Second to Last Week of Work

It is crazy how fast this semester has flown by. I was just at my uncle's house last night when he asked how many more weeks I was working. I told Lewis only four more days. He said it seems like you just started and I completely agreed.

I'm very sad that my time at the Aquarium is almost over. It has been such an amazing experience for me. I worked for an agency this summer, so I enjoy seeing the different experiences between agency and corporate.

Last week, I continued working on my Meltwater assignment. I also met with the public relations team to discuss upcoming events which included Earth Day, Jazz journeys and Mother's day. The team worked on blurbs about each event that we sent out to numerous media outlets in the area for their calendar listings.

Wednesday afternoon, the Georgia Aquarium partnered with Children's Health care of Atlanta and the Falcons to host a Fishy Fun Day. Seven Falcons players and nine children from Children's Health care of Atlanta did arts and crafts at the Aquarium and went on a behind the scenes tour. It was a great experience, which the kids and players really enjoyed. I was excited because Thomas Brown was one of the players who attended. Thomas graduated from the University of Georgia last year and was in one of my speech communication classes three semesters ago. It was great to see him again!

Journey with the Gentle Giants

This was a short week for me because my aunt got married in Augusta on Sunday, so I could not come to work on Monday.

Wednesday, however, was a very special day. I went on a journey with the gentle giants and got to scuba dive in our largest exhibit, Ocean Voyager, with the whale sharks. This was an amazing experience! I had not been diving in about five years, so I was pretty nervous. Once I got in the water, my nerves went away. It was crazy swimming with 4 whales sharks. The hammerheads were a little frightening! The other divers and I also had some other special guests watching our dive. CNN came to film a segment about the dive program at the Aquarium. Yes, I was on national TV in my wet suit.... The Aquarium also had a swim program for those who were not scuba certified. I strongly recommend this opportunity to everyone- its amazing!!!

I continued working on my Meltwater project as well as set up an interview for a children's TV program, K2TVNews.

Another Week of New Adventures

Last week, I started a new assignment that has taken up a lot of my time. There is a program called Meltwater, which monitors when the Georgia Aquarium is mentioned in the media. I started an excel file with all these articles, so the Georgia Aquarium can track the number of times they are mentioned. I also print the articles out to keep on record.

I also helped with a media tour and swim for Frank Ski and guest. Frank Ski has a foundation to help kids in the local area. He brought a special high school guest to participate in our swim program "Journey with Gentle Giants". A camera man from 11 Alive came to film a segment about the foundation. I stayed with the camera man while he filmed Frank and his guest swimming with whale sharks.

On Wednesday, other girls in the PR/New Media department and I looked at possible intern candidates for the summer. More than 80 people applied. Viewing other people's resumes and cover letters definitely helped me with my own. There were a few applicants who had misspelled words- a big mistake! Other applicants had great cover letters that were tailored to the position they were applying for. Ashley, one of my bosses, did a great job of showing the other intern and I why cover letters and resumes were good or bad.

Friday, we had a special guest. I met Tony, one of the previous interns at the Aquarium. I had heard so much about him, so I was glad I finally got to meet him. He just got an internship in New York. Hopefully I will be up there with him soon!

New Exhibit

This week, I was given many small projects to work on. An editor at Ferguson Publishing Company is currently working on a book, which describes animal-related careers and features interviews with professionals working in the field. The editor wanted to interview a curator, aquarist and an aquarium director for his book, so I was in charge of arranging these interviews. I also researched other large aquariums and compared their ticket prices to the Georgia Aquariums. I also worked on our Web site. We have decided add a celebrity page to our Web site, which will showcase different celebrities who have been to the Aquarium. I had to find places on the Web site where we could link the celebrity page. Here is the link to the celebrity page, which includes Jordin Sparks, Usher, Martha Stewart and many more: http://test.georgiaaquarium.org/celebrities/.

We also opened a new exhibit last week. We partnered with GEICO and now have six Geckos located in the atrium. We announced the new exhibit to media on Tuesday. We also pitched to media in the Atlanta area an event we hosted Tuesday evening where Mayor Franklin presented a Phoenix award to GEICO. On Wednesday, a reporter from the AJC came to shoot some photos of the new Geckos. I took the lead on showing him around the new exhibit.

"Get Married", a television show on Lifetime Network, also came to film a segment about weddings at the Aquarium. The Georgia Aquarium has an event facility that is perfect for weddings. "Get Married" filmed the facility as well as an interview with Will Ramsey, the director of group sales.

Martha Stewart Show

I should also mention that the Martha Stewart Show aired footage from the book signing and animal feeds at the Georgia Aquarium on Thursday, March 5. You should definitely check it out if you missed it. I was actually on the show!! You would have no idea it was me, but I was the girl walking across the large window by myself. It was dark but at least I was on TV.

Returning to Work

I know it has been a while since my last post, but I was down in Mexico enjoying the sun. Last week was Spring Break, so it was very hard to come back to work today from a great vacation.

Two weeks ago I spent most of the week updating a press release for the extension of yoga at the Georgia Aquarium. The other intern and I also created a media alert as well as found contact information for editors at numerous yoga and health magazine and/or Web sites. I missed out on pitching to these editors because I was away on spring break.

I did, however, pitch our summer camp to some family/parent magazines and Web sites. I was hoping these outlets would talk about our summer camp in their magazines or would place information on their online calendar. I'm currently following up with each outlet to see how my pitching went!!!

I should also mention that when I was flying to Mexico on Air Tran, I read the magazine provided to the passengers. The Air Tran magazine had two mentions of the Georgia Aquarium. Air Tran is having a contest with the Aquarium to see who can guess the number of fish we added to our Tropical Diver exhibit. The winner receives a free trip to Cancun provided by Air Tran. Ilya Kovalchuk and Kari Lehtonen, two Atlanta Trashers players, also mentioned the Georgia Aquarium. They said we were one of their favorite places in Atlanta. The Georgia Aquarium follows me where ever I go!! I was excited to see this great coverage for us, so I brought home a copy for work.

Snowed In

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to update my blog. As some of you may know, Athens, Georgia received six inches of snow on Sunday, and the storm caused most of Athens to lose Internet and cable. This was quite a surprise. I could not come to work on Monday because my car was snowed in.

In one of my previous post, I mentioned that we released two new animals in the Aquarium. I can finally tell you that these animals are great hammerheads sharks. We now have the largest collection of great hammerheads sharks anywhere in North America! Last week, we drafted a press release for the announcement and pitched it to the media.

Last week, I also helped with two media shoots. On Wednesday, we had a life shoot with CBS featuring our new yoga program. I had never participated in a life shoot before. I had to be at the aquarium at 4:30 in the morning. We had over 4 hits on CBS, and I even was even on the news- but only in the background. I also did a shoot with a guy from the ACC basketball tournament. The tournament will take place in Atlanta next month. The ACC took shots of the Aquarium, which they will use to create videos that will play on the scoreboards during the game.

Martha Stewart

Last week was crazy! My week started Monday morning at 9 a.m. for a logistics meeting regarding Martha Stewart's visit. People from event services, public relations and food/dining all gathered to make sure everything was in place for Martha's book signing. The Georgia Aquarium was selling two of Martha's cookbooks for her to sign. We ran through the schedule of events and discussed what each team needed to do. The rest of the day was spent doing any necessary tasks in preparation for her arrival.

Tuesday morning started bright and early at 6:30 a.m. with the arrival of the production crew. The other members of the PR department as well as myself divided among the crew and helped them with anything they needed. We started in the Aquarium ballroom where Martha had her book signing, so the production crew could set up the proper lighting. At 10:30 a.m., I went with one of the camera men into the Aquarium kitchen to film one of our chefs making cookies that would be passed out with milk to people waiting in line. Martha arrived to the Aquarium at 11:00 a.m. and had interviews with WXIA 11 Alive News, WXIA Atlanta & Company and the AJC. I thought she was skinnier in person.

The book signing went very well. We believe more than 500 people attended, and two women who worked for Martha said this was one of the best book signings they have ever had! The signing lasted around three hours, so Martha was very tired by the end of the event. I helped with crowd control as well as media who came to the event.

After the book signing, Martha filmed an interview at the Ocean Voyager wall with Billy Hurley. There was also a diver in the Ocean Voyager exhibit, so Martha could ask questions about the fish. I had a very important role in this interview because Martha asked a question, which I heard from a speaker at the top of the exhibit. I then asked the diver in the water Martha's question through a special radio, and he answered her question under water. That was an exciting experience I had never done before! Martha finished her day at the Aquarium helping the trainers with a beluga whale feed.

We were supposed to film a few more feedings; however, we ran out of time because Martha had a dinner to attend. We helped the crew store their equipment because we had additional footage to shoot in the morning. After a long day, I feel asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Wednesday morning was not as early, but we had to arrive by 8 a.m. The camera crew was filming additional footage for Martha to use on her show, which airs March 5. We filmed animals in the Aquarium as well as different feedings, including whale sharks, alligators, penguins and sea otters.

Those three days were hectic. I was so tired by the end of each day. I had never done a filming like this before, but I really enjoyed the experience. It was great meeting Martha and her staff!

Another Exciting Week

On Monday, I attended the public relations and the communications weekly meetings to talk about upcoming events for the week. This week was not as busy as the previous weeks because the team was getting everything ready for Martha Stewart next Tuesday!!

Monday afternoon, a group from Brazil, Paradise Tourismo, came to visit the Aquarium. The Atlanta airport just started a one-way flight from Atlanta to Brazil, so Paradise Tourismo came to tour Atlanta. The purpose of the groups trip was to film their adventures showing other Brazilians what Atlanta has to offer. The group interviewed one of our volunteers from Brazil, and I took them on a tour of the Aquarium. They did not speak English very well, so it was very hard to explain the history of the exhibits.

Wednesday, I drafted a press release for Camp H2O. The Aquarium offers a camp for kids three times a year: summer, spring break and winter. The press release included dates and cost of the camp as well as a list of activities offered.

We also released two new animals into the Aquarium. I'm not going to share with you just yet what they are, but we watched the animals in their new habitat. The new animals were very territorial and chased the old one. He was not very happy. I will tell you what the new animal is soon....


On Friday, I participated in another Fish Wish with 11 Alive News. Ashlynn was diagnosed with a heart disease several hours after she was born. This five-year-old girl had so much energy! Looking at her, you never would have known she had a heart problem. Ashlynn's wish was to feed the 15 baby Wobbes. She was a little hesitant during the first feed, but after the first one, she did not want to stop! We then took Ashlynn to see her favorite animal, which were the penguins. Her mom told us that Ashlynn cried the last time they were at the Aquarium because she did not get to see the penguins. This special day for Ashlynn is one she will always remember. To check out her story, click here: http://www.11alive.com/rss/rss_story.aspx?storyid=127219

Wrap up of Week 3

I can not believe it is already February. Time sure is flying by which means less time for me to find a job...ahhh!!!

This week at the Aquarium, I worked on a variety of projects (thats what I like so much about the Aquarium, everyday is different!!) I sent pictures to media outlets who request photos for their Web site or magazine. I set up a photo opportunity for a man who wants to shoot an educational video about fish. I also set up a behind the scenes tour for Xue Xiao, also known as "Coke boy." Xue, a high school students, was rescued from an earthquake in Sichuan in May of 2008. After he was placed on the stretcher, his first words were "Uncle, I want to have a coke, an iced cold one!" Coca-Cola has paid for him to have a trip to Disney World as well as Atlanta to visit the Coke Museum. The Georgia Aquarium has also agreed to give him and some Chinese media a behind the scenes tour.

I also attended a meeting regarding the Luckie Marietta District. The Luckie Marietta District includes business, restaurants and hotels like Phillips Arena, Georgia Aquarium, CNN, National Museum of Patriotism, Image It-Children's, Museum, Omni Hotel, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Johnny Rockets, STATS and much much more. This district has just created a new Web site: luckiemariettadistrict.com to promote the area, which has district character that is unique to Atlanta.

Cartoon Network also came for a walk through of the Aquarium. They are creating a new action movie and using the atrium of the Aquarium as the headquarters in the film. Several men from Cartoon Network came to shoot photos and measure some of the areas they are interesting in filming. They spoke about logistics of the project and certain amenities they will need. This is the second crew I have worked with so far at the Aquarium. It was very interesting to see how different the dynamics were between this crew compared to Ghost Hunters. The two crews had very different objectives, so it was cool to see them interact and converse about how they were going to achieve their goals.

P.S- For those of you who are fans of the Aquarium on Face book and/or Twitter, we wanted to say thank you, so you can receive a $15 ticket to the Aquarium. Check the Face book or Twitter page for more information!!!

Week 2

During the second week of my internship, I continued learning about my team and daily task I would conducted. On Monday morning, the public relations team met and talked about upcoming events we had for the week. On Monday afternoon, the whole communications department met and discussed what was going on at the Aquarium for the week.

I drafted a pitch letter for a yoga event the Aquarium will hold every Sunday. The Georgia Aquarium partnered with Bell Well Atlanta to host a yoga session in its ballroom. Just imagine being in the downward facing dog position, looking up and seeing a whale shark swimming in the tank right next to you. This peaceful environment would be just what I need on a Sunday morning!

The Georgia Aquarium also has an internal newsletter they send out once a month. I learned about the program they use to format the document. I do not know as much as I would like about social media, so Michaelanne showed me how the program works.

ABC News also came to film a segment about virtual schools. Students who participate in this type of schooling receive online learning from home. This program allows students the opportunity to work from their home and learn at their own pace. The teacher also has a more hands on relationship with her students and can show them the attention they need. The virtual school has at least two field trips a year where all the students come together to learn and meet one another. The school decided on the Georgia Aquarium as one of their trips, so ABC News came to film the school trip to use as a feature story. I will post the link once the story airs.

Fish Wish

The Georgia Aquarium has partnered with 11 Alive News to grant wishes to sick kids from Children's Health care of Atlanta. Each month, a child and his or her family is chosen to come to the Aquarium and play with one of the animals. Marc Pickard from 11 Alive News videotapes the wish and conducts interviews the family.

On Friday, I got to participate in a Fish Wish with 4-year-old Olivia who has brain cancer. When Olivia arrived to the aquarium with her parents, she wore a special necklace with a bright smile on her face. Each bead on her necklace represented a procedure she had been through since diagnosed with two brain tumors. Watching Olivia almost run around the ballroom, you never would have known that she had brain surgery a week before.

Her mother said its amazing- Olivia was not even walking a week ago and now she is almost running around ready to greet everyone with a handshake and hug.

Olivia's wish was to help "train" the beluga whales. With the camera rolling, Olivia placed her hand up against the glass and the whale touched his nose to the glass by her hand. Olivia then spun around in a circle, and the whale spun around in the tank mimicking Olivia.

It was one of the most amazing experiences watching Olivia participate in her Fish Wish. You could look into Olivia's eyes and see happiness even though she had been through so much. She loved being in front of the camera! When the cameraman was filming extra footage, she would walk straight up to the camera with a grin on her face. This opportunity was a blessing for the family.

The story/video aired Friday, Jan. 30, during the 11Alive News. Click here to check out the story: http://www.11alive.com/rss/rss_story.aspx?storyid=126347

Titanic Exhibit

For those of you who have never been into the Titanic exhibit here at the aquarium, I strongly recommend it. Wednesday was my first time seeing the exhibit and its great! Upon entering the exhibit, you are given a boarding pass. The boarding pass contains information about actual passengers on the Titanic ship including their name, age, who they were accompanied by and their reason for being on the ship.

Once you enter the exhibit, you get to see more than 190 artifacts recovered from Titanic debris field, including 40 objects never before seen by the public. The exhibit tells stories of passengers through hands-on interactive experiences. The exhibit also has recreations from bedrooms from first and third class. At the end of the exhibit, you can find the name on your boarding pass to see if you survived.

Why am I talking about the Titanic exhibit on only my second day of work? Well today I was lucky enough to work with Ghost Hunters from the SCi-Fi network. Some volunteers who work here at the aquarium say they have been touched by ghosts inside the Titanic exhibit. After investigations from a local ghost hunting group in Atlanta, Ghost Hunters was sent to do their own investigations.

On Wednesday, I walked outside to welcome the Ghost Hunter and their camera crew. We waited until the the aquarium closed before we began filming. All noise including music was turned off and the examination begun. The Georgia Aquarium staff was not allowed to participate in the investigation, so we do not know what happened. You will have to watch their show to learn whether the exhibit is haunted, which we believe is airing in April (I will let you know closer too time)

FYI: This exhibit is only at the aquarium for a limited time, so come see it before it is too late!

The First Day in the Beginning of a New Journey

My day started at 7:30 in the morning. I can't remember the last time I woke up this early, but coffee saved the day! I found a Starbucks with the handy-dandy GPS device in my phone. I arrived to the office a little before nine where one of my new bosses, Ashley, met me. 

I had a new volunteer orientation from 9-12. This class was mainly for volunteers who will work in the main parts of the aquarium. I learned where ALL of the bathrooms are and safety procedures in case of an emergency- information I will probably never use.

I did, however, learn some interesting facts about the history of the GA aquarium. For those of you who do not know, the co-founder of Home Depot, Bernie Marcus, wanted to give something to the Georgia community, so in 2001 he donated $200 million dollars to build and fill the aquarium. His wife, Billi, is the reason we have the whales sharks. This is her favorite animal, and she did everything in her power to get the whale sharks to Atlanta. 

The habitat which holds the whale sharks, Ocean Voyager, is the largest marine habitat in the world and contain 5 million gallons of water.

The Georgia Aquarium is the world's largest aquarium with over 8 million gallons of water and more animals than any other aquarium. 

Besides learning the history of the aquarium, the group was given a tour. When we were at the top of the Ocean Voyager tank, one of the whale sharks came and swam by us. (The picture from above is not my picture but a picture from the GA aquarium Web site. I will have to bring my phone around, so I can take pictures myself!!)

After orientation, I went over to the office I will be working for the next three months. I met my bosses and other co-workers. There will be one other intern, but she had not started yet. My first day at the office was a lot introductions and learning the ropes. I began working a little on social media. For those of you who are not already, please become a fan of the GA aquarium on facebook. I would greatly appreciate it!!!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to e-mail me at stephanie.mazo@gmail.com

Welcome!

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Stekki Mazo and I'm a senior at the University of Georgia majoring in public relations. I will be interning three days a week at the Georgia Aquarium this semester in their PR and communications department. Yes, I'm not looking forward to the commute; however, I believe the experience will be well worth it.

I will be updating my blog at least once a week to tell everyone about the exciting projects and people I meet during my experience. 

I begin my internship Monday, January 19th at 9 a.m. I look forward to the beginning of a new journey and being able to share my opportunity with you all!