Enterprise Pitch

‘Debatable’ is a website where a select few professional journalists will upload articles they have written about the entertainment industry, including topics such as music, film, television etc. Because the debates will be written by experienced writers, articles will be well researched and top quality. Key features of the site include users’ individual profiles, where they can log in to comment on specific debates they have read. The website itself will be extremely accessible and easy to use, with an aesthetically pleasing design and colour scheme.

The target audience is people aged between 16-30, but another sector of my audience are those who are interested in the entertainment industry, whether they have a career in it, they study it or they just enjoy reading and discussing about topics within this particular sector.

Firstly, I researched my competition- what debate sites exist at the moment, what topics they look at, how many users they have, and design and layout etc. Competitors include CreateDebate, ConvinceMe and Debate.org, all of which are very broad and focus on varied topics. ‘Debatable’ differs to these websites because it is focused solely on the entertainment industry, so it caters for more of a specific audience. Also it is written by journalists rather than anyone so this is another way in which it stands out to other debate sites.

I distributed questionnaires to members of my intended target audience to receive crucial feedback detailing what they like about the product, what they would most like to read about and also what colours they would prefer. The findings gathered from this will ultimately have an impact on the final product.

I feel my pitch was informative, concise and well structured. The biggest concern for me was about was the timing- there was so much that could be said in three minutes it was extremely difficult picking out what was necessary to say! This in turn also meant a great deal of pressure to remain within the time limit when pitching, so I’m glad I managed to stay composed and complete my speech within the specified time scale.

For the pitch, I memorised what needed to be said so I didn’t need cue cards, as I wanted to appear as professional as possible and thoroughly knowledgeable about the idea.

When presenting my idea I tried to cover lots of different key aspects within the time frame; I discussed the product, the brand identity, advertising, the target audience, competitors, USP, values and market research, as well as an introduction and a conclusive sentence.

Despite this, there are still pointers I could have touched upon.  This includes future plans- what could be done next, and I could also have mentioned the key benefits of this service just to reinforce why it would be useful and of interest to my target audience.

I also could have mentioned the particular business model I could have used. In terms of the marketing approach, I did go into a lot of detail regarding branding, but I could have also discussed the use of social media perhaps.

Overall, I think the pitch went well as I was within the required time at 2 minutes and 57 seconds and I covered lots of necessary points.

Feedback I received said that the delivery was good and the pitch was well timed. It was also mentioned that I covered lots of information within the time, which I am pleased with, as it was my intention to leave the audience feeling well informed about the idea.

One of the constructive peer feedback comments was that I could have included statistics about the target audience, such as the number of people studying entertainment based topics. Reflecting on this feedback, it also occurred to me I could have mentioned the statistics I found when researching other debate sites, such as the amount of current users on existing sites. This statistic would indicate how a large amount of people like to have a platform to debate about current topics of interest to them.

Challenges I will face will be getting ‘Debatable’ out there, because the web is so large and extensive it may be difficult to get the website noticed. It will take time but one of the future aims will be to get consumer recognition and a great deal of people to sign up for a profile and get commenting and actively engaged in the debates.

I also aim to start developing the website more, so actually planning the layout, which topics are used, and the logo etc. Questions I need to look at include: What exactly will be involved with the website development? How many professional journalists will I need? And lastly, how can I get my target audience to hear about my product?

Review: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Returning to the music scene with a new band, Noel Gallagher’s hotly anticipated solo debut definitely doesn’t disappoint!

  Common themes circulating throughout the album surround the deep and meaningful topics of love, hope and escape. What I find exhilarating is the combination of Oasis-sounding tracks with new material, showing Mr Gallagher is experimenting with different styles as well as sticking to what he knows.

  The most outstanding track on the album? ‘If I Had A Gun...’ stands out as the best by far, closely followed by the first single to be released, ‘The Death Of You And Me’. The latter is an exciting song with a fantastic brass-section, however it must be said- it is a little bit reminiscent of ‘The Importance Of Being Idle’. Either way, it’s just as brilliant. And the trumpets? Who’d have ever predicted that would have worked? But it’s a risk Noel took that certainly paid off. And a brilliant song choice to release first, as it certainly paved the way for second single ‘AKA... What A Life’, an upbeat dance track with a euphoric chorus. ‘(Stranded On) The Wrong Beach’ also has a similar disco feel, indicating Noel has been testing the water with a new style of music.

  Highlighting Noel’s skills as an amazing songwriter, the aforementioned ‘If I Had A Gun’ is laced with beautiful, moving lyrics such as ‘If I had a gun, I’d shoot a hole into the sun, and love would burn this city down for you’. The stunning track certainly shows Noel at his best, demonstrating his skills as a brilliant wordsmith as well as a sensational vocalist.

  Oasis-esque twinges are definitely apparent in ‘(I Wanna Live In A Dream) In My Record Machine’ and album closer ‘Stop The Clocks’. Written back when he was in Oasis, Noel feels such material shouldn’t be wasted... and this was certainly a good move, as for his fans to be denied of such quality tunes, well, it would be a crime! By including songs that have been online in demo form for years acts as a ‘final goodbye’ to Noel’s Oasis years- a touching sentiment to such a significant time of his life.

  However, by including tracks from this period, it is inevitable we will make reference to little brother Liam, and unfortunately we are left pondering- whether we want to or not- just how some of these remarkable songs would sound if the born front man was able to put his classic drawl onto them. And with that in mind, the already brilliant songs would become even just that little bit more epic. The album may be jam-packed with stunning delights, but with the two brothers performing together, it would be electrifying.

  Combining tracks written from Oasis years in conjunction with incredible newbies such as ‘AKA...What A Life’ and ‘Everybody’s On The Run’ was utterly genius, and as a result, the album is pure gold.

  There is one down-side though. Not enough tracks!

9/10

Misfits Series 3 Review

Following a compelling first two series, expectations were high for the third instalment of the British comedy-drama Misfits.

However, as we near the end of the third series, I can’t help but feel it hasn’t quite met the standards raised by the previous ones. This is mostly due to the loss of the show’s most significant and entertaining character, Nathan (Robert Sheehan). In April this year when it was announced that Sheehan would no longer be returning to the programme, I was devastated to say the least. How could the show go on without Nathan, the quick-witted Irish charmer with an answer for everything?

The BAFTA-award winning programme follows a small group of young offenders who were struck by a storm and lumbered with superpowers. This series the characters have all inherited new powers after a trade-off with superpower dealer Seth (Matthew McNulty). Nathan’s departure was covered with a short entitled ‘Vegas Baby’, released online in September 2011, and his position has now been filled by new character Rudy (Joseph Gilgun).

As much as I like this new addition to the group, I can’t help but feel the producers have subtly tried to mould Rudy into a replica of Nathan. And it just hasn’t worked. As I’m watching, I find myself shaking my head at some of Rudy’s quips and actions, thinking to myself- ‘that’s something Nathan would say!’ And to be frank, it’s just not quite the same.

As I write this in such disdain, you may ask: why was Nathan so significant a character? Well, for starters, actor Robert Sheehan played cheeky, cocky Nathan perfectly. And although he may have moved on from the show by choice of his own accord, he claims he will ‘never say never’ about returning, and I know I’m not the only one pining for his return already...

 Nathan provided probably about 85% of the show’s humour, with his hilarious one-liners, crude comments and sarcastic quips. The show is supposed to focus on a group of young offenders, sure, but Nathan quite easily stood out as the protagonist regardless. And I know there are many people out there who would agree with me, because he was so dominant and memorable a character.

Moving onto the actual content of series 3: I must admit I was a little disappointed by the lack of comedic elements to grace these episodes. However, there has certainly been more of a focus on the ‘gritty’ side to Misfits. The episode where the gang found themselves in an alternate world where the Nazis conquered Britain was particularly gripping and dark, and reminded me just how nail-biting and chilling Misfits can be. I just wish the humorous elements would be embraced a little more!

I would like to see more of the razor-sharp script that was evident in the first two series, but without Nathan to deliver such witty lines, I just don’t know if that will be possible! Maybe, the sad truth is, Misfits just can’t be as good without the loveable Irish motormouth. Sorry, Rudy.

Opinion Piece - Scrooges

What’s with all the Scrooges? Just the mere mention of the word Christmas and I see shoulders hunch, arms cross and the frowns furrow on people’s faces. I’m talking about the grinches of society - those who say ‘Bah humbug!’ when December is upon us and the countdown to Christmas has begun!



'Merry' Christmas indeed!

We all know a Scrooge. The grumps who sit there looking all sombre and moody and moan about all aspects of Christmas: the songs, the colourful lights adorning many a street, the present-buying... The whole season just seems to send them into grump mode!

But Christmas is such a special time of year: the gathering of family and friends, a day of feasting and merriment, the pretty decorations... What’s not to love? The Christmas season is a wonderful time of year; the chance to spend time with those who mean the most to you, indulge in lots of culinary delights (including the traditional Christmas dinner and pudding) and the exchange of cards and gifts!

The shopping centres are buzzing with crowds of people doing Christmas shopping to the sound of Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’. It’s also the time of year when the Frankfurt Christmas Market hits Birmingham, and we can enjoy browsing picturesque chalets offering treats that vary from German beers and pastries to dolls and jewellery.

Not to mention, the classic films and songs that supplement the month of December. Nothing beats a bit of Wizzard’s ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ or settling down on the sofa on a chilly night with the fire on and indulging in ‘A Muppet Christmas Carol’ whilst feasting on a Christmas cookie. And the inner child that is unleashed once the Coca-Cola Christmas advert appears on television for the first time- that definitely marks the beginning of the Christmas season!

But you always get those who whinge and whine about the Christmas period, and I just don’t understand why! They try to bring down everyone else’s festive spirit with their negative mumblings about how they despise Christmas and roll their eyes when they hear Christmas songs being played and turn over the radio sharpish. But what’s the problem? It only comes once a year, and it’s a season which should be enjoyed and embraced, not complained about and denied.

Well, to all the Ebenezer Scrooges out there, I say: stop moaning, grab yourself a mince pie, whack on some Band Aid and surrender to the joys of Christmas- ‘tis the season to be jolly, after all.

Opinion Piece - Hangovers

The alarm’s just trilled, and you wish nothing more than to hit snooze and roll over, close your eyes and drift off back to sleep... But no, university awaits and you have to get up and stagger off to lesson with a banging headache, weary limbs and blurry vision. Oh yes, I’m talking about those horrendous days where you have to muster up the strength to go to university early morning after a hard night out on the sauce.

I mean the dreaded hangover. Why does it exist? One drink too many and you end up waking up and suffering the effects from having a good night out. It just doesn’t seem fair!

There’s nothing worse than stumbling into an early morning lecture on a hangover. But let’s face it, we’ve all been there. It’s not the most preferable of states to be in when trying to concentrate; squinting your eyes up and wondering why there’s two lecturers, before realising that in fact your vision is still blurry from last night’s binge...

And then there comes that horrifying moment when you fear you may just be sick, and you find yourself dashing to the toilet and bending over the toilet cubicle, head banging and cursing the double vodka red bull deals that you were so ecstatic about the previous night. But not so much now.

Not to mention, there certainly is a deep regret for the kebab you wolfed down after a 4am visit to the fast food takeaway. And it seemed like such a good idea at the time! But now just the mere thought of food is making your stomach curl...

The ridiculous thing is, we may complain yet we continue to put ourselves in this position. The easy option of course is to slip further under the duvet and forget about the lecture entirely, but that will definitely not bode well, especially upon your ultimate grade. And besides, the course is the reason you’re at university for, right?!

But fear not. These boozy nights are practically essential when you’re a university student, so this brings me to discuss hangover cures, if there is such a thing. A key piece of advice I was always instructed pre-university was to drink lots of water before going to sleep and when you wake up in the morning, which is a recommendation I have always stuck by- alcohol dehydrates the body, so a good glass of water definitely won’t go amiss.

On one hand, some might say hangovers are self-inflicted, so those who end up feeling slightly worse for wear the next day after a night out have no-one to blame but themselves for their thoughtless actions. However, boozy nights out are a necessity of the social side of university life, and therefore the horrendous hangovers are unfortunately inevitable!

Coping with Uni Feature

The work load is building, papers are mounting, deadlines are fast-approaching... how on earth is one supposed to relax over the so-called Christmas ‘break’?

Make sure to keep your cool during the stressful festive season!

Well stressing students, fear not! For I have put together an essential and exhaustive guide to aid you in successfully completing your university work over the festive holidays without quivering into a traumatic bundle of nerves. Just follow these useful steps for a relaxed, stress-free Christmas period!

LESS IS MORE:

Do a small amount of work each day- even just setting aside an hour or two can be useful; the work load will be lessened by completing a small portion as each day progresses. This in turn will be a whole lot more effective than rushing a piece of work all in one go in a frantic attempt to get it out the way.

KEEP CALM

Don’t worry, don’t stress, don’t panic! Worrying just makes things a hundred times worse, so get your head in the right mind-set and make sure you get down to completing tasks with a positive frame of mind. Remain optimistic throughout and have belief in yourself that you can succeed.

GET ORGANISED

Make yourself a structured plan of what needs to be done, set yourself deadlines, and stick to them! It may all seem very dull and bland, but you won’t regret it when you find you are keeping well ahead of the game. By creating a to-do list, you can keep on top of your work load easily and know exactly what needs to be done.

ACCESS MATERIALS

Remember that Birmingham City University have some great resources you can make full use of. Kenrick Library boasts some great books and journals- all you need to do is take a trip to City North campus and utilise what they have to offer. Take heed of the fact that you are essentially paying for these resources, so you may as well use them if they can help you in your studies and develop your individual learning. Best of all, you can also access library materials off-campus too, via online tools. Such books and journals can supplement your studies and assist you in assignments, work and projects, so make the most of them!

BREAK IT UP

Make sure to have plenty of breaks. It may seem like you’re in your element for a while but working for hours on end isn’t as effective as you may think. Breaks are essential; you need to rest your mind and do something else rather than just sitting at your desk all day or burying yourself in a textbook for a ridiculous amount of time. Do something active- you could go for a walk to the shops, or simply take time out and listen to your favourite album or read a magazine, just for some visual stimulus and to break up the heavy work load.

GET HEALTHY!

It’s important to stay active if you have been spending a lot of time cooped up in your room making essay plans or hunched over a laptop typing for endless hours. Go for a quick jog or even just enjoy a quick stint on the Wii fit. Make sure to munch some healthy snacks in between working; crisps and chocolate may seem like the more appealing option but the healthier alternative of nuts or a piece of fruit will help fuel your energy. Also drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and your attention levels up.

WORK IN GROUPS

Grabbing yourself a study buddy or a group of friends to work with can be effective- as long as you make it productive, ensuring you don’t get distracted by social conversations! Furthermore, getting advice and views from others can help you grow and learn as an individual worker.

NEVER LEAVE THINGS LAST MINUTE!

We’ve all fell culprit to leaving things last minute; instantly regretting it when we find ourselves stifling yawns at two in the morning rushing to complete a 1,500 word essay, necking endless cups of coffee in a desperate bid to keep energy levels up. Not preferable.  Leaving things last minute causes nothing but further stress, and staying up until silly ‘o’clock to get things done can ultimately have a detrimental effect on your sleeping pattern.

GET SOCIAL!

The never-ending mound of assignments combined with freezing cold winds and rain down pours may make you want to take cover in your bedroom and hibernate all winter, but make sure not to abandon your friends and family. Assign days off for yourself so you can have a much-deserved break from work- go to the cinema, ice-skating or even just out for a meal. Alternatively, you could let your hair down and go out clubbing. Whatever you choose to do, just make sure you go out and have some fun to release some endorphins!

ENJOY CHRISTMAS!

The festive season cannot be forgotten about amidst all the revision notes and assignment briefs. Take a break from your mind maps and lecture notes and have some fun decking your place with lights, decorations and of course, a Christmas tree. Spend some time browsing stores for gifts for family and friends, and remember that no Christmas holiday is complete without a trip to the traditional German market. Treat yourself to a spiced cider whilst admiring the hand-made gifts for sale and indulge in some German cuisine.

All in all, have a relaxing time but don’t abandon your studies in the process! Happy Christmas BCU students!

Backgrounder: Prosper with Projects

Students at Birmingham City University are always offered marvellous opportunities to get involved with, including competitions, work placements and side projects, no matter what course they are currently studying.

The School of Media is one course in particular that has many brilliant opportunities for students. The highly regarded Skillset Media Academy has top of the range resources, and students are able to book out equipment and make use of these to undertake their own projects. Doing so can not only help them develop their skills as budding media professionals but they can also add this to their CV to make them more employable to companies.

Student placements available at the university are one of BCU’s main assets. The School of Media has close links to local and national media businesses, enabling students to secure top industry placements.

One opportunity the School of Media offers yearly is an invaluable scholarship at BSkyB in London. The scheme enables three lucky students to spend two weeks at the organisation with one ultimately winning a cash prize.

Talking of such incredible opportunities that are available to students, second year Media and Communications student Sarah Elhassine says: “The Media course at BCU is very diverse. It gives us amazing opportunities to work in the media industry, giving each individual hope for a brighter future and career prospects.”

Whilst studying at university, it is important for students to remember they aren’t just paying for the lecturer’s knowledge and seminars, but also the resources and equipment offered at the institution, which can in essence be used to the student’s benefit.

One student who utilises the equipment at the School of Media is Aaron Chawro, who offers his input about the course: “I think Birmingham City University is a really underrated university. We’re one of the best in the country for the course we are on (Media and Communications).”

Credit can also be given for those students getting involved with university projects such as Scratch Radio, Spaghetti Junction magazine and Tiger TV. Aaron helps out with Scratch radio every Wednesday morning for the breakfast show. “I currently work on the student radio station Scratch and the work that some students produce there is amazing and well into professional standards.”

Unfortunately, with the already high number of unemployed youth continuing to increase and the public sector recently shedding thousands of jobs, the battle for a job following university is as tough as ever. In a global recession, careers are even tougher to get hold of, and young people are bearing the brunt of the economic crisis as current statistics reveal that youth unemployment has remained above one million.

Aaron lends his thoughts on acquiring a future job in the media: "I feel that the job market in the media industry these days is based on the concept of who you know, not what you know. So when I find myself applying for work experience, I see that my course and experience may not count against someone who may know the radio station manager.”
However, taking part in competitions, placements and side projects are a must for university students, as when it comes to graduation, industries will be tough to break into with a high number of candidates battling it out for the same job. Therefore adding projects and work experience to your CV in addition to being qualified with a degree can help as it not only showcases your skills but by utilising these abilities, you appear even more attractive as an employee.

A recent survey discovered 72% of employers agreed volunteering placements can have a positive effect on an individual’s career progression, and almost half said those with work experience are more motivated than other candidates.

In courses away from the field of media, upcoming projects include a fashion show that is being organised to raise money for Help for Heroes. Seven Fashion Retail Management students from BCU have teamed up with hair stylists from Benjamin Ryan for ‘Fight for Fashion’. Featuring collections from independent British designers, the event will be held at the Great Western Arcade on 16 December from 7pm. The show is set to be one of the Midland’s biggest fashion events this year, showing what can be achieved amongst BCU students once they organise collaborations and demonstrate their skills with their hard work.

Placements, projects and competitions that students are able to take part in are highly beneficial in the long run, and should be considered by all students, no matter what degree they are currently taking or what career they ultimately aspire to.