Name:

Karen Asbury

Year: 3

Course:

Journalism

Position running for:

Media Officer

Why are you running for this position?

Dedicated a significant amout of time so far to student media this year and in second year. I’d like to continue it, I know they said it isn’t a job but it is a job and I want to do something that I like; I think I’d be good at it and I think it’s my cup of tea.

Experience and skills:

Not a stranger to running a publications- PR1 editor since September and deputy features editor 2nd years. I’m an organisation freak generally, I know how the place is run, I’m here all the time, I redesigned PR1 in the first place with Andy Squire and re-structured these offices, so I think I have a good solid idea of what to do.

Top 3 goals in the office:

To better the quality students get from their SU media experience. It’s great to put something on your CV but I want students to be involved with training in whatever area they want to concentrate on so their time is spent better. Also more volunteers. Basically more organised, things are running good and things have improved in the last year, but I think it needs to be smoother and tighter.

How will you improve Pluto, Online, PSTV and Frequency?

I would combine them really. PSTV hasn’t really lifted yet, the year before nobody knew what it was but the time I right now to really launch it; it’s got into a routine, people know what it is, but it hasn’t really been publicised. It would be good to combine it with other mediums and get more volunteers. TV and broadcast is something people really want to do, but they don’t know they can.

Campaign plans:

Funny ones so far. Flatmates say “vote for ginge” the usual facebook groups and blogs so people can keep in touch with it. I’ll also be canvassing halls.

People might know my name but not my face or what I’m doing.

What are their negatives?

I think It would take up an enormous amount of time because I’m a bit of a perfectionist so I don’t like to leave things half done.

How can you improve on their predecessor?

I think the website would be where I improve. It’s been redesigned and looks great but in terms of content it’s mainly left to the SU website for information about the SU but the Pluto site could incorporate frequency and PSTV, which atm it doesn’t. The media is as a whole and would work better combined together.

How can they cope with the responsibility and pressure?

I’m not a stranger to it! The PR1 deadline means I’m regularly in this office until things are finished. I edit two magazines at the moment, so I think it will be ok.

Why should people elect you?

Daft as it sounds, it would be nice to have a girl in the position. I think I’m  too organised to let anybody down, if people vote for me they’d be getting a lot more for their time in general.

Sell yourself in 10 seconds…

I’m Karen, I’m a journalism student, so I know what I’m doing, I’ve studied law and basically I just love all media- I really want this position. Vote for me.