Like it or loathe it, you can't dispute the Daily Mail's success as a money-making venture.
Indeed, all those who suggest that the newspaper business is dead should reconsider when they scan the business's new figures.
The Mail is part of a media group, incidentally, which includes Welsh titles such as the South Wales Evening Post, Llanelli Star and Carmarthen Journal.
Effective Communication MD Alastair Milburn pinged me a story link today which revealed that the Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT) had reported a 23% leap in annual profits.
A key factor was a record performance at its Daily Mail and Metro newspapers. One of those freesheets is seen regularly by South Wales commuters.
DMGT's underlying earnings rose from £201m to £247m in the year to October 3 following a bounce in ad revenues and growth in the business publishing divisions.
DMGT's UK consumer businesses achieved a sharp improvement in profitability as a result of cost cuts and growth in national ad revenues. Major advertisers increasing their marketing spend.
Yes, DMGT's regional newspaper wing, Northcliffe Media, saw advertising turnover fall 7% since the end of the fiscal year, with a lower local authority spend a major factor - but group success shows that newspapers can still be tremendously robust vehicles for wealth generation.
Businesses: Ignore newspapers as a marketing tool at your peril.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
DJs, bands, artists prepare for launch
Eight hours of innovative arts performance will take place as a Swansea cultural website is launched this weekend.
The free city centre festival on Saturday, from 3-11pm, will feature live music and DJs, theatre, comedy, spoken word and performance art.
It will mark the launch of not-for-profit resource Artawe (www.artawe.com). The South Wales Evening Post carried a strong page three story on it yesterday.
The venue is Tapestri, a new arts café bar in Alexandra Road’s former central police station now redeveloped by Grwp Gwalia as arts and culture complex Llys Glas.
Artawe looks to have put together a lively day with lots of activities planned. It will give visitors an exclusive chance to experience what Tapestri is all about prior to its own launch next month.
Compered by DJ Stu Vox, the Artawe launch will allow visitors to meet artists and performers. Attractions include:
Big Draw Led by professional artist and printmaker Rosie Scribbler, this will see artists drawing to music. Rosie is a member of Swansea Print Workshop and has been involved in community art projects.
The Crunch Spoken word, poetry, prose and rants from Swansea’s twice-monthly evening at Mozarts.
Fernando Rey Band specialising in alternative pop/alternative country, adopting a mixture of great songs combined with an experimental approach. Harmonies, thoughtful lyrics and shoegazer sensitivity in a classic two guitar, bass and drums package.
Joan Jones Performance artist who sings, narrates and plays instruments.
MAD Swansea Music Art Dance (MAD) is a community interest company (CIC) which supports the arts and live music by providing opportunities and resources for local bands, musicians and artists.
Miles Lloyd and Simon Emmanuel South Wales comedy brought to Artawe by Garage at Monkey Bar, Swansea.
New Yohawks and AfterGlow Alternative punk.
ShellShock A Swansea theatre company who create original experiences which aim to entertain, confuse and question. ShellShock have performed in Swansea and Cardiff, created theatrical street games as far away as London and were invited to perform at the Bristol Old Vic and the Edinburgh Festival. ShellShock is run by Swansea performers Stephen Donnelly and Sian Stuttard.
Visual art Galleries invited include Elysium, The Shed and Oriel Bach.
David Williams Pianist.
Steve Woodman and John Ford Acoustic music.
Artawe’s website provides information on artists including a venue directory of Swansea galleries, music venues, theatres, arts cafes and bookshops.
Jonathan Powell, director of Artawe and the city centre Elysium Gallery, believes that Artawe is a vital resource for all creative people and organisations based in and working in Swansea.
The free city centre festival on Saturday, from 3-11pm, will feature live music and DJs, theatre, comedy, spoken word and performance art.
It will mark the launch of not-for-profit resource Artawe (www.artawe.com). The South Wales Evening Post carried a strong page three story on it yesterday.
The venue is Tapestri, a new arts café bar in Alexandra Road’s former central police station now redeveloped by Grwp Gwalia as arts and culture complex Llys Glas.
Artawe looks to have put together a lively day with lots of activities planned. It will give visitors an exclusive chance to experience what Tapestri is all about prior to its own launch next month.
Compered by DJ Stu Vox, the Artawe launch will allow visitors to meet artists and performers. Attractions include:
Big Draw Led by professional artist and printmaker Rosie Scribbler, this will see artists drawing to music. Rosie is a member of Swansea Print Workshop and has been involved in community art projects.
The Crunch Spoken word, poetry, prose and rants from Swansea’s twice-monthly evening at Mozarts.
Fernando Rey Band specialising in alternative pop/alternative country, adopting a mixture of great songs combined with an experimental approach. Harmonies, thoughtful lyrics and shoegazer sensitivity in a classic two guitar, bass and drums package.
Joan Jones Performance artist who sings, narrates and plays instruments.
MAD Swansea Music Art Dance (MAD) is a community interest company (CIC) which supports the arts and live music by providing opportunities and resources for local bands, musicians and artists.
Miles Lloyd and Simon Emmanuel South Wales comedy brought to Artawe by Garage at Monkey Bar, Swansea.
New Yohawks and AfterGlow Alternative punk.
ShellShock A Swansea theatre company who create original experiences which aim to entertain, confuse and question. ShellShock have performed in Swansea and Cardiff, created theatrical street games as far away as London and were invited to perform at the Bristol Old Vic and the Edinburgh Festival. ShellShock is run by Swansea performers Stephen Donnelly and Sian Stuttard.
Visual art Galleries invited include Elysium, The Shed and Oriel Bach.
David Williams Pianist.
Steve Woodman and John Ford Acoustic music.
Artawe’s website provides information on artists including a venue directory of Swansea galleries, music venues, theatres, arts cafes and bookshops.
Jonathan Powell, director of Artawe and the city centre Elysium Gallery, believes that Artawe is a vital resource for all creative people and organisations based in and working in Swansea.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Hyperlocal website wins new sponsor
Jonathan Williams, one of the key figures behind website www.llanellitown.com reports an innovative Christmas venture.
The news and information portal has won sponsorship from Llanelli accountants Tax Assist – www.taxassist.co.uk/accountants/llanelli/.
And this has helped the social enterprise-driven site offer web users the chance to send a festive email greetings card.
To me it looks like a handy way of merging business, sponsorship, fun and user-engagement.
It’s dead simple – give it a try! The promo panel is on the right of the Llanelli Town home page.
The news and information portal has won sponsorship from Llanelli accountants Tax Assist – www.taxassist.co.uk/accountants/llanelli/.
And this has helped the social enterprise-driven site offer web users the chance to send a festive email greetings card.
To me it looks like a handy way of merging business, sponsorship, fun and user-engagement.
It’s dead simple – give it a try! The promo panel is on the right of the Llanelli Town home page.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
PR-savvy Danny back in print
Danny Illingworth is using all his PR nous to lure punters to his Sunday carveries.
The big South African has a great reputation in culinary circles – and now he’s becoming a key element in the marketing activity at the Village Hotel, Swansea.
His appearance in the autumn edition of Community Times Mumbles saw carvery customers rocket.
And he’s back in the forthcoming edition, due to circulate door-to-door around Mumbles in the next couple of weeks.
His latest PR technique – aided by Effective Communication – is two pronged.
One, he will be featured in the little glossy mag giving recipe tips. Two, he will be offering a competition prize – win a Sunday carvery for four at the Village.
The activity will be back up by a full-page advertisement for Sunday lunches at the rather splendid SA1 venue.
Well done, Danny, and keep up the good work … in AND out of the kitchen.
The big South African has a great reputation in culinary circles – and now he’s becoming a key element in the marketing activity at the Village Hotel, Swansea.
His appearance in the autumn edition of Community Times Mumbles saw carvery customers rocket.
And he’s back in the forthcoming edition, due to circulate door-to-door around Mumbles in the next couple of weeks.
His latest PR technique – aided by Effective Communication – is two pronged.
One, he will be featured in the little glossy mag giving recipe tips. Two, he will be offering a competition prize – win a Sunday carvery for four at the Village.
The activity will be back up by a full-page advertisement for Sunday lunches at the rather splendid SA1 venue.
Well done, Danny, and keep up the good work … in AND out of the kitchen.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Arts hub boost for online Swansea
Arts folk across Swansea should welcome the city's latest web platform.
Artawe is a not-for-profit web resource that aims to pull together all areas of the local culture scene.
It looks good, feels good and I urge you to use it for both promotional and research purposes.
Creative types can flag up their offerings - just check out artist Tom Goddard's page and the preview for a Helen Watson gig this Friday at The Chattery.
Those looking for a bit of fun can plan their days and nights ahead - for a little New Years Eve fun check out this Brunswick event.
The official Artawe launch comes this Saturday, by the way, when new arts cafe Tapestri, in Alexandra Road's former central police station, hosts a free arts festival.
Artawe is a not-for-profit web resource that aims to pull together all areas of the local culture scene.
It looks good, feels good and I urge you to use it for both promotional and research purposes.
Creative types can flag up their offerings - just check out artist Tom Goddard's page and the preview for a Helen Watson gig this Friday at The Chattery.
Those looking for a bit of fun can plan their days and nights ahead - for a little New Years Eve fun check out this Brunswick event.
The official Artawe launch comes this Saturday, by the way, when new arts cafe Tapestri, in Alexandra Road's former central police station, hosts a free arts festival.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
South Wales tour so good for PR
The fine art of PR is being beautifully employed by the Institute of Directors in Wales today.
IoD director-general Miles Templeman is here all day for the Wales launch of a fabulous new scheme to promote social entrepreneurship.
And in the name of spreading the word he has a full-on schedule talking to members, journalists and associates across in Swansea and outside Cardiff.
It'll be a busy day but Miles has ensured that it's well planned - and he'll have strong support from everyone ranging from First Minister Carwyn Jones to IoD Wales director Robert Lloyd Griffiths.
Journalists due to interview him include South Wales Evening Post business correspondent Rupert Hall and Media Wales writer Robert Llewellyn Jones.
He has two meetings tabled before a 7.30am business breakfast at Swansea's Marriott Hotel, mid-morning meetings down the M4 at The Vale Hotel and then the Wales launch of the social entrepreneur scheme involving the IoD, Google and UnLtd.
It's a busy day for a busy fella - but time and effort invested in this way will bring much positive publicity for the IoD.
Job done!
IoD director-general Miles Templeman is here all day for the Wales launch of a fabulous new scheme to promote social entrepreneurship.
And in the name of spreading the word he has a full-on schedule talking to members, journalists and associates across in Swansea and outside Cardiff.
It'll be a busy day but Miles has ensured that it's well planned - and he'll have strong support from everyone ranging from First Minister Carwyn Jones to IoD Wales director Robert Lloyd Griffiths.
Journalists due to interview him include South Wales Evening Post business correspondent Rupert Hall and Media Wales writer Robert Llewellyn Jones.
He has two meetings tabled before a 7.30am business breakfast at Swansea's Marriott Hotel, mid-morning meetings down the M4 at The Vale Hotel and then the Wales launch of the social entrepreneur scheme involving the IoD, Google and UnLtd.
It's a busy day for a busy fella - but time and effort invested in this way will bring much positive publicity for the IoD.
Job done!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Facebook fear for Welsh marriages
Matrimonial lawyers at Peter Lynn and Partners regularly use online platforms platforms such as Facebook to gather evidence in divorce cases.
Rash words can be costly
Millions of us use online phenomenon Facebook every day. To many it’s an addictive attraction of modern life; fun for friendship, brilliant for business. However, it should be handled with care. Here, solicitor Sara Plant, of Swansea law firm Peter Lynn and Partners, reveals how social media content is being used increasingly often in divorce proceedings across Wales.
The Social Network has been an astonishingly successful film since its release last month.
It tells the amazing true story of how internet social networking website Facebook came to be - and how it resulted in high-profile lawsuits.
The drama is built brilliantly on a wholly modern phenomenon, thoroughbred entrepreneurial spirit and the relationship changes that take place in an adrenaline-fuelled cocktail of friendship, ambition and global business.
Pals
Its stars include Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield as American college pals Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin, and Justin Timberlake as online music pioneer Sean Parker.
The jaw-dropping moments include a police raid which finds Parker arrested for cocaine possession whilst celebrating Facebook's millionth member.
Back in the here and now, however, Facebook and other social media sites are the subject of an increasing number of legal proceedings of a much different nature.
These are the cases that involve thousands of ordinary people from a much less rarefied background to that of multi-millionaire Zuckerberg.
They are the divorce proceedings happening in every community where Evening Post readers live.
It’ll come as a shock to many to learn that all our matrimonial lawyers at Peter Lynn and Partners habitually use social media sites as they collect evidence on behalf of clients.
Thought
Why? Well, first, there’s the fact that many individuals simply don’t apply the whole thought process before they upload.
Hence, Facebook postings reveal wives being a little too open about their behaviour and husbands lying about their whereabouts. Photographs tie you down to a time and place. There’s little point trying to convince a court that you were somewhere else doing something far more innocent.
A recent court statement from a wife allegedly abused and harassed by her ex-husband may be: “I was devastated and couldn’t face anyone.” Yet we then produce Facebook photos showing her out laughing and joking at parties shortly after the split and during the alleged period of torment.
Social media also finds individuals bragging about business success or giving financial details that they choose not to deliver in the divorce court. Once it’s in black and white on a public computer screen it’s difficult to hide it from a solicitor.
Feeling
Compromising photos are posted – having a cuddle at an office party, for instance. These can trigger bad feeling in marriages and ultimately, separation.
Now, I do hope that I’ve not painted legal firms as the pantomime baddies here. That, of course, is far from the case. Most social media information is public - that’s the nature of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and so on; it’s what makes them so addictive and popular.
It’s within everybody’s rights to access this information so lawyers are only doing what any member of the public can do.
And don’t think it’s just divorce cases that are being affected by Facebook. Employment law is another big area, as are contact and residence disputes. We are also being asked to advise more and more on defamation following highly contentious postings.
Damning
As long as Facebook users continue to inform “friends” about personal issues and give frank personal details, lawyers will continue to look there for damning evidence.
Of course, legal proceedings should be avoided where possible; they can be expensive and traumatic.
So here’s what I suggest when it comes to using social media:
Partner Sara Plant got together with the South Wales Evening Post to explain how this modern legal phenomenon has downsides as well as all the ups.
Here's the full draft of her feature.
Rash words can be costly
Millions of us use online phenomenon Facebook every day. To many it’s an addictive attraction of modern life; fun for friendship, brilliant for business. However, it should be handled with care. Here, solicitor Sara Plant, of Swansea law firm Peter Lynn and Partners, reveals how social media content is being used increasingly often in divorce proceedings across Wales.
The Social Network has been an astonishingly successful film since its release last month.
It tells the amazing true story of how internet social networking website Facebook came to be - and how it resulted in high-profile lawsuits.
The drama is built brilliantly on a wholly modern phenomenon, thoroughbred entrepreneurial spirit and the relationship changes that take place in an adrenaline-fuelled cocktail of friendship, ambition and global business.
Pals
Its stars include Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield as American college pals Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin, and Justin Timberlake as online music pioneer Sean Parker.
The jaw-dropping moments include a police raid which finds Parker arrested for cocaine possession whilst celebrating Facebook's millionth member.
Back in the here and now, however, Facebook and other social media sites are the subject of an increasing number of legal proceedings of a much different nature.
These are the cases that involve thousands of ordinary people from a much less rarefied background to that of multi-millionaire Zuckerberg.
They are the divorce proceedings happening in every community where Evening Post readers live.
It’ll come as a shock to many to learn that all our matrimonial lawyers at Peter Lynn and Partners habitually use social media sites as they collect evidence on behalf of clients.
Thought
Why? Well, first, there’s the fact that many individuals simply don’t apply the whole thought process before they upload.
Hence, Facebook postings reveal wives being a little too open about their behaviour and husbands lying about their whereabouts. Photographs tie you down to a time and place. There’s little point trying to convince a court that you were somewhere else doing something far more innocent.
A recent court statement from a wife allegedly abused and harassed by her ex-husband may be: “I was devastated and couldn’t face anyone.” Yet we then produce Facebook photos showing her out laughing and joking at parties shortly after the split and during the alleged period of torment.
Social media also finds individuals bragging about business success or giving financial details that they choose not to deliver in the divorce court. Once it’s in black and white on a public computer screen it’s difficult to hide it from a solicitor.
Feeling
Compromising photos are posted – having a cuddle at an office party, for instance. These can trigger bad feeling in marriages and ultimately, separation.
Now, I do hope that I’ve not painted legal firms as the pantomime baddies here. That, of course, is far from the case. Most social media information is public - that’s the nature of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and so on; it’s what makes them so addictive and popular.
It’s within everybody’s rights to access this information so lawyers are only doing what any member of the public can do.
And don’t think it’s just divorce cases that are being affected by Facebook. Employment law is another big area, as are contact and residence disputes. We are also being asked to advise more and more on defamation following highly contentious postings.
Damning
As long as Facebook users continue to inform “friends” about personal issues and give frank personal details, lawyers will continue to look there for damning evidence.
Of course, legal proceedings should be avoided where possible; they can be expensive and traumatic.
So here’s what I suggest when it comes to using social media:
- Never be disrespectful of your spouse (or others)
- Don’t flaunt your extra-marital exploits
- However tempting it may be, don’t post those photos which could later be misconstrued
- Keep extreme matters to yourself – don’t brag about expensive new buys or incredibly glamorous holidays
- Use your common sense and think carefully before any posting. Assume that everything you put on Facebook can - and will - be used against you in court one day.
Friday, November 12, 2010
A marketing boost - from the PTA
It's always good to welcome an enterprising new avenue for Wales' PR and marketing needs.
So that's why Effective Communication today applauds the parent teacher association at Gower's Pennard Primary School.
The fund-raising body has gathered together its collective sales and publishing nous to plan a local business directory.
Good on 'em!
"Advertise your business locally for just £10," encourages their poster.
"Whether you’re a plumber, gardener, financial services advisor or make cakes in your spare time, we're compiling a list of businesses who wish to advertise their services locally in a full-colour A5 business and information directory."
The publication will be circulated to around 140 families of Pennard Primary School in the new year.
A full page ad is £30 and those interested should phone Ian Ambrose - 07702 832 552 by December 1.
Profits will go to PTA funds, helping to provide additional school resources.
So that's why Effective Communication today applauds the parent teacher association at Gower's Pennard Primary School.
The fund-raising body has gathered together its collective sales and publishing nous to plan a local business directory.
Good on 'em!
"Advertise your business locally for just £10," encourages their poster.
"Whether you’re a plumber, gardener, financial services advisor or make cakes in your spare time, we're compiling a list of businesses who wish to advertise their services locally in a full-colour A5 business and information directory."
The publication will be circulated to around 140 families of Pennard Primary School in the new year.
A full page ad is £30 and those interested should phone Ian Ambrose - 07702 832 552 by December 1.
Profits will go to PTA funds, helping to provide additional school resources.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Video blog: Cardiff move for Nigel
Publisher Nigel Dudley says it's crucial for businesses to be featured in hyperlocal magazines as part of their PR and marketing strategies.
The man behind Swansea Bay magazines such as Eye on Gorseinon, Neath Gnolledge and Valley View, he now plans a launch in Penarth.
In this brief video, he explains his views to Effective Communication's Andy Pearson.
The man behind Swansea Bay magazines such as Eye on Gorseinon, Neath Gnolledge and Valley View, he now plans a launch in Penarth.
In this brief video, he explains his views to Effective Communication's Andy Pearson.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Danny's tasty PR treat
Chef Danny Illingworth starts serving food to Christmas party guests in the next week or two.
You can safely predict that he and his expert staff at Swansea's Village Hotel won't wish to see a turkey on their own plate come December 25 - they'll be working rather a lot with that particular bird in the coming weeks.
It's good news for Village manager Andrew Petherick and his team that Danny has been chosen by Swansea Sound to give Christmas dinner tips to listeners.
In the four or five weeks leading up to the holiday, Danny will appear on a weekly basis on the Leighton Jones show (Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm).
The two got together for the first time yesterday at Swansea Sound's Gowerton studios to run through a few ideas.
As the fella who brought them together on behalf of an Effective Communication PR push, I was fortunate to sit in on their meeting.
They've some goods things planned ... and the on-air relationship looks like it may even develop into the new year.
You can safely predict that he and his expert staff at Swansea's Village Hotel won't wish to see a turkey on their own plate come December 25 - they'll be working rather a lot with that particular bird in the coming weeks.
It's good news for Village manager Andrew Petherick and his team that Danny has been chosen by Swansea Sound to give Christmas dinner tips to listeners.
In the four or five weeks leading up to the holiday, Danny will appear on a weekly basis on the Leighton Jones show (Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm).
The two got together for the first time yesterday at Swansea Sound's Gowerton studios to run through a few ideas.
As the fella who brought them together on behalf of an Effective Communication PR push, I was fortunate to sit in on their meeting.
They've some goods things planned ... and the on-air relationship looks like it may even develop into the new year.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Welsh Uni: Social media benefits for business
A free workshop on how Welsh business can benefit from social media takes place tonight (November 9) at Swansea’s Marriott Hotel.
It is being hosted by Software Alliance Wales, a £13m all-Wales project led by Swansea University - and I urge business people to attend.
The hour-long workshop, from 6.30pm, will be delivered by Dr Max L Wilson, lecturer at the uni’s Fit Lab (Future Interaction Technologies).
The event - Social Media as a Business Tool - will offer valuable info on how enterprises can use online resources as great communication and marketing tools.
Feedback
Two weeks ago, Effective Communication hosted its own client presentation on the issue and received fabulous feedback.
Dr Wilson, who has an international research and publication record, told me: “Social media is the single most influential change to how individuals and businesses gather information and communicate messages.
"With over 90m tweets posted each day, and with many people spending more time on Facebook than Google, the power of these tools shouldn’t be ignored.
“Some businesses may have flirted with social networking and social media, but few are truly comfortable with the potential that it has.
“This workshop aims to provide businesses and individuals with the knowledge and confidence to fully utilise the opportunities available for their business via social media platforms.”
Details 01792 606663, events@softwarealliancewales.com, www.softwarealliancewales.com/events.
It is being hosted by Software Alliance Wales, a £13m all-Wales project led by Swansea University - and I urge business people to attend.
The hour-long workshop, from 6.30pm, will be delivered by Dr Max L Wilson, lecturer at the uni’s Fit Lab (Future Interaction Technologies).
The event - Social Media as a Business Tool - will offer valuable info on how enterprises can use online resources as great communication and marketing tools.
Feedback
Two weeks ago, Effective Communication hosted its own client presentation on the issue and received fabulous feedback.
Dr Wilson, who has an international research and publication record, told me: “Social media is the single most influential change to how individuals and businesses gather information and communicate messages.
"With over 90m tweets posted each day, and with many people spending more time on Facebook than Google, the power of these tools shouldn’t be ignored.
“Some businesses may have flirted with social networking and social media, but few are truly comfortable with the potential that it has.
“This workshop aims to provide businesses and individuals with the knowledge and confidence to fully utilise the opportunities available for their business via social media platforms.”
Details 01792 606663, events@softwarealliancewales.com, www.softwarealliancewales.com/events.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Video blog: Melanie's Welsh media advice
Melanie Davies is working hard on Press support as she bids to create a £10m therapy centre for disabled people.
The Treat Trust centre is planned for Swansea's Morriston Hospital - and it's a major undertaking.
Melanie already has the support of stars such as Michael Sheen and Paul Potts, and in this video made after an address to Swansea Business Club she explains why media support will be crucial ... and how she's going about getting it.
The Treat Trust centre is planned for Swansea's Morriston Hospital - and it's a major undertaking.
Melanie already has the support of stars such as Michael Sheen and Paul Potts, and in this video made after an address to Swansea Business Club she explains why media support will be crucial ... and how she's going about getting it.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Blogger's next up for Swansea Business Club
Dr Paul Thomas has some ideas that many of today's Welsh bosses may feel uncomfortable with.
His website's tagline is: "Eradicating the Mad Management Virus."
His blog includes statements such as:
His message will be broadcast loud and clear when he addresses Swansea Business Club over lunch on December 10.
Today, the club greets inspirational guest speaker Melanie Davies, of Treat Trust Wales, and she'll be a hard act to follow.
Will Paul manage it?
Well, you can decide for yourself by checking out his blog to get some idea.
Blogging's an increasingly important weapon in the armoury of a business and Paul uses it beautifully, managing to drive traffic to and from his other online platforms which include his website and his Twitter feed.
Those interested in Paul's ideas also have reason to keep going back to the blog - it's regular, opinionated and witty.
Can't wait to meet the fella! Book your December 10 place at the Towers Hotel through Lisa Williams at Effective Communication - 029 2064 6860, email lwilliams@effcom.co.uk.
His website's tagline is: "Eradicating the Mad Management Virus."
His blog includes statements such as:
- "Our government in Wales is top-heavy and costly."
- "Rules, procedures and regulations normally used by managers to control staff limit the organisation's ability to evolve."
- "Managers cause so much unhappiness in organisations through a focus on targets."
- "In most organisations there are limited options for employees to function and there are inflexible structures."
He believes we should ditch the traditional way of managing and, instead, give every member of staff a say in running the business.
His message will be broadcast loud and clear when he addresses Swansea Business Club over lunch on December 10.
Today, the club greets inspirational guest speaker Melanie Davies, of Treat Trust Wales, and she'll be a hard act to follow.
Will Paul manage it?
Well, you can decide for yourself by checking out his blog to get some idea.
Blogging's an increasingly important weapon in the armoury of a business and Paul uses it beautifully, managing to drive traffic to and from his other online platforms which include his website and his Twitter feed.
Those interested in Paul's ideas also have reason to keep going back to the blog - it's regular, opinionated and witty.
Can't wait to meet the fella! Book your December 10 place at the Towers Hotel through Lisa Williams at Effective Communication - 029 2064 6860, email lwilliams@effcom.co.uk.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Journos make Port Talbot progress
Progress is being made by journalists behind a plan to regenerate local news provision in Port Talbot.
Around 13 months ago, the town - along with neighbouring Neath - lost its sole dedicated news platform.
The Neath and Port Talbot Guardians have not been replaced but the professionals behind Local News Port Talbot wish to change that.
They have garnered influential community support and now aim to have their embryonic website regularly refreshed with quality local content.
A board meeting this week pledged to progress plans on several fronts, including hook-ups with organisations from the arts, photographic, business and academia.
Watch this space.
Around 13 months ago, the town - along with neighbouring Neath - lost its sole dedicated news platform.
The Neath and Port Talbot Guardians have not been replaced but the professionals behind Local News Port Talbot wish to change that.
They have garnered influential community support and now aim to have their embryonic website regularly refreshed with quality local content.
A board meeting this week pledged to progress plans on several fronts, including hook-ups with organisations from the arts, photographic, business and academia.
Watch this space.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Twitter: 5 reasons why it's useful
For those in any doubt about the usefulness of Twitter, here's a small cross-section of South Wales tweets from yesterday afternoon.
They're from a range of organisations and they're all very worthwhile - and I'll try to explain why after each.
Crucially, they all talk directly to their audience (or 'followers') and importantly they all lead to useful info.
Ignore Twitter at your peril.
Tweeter South Wales Police
Twitter name swpolice
Tweet Officers Seize Fireworks http://fb.me/Epte419i
Useful because It links to a news item about advice on storage, underage sales and the anti-social elements of Guy Fawkes Night. Good PR, good public info.
Tweeter Cardiff Business Online
Twitter name CardiffBiz
Tweet Any FREE DESSERT when you order a starter and a main course at Mocka Lounge with the voucher here http://ow.ly/33hBa
Useful because It links to a hot eating out offer - and hopefully a few extra sales.
Tweeter Swansea University Students Union
Twitter name SwanseaUnion
Tweet Taking action for broke and broken postgraduate students! http://fb.me/tqb3MrtV
Useful because It links to a blog about the union marching on London urging the UK government to not cut higher education. Good to rally support and deliver a political message.
Tweeter Wales In Style
Twitter name WalesInStyle
Tweet Andy Fisher is the 3rd person to Pack His Bags to WIN a stylish break in Wales. Enter now - http://ow.ly/33joF
Useful because It links to a promotional competition, creating strong PR, customer interaction and a little bit of fun.
Tweeter Bishop Gore School, Swansea
Twitter name bishopgore
Tweet Boys PE Extra Curricular Oct View http://bit.ly/94PYAh
Useful because It links pupils to important information.
They're from a range of organisations and they're all very worthwhile - and I'll try to explain why after each.
Crucially, they all talk directly to their audience (or 'followers') and importantly they all lead to useful info.
Ignore Twitter at your peril.
Tweeter South Wales Police
Twitter name swpolice
Tweet Officers Seize Fireworks http://fb.me/Epte419i
Useful because It links to a news item about advice on storage, underage sales and the anti-social elements of Guy Fawkes Night. Good PR, good public info.
Tweeter Cardiff Business Online
Twitter name CardiffBiz
Tweet Any FREE DESSERT when you order a starter and a main course at Mocka Lounge with the voucher here http://ow.ly/33hBa
Useful because It links to a hot eating out offer - and hopefully a few extra sales.
Tweeter Swansea University Students Union
Twitter name SwanseaUnion
Tweet Taking action for broke and broken postgraduate students! http://fb.me/tqb3MrtV
Useful because It links to a blog about the union marching on London urging the UK government to not cut higher education. Good to rally support and deliver a political message.
Tweeter Wales In Style
Twitter name WalesInStyle
Tweet Andy Fisher is the 3rd person to Pack His Bags to WIN a stylish break in Wales. Enter now - http://ow.ly/33joF
Useful because It links to a promotional competition, creating strong PR, customer interaction and a little bit of fun.
Tweeter Bishop Gore School, Swansea
Twitter name bishopgore
Tweet Boys PE Extra Curricular Oct View http://bit.ly/94PYAh
Useful because It links pupils to important information.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Welsh success given PR boost
"Come to Swansea Bay - Come to Life!" is the slogan from marketing unit Swansea Bay Futures.
And their regular e-newsletter is certainly full of life.
Don't be put off by its unwieldy title - Bay of Life Watch; just try to make use of it.
The latest edition is just out and has news on everything from the city topping a business start-up league for Wales to St Clears-based Sanclêr Organic providing 2012 Olympics cheeses.
Valued
Happily, there's also mention for two key news items from Grwp Gwalia, a valued client of Effective Communication.
One outlines how affordable homes are being built by Gwalia on Llanelli's former Buckley’s Brewery site.
The other details Gwalia's delight in seeing its Llys Glas scheme shortlisted for a regeneration award. The building was formerly Swansea's former central police station and is now home to an art gallery, an advice centre and 80 student rooms.
If you're not already hooked up with Bay of Life Watch, I suggest you are.
The woman in charge of the newsletter is Ruth Dockerty, communications and marketing executive with Swansea Bay Futures.
Phone her on 01792 635852, email her at Ruth.Dockerty@swansea.gov.uk or read more at http://www.abayoflife.com/.
And their regular e-newsletter is certainly full of life.
Don't be put off by its unwieldy title - Bay of Life Watch; just try to make use of it.
The latest edition is just out and has news on everything from the city topping a business start-up league for Wales to St Clears-based Sanclêr Organic providing 2012 Olympics cheeses.
Valued
Happily, there's also mention for two key news items from Grwp Gwalia, a valued client of Effective Communication.
One outlines how affordable homes are being built by Gwalia on Llanelli's former Buckley’s Brewery site.
The other details Gwalia's delight in seeing its Llys Glas scheme shortlisted for a regeneration award. The building was formerly Swansea's former central police station and is now home to an art gallery, an advice centre and 80 student rooms.
If you're not already hooked up with Bay of Life Watch, I suggest you are.
The woman in charge of the newsletter is Ruth Dockerty, communications and marketing executive with Swansea Bay Futures.
Phone her on 01792 635852, email her at Ruth.Dockerty@swansea.gov.uk or read more at http://www.abayoflife.com/.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Mayor gets his teeth into PR
 |
| Swansea Lord Mayor Richard Lewis in today's South Wales Evening Post |
And that's good news for Swansea Council and the city in general.
It means that his 12-month stint as Lord Mayor is proving to be far from dull.
The councillor has enjoyed a colourful political career spanning several decades and has an eye for the media.
Soon after his May inauguration he was pictured with knotted hanky headgear to applaud Gower's beaches.
Today he's due to visit a conference at the Liberty Stadium, tomorrow an exhibition at the Grand Theatre.
Vampire
And this morning he makes the front of the South Wales Evening Post ... all made up and dressed as a vampire.
On page three, reporter Jason Evans tells us that the County Hall figurehead swapped the council chamber for the crypt to host a Halloween event.
The cellar of his official residence was transformed into a dungeon as around 70 guests enjoyed a fancy dress fund-raiser for charity.
Mood
A funeral home lent the Lord Mayor a coffin and Grand lighting experts helped create the mood.
Charities to benefit included the Air Training Corps and Splash, a project to build a swimming pool for children with special needs.
Happily, the Evening Post praises the effort.
In an opinion piece, they say: "In these austere times, questions are asked about the role and cost of the civic mayoralty. Councillor Lewis is providing some convincing answers."
Friday, October 22, 2010
Swansea monthly’s even keel
Eight issues in and it’s gradually becoming part of the landscape.
Glossy magazine Swansea Eye, edited by Keely Portway, launched early this year and increasingly looks like it’s here to stay.
That can only be good news for the Swansea Bay media scene: the more variety the more we have to choose from as readers, advertisers and marketing folk.
The October edition of Swansea Eye features a decent number of advertisers from the city, along with some city-based columnists.
Lazy Frog
The latter include Gorseinon’s Old Mill Health Store and Uplands’ Lazy Frog Floatation centre.
Those with prominent ads include the Gowerton Golf Range, Mariners Court Retirement Apartments, ADS Lettings and Antur Insurance.
Swansea’s Village Hotel is another to make good use of the Eye’s close focus on city readers.
Christmas offerings are one angle of attack from the Village, including [arty nights, festive lunches and new year's eve celebrations, and the leisure club is another.
Push
The latter is particularly interesting because the facility’s manager Abigail Hobson has a concerted push on the over-55s market.
Monthly membership is being offered at the very reasonable £25; a free trial can be arranged.
Attractions include a 25m pool, more than 70 pieces of hi-tech gym apparatus, a sauna/steam room, a whirlpool, classes, activities and hotel discounts.
If the Eye can help boost gym membership at the Village then I’m sure there’ll be repeat business.
Glossy magazine Swansea Eye, edited by Keely Portway, launched early this year and increasingly looks like it’s here to stay.
That can only be good news for the Swansea Bay media scene: the more variety the more we have to choose from as readers, advertisers and marketing folk.
The October edition of Swansea Eye features a decent number of advertisers from the city, along with some city-based columnists.
Lazy Frog
The latter include Gorseinon’s Old Mill Health Store and Uplands’ Lazy Frog Floatation centre.
Those with prominent ads include the Gowerton Golf Range, Mariners Court Retirement Apartments, ADS Lettings and Antur Insurance.
Swansea’s Village Hotel is another to make good use of the Eye’s close focus on city readers.
Christmas offerings are one angle of attack from the Village, including [arty nights, festive lunches and new year's eve celebrations, and the leisure club is another.
Push
The latter is particularly interesting because the facility’s manager Abigail Hobson has a concerted push on the over-55s market.
Monthly membership is being offered at the very reasonable £25; a free trial can be arranged.
Attractions include a 25m pool, more than 70 pieces of hi-tech gym apparatus, a sauna/steam room, a whirlpool, classes, activities and hotel discounts.
If the Eye can help boost gym membership at the Village then I’m sure there’ll be repeat business.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Video PR blog: Swansea networking
Members of Swansea’s vibrant Waterfront BNI chapter meet every Wednesday at the city’s Village Hotel.
Effective Communication play their part – and here I discover why three regulars see it as an essential part of their business’s marketing mix.
Here’s the short video – http://bit.ly/9kfGPA
Effective Communication play their part – and here I discover why three regulars see it as an essential part of their business’s marketing mix.
Here’s the short video – http://bit.ly/9kfGPA
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Welsh mag marks landmark year
Editor David Hardy has just produced the latest edition of Yr Ardd.
The A4 glossy is the magazine of the National Botanic Garden of Wales and this season celebrates the attraction’s 10th birthday.
Its features include a welcome from Garden director Rosie Plummer, arguing strongly for extended Assembly funding, news that rugby’s Gareth Edwards is now honorary president and a piece on a 10th birthday cake created by volunteer Alison Howell.
Favourite
My favourite items, however, remain the forthcoming events and activities.
As always, they’re a fragrant propagation of niche interest, super-popular and splendid curiosity.
Amongst the entries in the niche category flutters a lifelong learning course in January: Painting Leaves in Watercolour. Students will tackle the mixing of greens, will paint vein structure and wil capture a variety of surface textures.
Water lilies
On October 30, they can attend Painting Autumn Leaves and Berries; on November 13 it’s Painting Fruit and Vegetables. There’s more through the spring but I’ll be waiting for the water lilies course – apparently there’s money in them.
The most popular events in the coming weeks are likely to be Christmas-themed temptations such as a tree decorating competition for schools, Santa’s grotto and a December 11-12 craft and food fair.
One of the year’s most enchanting occasions at Llanarthne comes a week and a bit before December 25 when it’s Carols at the Garden evening.
Oddball
More oddball will be lifelong learning programme’s Doorstops to Die For sessions, with designs featuringchickens, turkeys and rabbits. Even the blurb describes it wonderfully as “something dfferent and a little silly.”
Failing that, there’s always improvers classes for beekeepers, quilting and cushion making for those “petrified” of patchwork and plenty of woodturning advice.
Now if that’s not worth Assembly funding, what is?
The A4 glossy is the magazine of the National Botanic Garden of Wales and this season celebrates the attraction’s 10th birthday.
Its features include a welcome from Garden director Rosie Plummer, arguing strongly for extended Assembly funding, news that rugby’s Gareth Edwards is now honorary president and a piece on a 10th birthday cake created by volunteer Alison Howell.
Favourite
My favourite items, however, remain the forthcoming events and activities.
As always, they’re a fragrant propagation of niche interest, super-popular and splendid curiosity.
Amongst the entries in the niche category flutters a lifelong learning course in January: Painting Leaves in Watercolour. Students will tackle the mixing of greens, will paint vein structure and wil capture a variety of surface textures.
Water lilies
On October 30, they can attend Painting Autumn Leaves and Berries; on November 13 it’s Painting Fruit and Vegetables. There’s more through the spring but I’ll be waiting for the water lilies course – apparently there’s money in them.
The most popular events in the coming weeks are likely to be Christmas-themed temptations such as a tree decorating competition for schools, Santa’s grotto and a December 11-12 craft and food fair.
One of the year’s most enchanting occasions at Llanarthne comes a week and a bit before December 25 when it’s Carols at the Garden evening.
Oddball
More oddball will be lifelong learning programme’s Doorstops to Die For sessions, with designs featuringchickens, turkeys and rabbits. Even the blurb describes it wonderfully as “something dfferent and a little silly.”
Failing that, there’s always improvers classes for beekeepers, quilting and cushion making for those “petrified” of patchwork and plenty of woodturning advice.
Now if that’s not worth Assembly funding, what is?
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Welcome to a Swansea Bay website
It’s always good to welcome a new Swansea Bay website – even more so when its subject matter is as iconic as Mumbles Pier.
This month’s devastating blaze at Hastings Pier illustrated how fragile the UK’s grip on our complex social history can be.
So web users should be encouraged to take the charabanc on a glorious day trip to http://www.mumblespierdevelopment.com/. Well, bookmark it at least.
Redevelopment
The Mumbles Pier and Foreshore development is a £39m privately-funded redevelopment project conceived by pier owners Ameco.
Plans include a hotel, apartments, restaurants, leisure complex and the Victorian pier’s restoration complete with new lifeboat house.
Difficult times need private enterprise solutions to boost tourism and economic regeneration – and this fits the bill nicely.
Insight
The website aims to deliver an insight into plans to restore the pier.
Its creators write: “We hope you share our passion for this iconic part of Swansea’s heritage. More importantly, we want to tell you about the vision of how this famous landmark can be the key factor in creating a modern regional visitor and tourist destination.
“As well as providing you with news and background, we hope to answer your questions about the restoration project, how it is to be funded through a redevelopment scheme and how it will benefit Swansea, Mumbles and Gower.
“There’s no question that the pier holds a special place for many generations of residents and visitors.
“It’s full of memories and a little bit of magic that stays with us from childhood. It’s somewhere that you can sit and never tire of the sweeping views of Swansea Bay. It’s a piece of our past that deserves a future.”
This month’s devastating blaze at Hastings Pier illustrated how fragile the UK’s grip on our complex social history can be.
So web users should be encouraged to take the charabanc on a glorious day trip to http://www.mumblespierdevelopment.com/. Well, bookmark it at least.
Redevelopment
The Mumbles Pier and Foreshore development is a £39m privately-funded redevelopment project conceived by pier owners Ameco.
Plans include a hotel, apartments, restaurants, leisure complex and the Victorian pier’s restoration complete with new lifeboat house.
Difficult times need private enterprise solutions to boost tourism and economic regeneration – and this fits the bill nicely.
Insight
The website aims to deliver an insight into plans to restore the pier.
Its creators write: “We hope you share our passion for this iconic part of Swansea’s heritage. More importantly, we want to tell you about the vision of how this famous landmark can be the key factor in creating a modern regional visitor and tourist destination.
“As well as providing you with news and background, we hope to answer your questions about the restoration project, how it is to be funded through a redevelopment scheme and how it will benefit Swansea, Mumbles and Gower.
“There’s no question that the pier holds a special place for many generations of residents and visitors.
“It’s full of memories and a little bit of magic that stays with us from childhood. It’s somewhere that you can sit and never tire of the sweeping views of Swansea Bay. It’s a piece of our past that deserves a future.”
Monday, October 18, 2010
Video blog: Ospreys, Heineken Cup
Emily Hunt always has her eye on good PR – and rugby union’s Heineken Cup fitted the bill for her on Friday, October 15.
The sales manager of Swansea’s Village Hotel handed two corporate hospitality tickets to a contact from electronic systems company Thales – and a great time was had.
The Ospreys beat London Irish in a high quality clash, there was a healthy 13,000+ crowd, the food and drink was excellent and the taxis didn’t arrive til midnight or thereabouts.
There was a spare ticket and Emily offered that to me. Here’s a brief taste of the night – http://bit.ly/b7bfoP
The sales manager of Swansea’s Village Hotel handed two corporate hospitality tickets to a contact from electronic systems company Thales – and a great time was had.
The Ospreys beat London Irish in a high quality clash, there was a healthy 13,000+ crowd, the food and drink was excellent and the taxis didn’t arrive til midnight or thereabouts.
There was a spare ticket and Emily offered that to me. Here’s a brief taste of the night – http://bit.ly/b7bfoP
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Video blog: Village Hotel, Swansea
Today, I'm trialing a new Flip Mino camcorder by producing a video blog on a tasty PR coup for my client, the Village Hotel, Swansea.
The video’s a little rough at the edges but I reckon that lessons learnt here will stand me in good stead for future productions.
Coming to a Sunday carvery near you soon … http://bit.ly/b9aRS4
The video’s a little rough at the edges but I reckon that lessons learnt here will stand me in good stead for future productions.
Coming to a Sunday carvery near you soon … http://bit.ly/b9aRS4
The autumn edition of Mumbles Community Times is the latest publication to publish some professional guidance from South Wales lawyer Peter Lynn.
The senior partner in Swansea firm Peter Lynn & Partners uses the chunky little glossy to focus on preventing legal problems in the marriages of busy professional couples.
Advice and guidance given through the media in this way carries great weight in the eyes of the readership. It’s good PR for the business.
Here’s the CT feature.
Matrimonial Matters Mumbles Community Times
Hard-working professionals often find their home lives under strain. Here, Swansea solicitor Peter Lynn explains why early action and expert advice are crucial in any relationship breakdown.
The pressures of modern life, from our beauty-obsessed mainstream media to the random nature of alcohol-fuelled nights on the tiles, mean many pressure points every day.
Who hasn’t argued over the ironing duties, the amount spent on a sports tour or the need for dad to spend more time with the kids and less time at work?
The niggles can build up and can eventually lead to an irreparable falling-out.
Bickering
The result – even in an “amicable” split – is often bickering over family assets such as the house and cars, quibbles over complex pension issues (especially in the uniformed services) and concerns about the children’s future.
At Peter Lynn and Partners we have a fabulous team of lawyers who specialise in matrimonial matters and they regularly deal with cases of difficulty amongst those working in fields such as the military, 999 services, medicine, accountancy, law and finance.
We encourage mediation and communication at the earliest possible stage of a major marital dispute.
Services
Don’t delay – get in touch. We’re here to prevent legal problems.
For more information on the difficult issue of divorce and separation, or to find out more about the range of services available at Peter Lynn and Partners, phone us on 01792 450010 or log on to http://www.peterlynnandpartners.co.uk/.
The senior partner in Swansea firm Peter Lynn & Partners uses the chunky little glossy to focus on preventing legal problems in the marriages of busy professional couples.
Advice and guidance given through the media in this way carries great weight in the eyes of the readership. It’s good PR for the business.
Here’s the CT feature.
Matrimonial Matters Mumbles Community Times
Hard-working professionals often find their home lives under strain. Here, Swansea solicitor Peter Lynn explains why early action and expert advice are crucial in any relationship breakdown.
The pressures of modern life, from our beauty-obsessed mainstream media to the random nature of alcohol-fuelled nights on the tiles, mean many pressure points every day.
Who hasn’t argued over the ironing duties, the amount spent on a sports tour or the need for dad to spend more time with the kids and less time at work?
The niggles can build up and can eventually lead to an irreparable falling-out.
Bickering
The result – even in an “amicable” split – is often bickering over family assets such as the house and cars, quibbles over complex pension issues (especially in the uniformed services) and concerns about the children’s future.
At Peter Lynn and Partners we have a fabulous team of lawyers who specialise in matrimonial matters and they regularly deal with cases of difficulty amongst those working in fields such as the military, 999 services, medicine, accountancy, law and finance.
We encourage mediation and communication at the earliest possible stage of a major marital dispute.
Services
Don’t delay – get in touch. We’re here to prevent legal problems.
For more information on the difficult issue of divorce and separation, or to find out more about the range of services available at Peter Lynn and Partners, phone us on 01792 450010 or log on to http://www.peterlynnandpartners.co.uk/.
New focus for Wales media scene
The Welsh media comes in many forms – and the latest addition provides a signpost to the future.
The Swansea Economic Focus aims to provide information on current and planned regen activities across the city.
There’s a lot more too. Indeed, the first edition runs to 19 tightly scripted pages of news, stats and data.
It’s unlikely to challenge the South Wales Evening Post as the city’s most popular written media – but it will be well viewed around boardroom tables.
Together
Its publisher – the Swansea Economic Regeneration Partnership (SERP) – brings together public, private and voluntary sector organisations to deliver the city’s economic regeneration strategy – Swansea 2020.
Edition one includes articles on tackling economic inactivity, regenerating Swansea city centre through the Waterfront City project and promoting enterprise education.
One article looks at the impending public sector expenditure cuts, and the implications of these cuts for Swansea.
It states: “To counteract job losses it will be important to drive private sector jobs growth.
Exploit
“Swansea 2020 is seeking to exploit opportunities in six key sectors, to create new businesses and employment.
“These sectors are creative industries, information and communication technologies (ICT), life sciences, marine industries, professional business services and tourism.
“There are a number of existing and proposed developments to stimulate the growth of these sectors, including the Swansea Metropolitan University/Coastal Housing proposed Creative Industries Cluster in the Urban Village development, Swansea University’s Institute of Life Sciences and Swansea University’s proposed Bay Science & Innovation Campus.”
The Swansea Economic Focus aims to provide information on current and planned regen activities across the city.
There’s a lot more too. Indeed, the first edition runs to 19 tightly scripted pages of news, stats and data.
It’s unlikely to challenge the South Wales Evening Post as the city’s most popular written media – but it will be well viewed around boardroom tables.
Together
Its publisher – the Swansea Economic Regeneration Partnership (SERP) – brings together public, private and voluntary sector organisations to deliver the city’s economic regeneration strategy – Swansea 2020.
Edition one includes articles on tackling economic inactivity, regenerating Swansea city centre through the Waterfront City project and promoting enterprise education.
One article looks at the impending public sector expenditure cuts, and the implications of these cuts for Swansea.
It states: “To counteract job losses it will be important to drive private sector jobs growth.
Exploit
“Swansea 2020 is seeking to exploit opportunities in six key sectors, to create new businesses and employment.
“These sectors are creative industries, information and communication technologies (ICT), life sciences, marine industries, professional business services and tourism.
“There are a number of existing and proposed developments to stimulate the growth of these sectors, including the Swansea Metropolitan University/Coastal Housing proposed Creative Industries Cluster in the Urban Village development, Swansea University’s Institute of Life Sciences and Swansea University’s proposed Bay Science & Innovation Campus.”
Welsh media’s Christmas call
Don’t look now but the South Wales media is after a seasonal slice of your marketing budget.
Most print titles and commercial broadcasters who service the Swansea Bay area have launched their seasonal sales campaigns.
Two cases in point are Real Radio and the South Wales Evening Post.
Real sponsorship guy Alessandro Galea was first off the blocks with his call for a backer for the Win a Dream Christmas promotion.
Profile raiser
This is a high-profile feature that runs through November and has been a profile raiser in the past for businesses such as Barratt Homes.
Real’s Win a Dream Christmas 2010 will see a string of listeners winning £100 and one scooping a £3,000 prize package including goodies such as a 42” plasma TV, a digital camera, a coffee machine, Nintendo Wii … and a 6ft Christmas tree.
As well as bags of on-air mentions, the main sponsor gets a strong presence on the promotion micro website.
Unveiled
The Evening Post, meanwhile, has just unveiled its festive rate card.
It covers the Post, Llanelli Star, Carmarthen Journal, Swansea Herald and free weekly insert the Neath Port Talbot Courier.
It reveals an onslaught of Christmas-themed ad features from now until the end of December.
The theme is The Magic of Christmas and feature titles include Here’s My Card, Looking Good, Winter Warmth and At Home.
There are healthy discounts for multiple advertisers and I’d be happy to talk through the deals with any interested business.
Most print titles and commercial broadcasters who service the Swansea Bay area have launched their seasonal sales campaigns.
Two cases in point are Real Radio and the South Wales Evening Post.
Real sponsorship guy Alessandro Galea was first off the blocks with his call for a backer for the Win a Dream Christmas promotion.
Profile raiser
This is a high-profile feature that runs through November and has been a profile raiser in the past for businesses such as Barratt Homes.
Real’s Win a Dream Christmas 2010 will see a string of listeners winning £100 and one scooping a £3,000 prize package including goodies such as a 42” plasma TV, a digital camera, a coffee machine, Nintendo Wii … and a 6ft Christmas tree.
As well as bags of on-air mentions, the main sponsor gets a strong presence on the promotion micro website.
Unveiled
The Evening Post, meanwhile, has just unveiled its festive rate card.
It covers the Post, Llanelli Star, Carmarthen Journal, Swansea Herald and free weekly insert the Neath Port Talbot Courier.
It reveals an onslaught of Christmas-themed ad features from now until the end of December.
The theme is The Magic of Christmas and feature titles include Here’s My Card, Looking Good, Winter Warmth and At Home.
There are healthy discounts for multiple advertisers and I’d be happy to talk through the deals with any interested business.
S4C director’s call to Welsh business
S4C non-executive director Clive Jones gave a rallying call to South Wales business on Friday, October 8.
He gave a compelling argument as to why the Welsh should give their wholehearted backing to the country’s creative industries.
His key points to more than 100 members and guests of Swansea Business Club included:
He gave a compelling argument as to why the Welsh should give their wholehearted backing to the country’s creative industries.
His key points to more than 100 members and guests of Swansea Business Club included:
- Local newspapers are a cornerstone of our communities and key to democracy
- TV programme makers now look to Wales for skills rather than the Welsh looking elsewhere
- S4C gets healthy viewing figures considering the small nation it covers and is pivotal to the Welsh language’s resurgence
Clive was warmly applauded by his audience.
They were won over with points such as how the multi-million pound benefit brought to Stratford-upon-Avon by the RSC could be mirrored in some way by Welsh towns and cities.
Clive’s talk will have opened the eyes of many in the room to the major role creative skills and employment can play as we batten down the hatches for the spending review.
Valleys-born Clive, incidentally, is an ex-boss of GMTV, formerly Britain’s most popular breakfast TV station, and is a fellow of the Royal Television Society.
Award
He holds the society’s highest award and holds a CBE for services to broadcasting.
In a time of enormous change for commercial broadcasters, he has been chief executive of ITV News and Regions, managing director of the ITV Network, CEO of Carlton Television, managing director of Central Television, and managing director of the London News Network.
Swansea Business Club members met him at the city’s Village Hotel.
Impressive
It was the first meeting of the club’s new season and the turn-out was impressive … as were the chocolate bars offered to each guest by Effective Communication.
Each carried a slogan explaining why it’d be a good idea for business to contact Effective to discuss their PR and marketing needs.
Celebrate Swansea’s grassroots!
The latest magazine to grace the Swansea Bay media scene will be officially launched soon – and you’re all invited.
Nigel Dudley, the man behind The Eye on Gorseinon, has issued a general invitation to the event at Celtic Mitsubishi, Gorseinon, from 6-8pm on October 21.
He promises light refreshments – it’s teatime, Nigel, so I hope there’s a mountain of them – and a valuable networking opportunity.
Advertisers in his first issue, being distributed free door to door as I write, include Swansea law firm Peter Lynn and Partners, Jenkins Photography and Bartlett Carpentry and Joinery.
Great
Nigel tells me: “It’d be great to have as many people there as possible.
“I’ve given out hundreds of invitations to local businesses and expect between 50 and 100 guests.
“It’ll be a good way of meeting new business contacts and will include a fascinating talk by Marianne Pettifor who’s one of Swansea’s leading lights in sales and customer service.”
Nigel, incidentally, is also the driving force behind Swansea Valley mag Valley View and sister title Neath Gnolledge.
They’re mainly advertorial-based glossies and Nigel likes to prove their worth to his clients by offering a service which tracks response rate via unique phone numbers.
Nigel Dudley, the man behind The Eye on Gorseinon, has issued a general invitation to the event at Celtic Mitsubishi, Gorseinon, from 6-8pm on October 21.
He promises light refreshments – it’s teatime, Nigel, so I hope there’s a mountain of them – and a valuable networking opportunity.
Advertisers in his first issue, being distributed free door to door as I write, include Swansea law firm Peter Lynn and Partners, Jenkins Photography and Bartlett Carpentry and Joinery.
Great
Nigel tells me: “It’d be great to have as many people there as possible.
“I’ve given out hundreds of invitations to local businesses and expect between 50 and 100 guests.
“It’ll be a good way of meeting new business contacts and will include a fascinating talk by Marianne Pettifor who’s one of Swansea’s leading lights in sales and customer service.”
Nigel, incidentally, is also the driving force behind Swansea Valley mag Valley View and sister title Neath Gnolledge.
They’re mainly advertorial-based glossies and Nigel likes to prove their worth to his clients by offering a service which tracks response rate via unique phone numbers.
Celebs rally for good causes
Big names from around South Wales helped drive ticket sales for last week’s EuroMillions draw.
They understand that good causes around the UK benefit from sales – and it was good to see them doing their bit in the media and PR drive.
The October 8 EuroMillions draw had an incredible £112m jackpot.
And celebrities asked to detail how they’d use such a life-changing windfall came forward with their thoughts.
The media used some of them.
Lifeboat
They range from buying a new Mumbles lifeboat (The Wave radio presenter Badger) to creating a world-class Tour of Wales cycle race (Swansea-born Olympic and world champion Nicole Cooke).
Swansea panto star Kev Johns would buy everybody a copy of Big Issue; Port Talbot charity fundraiser Captain Beany would help the environment.
Haverfordwest-born Jamie Owen, the BBC Wales newsreader, said: “I’d share the money with my brothers to keep the peace.
“I’d buy some mountain land to save it for the nation; I’d buy land in towns and cities to turn into parks for people to enjoy and to encourage the natural world to prosper. Wide open spaces are good for everyone’s health.”
The jackpot was the fourth largest ever available in the UK.
Celebrity dreams – How would you spend a £112m jackpot?
Captain Beany Charity fundraiser and campaigner, Port Talbot Simple. I’d divide the entire £112m equally between charitable fundraising efforts, local community-based projects and environmental and ecological organizations.
Badger Breakfast presenter on The Wave It sounds bizarre but I have a list for such eventualities – and have had for a few years! I’d buy mum and dad a house closer to ours and there’d be lots of charitable causes I’d help anonymously, Of course, I’d give the RNLI £2.7m for a new Mumbles lifeboat; it’s been a tough job for all the fundraisers to hit that target in these difficult times.
Kev Johns Actor and broadcaster, Swansea Wow! £112m … with that sort of money you could do some good and spoil yourself! I’d buy four houses … a dream home in Swansea and one of those lovely seaside homes in Tenby. Next would be a mews home in London and an apartment overlooking the Hudson River in New York! I’d set up a foundation to support young people training for a career in the arts and I’d buy a Big Issue for everyone.
Nicole Cooke Olympic and World Champion cyclist, born in Swansea The bulk of the money would be spent on charities and medical research. I think cycling could be involved as a way of helping children and people in need to enjoy the fun and freedom of cycling – using tandems, tricycles or electric bikes as part of therapy or care. I’d also like to set up the best international race in the women’s cycling here in Wales – something like a Tour of Wales that brings international stars to all parts of our beautiful country and also create a women’s cycling team that trains hard, races hard and plays hard! Finally, I’d like to put something aside towards my Mum and Dad’s retirement.
Jamie Owen BBC Wales newsreader, born in Haverfordwest If I won, I would share the money with my brothers to keep the peace. I would buy some mountain land to save it for the nation, and buy land in towns and cities to turn into parks as breathing spaces for people to enjoy and to encourage the natural world to prosper. Wide open spaces are good for everyone’s health young and old.
They understand that good causes around the UK benefit from sales – and it was good to see them doing their bit in the media and PR drive.
The October 8 EuroMillions draw had an incredible £112m jackpot.
And celebrities asked to detail how they’d use such a life-changing windfall came forward with their thoughts.
The media used some of them.
Lifeboat
They range from buying a new Mumbles lifeboat (The Wave radio presenter Badger) to creating a world-class Tour of Wales cycle race (Swansea-born Olympic and world champion Nicole Cooke).
Swansea panto star Kev Johns would buy everybody a copy of Big Issue; Port Talbot charity fundraiser Captain Beany would help the environment.
Haverfordwest-born Jamie Owen, the BBC Wales newsreader, said: “I’d share the money with my brothers to keep the peace.
“I’d buy some mountain land to save it for the nation; I’d buy land in towns and cities to turn into parks for people to enjoy and to encourage the natural world to prosper. Wide open spaces are good for everyone’s health.”
The jackpot was the fourth largest ever available in the UK.
Celebrity dreams – How would you spend a £112m jackpot?
Captain Beany Charity fundraiser and campaigner, Port Talbot Simple. I’d divide the entire £112m equally between charitable fundraising efforts, local community-based projects and environmental and ecological organizations.
Badger Breakfast presenter on The Wave It sounds bizarre but I have a list for such eventualities – and have had for a few years! I’d buy mum and dad a house closer to ours and there’d be lots of charitable causes I’d help anonymously, Of course, I’d give the RNLI £2.7m for a new Mumbles lifeboat; it’s been a tough job for all the fundraisers to hit that target in these difficult times.
Kev Johns Actor and broadcaster, Swansea Wow! £112m … with that sort of money you could do some good and spoil yourself! I’d buy four houses … a dream home in Swansea and one of those lovely seaside homes in Tenby. Next would be a mews home in London and an apartment overlooking the Hudson River in New York! I’d set up a foundation to support young people training for a career in the arts and I’d buy a Big Issue for everyone.
Nicole Cooke Olympic and World Champion cyclist, born in Swansea The bulk of the money would be spent on charities and medical research. I think cycling could be involved as a way of helping children and people in need to enjoy the fun and freedom of cycling – using tandems, tricycles or electric bikes as part of therapy or care. I’d also like to set up the best international race in the women’s cycling here in Wales – something like a Tour of Wales that brings international stars to all parts of our beautiful country and also create a women’s cycling team that trains hard, races hard and plays hard! Finally, I’d like to put something aside towards my Mum and Dad’s retirement.
Jamie Owen BBC Wales newsreader, born in Haverfordwest If I won, I would share the money with my brothers to keep the peace. I would buy some mountain land to save it for the nation, and buy land in towns and cities to turn into parks as breathing spaces for people to enjoy and to encourage the natural world to prosper. Wide open spaces are good for everyone’s health young and old.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Welsh press guided through complex hearing
Media training and advice worked well for Swansea professional Sandra McAlister yesterday.
Sandra is founder of Wales-based insolvency practitioners McAlister & Co tasked with the emotional proceedings for one of Swansea's most respected businessmen.
Roy Thomas got into enormous difficulties when his bank devalued his multi-million pound property portfolio.
Sandra knew there'd be great media interest - and she wasn't wrong.
Training
She asked Effective Communication to manage the press interest and used her interview training by Effective's Alastair Milburn when she was quizzed by BBC Radio Wales' Tom Singleton.
The result has been a smooth flow of accurate and timely information to the South Wales media, a complex issue presented calmly and with sobriety by the media - and an enhanced profile for Sandra and her company.
Today you'll find yesterday's creditors' meeting covered by the Western Mail, The South Wales Evening Post and BBC Wales online.
It attracted around 25 creditors' representatives, tough lines of questioning and an atmosphere that could have been hard to handle by an individual less on the ball than Sandra.
Writer
The meeting lasted two hours and one attendee, on behalf of creditor Northcliffe Newspapers was South Wales Evening Post business writer Rupert Hall.
He asked for a technical clarification or two in the hours after the gathering - and the McAlister team were prepared to answer them.
Hats off to all at McAlister.
Sandra is founder of Wales-based insolvency practitioners McAlister & Co tasked with the emotional proceedings for one of Swansea's most respected businessmen.
Roy Thomas got into enormous difficulties when his bank devalued his multi-million pound property portfolio.
Sandra knew there'd be great media interest - and she wasn't wrong.
Training
She asked Effective Communication to manage the press interest and used her interview training by Effective's Alastair Milburn when she was quizzed by BBC Radio Wales' Tom Singleton.
The result has been a smooth flow of accurate and timely information to the South Wales media, a complex issue presented calmly and with sobriety by the media - and an enhanced profile for Sandra and her company.
Today you'll find yesterday's creditors' meeting covered by the Western Mail, The South Wales Evening Post and BBC Wales online.
It attracted around 25 creditors' representatives, tough lines of questioning and an atmosphere that could have been hard to handle by an individual less on the ball than Sandra.
Writer
The meeting lasted two hours and one attendee, on behalf of creditor Northcliffe Newspapers was South Wales Evening Post business writer Rupert Hall.
He asked for a technical clarification or two in the hours after the gathering - and the McAlister team were prepared to answer them.
Hats off to all at McAlister.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Here come the Welsh media big-hitters
Alan Edmunds and Clive Jones are Welsh media professionals with much on their plates.
And this week both are due to talk to gatherings of business bosses in South Wales.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, October 6) Edmunds will leave his Media Wales HQ to address the IoD in Cardiff; on Friday Jones will tell Swansea Business Club about his high-profile roles in organisations such as S4C, GMTV and ITV.
Edmunds is expected to have much to say about the evolving roles of newspaper operations.
Flagship
His own flagship title, the Western Mail, has seen circulation decline markedly over the past decade in line with most regional papers. Yet his online user numbers continue to rise healthily.
He and his colleagues must tackle with the great problem of meeting customer demand in news delivery whilst maintaining a commercial powerbase through traditional advertising and new forms of revenue generation.
All you need do to understand his conundrum is observe the opposites of how the Guardian and News International are meeting the challenge.
The Guardian is offering all content as free online whilst building new incomes through channels such as its club-style readership scheme; Rupert Murdoch, meanwhile, is charging for much online material from titles such as The Times.
Grassroots
Throw in the recession, the forthcoming austerity measures and the growth in low-cost grassroots media and you begin to see further into reasons for why Edmunds may suffer sleepless nights.
On the other hand, of course, great events such as the Ryder Cup and developments such as devolution and the growth of Cardiff Bay illustrate how exciting it can be to be helming titles such as the South Wales Echo and Wales on Sunday.
Edmunds, publishing director of Media Wales, is due to talk to Wales-based members of the Institute of Directors at the Park House Club, Cardiff, from 5.30-7.15pm tomorrow.
Clive Jones approaches the media world with a different perspective. He's the ex-boss of GMTV, formerly Britain’s most popular breakfast TV station, and is the sole non-executive director of S4C.
Award
A fellow of the Royal Television Society, he holds the society's highest award and holds a CBE for services to broadcasting.
In a time of enormous change for commercial broadcasters, he has been chief executive of ITV News and Regions, managing director of the ITV Network, CEO of Carlton Television, managing director of Central Television, and managing director of the London News Network.
Swansea Business Club members meet him at the city’s Village Hotel on Friday and are likely to learn a lot about modern broadcasting.
To find out how you can attend the events, give me a call on 07890 953 402.
And this week both are due to talk to gatherings of business bosses in South Wales.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, October 6) Edmunds will leave his Media Wales HQ to address the IoD in Cardiff; on Friday Jones will tell Swansea Business Club about his high-profile roles in organisations such as S4C, GMTV and ITV.
Edmunds is expected to have much to say about the evolving roles of newspaper operations.
Flagship
His own flagship title, the Western Mail, has seen circulation decline markedly over the past decade in line with most regional papers. Yet his online user numbers continue to rise healthily.
He and his colleagues must tackle with the great problem of meeting customer demand in news delivery whilst maintaining a commercial powerbase through traditional advertising and new forms of revenue generation.
All you need do to understand his conundrum is observe the opposites of how the Guardian and News International are meeting the challenge.
The Guardian is offering all content as free online whilst building new incomes through channels such as its club-style readership scheme; Rupert Murdoch, meanwhile, is charging for much online material from titles such as The Times.
Grassroots
Throw in the recession, the forthcoming austerity measures and the growth in low-cost grassroots media and you begin to see further into reasons for why Edmunds may suffer sleepless nights.
On the other hand, of course, great events such as the Ryder Cup and developments such as devolution and the growth of Cardiff Bay illustrate how exciting it can be to be helming titles such as the South Wales Echo and Wales on Sunday.
Edmunds, publishing director of Media Wales, is due to talk to Wales-based members of the Institute of Directors at the Park House Club, Cardiff, from 5.30-7.15pm tomorrow.
Clive Jones approaches the media world with a different perspective. He's the ex-boss of GMTV, formerly Britain’s most popular breakfast TV station, and is the sole non-executive director of S4C.
Award
A fellow of the Royal Television Society, he holds the society's highest award and holds a CBE for services to broadcasting.
In a time of enormous change for commercial broadcasters, he has been chief executive of ITV News and Regions, managing director of the ITV Network, CEO of Carlton Television, managing director of Central Television, and managing director of the London News Network.
Swansea Business Club members meet him at the city’s Village Hotel on Friday and are likely to learn a lot about modern broadcasting.
To find out how you can attend the events, give me a call on 07890 953 402.
Monday, October 4, 2010
South Wales Sundays brighten up
A new head chef at one of Swansea's favourite Sunday lunch venues is capturing the attention of the local media.
Danny Illingworth arrived at the Village Hotel last month via a colourful career in catering.
Brought up in South Africa, he latterly ran his own place in Wales' English borderland - now the diners of Swansea are warming to his skills.
He's 6ft 5in, powerfully built and determined to build on the Village's good reputation for food.
Personality
And on Saturday he became the latest personality to be featured in the South Wales Evening Post's Holiday Heaven and Hell column.
Features editor Peter Slee - with the help of Effective Communication - tracked him down having heard of Danny's arrival.
The column provides a lively platform for a new public face or rising star to be introduced in a human way to Post readers.
Danny's key holiday answers
Best Kruger National Park
Worst New Forest
Daftest purchase Painting, stormy Cardigan Bay
Best memory Lions, Kruger
Danny Illingworth arrived at the Village Hotel last month via a colourful career in catering.
Brought up in South Africa, he latterly ran his own place in Wales' English borderland - now the diners of Swansea are warming to his skills.
He's 6ft 5in, powerfully built and determined to build on the Village's good reputation for food.
Personality
And on Saturday he became the latest personality to be featured in the South Wales Evening Post's Holiday Heaven and Hell column.
Features editor Peter Slee - with the help of Effective Communication - tracked him down having heard of Danny's arrival.
The column provides a lively platform for a new public face or rising star to be introduced in a human way to Post readers.
Danny's key holiday answers
Best Kruger National Park
Worst New Forest
Daftest purchase Painting, stormy Cardigan Bay
Best memory Lions, Kruger
Friday, October 1, 2010
Wales' council papers face double hit
Council newspapers across Wales will come under closer scrutiny than ever this month.
The Comprehensive Spending Review will shine a spotlight on all such none-frontline publicly funded services.
It could mean the end - or radical changes at least - to Swansea Council's The Leader, Neath Port Talbot partnership freesheet Community Spirit and Carmarthenshire Council's Community News.
In a pincer movement, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is determined to stop taxpayers' money being spent on "frivolous town hall propaganda papers" at a time when many local papers are struggling to survive.
Banned
Under proposed new Government rules, councils will be banned from publishing newspapers in direct competition to local press.
News trade magazine Press Gazette has this week's best coverage of the issue.
It quotes Pickles as saying: "An independent local press is an essential part of our open democracy, helping local people scrutinise and hold elected councillors to account.
"The rules around council publicity have been too weak for too long allowing public money to be spent on frivolous town hall propaganda papers that have left many local newspapers looking over the abyss - weakening our free press - or to use 'hired-gun' lobbyists that operate in the shadows to bulldoze special interests through.
Focus
"The proposals I am publishing will close off these inappropriate practices and make sure that councils focus taxpayers' money on where it should be spent - protecting frontline services."
The Local Government Association argues that local authority newsletters are intended to keep residents informed about what their council was doing.
For contrasting views on the issue, read media commentator Dan Sabbagh and traditional local paper the Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle.
The Comprehensive Spending Review will shine a spotlight on all such none-frontline publicly funded services.
It could mean the end - or radical changes at least - to Swansea Council's The Leader, Neath Port Talbot partnership freesheet Community Spirit and Carmarthenshire Council's Community News.
In a pincer movement, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is determined to stop taxpayers' money being spent on "frivolous town hall propaganda papers" at a time when many local papers are struggling to survive.
Banned
Under proposed new Government rules, councils will be banned from publishing newspapers in direct competition to local press.
News trade magazine Press Gazette has this week's best coverage of the issue.
It quotes Pickles as saying: "An independent local press is an essential part of our open democracy, helping local people scrutinise and hold elected councillors to account.
"The rules around council publicity have been too weak for too long allowing public money to be spent on frivolous town hall propaganda papers that have left many local newspapers looking over the abyss - weakening our free press - or to use 'hired-gun' lobbyists that operate in the shadows to bulldoze special interests through.
Focus
"The proposals I am publishing will close off these inappropriate practices and make sure that councils focus taxpayers' money on where it should be spent - protecting frontline services."
The Local Government Association argues that local authority newsletters are intended to keep residents informed about what their council was doing.
For contrasting views on the issue, read media commentator Dan Sabbagh and traditional local paper the Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Media man's eye on Swansea
The Swansea media market has been strengthened by a new addition.
Eye on Gorseinon is a free magazine targeting one of the city's great working class satellite towns.
It's just out and is a mix of traditional advertising and paid-for promotional editorial.
Succeeded
The man behind it is Nigel Dudley who, for the past few years, has succeeded with similar formats in the Swansea Valley (with Valley View) and a little further east with Neath Gnolledge.
Those living in Gorseinon should soon see a copy flutter through their letter boxes.
Others will be able to pick up a copy on advertisers' premises and at other high-footfall places.
Reinvention
Nigel has an interesting concept and fits nicely into the grassroots scene for local media reinvention.
Others - such as the Pontardawe-based Community Magazines, the Mumbles and West Swansea Community Times titles, and Lesley Williams' The Bay magazine, perform a similar function in a variety of ways. A surprisingly wide variety considering their reasonably narrow briefs.
Eye on Gorseinon debut advertisers, incidentally, include Swansea solicitor Peter Lynn and Partners, charity The Pettifor Trust, Bartlett Joinery and Carpentry and Grovesend-based Jenkins Photography.
Eye on Gorseinon is a free magazine targeting one of the city's great working class satellite towns.
It's just out and is a mix of traditional advertising and paid-for promotional editorial.
Succeeded
The man behind it is Nigel Dudley who, for the past few years, has succeeded with similar formats in the Swansea Valley (with Valley View) and a little further east with Neath Gnolledge.
Those living in Gorseinon should soon see a copy flutter through their letter boxes.
Others will be able to pick up a copy on advertisers' premises and at other high-footfall places.
Reinvention
Nigel has an interesting concept and fits nicely into the grassroots scene for local media reinvention.
Others - such as the Pontardawe-based Community Magazines, the Mumbles and West Swansea Community Times titles, and Lesley Williams' The Bay magazine, perform a similar function in a variety of ways. A surprisingly wide variety considering their reasonably narrow briefs.
Eye on Gorseinon debut advertisers, incidentally, include Swansea solicitor Peter Lynn and Partners, charity The Pettifor Trust, Bartlett Joinery and Carpentry and Grovesend-based Jenkins Photography.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Traditional media crucial to PR
Hands up if you'd recognise these guys if they walked in the room ... George Michael ... Jimmy Page.
Michael is a musician who has sold over 100 million records. His band was Wham! Page is a musician who has sold over 100 million records. His band was Led Zeppelin.
Hands up if you can tell me which business brands these fellas are most associated with ... Richard Branson ... Ingvar Kamprad.
Richest
Branson is a businessman who's the 212th richest person in worth around $4bn. His brand is Virgin. Kamprad is a businessman who's the 5th richest person in the world worth $22bn. His brand is Ikea.
Hands up if you recognise these names ... Gavin Henson ... Simon Culhane.
Henson was an international rugby player who never appeared at a World Cup. Culhane was an international rugby player who holds the record for the most number of points scored in a single RWC game - 45 when New Zealand beat Japan 145-17 in 1995.
Why?
So why do you know Michael, Branson and Henson? And not Page, Kamprad and Culhane?
Is it that Michael, Branson & Henson have more talent that Page, Kamprad and Culhane? Is it that they've achieved more in their speciality fields?
I suggest not. I suggest it's because Michael, Branson and Henson have been splashed all over the newspapers. Not for all the reasons they would wish - but my straw poll illustrates - to some extent - the power of the press.
Positive
And it's that in which Effective Communication specialises. Our job is to ensure that our clients get the most possible positive exposure in the press.
We harness that power for you.
It's not the only thing we do - yes, every press release we write goes to the media ... but it also becomes a story on our website, a news item on the client's website, a Tweet if required, a Facebook posting, the basis for a blog and perhaps a video clip for YouTube. We also create all-encompassing marketing plans - but that's not my focus today.
Profile
Let me explain briefly how we save you time, raise your profile and improve your profits.
We save you possibly hundreds of hours a year by dealing with news hungry journalists and aggressive, revenue-chasing advertising executives from across the media.
In Swansea Bay alone there are at least 50 media businesses with an interest in your stories (good and bad) and your marketing spend.
New
They range from small brand new operations such as Eye on Gorseinon to the rather more well-established and slightly better resourced BBC.
They range from community radio stations such as Port Talbot's Afan FM which has a well defined geographical market for those aged 12 to 25.
Phone calls, circulars, emails, cold calls ... at some point they'll head your way. Journalists are even likely to call at bad times: when the company's downsizing substantially, being attacked in court or suffering a human tragedy of some kind.
Pain
We save you the pain of dealing with all this because we know the media people, we know their plans, we know their needs, we know how they work, we know their journalists - and we know their ad team's discount structures.
In short, we can plan any media campaign to suit your business. That's everything from the one-off press release for a newly-launched business to a lengthy media campaign which uses editorial, advertising and promotions to deliver the right messages at the right time for the right price.
And we do it for any type of business. This week I was helping rebuild the public reputation of a small motor garage owner who's got on the wrong side of the law ... this afternoon I'm working for Camelot. They want to publicise this Friday's £82m Euromillions jackpot so I've arranged – and will oversee - an interview between an Evening Post features writer and a Llanelli Lotto millionaire. The feature will appear in Friday's paper.
Valuable
And one thing we always stress is that hard-won editorial space in a newspaper is so much more valuable than advertising space - the public know that you've paid a few thousand pounds for a page in the Western Mail ... but they see an editorial feature on the next page as a sign that a team of journalists and their editor see great merit in what you're doing.
Managed properly, your media engagement will make you attractive to journalists seeking expert comment on topics within your sphere; it will have influential individuals such as editors talking about you in their own networking circles ... and it will make you appear to be a very credible employer when you begin a recruitment drive.
As George Michael, Richard Branson and Gavin Henson know, exposure in the media can help make you very high-profile and very marketable.
As I said, traditional media isn't everything in a marketing mix - but it's a very important part. Media coverage is a cornerstone of building your brand – please don't forget it.
Michael is a musician who has sold over 100 million records. His band was Wham! Page is a musician who has sold over 100 million records. His band was Led Zeppelin.
Hands up if you can tell me which business brands these fellas are most associated with ... Richard Branson ... Ingvar Kamprad.
Richest
Branson is a businessman who's the 212th richest person in worth around $4bn. His brand is Virgin. Kamprad is a businessman who's the 5th richest person in the world worth $22bn. His brand is Ikea.
Hands up if you recognise these names ... Gavin Henson ... Simon Culhane.
Henson was an international rugby player who never appeared at a World Cup. Culhane was an international rugby player who holds the record for the most number of points scored in a single RWC game - 45 when New Zealand beat Japan 145-17 in 1995.
Why?
So why do you know Michael, Branson and Henson? And not Page, Kamprad and Culhane?
Is it that Michael, Branson & Henson have more talent that Page, Kamprad and Culhane? Is it that they've achieved more in their speciality fields?
I suggest not. I suggest it's because Michael, Branson and Henson have been splashed all over the newspapers. Not for all the reasons they would wish - but my straw poll illustrates - to some extent - the power of the press.
Positive
And it's that in which Effective Communication specialises. Our job is to ensure that our clients get the most possible positive exposure in the press.
We harness that power for you.
It's not the only thing we do - yes, every press release we write goes to the media ... but it also becomes a story on our website, a news item on the client's website, a Tweet if required, a Facebook posting, the basis for a blog and perhaps a video clip for YouTube. We also create all-encompassing marketing plans - but that's not my focus today.
Profile
Let me explain briefly how we save you time, raise your profile and improve your profits.
We save you possibly hundreds of hours a year by dealing with news hungry journalists and aggressive, revenue-chasing advertising executives from across the media.
In Swansea Bay alone there are at least 50 media businesses with an interest in your stories (good and bad) and your marketing spend.
New
They range from small brand new operations such as Eye on Gorseinon to the rather more well-established and slightly better resourced BBC.
They range from community radio stations such as Port Talbot's Afan FM which has a well defined geographical market for those aged 12 to 25.
Phone calls, circulars, emails, cold calls ... at some point they'll head your way. Journalists are even likely to call at bad times: when the company's downsizing substantially, being attacked in court or suffering a human tragedy of some kind.
Pain
We save you the pain of dealing with all this because we know the media people, we know their plans, we know their needs, we know how they work, we know their journalists - and we know their ad team's discount structures.
In short, we can plan any media campaign to suit your business. That's everything from the one-off press release for a newly-launched business to a lengthy media campaign which uses editorial, advertising and promotions to deliver the right messages at the right time for the right price.
And we do it for any type of business. This week I was helping rebuild the public reputation of a small motor garage owner who's got on the wrong side of the law ... this afternoon I'm working for Camelot. They want to publicise this Friday's £82m Euromillions jackpot so I've arranged – and will oversee - an interview between an Evening Post features writer and a Llanelli Lotto millionaire. The feature will appear in Friday's paper.
Valuable
And one thing we always stress is that hard-won editorial space in a newspaper is so much more valuable than advertising space - the public know that you've paid a few thousand pounds for a page in the Western Mail ... but they see an editorial feature on the next page as a sign that a team of journalists and their editor see great merit in what you're doing.
Managed properly, your media engagement will make you attractive to journalists seeking expert comment on topics within your sphere; it will have influential individuals such as editors talking about you in their own networking circles ... and it will make you appear to be a very credible employer when you begin a recruitment drive.
As George Michael, Richard Branson and Gavin Henson know, exposure in the media can help make you very high-profile and very marketable.
As I said, traditional media isn't everything in a marketing mix - but it's a very important part. Media coverage is a cornerstone of building your brand – please don't forget it.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Welsh editors in the firing line
The South Wales media's ongoing radical changes crystallised further yesterday.
Journalism trade magazine Press Gazette reported that the roles of four newspaper editors across the region were likely to be made redundant.
The papers in question are the weeklies in the Celtic group, part of the Western Mail stable. They include the Merthyr Express, Gwent Gazette, Rhondda Leader, Pontypridd Observer, Cynon Valley Leader and Glamorgan Gazette.
Closed
A single editor-in-chief is expected to oversee the weeklies. The same group closed the Neath and Port Talbot Guardians a year ago.
Media Wales publishing director Alan Edmunds is quoted as saying: “The future development and operational requirements of these titles as well as the needs of the communities that they engage will be better served by a new approach, taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by our multimedia news operations.”
Economics
It's also likely that simple economics have much to do with the measure. The loss of three editor salaries will be a handy cost reduction on the balance sheet.
Media Wales isn't the only operation making hard decisions. In recent years the South Wales Evening Post group has experimented - and reconsidered - with joint editorship of its weekly titles the Llanelli Star and Carmarthen Journal.
Globally, the news trade continue to evolve too as media businesses struggle with new technology and recession.
Developments
In a key London lecture this week, former Washington Post executive editor Leonard Downie Jr looked at likely future developments of the journalism industry.
He said: "Much of the most-needed journalism is still best produced collaboratively by stable news organizations that can facilitate professional reporting by experienced journalists, support them with money, logistics and legal backing, and present their work to a large public.
"Credible, verifiable journalism about what is important in life is needed more than ever amidst the babble of the blogosphere and social networks, the polarizing opinion and propaganda, the tabloid invasions of privacy and the cynical audience appeal of news presented as entertainment and entertainment presented as news.
"The challenge I see is to turn this tumultuous moment of transformation into a beneficial reconstruction of journalism, enabling credible, verifiable, independent news reporting to emerge, enlivened and enlarged, from the current decline of long-dominant news media."
Journalism trade magazine Press Gazette reported that the roles of four newspaper editors across the region were likely to be made redundant.
The papers in question are the weeklies in the Celtic group, part of the Western Mail stable. They include the Merthyr Express, Gwent Gazette, Rhondda Leader, Pontypridd Observer, Cynon Valley Leader and Glamorgan Gazette.
Closed
A single editor-in-chief is expected to oversee the weeklies. The same group closed the Neath and Port Talbot Guardians a year ago.
Media Wales publishing director Alan Edmunds is quoted as saying: “The future development and operational requirements of these titles as well as the needs of the communities that they engage will be better served by a new approach, taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by our multimedia news operations.”
Economics
It's also likely that simple economics have much to do with the measure. The loss of three editor salaries will be a handy cost reduction on the balance sheet.
Media Wales isn't the only operation making hard decisions. In recent years the South Wales Evening Post group has experimented - and reconsidered - with joint editorship of its weekly titles the Llanelli Star and Carmarthen Journal.
Globally, the news trade continue to evolve too as media businesses struggle with new technology and recession.
Developments
In a key London lecture this week, former Washington Post executive editor Leonard Downie Jr looked at likely future developments of the journalism industry.
He said: "Much of the most-needed journalism is still best produced collaboratively by stable news organizations that can facilitate professional reporting by experienced journalists, support them with money, logistics and legal backing, and present their work to a large public.
"Credible, verifiable journalism about what is important in life is needed more than ever amidst the babble of the blogosphere and social networks, the polarizing opinion and propaganda, the tabloid invasions of privacy and the cynical audience appeal of news presented as entertainment and entertainment presented as news.
"The challenge I see is to turn this tumultuous moment of transformation into a beneficial reconstruction of journalism, enabling credible, verifiable, independent news reporting to emerge, enlivened and enlarged, from the current decline of long-dominant news media."
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Video PR for Wales’ YouTube generation
If you didn't know it already, the future of PR across Wales is multi-media.
Public relations practitioners will continue to target traditional print and broadcast offerings to build reputations - but there's already much more besides.
Two days in the company of Nathalie McDermott, of On Road Media, reaffirmed this certainty.
Dedicated
One day was dedicated to podcasting - the art of delivering messages and starting conversations on the web through digital audio.
The other did the same for video blogging.
Both are important as businesses of all hues battle to drive traffic to their websites.
Important
I see the latter as most important such is the visual nature of modern life.
So video will now be integrated into my thinking on everything from networking events to media campaigns.
The opportunity came for a trial run on Saturday with a visit to South Gower RFC on behalf of Welsh law firm Peter Lynn and Partners, one of the club's sponsors.
Check out the release by clicking here and the video here. OK, so the video may not be Spielberg, but it's an important step in the evolution of my own services.
Hopefully too, an accompanying photo will be used soon in the South Wales Evening Post.
Public relations practitioners will continue to target traditional print and broadcast offerings to build reputations - but there's already much more besides.
Two days in the company of Nathalie McDermott, of On Road Media, reaffirmed this certainty.
Dedicated
One day was dedicated to podcasting - the art of delivering messages and starting conversations on the web through digital audio.
The other did the same for video blogging.
Both are important as businesses of all hues battle to drive traffic to their websites.
Important
I see the latter as most important such is the visual nature of modern life.
So video will now be integrated into my thinking on everything from networking events to media campaigns.
The opportunity came for a trial run on Saturday with a visit to South Gower RFC on behalf of Welsh law firm Peter Lynn and Partners, one of the club's sponsors.
Check out the release by clicking here and the video here. OK, so the video may not be Spielberg, but it's an important step in the evolution of my own services.
Hopefully too, an accompanying photo will be used soon in the South Wales Evening Post.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Swansea Bay news media support
Fantastic news from Port Talbot. Support is growing for a hyperlocal community news and information service.
The town lost its 84-year-old weekly newspaper to the recession a year ago but now the community seems determined to fight back.
After 12 months of hard graft by a determined squad of volunteer journalists - all solid, experienced professionals in their field - a key meeting was held in Blanco's Hotel on Wednesday night.
Influential
It brought together some influential and community-minded individuals impressed by the vision for a new breed of current affairs platform.
Local News Port Talbot already has an embryonic website but its members would like it to be a lot more than that.
At Blanco's they were delighted to greet Meyrick Sheen (Michael's dad), Barry Kirk (Captain Beany), Adele and Catrin from National Theatre Wales, Andy Williams of the Cardiff School of Journalism, local photographer and journalist Peter Knowles, and Port Talbot sports reporter Robert Clement.
Supportive
Everyone was supportive of the proposal and several made specific pledges of help and support. In particular, Peter Knowles is prepared to provide pictures and stories which would link with his own website.
Barry Kirk offered to provide a regular column. Andy Williams indicated that the School of Journalism would be happy to second students to contribute to the newsgathering process.
The town lost its 84-year-old weekly newspaper to the recession a year ago but now the community seems determined to fight back.
After 12 months of hard graft by a determined squad of volunteer journalists - all solid, experienced professionals in their field - a key meeting was held in Blanco's Hotel on Wednesday night.
Influential
It brought together some influential and community-minded individuals impressed by the vision for a new breed of current affairs platform.
Local News Port Talbot already has an embryonic website but its members would like it to be a lot more than that.
At Blanco's they were delighted to greet Meyrick Sheen (Michael's dad), Barry Kirk (Captain Beany), Adele and Catrin from National Theatre Wales, Andy Williams of the Cardiff School of Journalism, local photographer and journalist Peter Knowles, and Port Talbot sports reporter Robert Clement.
Supportive
Everyone was supportive of the proposal and several made specific pledges of help and support. In particular, Peter Knowles is prepared to provide pictures and stories which would link with his own website.
Barry Kirk offered to provide a regular column. Andy Williams indicated that the School of Journalism would be happy to second students to contribute to the newsgathering process.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Swansea promo activity – plan it well!
Successful PR and marketing in Wales means much more than a few press releases and advertisements.
It requires regular get-togethers with key contacts who can reveal what plans the broadcasters and newspapers have for the coming months.
That time-consuming activity pays dividends - it means planned promotional activity can be matched with media needs and trends. And it’s something we do well at Effective Communication.
Specialist
Yesterday I met South Wales Evening Post promotions specialist Gemma Dawkins.
She’s not been in the job long and admits that she’s learning every day. That’s an acknowledgment and strength that’ll stand her in good stead.
Her key duty is to oversee the Post’s in-paper competitions and promotions – Win a £500 shopping spree at Home Sense - Get two lunches for the price of one at Baguette du Jour.
Highlighted
Gemma was happy to talk for going on an hour about some client needs highlighted by Effective Communication.
I was quickly able to report back to clients that there were good opportunities for special offers and eye-catching competitions over the coming months.
They include a tantalising follow-up to this year’s Win a Dream Wedding promotion. This has seen enterprises such as Swansea’s Posh Frocks, Neath’s La Crème Patisserie and jeweller Clive Ranger put up wedding day prizes in return for promo activity.
High-profile
It’s been a high-profile campaign this year and Gemma’s convinced it’ll be bigger and better next year.
Here’s hoping – and here’s to more useful meetings with Gemma Dawkins.
It requires regular get-togethers with key contacts who can reveal what plans the broadcasters and newspapers have for the coming months.
That time-consuming activity pays dividends - it means planned promotional activity can be matched with media needs and trends. And it’s something we do well at Effective Communication.
Specialist
Yesterday I met South Wales Evening Post promotions specialist Gemma Dawkins.
She’s not been in the job long and admits that she’s learning every day. That’s an acknowledgment and strength that’ll stand her in good stead.
Her key duty is to oversee the Post’s in-paper competitions and promotions – Win a £500 shopping spree at Home Sense - Get two lunches for the price of one at Baguette du Jour.
Highlighted
Gemma was happy to talk for going on an hour about some client needs highlighted by Effective Communication.
I was quickly able to report back to clients that there were good opportunities for special offers and eye-catching competitions over the coming months.
They include a tantalising follow-up to this year’s Win a Dream Wedding promotion. This has seen enterprises such as Swansea’s Posh Frocks, Neath’s La Crème Patisserie and jeweller Clive Ranger put up wedding day prizes in return for promo activity.
High-profile
It’s been a high-profile campaign this year and Gemma’s convinced it’ll be bigger and better next year.
Here’s hoping – and here’s to more useful meetings with Gemma Dawkins.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
PR boost for Welsh athletes
Welsh press photo of the month?
No contest.
Log on to the new edition of glossy mag Sporting Wales, flick to page 40 ... and enjoy the cheering sight of the Welsh Commonwealth Games team.
They’re pictured together in Cardiff’s magnificent new John Lewis store before jetting off for India.
Salute
So forget the difficulties with Delhi for a moment if you can and salute the fine achievement of all these red tracksuited sportspeople. They’ve won the right to represent Wales on the international circuit and deserve exposure such as this.
From a PR point of view it’s a lovely way of saluting the athletes and all who support them.
Well done Sporting Wales and good luck to the Wales team.
No contest.
Log on to the new edition of glossy mag Sporting Wales, flick to page 40 ... and enjoy the cheering sight of the Welsh Commonwealth Games team.
They’re pictured together in Cardiff’s magnificent new John Lewis store before jetting off for India.
Salute
So forget the difficulties with Delhi for a moment if you can and salute the fine achievement of all these red tracksuited sportspeople. They’ve won the right to represent Wales on the international circuit and deserve exposure such as this.
From a PR point of view it’s a lovely way of saluting the athletes and all who support them.
Well done Sporting Wales and good luck to the Wales team.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
David’s PR prowess pips Henson
The Welsh rugby PR machine that made such a success of promoting the national side's new shirt is nowhere to be seen on page two of the Llanelli Star's current edition.
As a refreshing change from Henson-mania, the Star offers up a public relations nugget concerning a Welsh sportsman who's got something Gavin hasn't, a European championship win.
To highlight the National Lottery's fulsome backing of London 2012, 400m hurdler David Greene was happy to prepare for some Cardiff publicity.
Olympic
And the Star was good enough to mark the fact with its September 15 story Hurdler's Olympic Chat.
Only a few weeks ago Effective Communication was involved in another media task which saw Paralympian swimming champion David Roberts promote some South Wales National Lottery activity.
Publications such as the South Wales Echo and the South Wales Argus were more than happy to help spread the word.
It shows that there's more to PR life than a man who's not played his chosen sport for 18 months. And you ain't gonna see David Greene in dancefloor sequins any time soon.
As a refreshing change from Henson-mania, the Star offers up a public relations nugget concerning a Welsh sportsman who's got something Gavin hasn't, a European championship win.
To highlight the National Lottery's fulsome backing of London 2012, 400m hurdler David Greene was happy to prepare for some Cardiff publicity.
Olympic
And the Star was good enough to mark the fact with its September 15 story Hurdler's Olympic Chat.
Only a few weeks ago Effective Communication was involved in another media task which saw Paralympian swimming champion David Roberts promote some South Wales National Lottery activity.
Publications such as the South Wales Echo and the South Wales Argus were more than happy to help spread the word.
It shows that there's more to PR life than a man who's not played his chosen sport for 18 months. And you ain't gonna see David Greene in dancefloor sequins any time soon.
Ryder Cup's radio temptation
Another golfing PR opportunity is being offered up by the Swansea-based media.
Local radio specialists Town and Country Broadcasting have a tempting little Ryder Cup package available to a sports-loving enterprise.
I met account manager Matthew Anderson in the Uplands Diner, Swansea, today and he was mad keen on his new offering.
Exposure
For an outlay of £1,400 - although I suspect that's negotiable - the broadcaster's Ryder Cup associate will get decent exposure on Nation Radio, Bay Radio and Bridge FM, covering a good wedge of central South Wales.
In the two weeks' run-up to the big Celtic Manor showdown there'll be mentions on five daily promo slots and a few "live reads" by presenters.
Over the three days of the competition there'll be mentions on four daily updates from the course along with more live reads.
The presenter with the rather tasty job of reporting every three hours on the progress of the European and American teams is Gareth Williams, a regular on TCB's saturday sport output.
Nice work if you can get it ... and a tempting promotional hook-up.
Local radio specialists Town and Country Broadcasting have a tempting little Ryder Cup package available to a sports-loving enterprise.
I met account manager Matthew Anderson in the Uplands Diner, Swansea, today and he was mad keen on his new offering.
Exposure
For an outlay of £1,400 - although I suspect that's negotiable - the broadcaster's Ryder Cup associate will get decent exposure on Nation Radio, Bay Radio and Bridge FM, covering a good wedge of central South Wales.
In the two weeks' run-up to the big Celtic Manor showdown there'll be mentions on five daily promo slots and a few "live reads" by presenters.
Over the three days of the competition there'll be mentions on four daily updates from the course along with more live reads.
The presenter with the rather tasty job of reporting every three hours on the progress of the European and American teams is Gareth Williams, a regular on TCB's saturday sport output.
Nice work if you can get it ... and a tempting promotional hook-up.
Friday, September 17, 2010
PR boost for Swansea show exhibitors
A number of healthy enterprises have enjoyed some useful PR on the back of an event in Swansea.
It was great to meet professionals associated with the firms exhibiting or simply visiting the Liberty Stadium Business Show.
And it's good to read a substantial story about the event in today's South Wales Evening Post.
Those mentioned in the piece include Vodafone, Finance Wales, Swansea City, Gower College Swansea and St John Training.
Mingling
My Effective Communication colleague Tracy Marsh had a busy day, mingling and explaining to potential new clients how we can help push their businesses forward. She also had a good response from those eager to learn more about membership of Swansea Business Club.
Incidentally, she was thankful to the ever-helpful Robert Lloyd Griffiths, of the IoD, who helped her out with a technical glitch.
Amongst the other exhibitors enjoying a the splendid eyeball-to-eyeball marketing opportunity were accountants Clay Shaw Butler, Swansea's Pennant Homes, website specialists W3 Web Designs, the splendid Fruity Bouquets, Swansea-based Days Contract Hire and go-ahead Xerox concession Pinnacle Office Equipment.
Clay Shaw Butler's Amanda Russell told me the firm was working hard on raising its profile, especially throughout Carmarthenshire.
Strong
Pennant are enjoying an increasingly strong take-up of Assembly low-cost homoeowner plan Homebuy and w3's engaging Lee Ann Smith talked of some great recent e-commerce work with the likes of West Wales-based Nona Jewellery.
Fruity Bouquets make fabulous gifts and table displays - chocolate-dipped fresh fruit creations which at first glance look like traditional flower bouquets. Jan Holmes founded the company and, from her base in Bridgend, now operates all over South Wales. She has exciting plans.
Days marketing coordinator Sharon Crocker told me that business remained brisk and that more trade than ever was being done via the web.
Eyecatching
The office solutions guys from Cardiff-based Pinnacle had one of the most eyecatching stands, complete with a stunner of a racing motorbike. Their big sales pitch was on a new-generation photocopier that uses wax-based ink blocks rather than wasteful plastic cartridges. Swansea area account manager Gavin Lewis revealed that he's genuinely excited by the product.
However, it didn't stop him and his colleagues having an unscheduled game of ball in the main show space as the day drew to a close!
It was great to meet professionals associated with the firms exhibiting or simply visiting the Liberty Stadium Business Show.
And it's good to read a substantial story about the event in today's South Wales Evening Post.
Those mentioned in the piece include Vodafone, Finance Wales, Swansea City, Gower College Swansea and St John Training.
Mingling
My Effective Communication colleague Tracy Marsh had a busy day, mingling and explaining to potential new clients how we can help push their businesses forward. She also had a good response from those eager to learn more about membership of Swansea Business Club.
Incidentally, she was thankful to the ever-helpful Robert Lloyd Griffiths, of the IoD, who helped her out with a technical glitch.
Amongst the other exhibitors enjoying a the splendid eyeball-to-eyeball marketing opportunity were accountants Clay Shaw Butler, Swansea's Pennant Homes, website specialists W3 Web Designs, the splendid Fruity Bouquets, Swansea-based Days Contract Hire and go-ahead Xerox concession Pinnacle Office Equipment.
Clay Shaw Butler's Amanda Russell told me the firm was working hard on raising its profile, especially throughout Carmarthenshire.
Strong
Pennant are enjoying an increasingly strong take-up of Assembly low-cost homoeowner plan Homebuy and w3's engaging Lee Ann Smith talked of some great recent e-commerce work with the likes of West Wales-based Nona Jewellery.
Fruity Bouquets make fabulous gifts and table displays - chocolate-dipped fresh fruit creations which at first glance look like traditional flower bouquets. Jan Holmes founded the company and, from her base in Bridgend, now operates all over South Wales. She has exciting plans.
Days marketing coordinator Sharon Crocker told me that business remained brisk and that more trade than ever was being done via the web.
Eyecatching
The office solutions guys from Cardiff-based Pinnacle had one of the most eyecatching stands, complete with a stunner of a racing motorbike. Their big sales pitch was on a new-generation photocopier that uses wax-based ink blocks rather than wasteful plastic cartridges. Swansea area account manager Gavin Lewis revealed that he's genuinely excited by the product.
However, it didn't stop him and his colleagues having an unscheduled game of ball in the main show space as the day drew to a close!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Ryder Cup marketing chance for Swansea business
Businesses with a concerted Swansea PR or marketing drive planned for the coming weeks would do well to consider advertising in a Ryder Cup special planned by the South Wales Evening Post.
The ads team down Adelaide Street tell me the plan is for a 16-page full-colour tabloid supplement previewing the Celtic Manor's golfing showpiece.
They also say it'll be editorially led which means a good chance of decent stories which will hold the attention of readers.
Among those featured will be Tiger Woods and Colin Montgomerie.
The Ryder Cup is likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime treat for many of us in Wales so why not ensure that, when the story's told in many years to come, there's a little piece of your business in a dusty drawer filled with commemorative newspaper pull-outs?
If you’re interested give me a shout on 07890 953402.
Advertising Opportunity
Publication South Wales Evening Post
Supplement Ryder Cup
Format Tabloid, full colour, 16 pages
Publication date Wed Sept 29 (tournament runs Oct 1-3)
Editorial content Interviews with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Europe team captain Colin Montgomerie & major Welsh players.
Key target audience Golf lovers in Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot, Llanelli
Ad prices include:
The ads team down Adelaide Street tell me the plan is for a 16-page full-colour tabloid supplement previewing the Celtic Manor's golfing showpiece.
They also say it'll be editorially led which means a good chance of decent stories which will hold the attention of readers.
Among those featured will be Tiger Woods and Colin Montgomerie.
The Ryder Cup is likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime treat for many of us in Wales so why not ensure that, when the story's told in many years to come, there's a little piece of your business in a dusty drawer filled with commemorative newspaper pull-outs?
If you’re interested give me a shout on 07890 953402.
Advertising Opportunity
Publication South Wales Evening Post
Supplement Ryder Cup
Format Tabloid, full colour, 16 pages
Publication date Wed Sept 29 (tournament runs Oct 1-3)
Editorial content Interviews with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Europe team captain Colin Montgomerie & major Welsh players.
Key target audience Golf lovers in Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot, Llanelli
Ad prices include:
- “In association with” sponsorship incl 5x8 supplement p1 ad & full page on the back - £750
- Full page - £500.
- Half page - £250
- 4x8 ad - £120
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Swansea PR booster from Community Times
Lorna Davies was on form when we sat down to discuss PR and marketing opportunities for some Swansea businesses yesterday.
One of the two women behind the city's pair of Community Times titles, she exuded confidence in the magazines but - equally importantly - excitement and pride at being involved.
Mumbles Community Times, helmed by Joanne Caulfield, has now clocked up well over half a decade on the Swansea media scene. That's some track record and suggests that it has found a useful little niche.
Its newer sister publication focuses on Sketty, Uplands, Dunvant, Killay, Upper Killay and Tycoch. It's been around for a year, was originally tabled as a 48-pager but has since gone up as high as 72 pages.
Another title is planned.
High footfall
Between them, the A5 bimonthly glossies hit around 10,000 homes through door-to-door delivery; another 2,500 are made available for free pick-up in high footfall places such a hotels, shops, cafes, restaurants and surgeries.
They mix editorial and advertising steadily in a lifestyle-oriented manner. Existing advertisers include the Village Hotel, Swansea, solicitors Peter Lynn and Partners, SIP Financial Management and builders Barber & Co.
Columnists have included the Yummy Mummy aka Victoria Blandford, BBC TV Wales rugby pundit Stuart Davies and cosmetic medical specialist Stephen Bassett, of Shape Cymru.
My favourite remains the junior sport player profile - a page of none-too-searching questions posed to a young local rugby or soccer starlet.
One of this year's featured Mumbles Rangers football six-year-olds was Charlie Smith.
Q Favourite teacher?
A Mrs Hurley.
So there you are, Mrs H - proof that promotion in Community Times works!
One of the two women behind the city's pair of Community Times titles, she exuded confidence in the magazines but - equally importantly - excitement and pride at being involved.
Mumbles Community Times, helmed by Joanne Caulfield, has now clocked up well over half a decade on the Swansea media scene. That's some track record and suggests that it has found a useful little niche.
Its newer sister publication focuses on Sketty, Uplands, Dunvant, Killay, Upper Killay and Tycoch. It's been around for a year, was originally tabled as a 48-pager but has since gone up as high as 72 pages.
Another title is planned.
High footfall
Between them, the A5 bimonthly glossies hit around 10,000 homes through door-to-door delivery; another 2,500 are made available for free pick-up in high footfall places such a hotels, shops, cafes, restaurants and surgeries.
They mix editorial and advertising steadily in a lifestyle-oriented manner. Existing advertisers include the Village Hotel, Swansea, solicitors Peter Lynn and Partners, SIP Financial Management and builders Barber & Co.
Columnists have included the Yummy Mummy aka Victoria Blandford, BBC TV Wales rugby pundit Stuart Davies and cosmetic medical specialist Stephen Bassett, of Shape Cymru.
My favourite remains the junior sport player profile - a page of none-too-searching questions posed to a young local rugby or soccer starlet.
One of this year's featured Mumbles Rangers football six-year-olds was Charlie Smith.
Q Favourite teacher?
A Mrs Hurley.
So there you are, Mrs H - proof that promotion in Community Times works!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Welsh butcher enjoys his own recipe for PR fun
One of Swansea's finest proponents of grassroots PR is about to hang up his hotline to the Evening Post.
Roger Thomas has been one of the city's finest butchers but now plans to retire.
He'll be missed not only for his range of exquisite meats, pies and ready-made meals but also for his passion for publicity.
Being the owner of a small business is tough, not least when you're competing against the big boys who seem to have marketing budgets the size of a nation state's GDP.
But Roger simply got on with the job in hand, ensuring that Sketty-based Howard Thomas and Sons - the business launched by his father - achieved more than its fair share of photo stories in the Evening Post.
Topical
Rugby was his favourite topical hook. If Wales won a Grand Slam he'd create a sausage with ingredients favoured by each of the defeated opponents - beef for England, malt whisky for Scotland ...
Invariably, a Post reporter would hear about the new offering, see it as a fun way of illustrating a big story and send out a photographer. Roger and his staff would be pictured with a string of their new bangers.
Only this summer he was still at it. Roger's World Cup sausage was a South African-style concoction of beef, pork, coriander, nutmeg, Worcester sauce, vinegar, garlic and thyme.
I'm ashamed to say that the Media Master family failed to make the short trip to Frogmore Avenue. Our loss.
What Roger did show is that a little creativity and cheek can go a long way in getting news of your business out there. Well done, Roger - now you'll have more time to enjoy reading your bulky scrapbook of press cuttings!
Roger Thomas has been one of the city's finest butchers but now plans to retire.
He'll be missed not only for his range of exquisite meats, pies and ready-made meals but also for his passion for publicity.
Being the owner of a small business is tough, not least when you're competing against the big boys who seem to have marketing budgets the size of a nation state's GDP.
But Roger simply got on with the job in hand, ensuring that Sketty-based Howard Thomas and Sons - the business launched by his father - achieved more than its fair share of photo stories in the Evening Post.
Topical
Rugby was his favourite topical hook. If Wales won a Grand Slam he'd create a sausage with ingredients favoured by each of the defeated opponents - beef for England, malt whisky for Scotland ...
Invariably, a Post reporter would hear about the new offering, see it as a fun way of illustrating a big story and send out a photographer. Roger and his staff would be pictured with a string of their new bangers.
Only this summer he was still at it. Roger's World Cup sausage was a South African-style concoction of beef, pork, coriander, nutmeg, Worcester sauce, vinegar, garlic and thyme.
I'm ashamed to say that the Media Master family failed to make the short trip to Frogmore Avenue. Our loss.
What Roger did show is that a little creativity and cheek can go a long way in getting news of your business out there. Well done, Roger - now you'll have more time to enjoy reading your bulky scrapbook of press cuttings!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Welsh PR pedals an upbeat Swansea message
The Swansea PR machine has been in top gear for today's leg of the Tour of Britain cycle race.
As the men with jerseys brighter than the 2010 Mensa champion prepare to hit the city streets, the media has been fed a saddlebagful of info.
It wasn't enough to stop the Evening Post pointing out - in pictorial grandeur no less - that there were one or two potholes amongst the Constitution Hill cobbles.
But the public relations onslaught has since had the desired effect of raising the neighbourhood profile of the Tour's visit.
On two fronts it's been important - the Swansea public need to know about the day's road traffic changes, and the city must generate positive publicity for its economic well being.
Bigging up
The council media team has trawled its contacts book to issue quotes bigging up the day. Those tapped for comments include council culture chief Iwan Davies, cafe owner Nigel Evans, Federation of Small Businesses official Mike Jones, Tourism Swansea Bay chairman Tony McGetrick and city tourism manager Steve Hopkins.
The front page Tour picture in the current edition of council tabloid The Leader was predictable but there was also page one exposure via glossy mag What's On in Swansea, a decent build-up on Real Radio and increasingly excitable material in the Evening Post.
Post reporter Jason Evans has provided the journalistic highlight, cycling some of the long, hilly route himself and even managing to conquer the daunting incline of Constitution Hill (now with potholes repaired).
The media interest shows what can be achieved with an informed and coordinated promotional effort.
Good luck to all concerned - saddle sore or not.
As the men with jerseys brighter than the 2010 Mensa champion prepare to hit the city streets, the media has been fed a saddlebagful of info.
It wasn't enough to stop the Evening Post pointing out - in pictorial grandeur no less - that there were one or two potholes amongst the Constitution Hill cobbles.
But the public relations onslaught has since had the desired effect of raising the neighbourhood profile of the Tour's visit.
On two fronts it's been important - the Swansea public need to know about the day's road traffic changes, and the city must generate positive publicity for its economic well being.
Bigging up
The council media team has trawled its contacts book to issue quotes bigging up the day. Those tapped for comments include council culture chief Iwan Davies, cafe owner Nigel Evans, Federation of Small Businesses official Mike Jones, Tourism Swansea Bay chairman Tony McGetrick and city tourism manager Steve Hopkins.
The front page Tour picture in the current edition of council tabloid The Leader was predictable but there was also page one exposure via glossy mag What's On in Swansea, a decent build-up on Real Radio and increasingly excitable material in the Evening Post.
Post reporter Jason Evans has provided the journalistic highlight, cycling some of the long, hilly route himself and even managing to conquer the daunting incline of Constitution Hill (now with potholes repaired).
The media interest shows what can be achieved with an informed and coordinated promotional effort.
Good luck to all concerned - saddle sore or not.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Henson gimmick is a Wales masterstroke
Welsh expertise in marketing, promotion and PR has come a long way since John Toshack posed with Barry John and Gareth Edwards on the Cardiff Arms Park turf.
A black and white image of that early 70s rendezvous - with all three in loose-fitting cotton Wales rugby jerseys and Tosh clutching a brown leather oval ball - adorns a wall of Pontcanna's Cameo Club.
It was there for all to admire yesterday as Effective Communication colleagues met to discuss fabulous plans for a key area of our business.
I wonder if Gavin Henson's new promo shot for Wales' latest Under Armour skin will be in the bistros and cappuccino haunts of Cefneithin, Blaengwynfi and Tonyrefail in years to come?
Probably not - but it's everywhere now! A few puzzled sentences of reaction from past and present Wales internationals has ensured that.
Gimmick
Others have been a little more informed in their pronouncements: "It's a good sales gimmick."
And in Welsh rugby's professional era we should expect many more examples of such creative thinking, activity which encourages media-friendly mild outrage.
Those involved in top-flight Welsh rugby know the sport is a dog-eat-dog pressurised world of hirings, firings, hard-fought commercial deals, tight margins and underwhelming ticket sales.
The players know full well that promotional activity is key - if the Henson stunt does have a negative effect on the sensitivities of a few then more fool them.
Just contrast the number of fans at tonight's Ospreys-Treviso game with the number of people around the UK who know what Wales'new shirt looks like, who the sponsor is, who the manufacturer is and which rugby star's on Stricty Come Dancing.
No contest. Yet despite this being the Italian club's (slightly) historic first Magners League appearance on British or Irish soil what creative energy have the Welsh galacticos put into getting bums on seats at the Liberty Stadium today? Put up Scott Johnson and a few players at a Tuesday press conference by the looks of it.
It's 2010 not the days of It's a Knockout. Publicity images of three guys with a ball in front of an empty stand now do little to trigger merchandise sales and to raise profile.
The Henson stunt is a masterstroke. Well done to all concerned.
A black and white image of that early 70s rendezvous - with all three in loose-fitting cotton Wales rugby jerseys and Tosh clutching a brown leather oval ball - adorns a wall of Pontcanna's Cameo Club.
It was there for all to admire yesterday as Effective Communication colleagues met to discuss fabulous plans for a key area of our business.
I wonder if Gavin Henson's new promo shot for Wales' latest Under Armour skin will be in the bistros and cappuccino haunts of Cefneithin, Blaengwynfi and Tonyrefail in years to come?
Probably not - but it's everywhere now! A few puzzled sentences of reaction from past and present Wales internationals has ensured that.
Gimmick
Others have been a little more informed in their pronouncements: "It's a good sales gimmick."
And in Welsh rugby's professional era we should expect many more examples of such creative thinking, activity which encourages media-friendly mild outrage.
Those involved in top-flight Welsh rugby know the sport is a dog-eat-dog pressurised world of hirings, firings, hard-fought commercial deals, tight margins and underwhelming ticket sales.
The players know full well that promotional activity is key - if the Henson stunt does have a negative effect on the sensitivities of a few then more fool them.
Just contrast the number of fans at tonight's Ospreys-Treviso game with the number of people around the UK who know what Wales'new shirt looks like, who the sponsor is, who the manufacturer is and which rugby star's on Stricty Come Dancing.
No contest. Yet despite this being the Italian club's (slightly) historic first Magners League appearance on British or Irish soil what creative energy have the Welsh galacticos put into getting bums on seats at the Liberty Stadium today? Put up Scott Johnson and a few players at a Tuesday press conference by the looks of it.
It's 2010 not the days of It's a Knockout. Publicity images of three guys with a ball in front of an empty stand now do little to trigger merchandise sales and to raise profile.
The Henson stunt is a masterstroke. Well done to all concerned.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
PR roller coaster - all in a Swansea day's work
When you're trying to enhance the profile of Welsh business through the medium of PR it can be a roller coaster ride.
Yesterday was a case in point. Going about Effective Communication everyday business in Swansea, activities moved swiftly between highs and lows.
More precisely, my public relations tasks switched rapidly from helping delighted solicitor Peter Lynn sponsor a Gorseinon charity gig by Swansea bands Doctor Watson, Freeflow and Honeyslave to being instructed to help manage expected media interest in the sad tale of a business collapse.
The day had begun on a high as the South Wales Evening Post used with great prominence a commentary on financial prudence by Richard Croydon, of Effective client Brewin Dolphin.
They're one of the UK's most successful personal investment management operations and the feature was based on sound expertise.
Crisis management
The day went on to bring a hook-up with a down-in-the-dumps businessman who needed some crisis management.
His company has had a little difficulty with the courts and, pleasant guy that he is, now seeks to undergo a programme of rebuilding the trust and goodwill of his community.
We'll ensure that, punishment over, he'll look back in a few months and thank his pal who recommended Effective to him.
To end on a high, Robert Lloyd Griffiths of the Wales IoD, was in demand from BBC Wales.
They invited him along to their Llandaff studios to comment on a key issue and he was thrilled to do so, keeping his profile high with it.
Robert also tipped me off about a BBC Radio Wales slot he has coming up this Monday. He'll be rising early to be the morning's newspaper reviewer on the station's breakfast show.
Good stuff, Robert - it's a shame that everyone's not on such a roll at the same time!
Yesterday was a case in point. Going about Effective Communication everyday business in Swansea, activities moved swiftly between highs and lows.
More precisely, my public relations tasks switched rapidly from helping delighted solicitor Peter Lynn sponsor a Gorseinon charity gig by Swansea bands Doctor Watson, Freeflow and Honeyslave to being instructed to help manage expected media interest in the sad tale of a business collapse.
The day had begun on a high as the South Wales Evening Post used with great prominence a commentary on financial prudence by Richard Croydon, of Effective client Brewin Dolphin.
They're one of the UK's most successful personal investment management operations and the feature was based on sound expertise.
Crisis management
The day went on to bring a hook-up with a down-in-the-dumps businessman who needed some crisis management.
His company has had a little difficulty with the courts and, pleasant guy that he is, now seeks to undergo a programme of rebuilding the trust and goodwill of his community.
We'll ensure that, punishment over, he'll look back in a few months and thank his pal who recommended Effective to him.
To end on a high, Robert Lloyd Griffiths of the Wales IoD, was in demand from BBC Wales.
They invited him along to their Llandaff studios to comment on a key issue and he was thrilled to do so, keeping his profile high with it.
Robert also tipped me off about a BBC Radio Wales slot he has coming up this Monday. He'll be rising early to be the morning's newspaper reviewer on the station's breakfast show.
Good stuff, Robert - it's a shame that everyone's not on such a roll at the same time!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Wales holiday business on the PR hunt
PR and the media will be very much on the agenda when tourism professionals gather in Swansea on September 28.
And I'm delighted to report that I'll be there, hosting an informal - but highly informative - Q&A session with Rupert Hall, the South Wales Evening Post's very engaging business reporter.
He's agreed to reveal to visitors at the Tourism Swansea Bay Marketing Mix Roadshow how to make their businesses essential to editors.
The big question, no doubt, will be: "How can I tempt a journalist to write a great story about my business?"
Spotlight
We hatched the plan over tea and coffee in Morgans Hotel and are both looking forward to our half-hour in the spotlight at the nearby LC.
It goes without saying that successful PR involves developing good relationships with the journalists you may have to deal with in future months and years.
The writers and broadcasters themselves seek to build a great contacts list - so get yourself along to the show and add a few more crucial names and numbers to your Windows Contacts.
Other speakers include Visit Wales head of campaigns and digital marketing Gillian Berntsen, South West Wales Media advertisement director Lisa Cameron and The Wave and Swansea Sound station director Helen Bowden.
And I'm delighted to report that I'll be there, hosting an informal - but highly informative - Q&A session with Rupert Hall, the South Wales Evening Post's very engaging business reporter.
He's agreed to reveal to visitors at the Tourism Swansea Bay Marketing Mix Roadshow how to make their businesses essential to editors.
The big question, no doubt, will be: "How can I tempt a journalist to write a great story about my business?"
Spotlight
We hatched the plan over tea and coffee in Morgans Hotel and are both looking forward to our half-hour in the spotlight at the nearby LC.
It goes without saying that successful PR involves developing good relationships with the journalists you may have to deal with in future months and years.
The writers and broadcasters themselves seek to build a great contacts list - so get yourself along to the show and add a few more crucial names and numbers to your Windows Contacts.
Other speakers include Visit Wales head of campaigns and digital marketing Gillian Berntsen, South West Wales Media advertisement director Lisa Cameron and The Wave and Swansea Sound station director Helen Bowden.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Twitter: A prime PR tool for Swansea
They often say that Swansea - Wales' second city - is simply a big village.
That's (largely) meant as a great compliment, explaining how so many people know each other.
This close-knit nature means that citizens are highly likely to follow local acquaintances through the magical new media world of Twitter.
Each tweet may only be short but every day now brings lovely examples of 140-character Swansea PR bursts. That's why professional communicators Effective Communication now offer social media services to back up their expertise in dealing with the traditional media.
Today my own twitterfeed includes:
Earn 75p per ticket commission for selling Calvin Harris tickets! pointing to an online promo for the Oceana club
NHS in Wales faces £380m cutbacks BBC Wales web page
Come to Swansea City Reserves v Swindon Town Reserves Tuesday 14:00-16:00. Facebook event promo
Have you ever made a costly mistake at work? Nation Radio Facebook page
We're reviewing our houses in multiple occupation licensing policy and welcome your views Swansea Council web page
Breakfast Show Blog The Kev Johns blog page on Swansea Sound's website
That's (largely) meant as a great compliment, explaining how so many people know each other.
This close-knit nature means that citizens are highly likely to follow local acquaintances through the magical new media world of Twitter.
Each tweet may only be short but every day now brings lovely examples of 140-character Swansea PR bursts. That's why professional communicators Effective Communication now offer social media services to back up their expertise in dealing with the traditional media.
Today my own twitterfeed includes:
Earn 75p per ticket commission for selling Calvin Harris tickets! pointing to an online promo for the Oceana club
NHS in Wales faces £380m cutbacks BBC Wales web page
Come to Swansea City Reserves v Swindon Town Reserves Tuesday 14:00-16:00. Facebook event promo
Have you ever made a costly mistake at work? Nation Radio Facebook page
We're reviewing our houses in multiple occupation licensing policy and welcome your views Swansea Council web page
Breakfast Show Blog The Kev Johns blog page on Swansea Sound's website
Monday, September 6, 2010
Online PR strategy crucial to Welsh business
A weekend with other communications professionals underlined the need for Welsh business to health-check its online PR and marketing activity.
Our Cardiff gathering, Writing for the Web, explored the wide issue of driving traffic to web-based shop windows and keeping it there.
Delegates included Wales-based PR and marketing folk, journalists and lecturers from locations between Carmarthen and Usk.
Organisations represented ranged from union giant Unison to sole trader Grey Pebble Productions and from the National Union of Journalists to cycle business Wheelies and the University of Glamorgan.
Passionate exponent
Our guide was Simon Williams, a passionate exponent of good web practice.
We all took much from his guidance. My own focus was on developing skills to help push client websites ever higher in Google searches.
Action points being passed on to Effective Communication clients include:
A strong, well considered online strategy can enhance the profile - and profits - of every business. Hands up who's got one!
Our Cardiff gathering, Writing for the Web, explored the wide issue of driving traffic to web-based shop windows and keeping it there.
Delegates included Wales-based PR and marketing folk, journalists and lecturers from locations between Carmarthen and Usk.
Organisations represented ranged from union giant Unison to sole trader Grey Pebble Productions and from the National Union of Journalists to cycle business Wheelies and the University of Glamorgan.
Passionate exponent
Our guide was Simon Williams, a passionate exponent of good web practice.
We all took much from his guidance. My own focus was on developing skills to help push client websites ever higher in Google searches.
Action points being passed on to Effective Communication clients include:
- get busy on the web in a way that directly relates to customers - blog, contribute to forums and use social media, in all cases using links and key words widely and wisely;
- take a fresh look at your website - ensure it appeals to punters, guides them smoothly and enables them to find what they want;
- ensure that your online content is good quality - don't compromise.
A strong, well considered online strategy can enhance the profile - and profits - of every business. Hands up who's got one!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Nigel's making plans for Gorseinon
Nigel Dudley is a man on a mission.
The publishing whirlwind is about to add a third title to his South Wales portfolio.
Eye on Gorseinon will service one of the Swansea area's most populous areas which boasts a town centre with plenty of local trade alongside some high-profile nationals.
It's in the throes of climbing away from its post-industrial dip and suffered a little in media terms when the small-circulation Llwchwr edition of the Llanelli Star ceased publication a couple of years back.
Nigel now believes the time's right for his fresh-faced advertorial magazine-style approach.
Building on the success of his Neath and Swansea Valley titles - Neath Gnolledge and Valley View - he is busily preparing for launch in the coming weeks. Expect a football programme-sized glossy with features of one and two pages. The majority will be delivered door-to-door.
When we last met he was planning a 13,000 circulation of his new free and had already got a healthy number of businesses on board. He was looking for an MoT/Servicing garage to add to the mix.
I'm meeting him this morning on behalf of a client from the hospitality sector and will be interested to see how far his planning has come.
The publishing whirlwind is about to add a third title to his South Wales portfolio.
Eye on Gorseinon will service one of the Swansea area's most populous areas which boasts a town centre with plenty of local trade alongside some high-profile nationals.
It's in the throes of climbing away from its post-industrial dip and suffered a little in media terms when the small-circulation Llwchwr edition of the Llanelli Star ceased publication a couple of years back.
Nigel now believes the time's right for his fresh-faced advertorial magazine-style approach.
Building on the success of his Neath and Swansea Valley titles - Neath Gnolledge and Valley View - he is busily preparing for launch in the coming weeks. Expect a football programme-sized glossy with features of one and two pages. The majority will be delivered door-to-door.
When we last met he was planning a 13,000 circulation of his new free and had already got a healthy number of businesses on board. He was looking for an MoT/Servicing garage to add to the mix.
I'm meeting him this morning on behalf of a client from the hospitality sector and will be interested to see how far his planning has come.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Facebook generation still enjoy the glossies
New mums have so much to think about that some even forget to Facebook.
Others, however, use those rare moments when baby's dozing to post a few offspring images for social media followers.
All want to learn more about the new landscape in which they live - parenthood. And all - well, most - adjust their household budgets and spending habits.
Which is where a new twice-yearly magazine from the South Wales Evening Post stable comes in.
Swansea Bay Early Years is due out this month - free in some places, £1 in others - and its design is being masterminded by the editor of Swansea Life and Swansea Bay Business Life, Wyn Jenkins. That suggests it'll be a good looking glossy that'll hang around coffee table for some weeks to come.
He promises that the A4 glossy will cover Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire and that it'll be targeted directly at those with children aged one to five. Print run: 7,000.
Advertisers on board already include clothing and equipment retailers, childcare providers, private schools and hotels with a key interest in the family market.
Facebook remains one key option for interested businesses, of course, but Swansea Bay Early Years may also be worth a punt. Book prices include around £340 for a full page ad and Wyn would be happy to hear from those with potential editorial content. I have contact details for those keen to know more.
Others, however, use those rare moments when baby's dozing to post a few offspring images for social media followers.
All want to learn more about the new landscape in which they live - parenthood. And all - well, most - adjust their household budgets and spending habits.
Which is where a new twice-yearly magazine from the South Wales Evening Post stable comes in.
Swansea Bay Early Years is due out this month - free in some places, £1 in others - and its design is being masterminded by the editor of Swansea Life and Swansea Bay Business Life, Wyn Jenkins. That suggests it'll be a good looking glossy that'll hang around coffee table for some weeks to come.
He promises that the A4 glossy will cover Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire and that it'll be targeted directly at those with children aged one to five. Print run: 7,000.
Advertisers on board already include clothing and equipment retailers, childcare providers, private schools and hotels with a key interest in the family market.
Facebook remains one key option for interested businesses, of course, but Swansea Bay Early Years may also be worth a punt. Book prices include around £340 for a full page ad and Wyn would be happy to hear from those with potential editorial content. I have contact details for those keen to know more.
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