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!

February 26's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Online BBC Cymru Wales Click
Key local story - A coroner has urged parents to supervise children using air guns after Llansamlet 10-year-old Rhys Johnson died after being shot at close range in the heart. Click
Council finance - Six council chief executives earn more than the first minister, BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme has discovered. Click
Don’t miss – A brilliant 1975 rugby video clip in which Mervyn Davies and Ray Gravell can be seen warming up in the tunnel before a France-Wales game. Click
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Broadcast Real Radio Click
Key South Wales story – There are warnings that more needs to be done to keep the Severn Bridges open during extreme weather due to the economic impact of their closure.
Promo power – Llantrisant shopping centre Talbot Green is running a funky Faces Of modelling competition – with great publicity on Real Radio. Click
You heard it here – Cardiff Airport has put on 21 extra flights to cater for the French rugby fans heading for the Welsh capital today for tonight’s RBS 6 Nations match.
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Print Llanelli Star Click
Lead – Llanelli’s new top cop is about to get tough with drug addicts. He’s looking for Home Office clearance to be able to test arrested individuals for drug use.
Footfall generator – The wise folk at Greggs bakery have arranged for a pasty/bake 2-for-1 offer in the Star’s March 3 edition. Others with fast-moving consumer goods are urged to try similar promotions.
Hotel challenge – Machynys golf course boss Jim Anderson says his £15m plan to bring a Hilton hotel to the site is back on track. It’s time for other hotels to start building strong relationships with the local media well in advance of the new arrival.
Display advertiser list: Entertainment pages – Baltic Inn, Calsonic Kansei Social Club, Carmarthenshire Theatres, Gate Inn Llanelli, Carmarthen Showground Car Boot, Carmarthen Antiques & Collectors Fair, Belgrave Hotel Tenby.
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Community Radio Tircoed Click
South Wales news - A cabbie has persuaded a city council to depart from its usual taxi licensing rules so he can run smaller cars which are more fuel efficient.
Climate - An iceberg the size of Luxembourg has broken off from a glacier in Antarctica. Scientists say it was rammed by another giant iceberg earlier this month and fear it could have a significant impact on the environment.
Programming - Paul Kerr was taking over the morning show today for the final two hours - Phil England was full of cold.
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Make every penny count! Andy Pearson can guide your business through the media minefield. Phone 07758 745 240. Email andy@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
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February 25's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Online South Wales Evening Post Click
Key local story - A Swansea supermarket worker has blasted opportunist thieves who stole three handbags from a pub while a wake was taking place. Click
Publicity power – One online advertiser today is Alliance & Leicester, offering two years free business banking. Click
Sport special – Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins insists the club will be strong enough to compete in the Premier League if they win promotion this season. Click
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Broadcast BBC Radio Wales Click
Lead story - The taxpayer-owned RBS bank is about to announce it is still going to pay bonuses despite billions more in losses.
Health – Figures obtained by BBC Wales show that most of the new health boards are in the red.
Rugby - RBS 6 Nations: Wales centre Jamie Roberts warns that the team must be aware of French phenomenon Mathieu Bastareaud in Cardiff tomorrow night.
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Print South Wales Guardian Click
Big celeb story – The Llandeilo family of actress Carey Mulligan are celebrating after her Bafta win for An Education.
Promo power – Ammanford is gearing up for the opening of a new Iceland store, with 27 jobs. If your business is creating jobs it’s news! Let me tell you how to publicise the fact in the media.
Recommended – A little something in the Reader Travel offers: £115 for a 2-day stay in Daventry ... for a Fawlty Towers tribute break. Click
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Make every penny count! Andy Pearson can guide your business through the media minefield. Phone 07758 745 240. Email andy@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
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The Links Twitter | Website  
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February 19's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

... For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Online BBC Cymru Wales Click

Don’t miss – Fabulous images from a new exhibition tracing the lives of Italians in Wales – it features evocative black and white shots of folk across Swansea Bay. Detail right. Click
Key local story - A commemorative sculpture of Ray Gravell has been commissioned by BBC Cymru Wales. Click
Publicity power – A horticulturist is pictured with bananas grown at Carmarthenshire’s National Botanic Garden; a nice plug for this day-out treasure. Other tour attractions should try similar publicity tricks – but don’t try growing subtropical herbaceous edibles. Click
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Broadcast Bay Radio Click
Key local story – Swansea and Neath Port Talbot could each be £4m better off every year if Assembly funding was fairer, according to Plaid Cymru’s Dr Dai Lloyd.
Typical ad break – Tact Cymru fostering services, Day’s vehicle rentals, South Wales Scorpions rugby league.
Get involved – Bay’s online hot question for listeners today is: Should we all work just 21 hours a week? Click here and hit Burning Question
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Print South Wales Guardian Click
Lead story – A young Ammanford motorist seriously injured in a road smash is trying to find the Good Samaritan who comforted her as she lay in her VW’s wreckage.
Key opinion – A public meeting might be considered to save Hendy Library should Carmarthenshire Council vote to close it soon.
Promo power – WordPress seems to be the web’s content management site of choice for many these days – and very fine it is too. So it’s good to see Ammanford’s My Custom Wordpress trying to capitalise with an ad flogging websites for £100.
Don’t miss – The return of Shane Williams fever. Post-Scotland, the Amman Valley flier is touted for a knighthood on page one ... and the Papacy on page three!
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Community Radio Tircoed Click
News - Swansea Council has been criticised for chopping down a protected tree.
Show info - Stuart Loosemore has local singer/song writter Aislinn Peters in on The Acousstic Show today from 8pm.
Business - Petrol price cuts not passed on, claim.
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Make every penny count! Andy Pearson can guide your business through the media minefield. Phone 07758 745 240. Email andy@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
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February 18's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Online South Wales Evening Post Click
Key local story - Swansea is being urged to call time on irresponsible booze promotions in its pubs and clubs - or face the ticking time bomb of excessive drinking. Click
Publicity power - Fantastic continuing publicity for Swansea’s National Waterfront Museum thanks to it hosting the Evening Post’s forthcoming Fashion Addict show. Click here and play the video on the right of the home page.
Don’t miss – The excellent Evening Post gig guide appears every Thursday in print ... but you can also catch up with it online. Click
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Print Llanelli Star Click

Lead story - Millions of pounds worth of development, creating hundreds of Llanelli jobs, should be able to go ahead, according to Carmarthenshire Council.
Key opinion – Not all young people are Asbo-collecting yobs. The vast majority are a credit to themselves ... our hope for a better future rests with them.
Promo power – Halfords have moved from Parc Trostre Retail Park to the neighbouring Pemberton Retail Park ... and don’t we know it! The national wheels chain take out an in-yer-face yellow and red two-page ad this week.
Don’t miss – An opportunity to plug your business. This Sunday brings a wedding fair at Trimsaran’s Ffos Las Racecourse, with lots of supply enterprises. Be cheeky: go see if they could do business with you – or give me a call on 07758 745240 and I’ll do it for you.
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Broadcast BBC Radio Wales Click
Key Welsh story – Plaid Cymru’s spring conference starts in Cardiff tonight, with the party targeting a rise in MP numbers this year from three to five.
Debating point – The UK’s National Archives has released details of 24 reported UFO sightings from 1994-2000, including one in South Wales when a witness said a tube of light surrounded his car.
You heard it here – Rugby pundit Jonathan Davies say experienced scrum-halfs Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel could still play a part in this year’s RBS 6 Nations.
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Make every penny count! Andy Pearson can guide your business through the media minefield. Phone 07758 745 240. Email andy@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
...
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Website - Coming soon
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Quiz kings see Swansea media celebrated in Cardiff

The Swansea media community was at the intellectual vanguard of a big night in Cardiff, I hear.
Former South Wales Evening Post reporter Roger Butler and ex-Post sub-editor Ken Smith played key parts in a quiz night attended by dozens of personnel from the South Wales print and broadcast media.

Indeed, Ken - secretary of the National Union of Journalists' Swansea and District branch - was quizmaster.
His proudest moment came when no team was able to answer correctly his stunning: "Who won the 2009 Nobel Prize for Literature?"
"OMG!" I hear you cry "It was German author Herta Müller who, with the concentration of poetry and the frankness of prose, depicts the landscape of the dispossessed."
Well, on the night, not ever North Walian Roger - now a press officer with Carmarthenshire Council, could match your brightness.
Quiz kings were the fine trio pictured here - a team from ITV Wales.
The NUJ event attracted teams of journalists from the freelance sector, PR, students, Media Wales, ITV Wales and BBC Wales.
It was a fine way to draw the attention of journalists from Swansea and further afield to the excellent programme of training now being delivered by the union.
The NUJ runs a wide range of skills development courses from feature writing to web design.
By working closely with members, prominent industry bodies, universities and colleges, the union is are able to provide a wide array of courses that are topical and tailored to the needs of journalists today.
The NUJ is also committed to providing high quality training for its reps, a crucial factor in building effective union representation on behalf of members.
The NUJ offers a range of practical trade union training courses – all free to members.

Tutor Sara considers new Swansea media hook-up

Sara Robb, right, and her colleagues could be onto something at Swansea University.
A tutor in public and media relations, she chatted with guests at the refreshments desk as we gathered for last night's special lecture hosted by the School of Arts and Humanities.

Teaching and research there explores the history, theory and practice of media, film, journalism and public relations.

Degree programmes cover print, broadcast, film and new media and include tuition by industry professionals.

Sara was refreshingly interested in the four Swansea-based members of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists) who tucked into the pre-match olives, nuts and Mini Cheddars.

So it'd be a handy development for all concerned if union and uni got together for a few (initially) modest gatherings. Watch this space.
Incidentally, the lecture was a little cracker. Click here to see how Media Master previewed it a couple of weeks ago.
Broadcasting professor Andrew Crisell chose as his subject the BBC and how it may evolve.
The corporation, he decided, had largely foregone its remit as a public service broadcaster. Only some elements of its radio output now supplied a credible platform for intellectual debate.
The new era of cable and satellite competition was a key factor, with the Beeb's TV output becoming too focused on sharply-edited popular entertainment.
He conjectured that this, indeed, could be the natural endgame for the visual medium.
It was a thought-provoking address and will have given the students present some good talking points for the Fulton House bars.

Figures cheer for Swansea Bay broadcast teams

It was sweaty palm time for Swansea's broadcasters on Thursday.
Latest listener figures were being released by Rajar, the Radio Joint Audience Research body.
That means, in the case of our commercial services, advertising messages can be tweaked accordingly.
If you'd like them analysing more closely and as to how they relate to your own enterprise just give me a shout on 07758 745240.
UK-wide headline figues included:

• 46 million adults tune into radio each week
• Digital radio ownership is up 13% year on year
• Listening to radio via mobile phone is up 7% year on year

The Swansea area's local figures included (in alphabetical order for audited stations only, period: 3 months to Dec 2009):

Bay Radio
Potential audience 454,000
Listeners 38,000
% reach 8

BBC Radio Cymru
Potential audience 2,504,000
Listeners 145,000
% reach 6

BBC Radio Wales
Potential audience 2,504,000
Listeners 411,000
% reach 16

Nation
Potential audience 1,405,000
Listeners 89,000
% reach 6

Radio Carmarthenshire
Potential audience 127,000
Listeners 38,000
% reach 30

Real Radio
Potential audience 1,781,000
Listeners 419,000
% reach 24

Swansea Sound
Potential audience 454,000
Listeners 78,000
% reach 17

The Wave
Potential audience 454,000
Listeners 138,000
% reach 30

One or two stations were quick off the mark to celebrate success.
Presenters on Swansea Sound and The Wave busily plugged the fact that figures were healthy.
The older of the two sister stations, medium wave operator Swansea Sound flagged up the fact that its listener figures were up 3,000 (1%) on the previous quarter.
Breakfast show presenters on its more brash FM sibling were over the moon that figures showed them being heard by three in 10 of the Swansea Bay adult population every week.
Andy Griffiths, broadcast director of Bay, Nation and Carmarthenshire's Town & Country Broadcasting, said: "Nation led us to our best ever results. It stormed ahead in the ratings and became the UK’s fastest growing station.
"Nation's listening figures were up almost 300% on this time last year and up over 60% in the past three months."
Town & Country has a total audience of 215,000 weekly listeners across South Wales.
The group’s stations include Radio Pembrokeshire, Llanelli's Scarlet FM and Bridgend's Bridge FM.
All told, a healthy outlook in tough economic times for the local broadcasters. Good reason for the commercial sector to think seriously about using the platforms for promotional opportunities.
For advice, you know where to come.

Print media best for comment - survey

Journalism trade journal Press Gazette - http://bit.ly/af1fEH - reports this week on a survey about media reader preferences.
It's very much a British picture - and a Welsh angle would be interesting not least because of the low-ish take-up of daily print publications in our hinterlands.
PG editor Dominic Ponsford observes that, despite the blogosphere's growth, more of us across the UK like to read comment in print than in any other medium.
The research asked 1,000 Brits where they like to read or view comment, analysis and opinion journalism.
Around 38% went for print, 28% online and 18% TV. The rest said they didn't read such material.
The BBC was the most highly rated provider, with its TV news, online resource and radio provision all ranking well.
The Daily Mail was top paper followed by The Sun, The Guardian, The Times and The Daily Telegraph.
How do you think Wales would vote?

Highlights from today’s Swansea Bay media

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On the road - Andy Pearson Publicity will be an exhibitor at enterprise show Kick Start Your Business, Tue 9 Feb, 11am-3.30pm, Neath RFC. Free advice, legals, networking & more- http://bit.ly/9KNVtz
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Broadcast BBC Radio Wales
Key Welsh story - More MPs’ expenses shame due to be piled on today with new parliamentary report.
Swansea Bay - Kirsty Grabham murder trial – jury set to continue deliberations as husband Paul Grabham awaits verdict.
You heard it here - March 1 could see new law to strengthen the development of the Welsh language. A Welsh Language Commissioner post could be created.
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Online www.thisissouthwales.co.uk
Key local story - Kirsty Grabham murder trial latest (http://bit.ly/b3AqJq) … plus Swansea University medical research powerhouse the Institute of Life Science is bidding for a share of a £1m windfall as the Government plans to develop a life sciences “super cluster.” (http://bit.ly/91E8Nb)
Publicity power - This morning’s banner ad: VW Van Centre, Cardiff Sinclairs – The new evolved Transporter (http://bit.ly/cwMsGh)
Recommended - Video messages from Swansea Bay troops in Afghanistan - http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/
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Print Swansea Life magazine
Top celeb story - Showbiz writer Ed Gleave interviews Rob Brydon who’s photographed at Port Talbot’s Aberavon Beach Hotel (http://www.aberavonbeach.com/). The comic says: “Playing in Wales? It’s a bit like making your family laugh.”
Key opinion - As Valentine’s Day approaches, “being romantic and doing special things with the one you love is always special and worthwhile. There are many ways you can do that in this area.”
Ad power - A 4-page bridal photo shoot gives a strong promo platform for hair salon Andrew Price (http://www.andrewpricegroup.com/), make-up expert Sascha Martini (http://www.saschamartini.com/), Narberth boutique White Bride (http://www.whitebride.net/) and Narberth jeweller Audrey Bull (http://www.audreybull.co.uk/).
Don’t miss - 20 or so happy snaps of Swansea revellers snuggling up to X Factor finalists Olly Murs and Danyl Johnson at clubs Play (http://www.playclubs.co.uk/) and Oceana (http://www.oceanaclubs.com/).
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Community Radio Tircoed
Big name interview - Today’s morning show saw Caroline Carpenter has with an interview with Alice Beer (BBC TV’s Watchdog) on new research into shopping habits. Top hates - queuing, unhelpful assistants, busy stores.
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Mike the mic - Swansea's smallest media mogul

You can't keep a good man down - and Mike Leahy resides in that category.
The energetic Sketty marketeer runs what is possibly Swansea's smallest media operation.
Every Thursday from 7pm he lavishes upon the internet an hour-long show called In Town Tonight - http://www.intowntoday.co.uk/.
Being new to radio-blogging (and you're not alone there, Mike) the show has a few creases to iron out. He's refreshingly up front about that.
There are some genuinely interesting individuals and tales on In Town Tonight.
I recommend that those with a new product or service to flog, go on the show - Mike will welcome you because he understands that humanity makes for maximum texture to his output.
This week's effort is due to reveal that Mike is making rapid progress in developing the show's content. The line-up features:
• The musical Russian Orthodox priest
• Conversation from Rules, one of London's oldest restaurants - http://www.rules.co.uk/
• Swansea artist Martin Williams on working for the World Health Organisation
• Young film-makers
• Rag week with medical students
• The "naked writer" who reveals all
• Encouragement from Spencer Kelly, of BBC technology show Click - http://bit.ly/XTQ8V
• A competition from Taybarns - http://bit.ly/auPtHC.
And don't worry if you're out and about when the show airs - you can always log on and enjoy the recorded version whenver you like.

Wednesday 1pm - Wales rugby XV revealed

The Swansea Bay media is on alert for the delayed announcement of the Wales team.
Log on or tune in to your favourite website or talk-broadcaster at lunchtime tomorrow (Wed, Feb 3).
The WRU have just announced that the matchday 22 will be revealed at around 1pm.
Bets across the Swansea area are off on who'll be full-back now that Ospreys 16th man Lee Byrne has been cleared to play.
If you wish to be first with the news, I suggest the union's own http://www.wru.co.uk/. For early analysis of any worth try the BBC's http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport.
Of course, over the next few days expect much preview material for Twickenham's RBS 6 Nations showdown.
In the meantime, any predictions on the Western Mail's Saturday front page?
The paper's graphic designers are usually given licence to thrill on such occasions.

Rhod Gilbert defies time in Swansea

Comedian Rhod Gilbert makes it into the just-out February edition of Swansea Life magazine. Favourite holiday destination? "Mumbles - magical!" Well said, Rhod.

Speaking of which, the funnyman's on BBC TV Wales tonight (http://bit.ly/a65MdN), having been filmed at two Swansea businesses.

As part of his new-job-for-Rhod series, a film crew observed him in the Kingsway premises shared by hairdressing enterprise Andrew Price (http://www.andrewpricegroup.com/) and cosmetic clinic/medical spa Defy Time (http://www.defy-time.co.uk/).

Dishing out finely crafted bobs and revitalising body wraps, you would imagine, didn't come naturally to our man from the west.

Incidentally, a little birdie - well, Mark Ronconi, of Business Web Marketing (http://www.b-w-m.co.uk/) - tells me that star of the show could well be Defy Time's artistically inclined Katie Schaverien.

I can't wait to see the programme - today (Tues), 10.35pm, BBC1.

Media folk's Swansea chance to mull over BBC

Media folk are encouraged to pop into Swansea University next week.
February 8 brings a little teatime treat - an open-to-all presentation by one of the UK's most respected broadcasting academics
And Andrew Crisell's ever-topical subject for Swansea will be the BBC and how it may evolve.
The lecturer is professor of broadcasting at Sunderland University. He is the author of three books on broadcasting, editor of another and contributor to many.
Other roles have included editorial board membership of the Radio Journal and the Journal of Media Business Studies.
He arrives in Swansea Bay with the BBC under more scrutiny than ever, with concerns including everything from its local news coverage to its top talent's multi-million pound pay.
So well done to the Uni's Research Institute for Arts and Humanities. It's they who've brought Crisell here and it's they who are promoting this public lecture, entitles Auntie’s looking sickly: the last days of public service broadcasting.
It's in the Wallace Building, the large place to the left of the Uni's main entrance drive.
Admission's free and everyone's welcome. Get there by 5.15 pm to enjoy refreshments.

More
Uni - riah@swansea.ac.uk
Andrew Crisell - http://bit.ly/dcQWPw