Community Relations

So the last time I left off with you viewers out there I talked about the importance of “Corporate Brand and PR” and what Raytheon tries to convey with its brand image. Today, I will discuss “Community Relations” and how Raytheon has reached out to the community in several different ways and to whom they have showed community support to.

Raytheon has a focus of being committed to their people and their communities. They focus of three key areas that are important to their people and to the company that they take a strategic approach to practice philanthropy. The three key areas are math and science education, armed services, and their local communities.

Through math and science education, Raytheon has always focused on helping students and the next generation to generate an interest in math and science. I know for me math was not always my favorite subject growing up. They have a MathMovesU program which I have talked about in past entries that encourages middle school students to engage in these math and science programs that are helpful and at the same time fun for all. Also, Raytheon has also shown community support to the students of America by providing tutoring and mentoring as well as scholarship opportunities for when students go to college and want to pursue a career in the field of engineering, math or a science technology.

The second community that Raytheon is fully committed to is the armed services. Raytheon has developed the “The Fund in Support of Our Troops” which is a fund put together that helps eight organizations and covers all five of the armed forces. In addition, the employees at Raytheon are always creating care packages, writing letters to the troops, welcoming troop’s home from their course of duty and also supporting families while they are on active duty. Raytheon does this to show support to the people of our armed forces for what they do for us every day and what they sacrifice for us.

Finally, Raytheon is committed to serving communities where we live and work. Every year, the company supports many community organization as well as local chapter of national non-profits. They stay involved with local schools, local organizations and volunteering in the communities.

Next, Raytheon’s community relations program supports Raytheon’s mission of customer success around the globe because with the programs and the different communities they continue to support, they are always putting smiles on people’s faces for the work they have done with everyone. It is great public relations for the company because it consistently gives the company a positive image and does not hurt them in any way. Behind all the missile and rocket factories and other defense mechanisms that are being developed by the company, they are constantly reaching out to be a beloved company. As far as what else they could be doing…beats me. They have pretty much covered all the areas I have been thinking of to maintain success in the community. One idea however that does come to mind that I was a little disappointed about was that Raytheon doesn’t seem to provide many internship opportunities for college students. Recently I have been looking for a summer internship and I figured where could be a better place than to work at Raytheon’s headquarters located in my great hometown of Waltham, Massachusetts. As I called to find information as well as go on their corporate website, they were not a whole lot of options for a summer internship available, especially in the field of public relations where Raytheon has achieved a lot of its fame from. So, my one idea for the community relations program would be to provide more internship opportunities for college students.

So that about wraps up “Community Relations” for Raytheon. Next week’s entry will cover Investor Relations so get your pencils and calculators ready…Peace!

Corporate Brand and PR

Hey everyone! Sorry I’ve been out the past few weeks, I guess I am still in the spring break mode. But anyways, the last time I updated you all about Raytheon, I focused on the company’s “Media Relations.” Today, I will be talking to you about Raytheon’s “Corporate Brand and PR.”

The message that Raytheon is trying to get out to everyone about their brand image is that, even though they are looked at as a company who specializes in defense systems and commercial electronics for the United States Department of Defense as well as other U.S. government departments, they provide math and science programs for children as well as other attractions that reaches out to the younger crowds. So, Raytheon carries an overall image that tries to involve everyone including children of all ages.

One product that is geared towards defining part of Raytheon’s brand image is the “standard missile.” The standard missile is the traditional missile that is a part of Raytheon’s “Missile Systems,” the world leader in design, development and production of missile systems. The “standard missile,” is described as, “the world's choice for air defense and theater ballistic missile defense.” There are 4 different versions of the “standard missile.” The SM-1 was developed in 1967 and is used mostly by many international navies. The SM-2 has a purpose to provide area defense against enemy aircraft as well as snit-ship cruise missiles. The SM-3 is used on Aegis cruisers and destroyers to defend against short range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of a flight. Finally, the SM-6 is an “Extended Range Active Missile.” It is being developed to meet the Navy's requirement for an extended range anti-air warfare missile. The standard missile family is just one of many families within Raytheon’s Missile Systems. “Raytheon’s Missile Systems” are located in Tucson, Arizona and currently employs more than 12, 500 people. O by the way, their revenue is only $5.4 billion. It seems as though Taylor Lawrence, the President of “Raytheon’s Missile System’s” knows how to do his job quite well.

Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ

Finally, a PR campaign that is in the works to help enhance Raytheon’s image as a company is the new exhibit at Epcot Center in Walt Disney World called “The Sum of All Thrills.” This brand new attraction that Raytheon is sponsoring and designing is set to open up in the fall of 2009. It is geared towards allowing children to have a fun, entertaining and an informative experience, that will help them pursue a lifelong passion for math, science and technology. http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1187

Before I sign off, I hope you viewers out there have a better idea of what “corporate brand image” is. It basically creates a face for the company, so when people see Raytheon they don’t just think of missiles and two-way radios and explosions etc… It’s a company that represents the defense for the United States as well as a company that provides several attractions and programs that have fostered nearly a million students since 2005 to help them enjoy and have a better sense of math, science and technology.

So once again, stayed tuned as next week’s topic will cover community relations. Peace!

Dr. Taylor Lawrence

President of Raytheon Missile Systems