Graduate Students Research Dissussion

By Marie Cervantes

Three Texas State graduates students discussed their work on their recent research Tuesday, Oct. 20 at Old Main at Texas State University during Mass Communication Week.

David Tarasi, who programmed for the “Bobby Bones” show on KISS radio in Austin, described his research as “the correlation between aggressive behavior and exposure to violent media.” His input from his research states that media does have an impact but does not create aggressive behaviors in viewers.

Lydia Saldana, Communications Director at Texas Parks and Wildlife, explained how minorities are underrepresented in wildlife magazines.

Third speaker, Robert Hill, focused his research on the “vulnerability of the Spanish dominant Latino community” in Austin.

dt1138@txstate.edu
ls1287@txstate.edu
rh1041@txstate.edu

Millionaire blogger crushes it at mass comm week

Gary Vaynerchuk was once a young immigrant in the Soviet Union hoping for a better life. Today he is a successful entrepreneur who hopes to buy the New York Jets.
Gary Vaynerchuk, author of Crush It!, spoke to students Wednesday about the power of the internet and social media.
Cindy Royal, assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, introduced Gary Vaynerchuk as host of The Wine Library TV and a premier speaker at South by Southwest.
“He’s been on Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Ellen; featured in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times and he was named AskMen.com’s 18th most influential man,” Royal said. “We got someone here who is really ahead of their game. Gary’s very passionate about what he does.”
Vaynerchuk grew his wine business from a $3 million to a $55 million business by utilizing social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube.
“I’m not a very good writer but I knew I could communicate through video,” Vaynerchuk said.
Vaynerchuk said his success can be attributed to being an effective storyteller.
“The brands that succeed are the ones that most know how to paint a picture,” Vaynerchuk said.
Vaynerchuk said the internet is like “Lebron James 2.0” and has pounded and destroyed everything in its way.
“What it has done is allowed every person in this room a platform at zero cost,” Vaynerchuk said. “The internet is the single most underrated thing in our society right now.”
Vaynerchuk said he still uses the same video camera he had when he first started his company. He said he does not use any lighting or even a microphone for his online videos.
“That’s how ghetto we are,” Vaynerchuk said. “It’s about the message.”
Greg Speir, electronic media senior, said he was a “chronic procrastinator.” He asked Vaynerchuk what are the things that keep him motivated.
Vaynerchuk said he stays motivated because he realized he got lucky in being successful.
“I wasn’t born in this country,” Vaynerchuk said. “I could’ve stayed there and my DNA in Russia would’ve had me in jail or dead.”
After his presentation, while signing copies of his book, Vaynerchuk received a phone call that his book was 300 copies short of making the No. 1 spot on The New York Times’ bestseller list.
“I could have easily sold 300 more books,” Vaynerchuk said.

http://garyvaynerchuk.com/
http://crushitbook.com/
http://tv.winelibrary.com/
http://vaynermedia.com/
http://twitter.com/garyvee

Benjamin Franklin did it. So did Bill Gates and Oprah. John D. Rockefeller and even Jenna Jameson. Recently another name has been added to this list… Gary Vaynerchuk.

Gary “GaryVee” Vaynerchuk is considered an early entrepreneur who pushed media resources to the limit.

To think Vaynerchuk’s success happened over night would be ludicrous. His life can be compared to those “from rags to riches” fairytales, only his was no fairytale.

Growing up poor in New Jersey, Vaynerchuk dreamt up a way to financially fend for himself. It was clear that “entrepreneur blood” was flowing through his veins. It all clicked in 8^th grade when he was racking in $1000 a week selling baseball cards!

Vaynerchuk, 33-years-old with a skyrocketing career, is a multi-millionaire who built an empire surrounding his personal brand by using a sole resource, the Internet.

With social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace; Vaynerchuk is able to connect with millions to promote his brand and engage with others on a more personal level.

Last Wednesday, when visiting Texas State’s Mass Communication Week, Vaynerchuk said, “The Internet is giving people a shot. Before that it was all financial.”

Vaynerchuk took a shot in 2006 when he launched a Web site: tv.winelibrary.com. His site is nothing more than an amateur video blog that exposes his self-taught, wine-tasting skills along with a personal review.

Vaynerchuk said, “Content is king and marketing is queen.” In response to why his site is reaching 100, 000 viewers a day.

Making this small investment has stemmed into several other Web sites, personal popularity, and the opportunity to write a book in which he entitled “Crush It!”

Vaynerchuk told students that one day he will own the New York Giants... Anything is possible!

Right-Brian Thinking Triumphs Over Left

by James Cisneros

New York Times best-selling author Daniel H. Pink spoke to students about the importance of “right-brained thinking” on Wednesday in Evans Auditorium at Texas State University as a part of Mass Communication Week.

Pink’s book, “A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future,” focuses on the importance of what he calls “right-brain” qualities in today’s business world.

Pink argues that people should leave behind “left-brain” thinking, since it can be easily automated.

“We need to prepare [students’] futures from my past,” said Pink.

For more information about Daniel H. Pink and his books, click here.

The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need

by James Cisneros

Daniel H. Pink, a New York Times best-selling author, spoke to students on Wednesday about his latest book in the Evans Auditorium at Texas State University.

Pink’s most recent book, “Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need,” provides readers with advice on career choices.

The book follows the character of Johnny as he learns seven career lessons:

1. There is no plan

2. Think strengths, not weaknesses

3. It’s not about you

4. Persistence trumps talent

5. Make excellent mistakes

6. Leave an imprint

7. Stay hungry

Inspired by a trip to Japan, “Johnny Bunko” is presented as a graphic novel in the style of manga, a popular form of print media in Japan.

“In Japan, comics are ubiquitous -- a mass medium,” Pink said.

Pink noted that even though traditional U.S. book sales are declining, manga book sales continue to rise.

Pink admitted that most people in America thought it was “weird” to present a business book in manga style.

Richard Ozuna, a visiting student from Austin Community College, praised Pink’s decision.

“I enjoy manga, so I think it’s a really cool idea to make a business book in that style,” Ozuna said.

Pink also discussed the importance of making fundamental, rather than instrumental, job decisions.

According to Pink, fundamental decisions are crucial to success because they can lead to fulfilling careers, while instrumental decisions might not.

“People who make fundamental decisions are the people that really flourish,” Pink added.

“His advice really made me think over my current career path,” said Melissa Munoz, a student at Texas State.

“His points are interesting, and his experience lends him credibility as a career guidance counselor,” added Cesar Cisneros, a mass communication major at Texas State.

Pink is also the author of prize-winning books such as “A Whole New Mind,” and “Free Agent Nation.”

For more information on Daniel Pink, click here.

Hispanic media is impacting the industry

Ashley Molton, former Texas State alumna, spoke to students Thursday about how to market to a Latino audience at the Hispanic Advertising and PR panel. Some of the companies Molton has worked with are Wonka and Nestle.
She said in order to be successful, students should think of themselves as brands, do not burn bridges, do not chase easy money and do what makes them happy.

Molton works for Bromley.

Mass Comm Week Fashion Show (Story 4 Extra Credit)

by: Mandie Garcia

The final Texas State University Mass Comm Week event to take place was the "Dress for Success" fashion show held in room 3-15.1 of the LBJ Student Center.

The event marked the end of a very busy week for Texas State's School of Mass Comm and Journalism on Thursday, Oct. 22, running from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m.

The show opened with an introduction made by image consultant Jean Lefay. Lefay read off several facts she pulled off the web regarding the importance of appearance. She explained how quickly people develop an opinion on someone upon meeting them; and that 93% of that opinion is based off of appearance.

The fashion show showcased young students dressed in a professional manner, yet still looking young and trendy.

Lefay explained that students should always remember one piece of advice:

"Dress not enough to intimidate, but to impress."

Links:

www.txstateprssa.com

www.twitter.com/TexasStatePRSSA