant wonder why no one showed up. Prevent details about the product, give some inthis rather dismal result. Contact media sight about its predecessors (if any), and houses alerting them to the fact that you ensure that you don’t leave out things like will be forwarding your press release, or date, time and location. You’d be surprised have media relations experts do that job how many press releases are missing for you.

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Know what you’re selling

If you’re going to hack it alone though, remember that as a new entrepreneur who may not have a standing relationship with many in the media field as yet, be polite and ask nicely about the procedure regarding submitting releases. Don’t behave as though they have to run your release, the truth is they don’t.

So good manners go a long way here and here . . .

The day/night of the event

Your press release should have been accompanied with directions for the media.

If press passes were a necessity, media personnel should have had them at least a few days before the event. Make sure there is media parking where possible, seating, at least one section where photographers and videographers can be properly positioned, and a media kit (can include: relevant speeches, programme with rundown of events, product and company information).

Are you a new entrepreneur? Then you’re in the right place! The Brave New World page features advice on how to better understand and interact with the media, find interesting ways to promote your businesses and brands and, best practices for ensuring continued success. Look out for new tips each month.

After the event

Follow-up with the media and thank them for attending your event. Send a post-release with a quick breakdown of the event to those media personnel who were invited but could not attend. Easy as pie having a successful media-atended launch, told you no pressure.

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This Month’s Hit Pause Celeb is none other than the multi-talented Alex Jordan!

Here, she talks to us about her work in the Media field, what she does for downtime and some of her new ventures!

Are you ready to sit back, take a minute, and enjoy this month’s Hit Pause interview?

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WMM: Hello Alex, we’re excited for you to be our first featured media celeb for our premiere issue!

AJ: Hello WMM! Thank you - I’m super psyched too.

WMM: Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.

AJ: What can I say? I’m born in Barbados but am an atypical Bajan in many ways as my mother is Australian and I spent many years outside of Barbados from 16 years on. I love sports and language and of course music - which is its own language.

WMM: What inspired you to become a media personality?

AJ: As a youngster I did some radio adverts (because I was born with a very deep voice) and I thought it was fun and natural and lucrative...well 2 out of 3 ain’t bad. :/ WMM: Has it been an easy journey?

AJ: No. No journey in life is easy - if it’s easy it’s not really a journey. In lots of ways I still feel like I never “made it”. My many years in London saw some great opportunities and experiences and my return to Barbados presented different challenges. Easy would not be the word to describe it though...for one thing when I started social media was just beginning and we had no idea then just how intrusive it would become in our lives. It changed mainstream media entirely.

WMM: How do you find women are viewed in this industry? Do you think they have as many viable opportunities as men?

AJ: I get this question a lot and I always say - ask it again and just leave out “in the industry”.

Women have different expectations placed on them than men do - in and out of media. There are opportunities in the industry but in my experience it’s always been more challenging for women than for men. Since my 11 Plus where I got 92 A which didn’t give me my first choice, but my boy friends got their first choice with 87 B...I knew something was up. The industry is unfair to woman in the same way the world is - you can come in but 1) you better be physically attractive 2) you mustn’t age 3) you must face more criticism and present higher standards than your male counterparts for the same return.

WMM: You’ve had some amazing jobs in the past as well. What was it like working with some of the biggest names in the music industry (The Black Eyed Peas, 50 Cent, Girls Aloud) while at Polydor Records, UK? AJ: That was amazing. I was in my young twenties and I was super excited by celebrity and artists of course. I am sad to see 50 Cent declaring bankruptcy now…and my mind goes back to meeting him when we debuted the movie “Get Rich or Die Tryin” in the UK. He really struck me as very together...haha. Some of my most valued memories involve a gig I used to host at the Cobden Club in West London. It was a showcase and new and emerging talent venue...and I met and presented Amy Winehouse. Hearing her so early and so intimately was a real treat.

The real pleasure of Polydor though, was that working in A&R meant that before ANYONE we heard the records. I remember coming home to Barbados for holiday and hearing songs on the radio that I had heard from early edit stage. It was thrilling.

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WMM: And while we’re on the subject of great jobs, what is one of your most memorable moments working for BBC 1 Xtra?

AJ: OMG there are MANY. It would have to be The World Cup in Germany. They sent me, a producer and a bodyguard to 4 cities in Germany to follow the Soca Warriors...it was magnificent. The Trini team was delighting the world and particularly the German cities - soca music was everywhere! And of course the football was thrilling. It goes down to this day, as one of my most exciting gigs ever. I could give you more but they will all be in my book!

WMM: Book? We’ll look out for that, but for now, can you tell us how working for these larger media companies influenced the work you do in Barbados?

AJ: Well...it gave me a foundation and base understanding that makes me gawk at how we do things here in Barbados. That is challenging. Barbados is slow to change. All I do here is try to do my best each time...I get VERY serious when somebody on the team is threatening the quality of the broadcast (you know who you are!!), because it reflects on the total output. I expect a lot of myself and others. What can I tell you?

WMM: What made you decide to do the NBS (No But Seriously) vlog series on YouTube?

AJ: Well that was something I used to say in London - taken from Catherine Tate’s no but yeah but no but yeah but no but yeah but...skit. I loved it and knew I would miss it when I left Slam FM, so I do it occasionally online. More recently I’m trying to pick my battles...

WMM: After sharing your honest opinions about the often popular and topical issues you talk about on the show with the world, are you ever worried about the public’s reaction?

AJ: Yes. Yes I am worried. But I made my bed. People know me for my straightforward nature and honesty now...and not everyone will agree. The world as it stands suits some people just fine...who is this idiot stirring things up? Other people are so happy that their children can hear some more direct and honest points of view. I remember a day after a NBS on the radio where I got a LOT of calls from friends saying they heard I was being racist on the radio.

Egad...I didn’t eat dinner I was so anxious.By the next morning I figured that if I could stand by what I said - I couldn’t be responsible for peoples’ reactions.

WMM: You squeezed us in before heading off island once again. Is travel a large part of your life?

AJ: Yes. Being half Australian, and the product of travel - we have it in our blood to “walk about”. I’ve just come back from playing golf in Cape Breton (an island off Halifax in eastern Canada) and I’m heading off to Cayman Islands to represent Barbados in squash, at the CASA Caribbean squash championships after Kadooment.

WMM: What’s downtime like for Alex Jordan? You know, when you’re trying to escape the paparazzi.

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AJ: Lol. I love dominoes and chilling. I love reading. I love watching sports on TV. Down time takes many forms. I love playing games too - pictionary, taboo, cards you name it!

WMM: Speaking of downtime, we read somewhere that you’ve a furry little housemate called Fast Forward. Here at WM Magazine we’re constantly taking pet sides. Which are you, cats or dogs?

AJ: Why must we divide? I love all animals. I have a soft spot for cats though - their amazing physical agility - their keen instincts and their ultimately loving nature. Fast Forward says hi!

WMM: Give Fast Forward a rub for us! As for future human plans, what’s next for Alex?

AJ: I don’t know. I love the expression - if you want to make God laugh, make plans! I have a few things on the horizon that are shaping up just fine. I hope for them to include all my interests: Sridaiva yoga, sports, broadcasting and family. Some combination of those...

WMM: We love interviewing inspiring people with great stories, how about a line of sage wisdom for anyone wanting to break into the media industry.

AJ: If you are interested in becoming a “personality”, my advice would be to keep striving to get right within. What did Lauren Hill say? How you gon’ win when you ain’t right within?!

KNOW THY SELF! Keeping your confidence high is key.

Just another fun day at the office!

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The Business of Health How to Embrace Downtime as an Entrepreneur For most entrepreneurs the idea of downtime is catching a quick coffee break while perusing emails, however, the truth is that downtime is critical for successful businesses and lives.

The mind of an entrepreneur is always

racing, always working, and sometimes it’s easy to become so lost in work that we take our health for granted. Sometimes, the only way for us to really gain clarity and to see the bigger picture, is to turn the work switch off! Downtime not only helps businesses to thrive, but can also promote good social and personal relationships.

We want to make sure you continue to be a healthy and well-rounded entrepreneur.

Here are a few things that can help:

Proper Nutrition: Pay attention

stay healthy, so that you have the ability to effectively deal with any challenges you may be faced with.

Schedule ‘Me time’: Just as you

ensure that your meetings with various clients, staff and stakeholders are scheduled and are prioritised, do the same for yourself. We’re not kidding here. As an entrepreneur you can take advantage of your time, for both short breaks and for longer vacations. So at least twice a week, take the evening off for a well-deserved break.

Spend time with loved ones, or develop a hobby, whatever you do, it must not be work-related. Turn your phones off if you have to!

to your diet, eat healthy foods and stay well-hydrated. Work has a knack for taking over our lives and sometimes - often - we Listen to your body: For years many of us have subscribed to the ‘sleep don’t reemember that a healthy diet prowhen we’re dead’ work mentality, after all, motes optimal productivity and creativity. that’s what it means to be an entrepreneur Regular exercise is also a great way to WM Magazine August 2015

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right? No! If you overextend yourself and you are the only one who understands your vision, when you become ill - as you most assuredly will - your business will be left unsecured. To avoid this, listen to your body when it tells you that it is time to take a break. Stress is a very real threat and when you feel your muscles start to ache and tighten, when you begin to lose sight of your productivity and creativity, it is time to simply stop. Go for a walk and clear your head, take a nap, or do something else that completely relaxes you, before returning to the task at hand refreshed.

Make Time for Family and Friends: Like it or not, most of us need

some kind of social interaction. When you are first starting out, you have limited time to spend with those you love while handling the demands of your own work. In fact, maintaining personal relationships can especially become very difficult. The bottom-line is that we need to be social, we need to be reminded of the outside

world and how we are affecting those around us. So take the time and spend it with those closest to you. Laugh, talk and just enjoy being with those you care about.

Do something for yourself:

Even if it is reading a new book, or just going to the movies, do something that you enjoy. If you work from home, you may have to compartmentalize your work space from the rest of the house, a task that could be initially daunting, but reap great rewards. Try to take at least ten minutes daily that are devoted to you.

Carve out the time to take up a hobby, anything that you like, anything that can de-stress you, allow you to relax and ultimately get those 6 – 8 hours of sleep that your body and mind so desperately need.

Downtime is especially important for the entrepreneur, because at the end

of the day you are human and you need to be able to relax, be social, be alert and creatively productive, all of which comes when you’re at your happiest.

When running a business you will be assailed by stress and frustration, and if you don’t find an outlet to release this negative energy, eventually it will become noticeable to your clients. So whether it is twenty minutes a day, or a couple of days or weeks a year, taking a step back from your business is vital to your state of mind.

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Financing Tips! find funding options for your enterprise right here!

It’s not always easy for entrepre-

So what are some of the sources that neurs to receive funding for their you can access to turn your idea initiatives, and one of the reasons for this, is that often you’re the first into enterprise? to be doing what you’re doing, in The first is called Bootstrapping: the way that you’re doing it.

This means that you are self-fundIn this way, you may not know exing your venture from your own actly what is needed to make the savings. While this is something venture a success. In fact, all you might have are an idea and a busi- that is not at all easy or glamorous, ness plan, but are those enough for it is often a source that is preferred others to buy into the risk that you by entrepreneurs, as it will force you to become a better, stronger are taking? and more creative business owner, Sometimes it simply isn’t. So what do you do? How do you ensure that with a more vibrant enterprise, especially as you do not have to relinyour unique idea can be shared quish any control of your company with the world?

Investigate funding options as there by doing so. is money out there, but you will have to know where to find it and 2) Friends and Family: It is not be aware of what strings are atalways easy to ask friends and famtached to the source. It has been ily to buy into your idea, howevsaid that entrepreneurs tend to fix- er, they are a great testing ground ate on only one or two sources of before you expand your horizons. funding, when it’s much better to Friends and family are your inner keep your options wide open. circle, so tap into their resources WM Magazine August 2015

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and keep in mind that for them this is an investment and they will be looking to see returns on their trust in you and your product.

3) Bartering: This was the way the first merchants did it and it is still a viable trade today. The exchanging of goods or services as a substitute for money can be a great way to reduce expenses, while providing the opportunity for further partnerships. As a startup, cash is often scarce and so bartering may not only be a great idea as you strive to be better established, but it could also be the tool to push your business even more.

4) Form a partnership: From bartering, the next source you may awant to investigate is the art of forming partnerships with other organisations. A more established company may have a strategic interest in helping to develop your product or service,& be will-

ing to advance funding to make this happen 5) Angel investors: For those looking for funding between $25,000 to $250,000, angel networks can be just the thing that you need. This option requires networking , as you need to find ‘angels’ who not only understand your industry, but also share your passions.

6) Small business grants: Approaching banks might not be your first choice, but there are some NGOs that offer small business grants and loans and are definitely worth looking into. Some of these come with an extensive mentoring programme and can help to not only fund, but provide much needed guidance for entrepreneurs

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Gone Digital: Opportunities With Flow

(From left) John Reid, President of the Consumer Group of Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) talks with Niall Sheehy, Managing Director, Cable and Wireless Barbados. Photo taken by Michael Cadogan

What does the newly rebranded Flow mean for entrepreneurs on the island of Barbados?

It means that history has been created, as the new retail brand by Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), will deliver a compelling set of quad play products and services via its Fibre to the Home (FTTH) infrastructure. This set-up will reach Barbadian homes

WM Magazine August 2015

by the end of 2015, effectively making Barbados the first country in the world to have 100% FTTH coverage.

John Reid, President of the Consumer Group, Cable & Wireless Communications, spoke to WM Magazine during a brief interview following the official launch of the Flow Brand at Halton Plantation, St. George, Barbados and said that the company saw themselves more as facilitators who could

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As for what ‘millennials’ and entrepreneurs could expect with the rebranded Flow, Niall Sheehy, Managing Director, Cable & Wireless Barbados, had some exciting news, “We have our 4G network here, so what we are trying to do is constantly develop and enhance, While in the Caribbean smart phone us- so in the same way on our fibre network we are always trying to increase age is low, many more consumers and professionals are getting into the habit speeds to make the experience much better and we’re actually constantly of working on their smart devices, including their tablets, and Reid believes investing in that. We do see the milleit’s up to them to ensure that their own nials as very key to our business and communication services were efficient. we are looking at launching a whole range of apps as I mentioned , ‘Flow to Go’, as well as ‘My Flow’ and we are “Our focus on the entrepreneur is to also going to have a number of applidevelop those opportunities for them cations around sports, so all of those to have to communicate and develop e-commerce .It’s really the technology, will be available, so that whole social media and the millenials side is very, it’s the platform itself. very important to us.”

It is the platform that allows entrepreneurship because capacity and As it relates to entrepreneurial inconnectivity creates opportunities for spiration, John Reid advised that enadvancement, whether it is for simtrepreneurs could not easily accept ple communication or for commerce failure and must hold strong to their opportunities, you need a very robust resolve, while knowing that what they communications system,” he shared. envisioned now, would be different in the future, and they’d have to be pre“I think for the entrepreneur, it is certainly moving more towards the mobile pared to adapt. provide the platform needed for further entrepreneurial development.

He further explained that when it came to ICTs, it basically depended on what the entrepreneurs would really need as they built up their businesses.

experience, from the table top magazine to the digital, I think it’s that same evolution, but at the same time, we know all the consumers and professionals consume information through their tablets and I think it’s really providing that platform. It’s really for us to facilitate. We are facilitators, we can provide mentorship, we can provide development opportunities, we can provide platform for apps, and I think that is our role”.

“We are facilitators, we can provide mentorship, we can provide development opportunities, we can provide platform for apps, and I think that is our role”.

- John Reid,President of the Con-

sumer Group, CWC *Check out Gone Digital, every month for the latest in tech developments.

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Email: enskribedmag@gmail.com Enskribed Exclusive

@EnskribedMag

CREATE THIS!

W

e’re sitting at a small table when the interview begins and Marc has just settled into an office chair that might be too small for him. After the greetings are out of the way, we get down to business.

Marc says that storytelling has always been a talent of his, even when he was a child and explains that his interests also extend to

WM Magazine August 2015

reading and writing. While he’d play with his toys - GI Joes of course - he would create several complex stories around them, which would inevitably become bad guys versus the good guys.

“I’m more of a fan of fiction than non-fiction.

For me non-fiction has always been a bit bland, but you know I had books, books were kind of present throughout my entire

life, you know Hardy boys, even Nancy Drew, adventure stories, even the little illustrated Bible book, just stories on a whole, and I was never one of those people who knew from knee-high what they wanted to be. I suppose I always had the ability to be other things, but stories just never left.”

ist at one of the leading newspapers on the island.

He then enrolled in a twelve-week summer workshop, where he both learnt and honed the skills for storytelling and scriptwriting, as he gained some understanding on how to make a film. From there, he wrote a short on his own and even produced it.

He explains that he studied Marc’s name for the Mass Communication and graphic novel, which is for became a photo-journalmature audiences, was one

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of the things that pulled WMM in and we had to ask him about the chosen title. He says that ‘’Bridgeland’ and Barbados were things that had always stuck with him. Naming the characters on the other hand, was an entirely different story, as he wanted to make sure that the names defined and really represented the characters of the novel.

Marc explains that at its core, the graphic novel is about family, and he was determined that the story to be relatable to anyone who picked it up, regardless of nationality or culture.

“I just wanted to have a story that had that broad appeal, so ‘family’ was one of the themes that I went with and ‘revenge’ is another. I don’t think revenge necessarily needs any great introduction , for some people, some cultures, some mind-sets, the concept of revenge is

something that is very, very ingrained and I guess it is also something that is human, for better or worse, so those two big themes...family and revenge.”

Marc calls himself an entrepreneur, explaining that it took a certain entrepreneurial spirit to be self-published, as it’s not an easy feat. He tells us that being a writer is a difficult career path, despite many people believing the opposite. A glow settles on him as he talks about those who have supported him throughout the writing process and explains that they are a very important part of his life. He appreciates their support so much in fact, that he showed them with a launch that was held in Barbados, in July.

“People don’t realise how lonely people can be, sometimes even writers themselves don’t realise it. You can get caught up

in creating this whole world and all these characters (only to) realise that you are just this one person doing all of this.

Sometimes you don’t, but having somebody say ‘hey listen, what you are doing is cool, how can I help?’, is immense, you know, having people be willing to share their energy with you helps out a lot, because it can get a little down sometimes working on it,” he says with some intensity.

“Creating anything in Barbados is hard, because again I’m not sure if the average person realises really the effort that it goes into creating anything… from tables and chairs to music, to graphic novels, I don’t think people realise how hard it is and even before you can get to the stage to put a dollar value on it, the effort that is involved. Yes there are initiatives and organisations that support stuff, yes the passage of the Cultural

Inset: Marc Gibson, showcasing his new Graphic novel: ‘‘Bridgeland”.

Industries Bill is a major step forward, still, generally this stuff, creating anything takes time and money, it takes resources and I think writers, creatives in general are blessed to be living in a digital age, as a writer you don’t have to you know, go ‘hawk’ your manuscript to a publisher or an agent, and then wait on their approval to fall from on high or whatever, you can have a solid story, you can have an editor and from there you can make the step forward to get it out to the public, but there is still a bunch of stuff that comes after that and support is a really big help, really huge,” he adds.

As the interview comes to a close, Marc is all smiles when we ask about the next volume of his novel, which he reveals he’ll be trying to publish by December 2015.

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Community Spotlight:

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards Programme

WM Magazine is always ready and willing to highlight those charities, NGOs, Foundations, Youth Programmes and others, that are promoting positive activities within their communities. This month our featured organisation is the Duke Of Edinburgh’s International Awards. Since its inception in the United Kingdom in 1956, this Youth Development Programme has continued to serve the world, as well as its participants, who through hard work have endeavoured to become responsible citizens.

Official photo for bronze and silver award ceremony, 2014

It is a character-building opportunity, comprising of efforts made in four areas of activity -- community service, learning skills, physical recreation and adventurous journeys. However, the Award is much more than that, and is in fact an excellent growth bed for critical thinkers.

When asked what makes the organisation stand out, Carla Alleyne, Operations Manager, explained that it was all about its flexibility, as it connected with a wide range of other organisations. She went on to say that no matter a person’s station in life, they were able to access the Award and benefit from its many learning opportunities.

WM Magazine August 2015

“What is required is a willingness to be consistently improving. This is the greatest challenge and reward for anyone involved with The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award,” she explained.

Carla believes that the best thing about the organisation is that it fosters self-development through community interaction and involvement. “The structure of the programme necessitates that participants interact with people they otherwise would not have interacted with. It forces them into intimate, high-pressure situations, which causes them to have to look past personal differences to overcome the challenge in front of them. I believe it fosters a communal mentality among participants,

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which is what is needed in our part of the world, given the individualistic nature of our societies. In essence, participants learn how to care for others, how to become better persons, how to survive, and how to give selflessly.”

Carla glows when speaking about the Award and says that it is a ‘fantastic opportunity for life growth’, whether as a full-on participant or as a volunteer. She divulged that the Barbados Chapter now had the Cadets on board, and were the first country in this region to complete the signing of the first sub-licence agreement with the Barbados Cadet Corps, on March 2, 2015. It is expected that this agreement will continue to expose young people to the Award, challenge them and increase participation in the programme.

The Chapter also hopes to be able to expand into more schools, churches, public and private institutions, where youth aged 14 - 25 could become more involved. “We invite the public to support, work and partner with us to challenge our youth in a positive way and contribute to the development of responsible and active citizens of Barbados. We would be appreciative as well of any support that can be given to us to develop the programme. We are always happy to have volunteers and interested parties working with us. We anticipate that the programme will continue to grow and we are looking forward to it, as it has been in existence for fifty-two years in this island. Regionally, we aim as well to continue to be the programme of choice for the youth of Caribbean,” Carla said.

The organisation is no stranger to accomplishments and according to Carla, “If you measure based on ‘life-change’ and ‘growth’, then I say that our biggest accomplishment is the fact that

we’ve impacted every participant positively.

No child that has entered the programme has left without learning some conflict resolutions skills or some survival skills. Every participant has learnt the value of working in teams, and been acquainted with the stresses of working in a team. The Award programme has been described as ‘a do-it-yourself kit in the art of civilised living’ and that is precisely what we teach participants: how to live. In Barbados, we have also been able to expand the programme into public and private secondary schools. We have 16 groups with 374 active participants.

This is a 48 percent increase over the last year.”

The Award programme has had a long history of achievement, especially in terms of their ‘Adventurous Journey’. The sense of exploration is something that was honed in the Award and has led to an annual regional camp which targets those at the silver and gold levels. This year, she revealed that the Barbados Chapter has sent a group of twelve to the Caribbean Award Sub-Regional Council (CASC) camp in Grenada, where they will join other young participants from at least seven other countries.

Participants cleaning gully.

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Unable to hide her pride Carla shared, “In addition to the annual camp, award holders on achieving the gold award, are eligible to attend the International Gold Event (IGE), which is held every three years. Last year, representatives from countries such as Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Trinidad and Tobago attended. Across the islands, participants are involved in voluntary activities individually and collectively under the Award. In Barbados, participants have volunteered at many events such as for the Pink Ribbon Drive, Clean Up Barbados, the Multinational Women’s Fair and Sheraton Mall Christmas Cheer.”

With all of this already in the bag, what’s next for exciting youth development programme?

“Our major activity for the month of August is CASC in Grenada. Our participants are completing their Adventurous Journey for their silver and gold awards. We will be conducting training for our leaders, our Dukers will be volunteering with Clean Up Barbados and for Breast Cancer Awareness Week. In October, we will have our annual fundraiser ‘Bring a Fren and Come Hike’. We invite the general public to come out and support us, as this activity assists in bringing in funds to defray costs for participants to attend CASC,” Carla explained.

The WM Community Spotlight page features national, regional and international organisations, NGOs, charities, companies, individuals and others, doing their part to better their communities.

WM Magazine August 2015

Dukers engaging in Clean Up Barbados.

Participants undergoing training

CASC 2014 participants in St. Vincent.

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OnPoint: In Style with Alex Jordan!

Outfits sponsored by Iconic Boutique.

Make-up sponsored by Colour-Coded.

Photograhs taken by Lennox Devonish.

WM Magazine August 2015

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Whether it’s a press conference,

gala, business meeting or other event, Alex Jordan’s style is on-point and definitely in style. From day to evening, she’s ready for anything, a key component for all successful business people.

Speaking to Alex on set, we asked her how being a media celebrity had influenced her style!

Here was her reply: “Well yes. If I wasn’t in the public eye, I would be wearing comfy things all the time. I resented fashion all my life - feeling

Classy and ready for a formal function. Isn’t she fierce?

like it was superficial and the basis for a lot of snobbery and exclusion.

As I matured though I developed my own sense of style and started recognising how stylish my mother was.... now I use stylists to help me with my looks. I also follow Gigi’s fashion blog. Talk about effortlessly fashionable. I’m not that. I try hard. Lol”.

We think she knocked it out of the park this time! Check her out!

All work no play?

You decide.

In this outfit, Alex shows her playful side.

Rude gal! Alex sizzles and defies!

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A Fantastical Community

Coming Soon!

Trending: With Social Video!

philosophies, are just some of the things that you can now share with your audience, in emotionally compelling ways. Push the buttons that cause the public to laugh, smile or tear up, and you have just ensured sharing of that one post, to an unlimited number of people. In summary, social video (vid) creVideo came into our social media lives like ation is a smart move. a fantastical uncle who’s travelled the world Many influencers (vloggers, mcro-vloggers, and seen all the . . . things. bloggers, etc) with hundreds to millions of It made us sit up and take notice of brands we hadn’t before. Suddenly we were looking followers and fans, create amazing content at moving pictures, gifs, vines and instavids using platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and Vine. You can effectively use content that that took over like wildfire. is directly or indirectly related to your own products and services, as a way to supplement Brands of all kinds are utilising this onyour marketing strategy. slaught of video use in popular social media advertising. With the ability to share ads audio-visually, products and services can be better promoted to a wider audience.

Your brand story, company origins, new product launches, or even organisation

While this is a ‘middleman approach’, it ensures quality content across your social media platforms, while allowing users to further recognise your brand as one to watch. What this achieves is that the public begins to learn more about your brand’s ideals, products, services, appearances and more.

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These influencers can also be used in another way. This method cuts out the middleman, as instead of sharing the influencers’ content, you collaborate with them to share your own. As they promote your social vid on their social media platforms, their many followers are going to take notice. This is another great marketing and promotion opportunity for brands. Approach influencers with a great pitch, offer them free products or other opportunities in exchange for promoting your brands and when they sign on, watch the magic happen.

Some think that it’s silly to associate a brand with something like a fifteen second vine or instavid post.

To recap – Social video is trending

and it’s here to stay. Use influencers to help push your social vid or, use theirs to push your brand, and finally, don’t just throw anything out there, use social vids that are relevant to your brand in order to see the best results.

However, if businesses hope to succeed in the changing market, they must at least dip a toe, into the new waters of marketing and promotion. As social videos are a tributary of these new tactics, it stands to reason that a few, well done, topical and well-placed social vids, can go a long way to promoting your brand and making it shine in the marketplace.

What’s trending in the world of mass media and business? Stay locked to this page each month to find out!

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Dear WMM,

I’m an event planner who’s been in the business for years. Never thought press parking was necessary, especially as most of the time there’s more than enough parking for everyone at the venues. Last week a journalist got really upset with me because there wasn’t any parking and actually threatened to leave if I didn’t find him a spot. Is this a thing now? The press likes to get in and out, so I’ve always figured it was best to let them have at it and decide where they’d want to park.

Can you please explain why parking would be such a big deal?

Marie, Event Planner

WM Magazine August 2015

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Dear Marie, Media parking is not always something that is necessary, as it depends on the type of event you are hosting and the setting. For instance, if it is a small event and you have ample free space, the press will be more than happy to find parking. Often the issue comes with bigger events, especially those that are sold out.

For these kinds of events where parking will be scarce and possibly far from where the event is actually being held, it is recommended to reserve parking for the media.

Think of it this way, when you invite the media, they are coming at your request and they are coming to work. In this light it is seen as disrespectful to invite them and not ensure that basic provisions are in place -- parking and seating being a crucial part of this. If they have to scurry to find their own parking - at times unsuccessfully - after being invited to your event, they may begin to wonder if it is worth it, and who can blame them? After all, they are your guests.

es to the media houses you’ve invited.

These would then be shown to parking attendants or ushers, so that media personnel can be directed to the allocated spaces.

Another way to do this, is to reserve a certain number of spaces for media parking and when they arrive, they could show a media parking pass and be directed to these spaces.

It is important that parking attendants or those assisting with parking, are aware of these arrangements and are ready to be of assistance. If you put all this in place Marie, this part of the proceedings will run very smoothly.

Note: For many media representatives, one of the daunting tasks is arriving to an event, only to be turned back because parking must be found away from where it is being held. The media is there to promote and share your event with a ready audience, as such, consideration must be taken to ensure they are well looked after.

Have questions? We’ve got answers!

What we recommend, is for you to get Send your media etiquette questions into the practice of reserving parking www.waterway-media.com and find for the press at your events, as it would out more about the ways you and the set a nice precedence. To ensure that media can better work together. things go smoothly, send parking pass-

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