Meghan Murray

Public Relations and Journalism Writing Samples

Photoshop Project

Filed under: Uncategorized — mmurra15 at 11:36 am on Thursday, February 19, 2015

TITLE: A Whale of a Night

PROJECT STATEMENT: My project conveys a very realistic montage of photos. There were three categories of photos in my project, sky, water, and whales. The content of my images were simple, nothing had any abstract meanings (whales=whales, sky=sky).

RESEARCH PROCESS: I used Google images to find my images best suited for my project. However when I forget started looking for images my project had a completely different focus from what the final product was. My biggest obstacle was the initial work on Photoshop because I had to teach myself as I went, eventually I found what worked best for my vision.

PRODUCTION PROCESS: At first I only had the whales, and I did not quite know where my project was going. When I realized that I could make them all face the same way I got the inspiration for the sunset, and all the whales swimming that direction. The main three tools I used were the lasso, eraser, and warp. My biggest obstacle was aligning the four images of water, and the two images of sky. I wanted it to be as fluid as possible. If I was to do my project differently I would take advantage of more tools. The aspect of my project that excites me the most is my final product. When I first started, I had very low confidence in my Photoshop ability and I thought it was going to be a disaster, but now that its over I am very proud of my work. My inspiration for the project was love for my favorite animal, and an Alaskan cruise that I went on over the summer. While on the cruise I saw so many beautiful mountains and sunsets, but I never saw what I wanted to see more then anything; killer whales. Thus, I created my vision.

 

Whales

Sample 1

Filed under: Uncategorized — mmurra15 at 6:59 pm on Wednesday, December 10, 2014
For Immediate Release
Meghan Murray
10/29/2014
mmurra15@gmu.edu
O’KEEFE AND COMPANY ACCOUNT COORDINATOR SPEAKS TO MASON STUDENTS
     September 17, 2014- Recent graduate of the George Mason master’s program spoke to students about post-grad life and finding a job in public relations.
     “There is no such thing as a typical day in my life,” Account Coordinator at O’Keeffe & Company Kate DeNardi said. “I wake up and do early morning media scans and email them to the supervisor. At 9a.m. we put together a daily newsletter to our clients, which goes out at 11a.m. Throughout the day I also post clever things on Facebook,” said DeNardi.
     According to its website, O’Keeffe & Company is a full-service, technology marketing communications firm.
     Before graduating in the spring of 2014, DeNardi completed her thesis titled Tweeting in the C-Suite: an examination of the Habits and Strategies of CEOs on twitter.
     “I examine why CEOs use twitter,” said DeNardi. “Are they using is as a way to share their opinion? Or are they using it as a way to build a relationship with their client?”
     DeNardi found that many CEO’s are apprehensive to tweet. “CEOs are afraid that they are going to get sued for releasing confidential information,” she said.
     “Tweeting is so instantaneous. When it’s done it’s done on the fly, it is not pre- planned,” she said. DeNardi praised CEO, Jack Salzwedel of American Family Mutual Insurance Group for using emotionally supportive tweets. For example, on September 9, 2014, Salzwedel tweeted, “…Use your help, but find
your voice. It’s about genuine & authentic communication. That’s all. It’s a CEOs responsibility. #priorities.”
     Salzwedel does what DeNardi believes every CEO should be doing. “CEOs need to be social. Twitter is not going away, and clients want to know who they are buying from,” said DeNardi.
     DeNardi is proof that it is possible to have post-grad success and at the same time love your job. “Finding a company where you fit the culture is so important,” she said. “I have made friends at my company and we hang out all the time. PR is not 9-5 so you need to love it. Find a place where you feel happy.”

Sample 2

Filed under: Uncategorized — mmurra15 at 6:54 pm on Wednesday, December 10, 2014
For Immediate Release
Meghan Murray
(703)659-3303
Mmurra15@masonlive.gmu.edu
COMMUNICATION STUDENT FINDS HER CALLING
     A Mason communication major has realized her calling in public relations industry. Through her experiences as a sister of Chi Omega, and dancing her whole life it has become obvious to her that the entertainment industry is where she belongs.
     In the past year, Mason senior, Lindsay Zambrotta has realized what she wants to do with her life. Zambrotta taught dance classes in high school. Through that she has realized that entertainment is the area and culture that she wants to be a part of. “I would love to be a publicist for Miley Cyrus, or a band,” she said.
     Currently in her senior year of college, Zambrotta has discovered that her dream job is to be a public relations manager for a band.
     “I am a very relaxed person, super chill,” she said. “So I am able to work in a face paced environment and understand the lifestyle more than other industries. I danced my whole life and met so many people in this industry already and it’s easier to connect with them,” she said.
     “I am also very into alternative lifestyle, I love tattoos and piercings. I won’t be judged because I have stretched out ears. I am accepted in this industry, that’s the main thing.”
     Zambrotta is currently trying to figure out the best place for her after graduation, “It’s looking like LA, that is how I have been spending my summer,” she said. “I figured out what I want to do, now I am figuring out what I can do.”
     Outside of her studies in public relations, Zambrotta has also been a sister of Chi Omega since her sophomore year.
     “I have honestly not been too involved until right now, but I didn’t realize how much I could affect others by the way I do things and the outlook I have on my life,” she said.
     Zambrotta has turned to social media to cheer up others. If one of her sisters are having a bad day she will tweet at them and do her best to put a smile on their face.
     “It makes me feel better to make others feel better. That’s what I want to do. I realized I want to help people out, not necessarily in a huge way, but it’s the little things you can do that can really help someone.”

Sample 3

Filed under: Uncategorized — mmurra15 at 6:49 pm on Wednesday, December 10, 2014

For Immediate Release

Meghan Murray

(703)-659-3303

Mmurra15@masonlive.gmu.edu

cropped-10641068_980832731931885_7116050236539893382_n.jpg

MASON STUDENT HELPS BRING BACK JOURNALISM SOCIETY

 

August 27, 2014- A communication student became a member of the Society of Professional Journalist, which returned to George Mason University early this year. Since January 2014, she has been one of five students who have stepped up to insure that SPJ leaves its mark at Mason.

Mason junior Meghan Murray took on the position of membership coordinator at the end of the 2014 spring semester. “When the position became available I was immediately drawn to it. I knew I was good at recruiting because of positions I’ve held in my sorority, so it was a really easy decision to make,” Murray said.

“I literally raised my hand and told them that I wanted to do the position,” she said. “Without any discussion Nick [the president] said okay it’s all yours! It was super exciting that he had so much confidence in me.”

In two short years as a Patriot, Murray has become an active member of her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta. She has held the positions of Recruitment Secretary, and New Member Educator.

“When people first meet me, they see a small, sweet girl who won’t speak her mind. That is so wrong,” Murray said. “I will always respect everyone I talk to, I do my best to help anyone, but if I have something to say I am not afraid to say it. I have a strong backbone and I don’t get offended easily.”

Murray has taken full advantage of her college experience and is excited to leave her legacy with SPJ. “Like every leader I have made mistakes, and learned some difficult life lessons” she said. “But it’s all about how you recover and handle power. I am very proud of what I have accomplished.”