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.
Showing posts with label BBC Cymru Wales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BBC Cymru Wales. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
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.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Celebrity PR gets to work on all levels
The power of celebrity has been evident this week at grassroots level in southwest Wales.
It's brought decent PR for a wonderfully wide range of organisations and causes.
Everybody from global rock icons the Manic Street Preachers to a homespun community swimming facility have benefited.
The latest editions of newspapers on the Media Master desk reveal some telling tales of what makes journalists sit up and take notice as publicity is sought.
The Manics, for instance, are busy plugging new single (It's Not War) Just the End of Love. The internet has been alive with news of the accompanying video for a few weeks now and South Wales' Nation Radio tweeted a link to the film yesterday - http://tumblr.com/xqegslanw.
It's main point of interest is that Newport and Port Talbot boy Michael Sheen stars in the video. And today's South Wales Evening Post records the fact with a photo and page lead by reporter Paul Lewis.
The same issue uses a more sporty celeb to promote the forthcoming first Gower Cycling Festival. Former Wales rugby skipper Colin Charvis, a Swansea resident, is pictured with event organisers at Blackpill's Junction Cafe. He plans to join two of the festival's rides.
Meanwhile, the latest Carmarthen Journal taps in to the hint of Hollywood glamour brought to Wales this week by actress Minnie Driver.
Her presence as she works on new film Hunky Dory has provided the Evening Post and Western Mail with images and stories of her filming in rainswept Swansea. The Journal focuses on the fact that Driver has used Twitter to ask fans for ideas to raise money for Brynamman Lido.
Campaigners have been fighting to save the historic facility against a background of council cuts. Little did they know that helped would come their way in the form of such celebrity PR.
Well done, Minnie Driver ... and good luck to all those who support and use the lido.
It's brought decent PR for a wonderfully wide range of organisations and causes.
Everybody from global rock icons the Manic Street Preachers to a homespun community swimming facility have benefited.
The latest editions of newspapers on the Media Master desk reveal some telling tales of what makes journalists sit up and take notice as publicity is sought.
The Manics, for instance, are busy plugging new single (It's Not War) Just the End of Love. The internet has been alive with news of the accompanying video for a few weeks now and South Wales' Nation Radio tweeted a link to the film yesterday - http://tumblr.com/xqegslanw.
It's main point of interest is that Newport and Port Talbot boy Michael Sheen stars in the video. And today's South Wales Evening Post records the fact with a photo and page lead by reporter Paul Lewis.
The same issue uses a more sporty celeb to promote the forthcoming first Gower Cycling Festival. Former Wales rugby skipper Colin Charvis, a Swansea resident, is pictured with event organisers at Blackpill's Junction Cafe. He plans to join two of the festival's rides.
Meanwhile, the latest Carmarthen Journal taps in to the hint of Hollywood glamour brought to Wales this week by actress Minnie Driver.
Her presence as she works on new film Hunky Dory has provided the Evening Post and Western Mail with images and stories of her filming in rainswept Swansea. The Journal focuses on the fact that Driver has used Twitter to ask fans for ideas to raise money for Brynamman Lido.
Campaigners have been fighting to save the historic facility against a background of council cuts. Little did they know that helped would come their way in the form of such celebrity PR.
Well done, Minnie Driver ... and good luck to all those who support and use the lido.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Buzz flies media flag for South Wales comedy
Out now ... a splendid new edition of South Wales ents and leisure mag Buzz. Catch it electronically by clicking here.
Comedian Paul Merton appears on the cover. That's convenient as the Media Master will be taking in his forthcoming improv show at the Grand Theatre, Swansea. Shame it clashes with the Taliesin showing of Ian Dury biopic Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll ... but you can't have it all ways.
Illustrating how live comedy is doing remarkably good business at the moment, there are also features on the likes of Reginald D Hunter, Katy Brand, Rhod Gilbert and the Machynlleth Comedy Festival.
In other fields, there's a healthy preview for the annual Mumbles Mostly Blues and Jazz Festival, an exceptionally tempting ad inviting us all to see modmeisters The Lambrettas in The Rhondda and - thanks to an Andy Pearson Publicity press release - a pleasing mention of The Storys' final gig in Swansea this summer.
Buzz is a beacon of quality in the South Wales ents market. Keep up the good work, all concerned!
Comedian Paul Merton appears on the cover. That's convenient as the Media Master will be taking in his forthcoming improv show at the Grand Theatre, Swansea. Shame it clashes with the Taliesin showing of Ian Dury biopic Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll ... but you can't have it all ways.
Illustrating how live comedy is doing remarkably good business at the moment, there are also features on the likes of Reginald D Hunter, Katy Brand, Rhod Gilbert and the Machynlleth Comedy Festival.
In other fields, there's a healthy preview for the annual Mumbles Mostly Blues and Jazz Festival, an exceptionally tempting ad inviting us all to see modmeisters The Lambrettas in The Rhondda and - thanks to an Andy Pearson Publicity press release - a pleasing mention of The Storys' final gig in Swansea this summer.
Buzz is a beacon of quality in the South Wales ents market. Keep up the good work, all concerned!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Swansea Bay success means opportunities
Well, some of the dust has settled on a fabulous ITV news victory for Swansea Sound, The Wave and their associates.
The big question for everyone in the Swansea Bay media now is: "How will our successful local bidders in the Wales Live alliance embrace this glorious chance?"
Will jobs be created for journalists?
Will strategic new business alliances be created with complementary professional information providers?
Can Swansea Bay really look forward to a genuinely credible alternative to BBC Wales news and sport?
I hope the answers are positive.
Job creation will be studied with a keen eye.
The winning UTV/NWN Media IFNC proposal is strong on its citizen journalism element. That's good because technology rightly makes everyone an information provider these days.
But any such contributed material must be subject to UTV moderation at the very least and, most preferably, to professional editing and packaging.
That should mean more job security and career prospects for those at our local radio stations ... and, hopefully, more opportunities for recruitment.
Strategic new professional hook-ups across Swansea Bay will be equally interesting.
Imagine what a force the South Wales Evening Post and Swansea Sound could be together.
But are the Post's Northcliffe Media bosses liberal enough - and sufficiently forward thinking - to consider such an arrangement?
The Post's low-key announcement of the Swansea Sound success yesterday suggests not. Indeed the two local radio stations weren't even name-checked in their hour of glory.
I understand why but it came across as needlessly petty ... it's a big, evolving world out there now and there's more to the local media than the local paper.
Everyone knows that and it's a fact that should be acknowledged a little more readily by Northcliffe's big guns.
Perhaps the Wales Live editorial chiefs will look to grassroots news and information professionals. They are, after all, a growing force.
BBC Wales has, of course, had the Wales-wide TV and radio field to itself for too long. ITV resources have been stretched too thinly and local radio has been increasingly careful with its journalistic spend.
So it'll be good to see an extended local and community reach of the new all-Wales media service. Inevitably, this will mean multi-skilling for journalists. That brings excitement for all - training opportunities and new ways of seeing work published.
Plenty more on this subject to come ...
The big question for everyone in the Swansea Bay media now is: "How will our successful local bidders in the Wales Live alliance embrace this glorious chance?"
Will jobs be created for journalists?
Will strategic new business alliances be created with complementary professional information providers?
Can Swansea Bay really look forward to a genuinely credible alternative to BBC Wales news and sport?
I hope the answers are positive.
Job creation will be studied with a keen eye.
The winning UTV/NWN Media IFNC proposal is strong on its citizen journalism element. That's good because technology rightly makes everyone an information provider these days.
But any such contributed material must be subject to UTV moderation at the very least and, most preferably, to professional editing and packaging.
That should mean more job security and career prospects for those at our local radio stations ... and, hopefully, more opportunities for recruitment.
Strategic new professional hook-ups across Swansea Bay will be equally interesting.
Imagine what a force the South Wales Evening Post and Swansea Sound could be together.
But are the Post's Northcliffe Media bosses liberal enough - and sufficiently forward thinking - to consider such an arrangement?
The Post's low-key announcement of the Swansea Sound success yesterday suggests not. Indeed the two local radio stations weren't even name-checked in their hour of glory.
I understand why but it came across as needlessly petty ... it's a big, evolving world out there now and there's more to the local media than the local paper.
Everyone knows that and it's a fact that should be acknowledged a little more readily by Northcliffe's big guns.
Perhaps the Wales Live editorial chiefs will look to grassroots news and information professionals. They are, after all, a growing force.
BBC Wales has, of course, had the Wales-wide TV and radio field to itself for too long. ITV resources have been stretched too thinly and local radio has been increasingly careful with its journalistic spend.
So it'll be good to see an extended local and community reach of the new all-Wales media service. Inevitably, this will mean multi-skilling for journalists. That brings excitement for all - training opportunities and new ways of seeing work published.
Plenty more on this subject to come ...
Monday, March 1, 2010
Swansea Bay broadcaster goes digi
Neath-based Nation Radio celebrated St David’s Day by expanding its coverage through digital radio. The regional station, which plays new music and classic tracks, has invested in the platform after requests from listeners.
Fans had been telling bosses at Town and Country Broadcasting that they wanted to listen in areas where its FM transmission is low or non-existent.
Nation is available on 107.3FM in Swansea and southwest Wales.
Station programmer Ben Evans said: "The investment means we can now be heard on the DAB digital radio platform in Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Bridgend, Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, Newport, Monmouth, Abergavenny, Aberdare, Ebbw Vale, Bristol and Bath.
"Nation is already on a fast track to success having grown its audience by three times in 12 months - making us one of the UK's fastest growing radio stations. We're Wales’ most popular station on Facebook, with 6,000 fans."
Fans had been telling bosses at Town and Country Broadcasting that they wanted to listen in areas where its FM transmission is low or non-existent.
Nation is available on 107.3FM in Swansea and southwest Wales.
Station programmer Ben Evans said: "The investment means we can now be heard on the DAB digital radio platform in Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Bridgend, Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, Newport, Monmouth, Abergavenny, Aberdare, Ebbw Vale, Bristol and Bath.
"Nation is already on a fast track to success having grown its audience by three times in 12 months - making us one of the UK's fastest growing radio stations. We're Wales’ most popular station on Facebook, with 6,000 fans."
Sunday, February 14, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Swansea Bay Media Master
...
For those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay
Andy Pearson Publicity The Swansea Bay media expert
...
Kirsty Grabham Paul Grabham jailed for life for murder of Swansea prostitute wife Kirsty – lots of coverage today, especially strong in the South Wales Evening Post. http://bit.ly/bO6vAK
...
Broadcast Real Radio http://www.realradiowales.co.uk/
Key local sport If you battle through the RBS 6 Nations coverage across the South Wales media you’ll discover there’s also a Swans game tomorrow – at home to Preston.
Publicity power Does Harry Potter actress Emma Watson need the exposure? Possibly not – she’s earning £20m a year … more than Hollywood icons Cameron Diaz and Angelina Jolie.
You heard it here Simon Cowell is moved by film footage of the disaster used in the video for the Hope for Haiti single. Hear & see Everybody Hurts here - http://bit.ly/cz8rCk
...
Online BBC Cymru Wales http://bit.ly/zWBi
Southwest Wales lead story Legalise heroin says council boss - the leader of a Carmarthenshire Council says current drugs policy is not working and all drugs should be legalized (see Llanelli Star, below). http://bit.ly/akPFeC
Publicity power Reporter Nick Parry meets a man who merits global publicity. Ted McKibbin bought a hut in 1957, opened his own Burry Port gym and is still going at 83! http://bit.ly/a2xRbg
Recession Baglan construction company Morrison is to shed staff due to a downturn in work. It’s part of the Galliford Try group. http://bit.ly/aWlVHy
...
Print Llanelli Star http://bit.ly/BGCX2
Lead story Carmarthenshire Council leader Meryl Gravell, upset at the rise in drugs-related deaths in Llanelli, has called for all drugs to be legalized.
Outreach work From Feb 10-16, the Star will be taking photos of entrants for its 2010 Baby & Toddler of the Year competition. Nice promotional tie-up for the St Elli Shopping Centre.
Ad power It’s only a small plug in the Going Out section, but where better to be at RBS 6 Nations time than in Neuadd Mynyddygarreg on Feb 12 enjoying a concert by folk hero Dafydd Iwan?
… and from further west A glorious century and a half of Aberystwyth’s Cambrian News can now be celebrated with “150 years” car stickers. There are monthly car-spotter prizes of £50. An innovative Carmarthen Journal promo has insurance people Old Oak using their name as the basis of a mock-pub ad, beer pumps an’ all. Haverfordwest’s Western Telegraph offers Mars and Asda a strong promotional opportunity – “Win £1,000 for your junior club!”
...
Community Radio Tircoed http://www.radiotircoed.com/
Lead story An investigation into mortuary services at Wales' largest hospital has been dropped by police.
Hope for Haiti It's the last day of the auction - check out www.radiotircoed.com - total so far from yesterday is £8,679.22.
Tircoed’s tunes in Radio Tircoed is to support Llanelli Battle of the Bands 2010. The winning band will get air play on the station for a month as well as being interviewed on a show.
...
Have a great day!
...
The links
Twitter www.twitter.com/andywordsmith
Website Coming soon
...
The guff
Make every penny count! Andy Pearson can guide your business through the media minefield. Consultancy, PR, editorial, advertising. Phone 07758 745 240. Email andy@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
...
For those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay
Andy Pearson Publicity The Swansea Bay media expert
...
Kirsty Grabham Paul Grabham jailed for life for murder of Swansea prostitute wife Kirsty – lots of coverage today, especially strong in the South Wales Evening Post. http://bit.ly/bO6vAK
...
Broadcast Real Radio http://www.realradiowales.co.uk/
Key local sport If you battle through the RBS 6 Nations coverage across the South Wales media you’ll discover there’s also a Swans game tomorrow – at home to Preston.
Publicity power Does Harry Potter actress Emma Watson need the exposure? Possibly not – she’s earning £20m a year … more than Hollywood icons Cameron Diaz and Angelina Jolie.
You heard it here Simon Cowell is moved by film footage of the disaster used in the video for the Hope for Haiti single. Hear & see Everybody Hurts here - http://bit.ly/cz8rCk
...
Online BBC Cymru Wales http://bit.ly/zWBi
Southwest Wales lead story Legalise heroin says council boss - the leader of a Carmarthenshire Council says current drugs policy is not working and all drugs should be legalized (see Llanelli Star, below). http://bit.ly/akPFeC
Publicity power Reporter Nick Parry meets a man who merits global publicity. Ted McKibbin bought a hut in 1957, opened his own Burry Port gym and is still going at 83! http://bit.ly/a2xRbg
Recession Baglan construction company Morrison is to shed staff due to a downturn in work. It’s part of the Galliford Try group. http://bit.ly/aWlVHy
...
Print Llanelli Star http://bit.ly/BGCX2
Lead story Carmarthenshire Council leader Meryl Gravell, upset at the rise in drugs-related deaths in Llanelli, has called for all drugs to be legalized.
Outreach work From Feb 10-16, the Star will be taking photos of entrants for its 2010 Baby & Toddler of the Year competition. Nice promotional tie-up for the St Elli Shopping Centre.
Ad power It’s only a small plug in the Going Out section, but where better to be at RBS 6 Nations time than in Neuadd Mynyddygarreg on Feb 12 enjoying a concert by folk hero Dafydd Iwan?
… and from further west A glorious century and a half of Aberystwyth’s Cambrian News can now be celebrated with “150 years” car stickers. There are monthly car-spotter prizes of £50. An innovative Carmarthen Journal promo has insurance people Old Oak using their name as the basis of a mock-pub ad, beer pumps an’ all. Haverfordwest’s Western Telegraph offers Mars and Asda a strong promotional opportunity – “Win £1,000 for your junior club!”
...
Community Radio Tircoed http://www.radiotircoed.com/
Lead story An investigation into mortuary services at Wales' largest hospital has been dropped by police.
Hope for Haiti It's the last day of the auction - check out www.radiotircoed.com - total so far from yesterday is £8,679.22.
Tircoed’s tunes in Radio Tircoed is to support Llanelli Battle of the Bands 2010. The winning band will get air play on the station for a month as well as being interviewed on a show.
...
Have a great day!
...
The links
Twitter www.twitter.com/andywordsmith
Website Coming soon
...
The guff
Make every penny count! Andy Pearson can guide your business through the media minefield. Consultancy, PR, editorial, advertising. Phone 07758 745 240. Email andy@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
...
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