Communication Networks

Businesses generally have two types of communication networks, formal and informal. Formal networks are official sources of information that carry messages approved by the company. Companies typically release information in the form of press releases. In some cases, such as major product announcements or expansions, companies may have press conferences in order to answer direct questions from the news media. Informal networks are what you would expect, networks of informal communication about a company. While not official, companies may leak information to the press or certain individuals for various reasons. Companies may want to shape the discussion of new products, influence their stock price or interfere with a competitor's message.

Formal Networks

Take a look at the following section of Apple Computer's Web site. This is an official communication channel that apple uses to release product announcements or other official information about the company.

https://www.apple.com/pr/

Here is the official press release section of Nike's Web site.

http://news.nike.com/press-release

Look over both of these sites and make a note of the types of messages being sent out. Who are these companies targeting with their messages? What messages do you find interesting?


Informal Networks

Now take a look at a couple of informal network Web sites that carry information about Apple computer and Nike. Are there stories that are reported on the informal networks that are not reported on the formal ones?

http://www.macrumors.com/

http://www.macnn.com/

Here is a site with information on Nike:

http://sneakernews.com/category/nike-sb/

http://www.nikeblog.com/


Assignment:

1. Select a company, Apple or Nike.

2. Choose a story from their official site. Analyze the story answering the following questions:

• What type of information is being presented? Financial? Promotional? Public interest?
• Who would be interested in reading this story? A consumer, investor, employee, government regulator? 
• Why is the company releasing this information? Is their goal to generate interest, increase sales, increase stock price, thwart government regulation or some other reason?

3. Choose a story from an informal network Web site. Analyze the story answering the following questions:

• What is the story about?
• Who would be interested in reading this story and why?
• How do you think the writer got essential information for this story? 
• How could the company use this story to their advantage?

4. Use your notes to write your answers down in the form of an essay. Create a Google Document titled Communication Networks. Format your paper in Times New Roman 12 point, double-spaced text. Copy and paste the URLs for your stories at the top of the page. Create two paragraphs to analyze the stories, one paragraph for the formal network story and one for the informal network story. 

5. Share your paper using the blue share button in the upper right hand corner of the Google Document page. You should be able to complete this paper within the hour.

Rubric: This project is worth 15 points, so do your best work. I'll be grading this paper on the following scale. 

Formatting: 0-5 This should be simple. Just set your paper up using the instructions above.

Grammar Usage and Punctuation: 0-5 Please proof read your paper carefully. 

Completeness: 0-5 Please read the questions carefully and make sure you answer all of them.

Total points available: 15