Course Title: Manage the public relations publication process

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2021

Course Code: MKTG7980C

Course Title: Manage the public relations publication process

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5400 - Diploma of Business (Public Relations)

Course Contact: Nick Reynolds

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 0791

Course Contact Email: nick.reynolds@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Alain Grossbard

alain.grossbard@rmit.edu.au 

Nominal Hours: 45

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None required.

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to manage the design, production, implementation and evaluation of public relations publications in accordance with organisational requirements.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBPUB501 Manage the public relations publication process

Element:

1. Research publication requirements and segment target audience

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Prepare a public relations research brief that specifies the research objectives, methodology, time schedule and budget

1.2 Consider the internal and external factors that may impact on the effectiveness of a public relations publication

1.3 Assess primary and secondary research methods for their capacity to provide information on publications requirements and market segments

1.4 Evaluate and choose criteria to use in segmenting the audience in accordance with the public relations brief

1.5 Define the target audience in terms of prospective readers of the publications

1.6 Ensure the target audience profile meets organisational requirements in terms of level and style of language usage, format, content and level of detail

Element:

2. Plan public relations publications

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Ensure publication purpose is consistent with the organisation’s mission, vision and corporate values

2.2 Identify, obtain agreement on and document publication objectives and central message consistent with messages in other organisational publications

2.3 Select team members according to skill and knowledge requirements

2.4 Develop and obtain agreement on budgets and schedules with relevant stakeholders

2.5 Identify appropriate suppliers of goods and services and obtain quotations as required

2.6 Develop criteria to test and evaluate the success of the publication

Element:

3. Develop and evaluate public relations publications

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Design and write publication text in accordance with communication objectives and house style

3.2 Check readability of material to ensure it is aligned to the target audience’s reading levels

3.3 Test document with relevant stakeholders and incorporate findings in the final publication

3.4 Ensure publications, including any changes, comply with legal and ethical requirements

3.5 Select and contract suppliers to complete publication production processes

3.6 Distribute publication according to public relations plan

3.7 Evaluate aspects of the publication in line with stakeholder feedback and against evaluation criteria


Learning Outcomes


In this course you will acquire the skills and knowledge required to produce and evaluate various public relations publications.

These skills include:

  • Research publication requirements and segment target audience
  • Plan public relations publications
  • Develop and evaluate public relations publications.


Details of Learning Activities

This course is structures to provide you with the optimum learning experience. A range of learning activities are provided during the semester and are designed to enhance learning and understanding of the topics.

You will participate in a combination of group and individual learning activities. These activities will be provided through classroom work time and additional learning activities will be provided to you to complete outside of the scheduled class time.

A range of in class activities, case studies and independent research is included as the learning activities for this course. We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.

The learning activities will also include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated workplace environment.


Teaching Schedule

The course syllabus provides you with information about:

  • When classes are held, and what topics are covered each week (including the relevant Unit of Competency and associated Elements/Performance Criteria);
  • What learning materials and activities need to be completed; and,
  • What assessments are due

Weekly Schedule 

MKTG7980C   Manage the Public Relations Publication Process

Semester 2 2021

Week number 

Week beginning 

Topic 

Activities

Assessments 

O-Week

5th July

Introduction

·         Teacher, student introductions

·         Assessments and Feedback

·         Course overview

·         Assessment Tasks

·         Groups

·         Workshop

A1 Market trend activity 


Brief all assessments and assessment overview 

2

12th July

  • Introduction to Publishing 
  • Unpacking a Publication 


3

19th July 



    • Research brief 
      • Sample (target market) 
      • Methodology 
      • Deliverables 
      • Logistics 
    • Stakeholders 
  • Target Market description (Activity ) 
  • Stakeholders (Activity )  

  

4

26th July

  • Research brief 
  • Stakeholders 
  • Legal and ethical consideration in PR 
  • Risks in PR – social and organisational  
  • Introduction to research process 
  • Find a Company with Ethics (Activity) 
  • What could go wrong in a Campaign? (Activity ) 
  • Research Agencies (Activity ) 

  

5

2nd August

  • Factors that can influence the publication process 
    • Internal 
    • External 
  • Communication strategy 
    • Target Market  
    • Brief 
  • Identifying Target Audience (Activity 1) 
  • Creating an Avatar (Activity 2)  
  • Client Brief (Activity 3) 


6

9th August

  • Factors that can influence the publication process 
    • Internal 
    • External 
  • Communication strategy 
    • Target Market  
    • Brief 


  • Identifying Target Audience (Activity 1) 
  • Creating an Avatar (Activity 2)  
  • Client Brief (Activity 3) 

Assessment 1 due Sunday

7

16th August

  • Communication Plan 
    • Choosing the format 
    • Compliance 
  • Supplier choice 
  • Supplier contracts 

Reviewing Organisational Mission, Vision and Values (Activity 1) 

Contract Template (Activity 2) 


8

23rd August

  • Budget 
  • How will we evaluate success of the Publication 


Mid Semester Break 30th August - 5th September

9

6th September

  • Client Brief  
  • Time to work on Assessment 2 


10

13th September

  • Project management 
  • Who’s on the team 
  • PR skills and knowledge requirements 
  • Time line  
  • Next 2 weeks InDesign workshops 



Assessment 2 due Sunday 

11

20th September

InDesign Workshop 



12

27th September

InDesign Workshop 



13

4th October

Peer Evaluation and Review 



14

11th October

Presentation  


Assessment 3 In class 

15

18th October

Presentation  


Assessment 3 In class 

16

25th October

Resubmissions



17

1st November

Grade Entry




Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

All resources will be available on Canvas


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Methods

 A range of assessment methods will be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following assessment methods will be used specifically to assess your managing of the public relations publications process:

  • Project management
  • Written reports supported by practical assignments or tasks for individual assessment
  • Observation of workplace practice supported by personal interviews
  • Practical display with personal interview, presentations or documentation
  • Case studies.

 You will be assessed on the criteria below:

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

  • research, develop, implement and evaluate at least ONE complex public relations publication for a specific audience in accordance with organisational requirements.

Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

  • outline internal and external factors that may impact publication requirements
  • explain what primary and secondary research methods are, and how they can be used in public relations
  • explain the criteria used to select team members
  • outline suppliers who may be required to complete publication production processes
  • summarise key provisions of relevant legislation, codes of practice and national standards that affect public relations
  • explain the relevance of ethics to public relations.

Assessment Conditions

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course are being met.

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the public relations field of work and include access to:

  •  office equipment and resources
  •  examples of previous public relations documents
  •  case studies and, where possible, real situation
  •  interaction with others.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions.  You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment 1 Task -  PR Research Brief

Date and time due         : Week #6 

Purpose: The purpose of this assessment is to introduce key research concepts and methods. In this assessment you are required to produce a research brief. To complete this activity, you will need to evaluate different research methods and develop a target market description.

Requirements: Students are to select a public relations publication from an Australian organisation of their choice and create a research brief to supply a third-party agency to evaluate the effectiveness of their chosen publication. Students should inform their teacher of their chosen Australian organisation prior to proceeding with this assessment.


Assessment 2 Task - PR publication planning document

Date and time due:        Week #10

Group or Individual:      Assessment 2 this is an individually assessed report (Individual)

Purpose: The purpose of this assessment is for students to demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices involved in the planning required to produce publications that meet both organisations requirements, objectives and legal and social obligations.

Requirements: In this task, students are required to develop a plan for a portfolio of publications, that will be produced in next assessment task (assessment task three). Students are to use the same Australian organisation that they used in assessment one as the basis for the planning document and publications.


Assessment 3 Task - PR Publication portfolio & presentation

Date and time due:        Week #14 (Portfolio) and 16 (Presentation)            

Purpose: In this assessment, students will be using the plan they established in assessment task 2 to produce a publication portfolio of two publications. The publications portfolio will be reviewed by their fellow students who will take part in a stakeholder role play session where they will give feedback regarding your portfolio.

Requirements: Students are to develop and produce an actual portfolio (two PR publications) as per their plan in assessment 2. Students may use Adobe InDesign or other desktop publishing programs to create these publications.

This assessment has two parts:

1. Collaborative review and stakeholder feedback sessions in class Week 16

2. Portfolio submission (11.59pm Sunday Week 14)


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix that maps all the assessment is available on CANVAS.
Submission Requirements

You should:

  • Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.  Non submission without supporting evidence such as ELP or special consideration will mean a result of Did Not Submit (DNS) 
  • Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
  • When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use the Assessment task document that includes a declaration and statement of authorship.
  • Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. 

Other Information

Late Submission Procedures 
You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.  If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.
More Information:  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for Special Consideration.  Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.
More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration
Resubmissions:
If you are found to be unsuccessful in a particular Course Assessment Task (or you do not submit/attend) you will be allowed one resubmission.  Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission.  
If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.
Re-submissions
Successful re-submissions will contribute a CA only (Competency Achieved) result to your overall grade for the course.
Adjustments to Assessment 
In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website:  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment
Marking Guide (Competency): 
You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.
You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing. 

Final Grades table:


CA Competency Achieved  NYC Not Yet Competent DNS Did Not Submit for assessment
Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher

Course Overview: Access Course Overview