Internship # 4: cylk

After completing my studies I didn't wish to sit idol while job hunting. Approaching Christmas I knew there wouldn't be much opportunity for work so I looked to take on another internship. Given all my PR experience had been with agency work I wanted some experience working in-house. I found an ad for a PR and Sales internship with Melbourne independent fashion label cylk and saw it as a perfect opportunity to fill this gap.

I was in the cylk office two days a week for four weeks. During this time I worked very closely with the National Sales Manager who took on working on the wholesale account, the PR and marketing of the label as well as working in the flagship store on Chapel St three days a week.

I assisted in a number of marketing and PR activities for the flagship store including drafting marketing and promotional material, researching the target audience for this material, making initial contact with target businesses and individuals and then following up on this contact. I worked on campaigns such as "New Year, New You" a collaborative campaign between a local heath center and hair salon to give customers exclusive access to promotions within these businesses. I also worked on contacting personal stylists and shoppers to gain their support with the store.

Another PR task I worked that I felt particularly rewarding was based around cylk's charity work. cylk supports three different charities, changing them every few months. $3 from each sale is donated to one of these charities as chosen by the customer. I was involved in researching potential charities and pitching them to cylk's creative director. Once the charity had been chosen I contacted them to ask if they wished to be apart of the collaboration. They happily agreed to be on board and I was able to set up the contact between Animal Aid and cylk. I was also responsible for writing blurbs on all three charities to be published on cards and given to the customers.

When working with the sales department I spent time researching potential wholesale clients and making the first contact with these potential buyers. I was required to analyse the company profile and branding in order to be able to target the selling appropriately.

Working with cylk was a fantastic experience and I am very glad I took the role on in order to broaden my experience and begin to understand how in house publicity works. I liked being surrounded by all members of the team as you can listen and learn how all aspects of the business processes work giving you a greater understanding when discussing the brand with new clients.

First Shoot with 2wo 7even 8ight

2wo 7even 8ight (278) is an online video magazine showcasing the independent art and creative scene of Melbourne. I responded to a call out on Pedestrian.tv for a new stills photographer and was very chuffed to be chosen!

Having recently acquired a Canon 7D I was more than thrilled to be able to put him (I named him Wallace, Wally for short) to some good use!

The first shoot featured Rohan Browne, a stage performer and the Creative Director of His Handsome Self a Melbourne based business handcrafting bow ties and kerchiefs.

As Rohan is currently performing in 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum we were fortunate enough to have the shoot in the costume room of Her Majesty's Theater. This was a thrilling experience for me as over the years I have been to a few shows there. 

This was my first time photographing anything in a professional capacity. As filming the interview and the video is the key element for 278 my role was secondary. I was required to get some key profile shots of Rohan but also some shots of the interview being organised and filmed for Facebook and cover shots on the webpage. I was so nervous! The 278 team and Rohan were really friendly though and I felt myself get used to everything as the time went by. It really surprised me how quickly I became comfortable working within this capacity.

The photos will be published in early 2013.