Although companies and organisations worldwide publish in-house journals, there is no comprehensive theory (including technical and normative dimensions) available on this important public relations instrument. In particular, no research is available on what the characteristics of excellent South African in-house journals are or ought to be. In this study a number of dimensions are thus introduced in order to help create a comprehensive framework for analysing in-house journals, in particular South Africa’s leading in-house journals. Firstly, James Grunig’s excellence in public relations theory (published in 1992), which incorporates the concept of two-way symmetrical communication (which in turn is informed by a “symmetric” world view), is put forward as basic point of departure. Secondly, a set of technical criteria for excellent in-house journals gleaned from a wide range of sources, is compiled. Furthermore, the internal and external environments in which South African in-house journals function are identified. The role of other new media (such as e-mail, intranet, television and radio) is also taken into account. Five leading South African in-house journals are then analysed and the views of editors reflected. It was found that Abacus (Absa Bank), Harmonise (Harmony Gold Mining Company), Hello the future (MTN), Pick ’n Patter (Pick ’n Pay) and Sandaba (Sanlam) all measured up well against the theoretical statements flowing from the said theoretical points of departure. However, the analysis did also bring to the fore deviations from the said statements which give new insight into what is required to publish an excellent in-house journal. In conclusion, the criteria are evaluated against some of the more detailed findings of the analysis and adapted to create a set of theoretically based guidelines that can be used by South African companies, focusing inter alia on how the unique character and environment of a company influence its internal communication, to create excellent in-house journals. In final analysis, it is argued that all factors, starting with the philosophical points of departure informing communication strategies, management’s attitude toward internal communication, organisation culture, the socio-political environment in which in-house journals function as well as the technical aspects of these publications, need to be considered when formulating criteria for “excellent” in-house journalism. This study thus endeavours to contribute to the professional integrity of public relations in a sea of asymmetric, marketing-driven internal communication. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Communication Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

This thesis gives the reader an understanding for newsletters within e-commerce, and how to work with them as a channel for marketing. Furthermore it explains the technical and graphical demands, and how to ensure that the newsletter reaches the intended receivers. A successful newsletter can entice people to shop, but can also help to strengthen a brand and the relationship between the customer and the company. During the writing of the thesis, it has emerged that the most important part of a newsletter (which also determine whether or not the receiver reads the letter) are the subject heading, sender, layout, headlines,images and the deregistration link. A part from working with the different parts of the letter, the sender should also be aware of the technical and graphical demands. Since the E-mail clients are looking out forimages, fonts that are not embedded in the computer, and for questionable words there’s a big risk for ending up in a spam filter when not considering the demands. To ensure that the letter reaches the receivers it is common to test it against spam filter, look at it in the different E-mail clients, use A/B split test and finally test what time and day that fits the receivers the best. One of the strongest arguments to use E-mail communication is because it is an extremely measurable medium. With help from special programmes one can easily find out which E-mails bounced, why they bounced, how many opened the E-mail, which links they clicked, who deregistered and who forwarded it. The answers to these questions are all valuable information since it gives an understanding for the customers and gives the sender a chance to improve the letters.

Excerpt: Having the skills and knowledge to adequately respond to technology-based information demands has never been more important. When the library at East Tennessee State University was opened in 1999, it was the first new academic building that had been constructed on the campus in a number of years.

This study was designed to identify correlates of success in Supported Employment(SE) programs for persons with psychiatric disabilities. Indiana policy-makers are seriously considering a managed care, or "capitated," system of payment to make SE provider programs more efficient economically. However, many agencies are concerned about providing services to more severely impaired individuals because of the potentially higher costs of serving these individuals. Two studies are included in this project. The goals of the first study were to identify SE consumer (clinical) characteristics that predict (1) successful outcomes, defined as whether the consumer achieves gainful work, and (2) program costs, defined as the amounts of SE service hours utilized by consumers who obtain work. In two large samples of SE consumers with serious mental illness, no clinical characteristics (e.g., diagnosis, rated functioning, hospitalization history) were associated with vocational outcome or service costs. The goal of the second study was to describe the types and amounts of services utilized by SE consumers who obtain work. Specific service categories associated with obtaining work were travel, training, and advocacy that was unrelated to the consumer's job. The implications of these findings are discussed in the framework of the debate over clinical versus empirical prediction. The need for a theoretical model of SE services that allows the use of predictive clinical and consumer driven services is also discussed. / Department of Journalism

The purpose of this thesis is to propose changes of marketing strategy on the Internet. Based on theoretical knowledge and general analysis of competitors online communication have been proposed particular elements of SEO. Many of these proposals can be practically used. Results of this work can help optimize own website, start PPC campaign or just to be solid groud for other marketing activities on the Internet.