JJVSoC Post

[jilliannnr07]

End of the semester

Well the spring semester has come to an end and let me tell you, I am so glad. This semester has been the toughest/longest semester’s I have taken at the University of Houston. This spring semester has been my first time having in person classes. Because I transferred to UH the year COVID-19 started. So finally I was excited to take in person classes for my major at Jack J Valenti School of Communications, since this semester was my first time seeing the communications building. 

So, I was super excited about this semester but turns out to be the worse semester of college. I was not expecting that at all. I am so glad that this semester has come to an end. I have had some much work in all of my classes this spring semester and felt like I never got a break. I took four classes this semester. They are all for my major. I took Comm 3377, Comm 3369, Comm 3368, and Spanish 2311. But I had some great experiences with colleagues and have learned a lot from my professors. 

I am a strategic communications major and a concentration in integrated communications. My minor is marketing. I am a senior and hope to graduate spring of 2023. I have really enjoyed all the classes I have taken so far at Jack J. Valenti School of Communications. All my professors have been great and I did not have a problem with any of them. They all know what they are really talking about. I also just liked the environment I have been in at Jack J. Valenti school. And even though it has been a rough semester, I cannot wait for fall semester. I’ll be taking my final two classes for my strategic communications major and the rest of my classes will be for my minor. 

This spring semester has taught me a lot about myself. I have had super busy days and long sleepless nights, mental break downs and just some times felt liking giving up. But I got through it this semester and pushed through. I learned that not everything is going to be easy but just push through and do the best you can and everything will be okay and fall into place. So, I am grateful for this tough semester. It made me mentally stronger. I am almost done just a few more classes to take then I am graduating so I am going to push through, all the way to the finish line. It will be worth it at the end. 

[jilliannnr07]

What’s a brand?

Not everyone knows the real definition of brand. Well here it is from the American Marketing Association, it’s defined as a “name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or service as distinct from those of other sellers.” When people think of brands, most likely they think of a product’s name or logo but it is not just that. It’s much more than that, it is everything associated with the products and services. Everything is a brand, even yourself. How you represent yourself is your brand. Many people are becoming brands like, Politicians, pop stars, pro athletes, reality show stars and more. Emotion has a lot to do with the brand because it generates emotional responses. In a case study that was taken recently has indicated that 81 percent of consumers do not trust branded websites and 71 percent of consumers trust family, friends and colleagues as a source of product information. For a brand or brands to be effective they must communicate, be consistent and adapt. Communication is important for brands, as it connects with audiences through sustained and fairly authentic narratives. The communication can come through social media, traditional media, interactions with others, and word of mouth. These all will help a brand become something more and efficient. When it comes too consistency that equals to trust, which is also important for brands. The brands need to retain their core values and communicate and maintain a stable identity. Then brands must adapt and over time brands evolve to meet the needs of new audiences. 

So everything is a brand and it is just how you feel and view the brands. I have a good example of brands. They are famous reality show stars and also many than that. The Kardashian’s are a big brand not just in the U.S. but all around the world. These six ladies are brands as individuals and as a group. They have a reality show and extra have their own company’s. Their brand is so big and known because what products they have out and how they are as people. So a brand can literally be anything and anyone. But when building a brand or your brand you need to have communication, consistency and adaption for the brand to be successful and to be known and liked. 

[jilliannnr07]

Why is the communication school named after Jack J. Valenti?

Have you wondered who is Jack J. Valenti and why is the at the name of the communications school building? So have I and I recently found out who Jack Valenti was. I have to say he is man did it all in his life time. Many amazing accomplishments and hard work that paid off. 

Jack J. Valenti was born September 5, 1921 in Houston, Texas. He passed away April 26, 2007 in Washington, D.C. Valenti was married and has two children. He was known as an American lobbyist. But here is how it all started for Jack J. Valenti. At the age of 16 he started taking evening classes at the University of Houston. He was working at the Humble Oil Company as well. He graduated from the University of Houston in May 1946. But before he graduated he served three years as a bomber pilot in World War II. He flew in 51 combat missions during WWII. After graduating from the University of Houston, Valenti got his MBA from Harvard University in 1948. He was the first UH graduate to get a MBA from there. He was a part of many thing at the University of Houston; the President of the Student Association for the academic school year of 1945/1946, vice chairman of Frontier Fiesta in 1941, and staff member and columnist of The Cougar newspaper. In 1965, after the University of Houston became a public state institution Governor John B. Connelly appointed Valenti to the first Board of Regents. Jack J. Valenti was the executive in the advertising department at Humble Oil Company, the a co-founder of an advertising firm Weekley & Valenti, he wrote a weekly column for the Houston Post. Jack Valenti was the first person hired by Lyndon B. Johnson when LBJ became President of the United States. Valenti was hired as president of the Motion Picture Association of America. He served as president for Motion Picture Association of America for 38 years. In 2002, the University of Houston rewarded Jack J. Valenti with an honorary doctorate. 

Before Jack J. Valenti School of Communication’s building was built the communications art program was a part of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. In 1968 members of the communication arts department asked for a building to be constructed for their students. Then in 1977, the University of Houston approved for the creation of the School of Communication building and in 1978 it was a complete facility for the communication students. After years, in 2008 the University of Houston School of Communication is renamed to Jack J. Valenti School of Communication. The named was in honor of the late University of Houston alumnus. 

That’s a break down of Valenti’s life and who he was. A hard working alumni from the University of Houston. He deserved the communications department building to be named after him. The University of Houston will always honor the late Jack J. Valenti. 

[jilliannnr07]

Communication is key

I have always been a shy person and felt awkward when I would have to communicate with people outside of my circle. So when I chose to be a communications major that was out of my comfort zone, but I went with it. But i chose the right college for that major. The University of Houston has a communications school, the Jack J. Valenti School of Communications. 

Because of JJVSoC my communication skills get better and better and I am still learning everyday. The Jack J. Valenti School of communications has lots to offer to their students. The school has five areas of study to choose from so it gives the students options in the communication field. The school of communication cares about the success of the students. The Valenti School of Communication mission statement is “At the Valenti School of Communication, our mission is to produce education, tech-savvy and ethical graduates. Our students possess the desired mix of analytical and critical thinking skills and command the cognitive, research and professional skills required to excel in this ever-changing, challenging- yet exciting digital world,”.

It is important to always have good communication with anyone you talk to verbal and non-verbal. I believe that everyone that attends college should have to take a couple of communication courses, even is communication is not their major or minor. Communication courses benefit everyone and will be helpful for them in the present and in the future. At Jack J. Valenti School of Communication motivates you too want to be a good communicator and to learn in every course.