Internship opportunities to third year students

As part of sunnymedia’s commitment to the USC School of Communication bursary program, we also offer internship opportunities to third year students. We recently hosted Kylie Jorgensen who spent time with QAPR director Peppi Bueti to learn practical skills in public relations, event management and marketing. Here’s a quick blog from Kylie about her experience.

Welcoming Fiona Sullivan to the team

This week we welcomed a friendly new (and not so new) face, Fiona Sullivan. Fiona has been appointed as an Account Manager within our Sunny Media Automotive team.

Having previously worked for Seven, Southern Cross Ten and Austereo on the Sunshine Coast Fiona has already worked alongside Sunny Media for several years.

Fiona’s outgoing and friendly attitude along with her vast media experience is a perfect fit for Sunny Media and we are confident that our clients will agree.

We sat down with Fiona for a chat and found out a bit more about our latest team member…

How to get the most from your print ad

It can often be a creative challenge to come up with a print ad that is going to work…  firstly it needs to get noticed and secondly it needs to get results.

The Newspaper Works has recently conducted a survey on the effectiveness of the creative designs in print ads, and how they work to achieve results and brand awareness for the advertiser. The findings are interesting and provide some great insights to advertisers.

The core questions in their surveys covered areas including the look of the design itself, the headline, whether there was a clear offer or not, whether it had great images etc and also investigated the action taken afterwards such as search or visit online, phone, buy or try etc.

The primary creative element that came out of the surveys as the most influential part of a press ad was the “headline”. This one fundamental ingredient of the design proves to have the biggest effect on what happens next. While many won’t read on after the headline, if you get it right, the consumers you are targeting will continue to read on and have potentially started their path to purchase.

The second biggest draw card in the creative department proved to be good copy. Your core consumers will always be hungry for information and The Newspaper Works found that convincing copy is strongly linked to the trial of a new product.

Another result although expected, highlighted the need for a print ad to stand out from the rest. With so many ads out there and so many competitors in the market it is becoming increasing difficult to do so. However, the more attention grabbing and ‘different’ your ad is, the more likely a consumer will harbour positive feelings towards your brand.

Finally and as equally vital to the success of your print ad, is what not to do. Having too much info or clutter in your print ad will not entice a consumer to read or even notice your ad. Along with having a boring or bland ad, these no-no’s can actually prove to have an adverse effect and will leave consumers with a negative perception of your brand.

If you effectively incorporate these key findings into your next press ad you will be on the right path to achieving brand awareness, sales and positive results. QA’s creative team enjoy working with our clients to create strong press ads that achieve real results.

Sunny Media bursary helps kick-start my advertising career

Bridget McCulloch

Over the past three years I have studied a Bachelor of Communication, with a Major in Creative Advertising and Minor in Graphic Design at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Earlier this year, through the university, I was lucky enough to receive the inaugural USC School of Communications Bursary that was funded by Sunny Media.

However, rather than just an exchange of money, QA went even further and generously offered me the opportunity to come into the office and experience the day to day operations of a full service advertising agency.

As most of my peers know, work experience is extremely hard to gain within the industry, especially on the Sunshine Coast, so I was ecstatic at the offer and keen to grab the opportunity with both hands!

Three months down the track, the work experience I have now undertaken with Sunny Media has been incredible. I’ve worked with their directors and other staff who have guided me through work with real clients, introduced me to numerous industry professionals, and exposed me to endless opportunities.

I have been working with a range of different clients, preparing anything from media releases to marketing plans. I am also helping to run social media accounts for a major Sunshine Coast development which is really exciting.

Through QA’s guidance and support I have been able to apply my knowledge and undertake real work before I’ve even finished my degree. I know this will give me a distinct advantage when I start applying for work.

With graduation quickly approaching, the work experience I have done with QA is a fantastic leverage to find a career within the industry. Not many other students gain the same opportunities so I am extremely thankful for all the support I’ve received.

I am completely inspired by everything I have experienced so far and it has vindicated my decision to pursue a career in advertising. I have very high ambitions for the future and thanks to QA and USC I am well positioned to enter the workforce.

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From Left, Peppi Bueti, Bridget McCulloch, Roger Delaney

QA helped turn a humble iPhone case from Cairns into an international seller

It all started in far north Queensland when a team of Aussies discovered a need in the market for a sturdy product that would protect the iPhone, but not just any old case!

The team at Indepth Cases designed an iPhone case that was waterproof, shockproof and dustproof. The case is perfect for tradesmen, miners, water lovers and those with an active outdoors lifestyle.

The Indepth Case allows your phone to be completely waterproof and fully functional underwater, allowing you to take underwater photos.

QA helped launch the product across Australia with an advertising plan that incorporated a limited budget with highly targeted TV placement. The initial strategy focussed on the cheaper option of digital tv, in particular ONE HD which is already a channel highly targeted to males, sports lovers and fishing enthusiasts.

After just one month on air Indepth Cases had launched their way into the marketplace, online sales had gone through the roof and fishing store stockists were getting a fantastic result.

Indepth Cases have now evolved over time with added features and accessories including a belt clip, bottle opener, floater accessory, mounting clip and more female friendly colour options (pink of course).

With everyone moving over to the iPhone as the preferred phone choice this was definitely the right market to get into. Indepth Cases have continued on a long-term advertising campaign across all states of Australia in only the highest targeted programming designed to reach the core market of outdoor, water and sports lovers.

Steady sales and increasing popularity has allowed Indepth to break into the international market, first with a TV advertising campaign in New Zealand, followed by an American campaign on the Outdoor Channel broadcasting to a reach of almost 40 million viewers.

Indepth Cases is a great example that advertising on a small budget isn’t a barrier to achieving results. QA look at all aspects of your business and devise powerful long term strategies to help you achieve growth and success, based on high level research, ratings, consumer behaviour and a thorough understanding of your product.

If you would like to launch your new product or company contact QA and we can help you achieve results.

Sunshine Coast Radio set to change… but how!

What will happen when one station’s most popular team moves on… across the road.

For the last 8 years, Sunshine Coast listeners have either loved or hated the Todd & Sami Breakfast show on Hot 91. Recent revelations revealed that rival radio station Mix FM poached the pair to host a new Drive Show, and this week marked their final breakfast show on Hot 91.

The pair will of course love their new lifestyle probably consisting of sleep ins and a lot more time with their families but what how will it affect local radio?

Mix FM already have the very popular Mark & Caroline hosting their breakfast program, which will now be followed by locally produced programming right throughout the entire day.

Mix FM would be counting on the move to bring over loyal listeners who previously followed the duo on Hot 91. The likelihood of this happening is very real and although only time will tell, Mix FM has set themselves up for a very interesting time.

Without an official radio survey they can’t report on exact listening numbers but as an advertising agency we certainly look forward to seeing how the change effects the balance of listeners in our local market.

Only time will tell! If you are from the Sunshine Coast let us know on Facebook who your favourite station is.

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