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.

July 30's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...
Social Media Twitter #Swansea
7.24am - SouthWalesNews: Amman valley OAP who launched terror campaign on ex-partner is jailed ... http://trim.li/nk/310H
...
Print Carmarthen Journal Click
News - International rugby referee Nigel Owens believes Ammanford's Alex Jones will cope well with her new role as BBC TV One Show presenter. He said: "She'll keep really level-headed.".
Education - Recipients of honorary degrees from Carmarthen's Trinity University College included rugby star Gerald Davies, tenor Dennis O'Neil and Castell Howell Foods founder Brian Jones.
...
Broadcast Real Radio 105-106fm Click
News - Last night saw the station's Real People of the Year Awards, with an exclusive performance by Lee Ryan, of boyband Blue. The band are planning a reunion.
Sport - Former Welsh sprinter Iwan Thomas has tipped Llanelli's Dai Greene to become the 400m hurdles European Champion in Barcelona tomorrow (Saturday).
...
Links Twitter | Website
...

July 26's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...
Social Media Twitter #Swansea
5.36am - realwalesnews: Nurse Stabbed To Death In Hospital Car Park: A murder hunt has been launched ... http://bit.ly/9vLdWA
7.38pm - bbcwales Sport: Glamorgan cling on to beat Sussex http://bit.ly/b30LJM
...
Print South Wales Evening Post Click
News - The family of Swansea novelist Iris Gower has been paying tribute to the writer who has died after a short illness.
Commercial – Swansea is about to get two new nightclubs. Odyssey plans to open in Little Wind Street, The Surf Club in Castleton Arcade, Mumbles.
...
Broadcast BBC Radio Wales 93-104fm, 657 & 882mw Click
News - Home Secretary Theresa May is due to outline a new structure for policing across the UK today, including the opportunity for locally elected force commissioners.
Sport - Super League side the Crusaders strengthened their play-off chances with a 30-24 win over Castleford Tigers at the Gnoll, Neath, yesterday. It was their first game in South Wales since they moved to Wrexham at the end of 2009.
...
Online Real Radio 105-106fm Click
News - Real Radio is throwing its support behind the National Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale from July 30-August 7. Visitors expected, 160,000. More here - http://bit.ly/dndl0Y
Celeb - Ever wondered what happened to Craig David? Perhaps not - but here's a Real Radio video interview with the Southampton songster anyhow ... http://bit.ly/aB408T
...
Links Twitter | Website
...

July 19's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...
Social Media Twitter #Swansea
simmo68 - Don't forget to RSVP the 1st Year Anniversary Party! Swansea Life Magazine will be there!!!! http://www.witchesofchriswick.co.uk/
thetimmorgan - Just traveled from Wales to NYC to see the game on Thursday. Am I the first Swansea City and NY Red Bulls fan in the world?
...
Print South Wales Evening Post Click
News - The man jailed for stealing Ben Bellamy's bank card before he was murdered five years ago could be released in a matter of weeks.
Commercial – Super League outfit the Crusaders have two games in Neath coming up - on July 25 and August 7 against Castleford Tigers and Harlequins - so they've snaffled the Post's main front page ad today.
...
Broadcast BBC Radio Wales 93-104fm, 657 & 882mw Click
News 1 - The Royal Welsh Show starts in Powys today with the NFU warning farmers not to break the law by killing badgers.
News 2 - A Swansea man missing for 12 days in Italy has been found dead.
...
Online Real Radio 105-106fm Click
Presenters - Breakfast: Every day Jagger and Woody reflect on five things they have learned about the world. Recent gems: Woody was up for the Robbie Williams Take That reunion, Jagger disagreed … Real's Facebook fans agreed with Jagger;  Tom Cruise's passionate Top Gun clinch with Kelly McGillis was the movies' voted the best love scene of all time.
Commercial - Real has joined forces with Newport's Discount Tyres to offer listeners a free Real Radio car air freshener. Click
...
Links Twitter | Website
...

July 12's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...

Social Media Twitter #Swansea
06:59 from News Wales - Football: Curtis making sure his stars are fighting fit for new Swansea City boss ... http://bit.ly/ajQDm4
06:29 from vaishuabhinav - Burglary accused found hanged in Swansea prison cell - Western Telegraph - http://www.askbiography.com/bio/David_Roberts_(mayor).html
...
Broadcast BBC Radio Wales 93-104fm, 657 & 882mw Click
News - Firefighters have been tackling a serious blaze at a Neath Abbey recycling centre this morning. Materials alight include plastics.
Sport - Scottish soccer giants Celtic have named Cardiff City's Joe Ledley in their squad for a pre-season tour of America. His signing for the club hasn't been formally announced yet.
...
Online Real Radio 105-106fm Click
News - Announcing: Shakin Stevens' 30th anniversary tour! Dates include Cardiff, 16 October. Click
Health - Breakfasted yet? Here's a Real Radio recipe for a "skinnier" cooked breakfast, featuring Parma ham to replace bacon and toasted soda bread instead of fried bread. Click
...
Links Twitter | Website
...

June 28's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...
Print South Wales Evening Post Click
News - Thousands enjoyed Saturday's gay festival Pride in Swansea's Singleton Park. Acts included Llanelli rockers Void, commercial backers include Swansea law firm Peter Lynn and Partners. Click
Business – The Evening Post and glossy mag Swansea Bay Business Life have launched their 2010 Women in Business Awards. Judges include the CBI's Ian Price and Bid's Jill Burgess. Click
...
Broadcast BBC Radio Wales 93-104fm, 657 & 882mw Click
News - A university study shows that seaside resorts such as Tenby remain crucial to the Welsh economy, pumping millions of pounds into the economy every year.
Sport - A 1960 Blaenau Gwent mining disaster is to be remembered today with the unveiling of a giant steel sculpture of a miner.
...
Online Real Radio 105-106fm Click
News - Real dig into their archive to deliver an expansive feature: Remembering Michael Jackson one year on. Click
Promotion - The first Real People of Wales Awards are being help in association with Ty Hafan. The prize night will take place at the Celtic Manor Resort on July 29. Stars expected. Click
...
Links Twitter | Website
...

June 4's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...
Print Llanelli Star Click
News - Llanelli 's Ty Gwyn Community Church is to bring a £10,000 cage to the town to stage two-minute two-a-side soccer matches.
Commercial - The Llanelli Star is offering leaflet distribution, targeted by town, village, street or postcode. Useful to any business looking to explore the local market. Phone them on 01792 514108.
...
Broadcast Real Radio 105-106fm Click
News - The cost of fighting grass fires across South Wales has cost £6m over the past year.
Competition - From June 22 Real Radio is giving listeners the chance to win their dream wedding by becoming station’s Bride on the Run. The wedding will take place on the set of Mamma Mia! at Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre. Click
...
Online Western Mail Click
Arts video - Dave Owens and Matt Thomas discuss the career of Tom Jones as The Voice celebrates his 70th birthday. Click
Sports video - Journalists Jon Doel, Simon Roberts and Andy Howell preview tomorrow's Wales v South Africa clash and debate reader selections in the Wales Online Fans' Regional Team of the Year. Click
...
Links Twitter | Website
...

Persimmon builds South Wales media hopes

Our friends at Real Radio have launched another of the big promotions they're so keen on.
It's another lively example of how commercial partners can benefit when they hop into bed with the media. Such publicity options are always worth considering - they're certainly a more discreet sell than traditional advertising.
In the case of the new Real Radio Renegade, the sponsor is Persimmon Homes.
The listener competition is being promoted as a hunt for the Renegade ... and a chance to win a share of £100,000.
Every weekday from 8-10am, noon-2pm and 4-6pm, the station is broadcasting clues to the Renegade's whereabouts. There are even photo clues such as today's - click.
The competition is a multi-media experience that sees Real build nicely on a good idea.
For Persimmon, it means plenty of exposure. In return, they're offering some special deals.
Offers include selected homes across South Wales from £142,000, including conservatory flooring and blinds, some wardrobes, kitchen appliances and legal fees.

Swansea Life puts a gloss on the media mix

The new edition of Swansea Life is out.
Its cover lines plug features on beauty (tips to turn back time), relationships (upfront dating tips) and fashion (metallic and pewter).
Key advertisers in this 148-page lifestyle-fest include Lara Johnson Lifestyle (inside front), Andrew Price salon at Hurst House on the Marsh (inside back) and Sancta Maria Hospital (back).
Highlights for Media Master include a hook-up the mag now has with Real Radio via a CD reviews page by drivetime show host Dave Brookes and a feature on a spectacular house makeover by architects Hyde + Hyde high above the glorious Langland Bay.
For independent advice on how to raise the profile of your business through Swansea Life and other local mags, give me a shout on 07758 745240.

March 19's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...
Online BBC Cymru Wales Click
Editorial - A suspended Llanelli orthopaedic surgeon has been reinstated to the medical register and says she plans to become a prison doctor. Click
Recommended - A bi-lingual presentation of music, history, myth and science based on Gower’s 20,000-year-old Red Lady is to premiere in Carmarthen. Click
...
Broadcast Real Radio Click
Editorial - Port Talbot-based singer Paul Potts is to undertake a seven-day sponsored walk from the town to London to help the relief effort in Haiti.
Commercial - Typical ad break: Greggs bakery, Persimmon Homes, The Sun, Cymraeg Kids, Watts Truck and Van Cardiff.
...
Print Llanelli Star Click
Editorial - Half of Llanelli’s churches could close in a major Church in Wales shake-up. Click
Commercial – Let the battle of the photographers commence – Terry Morris has a quarter-page Easter offer and Pure Creations go large with a full page promo.
...
Links Twitter | Website
...

March 12's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...
See you there – The Swansea Business Show takes place at the LC today – well done to blog radio star Mike Leahy for arranging it. Click
...
Online BBC Cymru Wales Click
Editorial - Guitarist and singer Micky Jones, one of the founders of Welsh prog rock band, Man, has died aged 63 in Swansea. Click
New life - A Swansea University scheme plans to bring back to life the now dilapidated Hafod copper works which were founded 200 years ago. Click
...
Broadcast Bay Radio Click
Editorial – The people of Swansea have been thanked for giving such a warm homecoming this week to the Welsh Guards.
Commercial – Typical ad break ... Chic Blinds Swansea, DVLA driving licences, Trade Centre Wales Neath Abbey, MobilesMeanMoney.Com.
...
Print Llanelli Star Click
Editorial - A Llanelli mum who fought leukaemia has spoken of her life-or-death struggle.
Commercial – Great promo for a new Kidwelly retailer ... The Original Factory Shop is offering one Star competition winner a free £250 shopping spree.
...
Make every penny count! Andy Pearson can guide your business through the media minefield.
Links Twitter | Website
...

March 5's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...
Special mention Carmarthen Journal Click
Why – Because it’s 200 years old this week. Congratulations to all who’ve helped in creating such a remarkable media heritage. Media Master salutes you.
...
Online BBC Cymru Wales Click
Key local story - A businessman jailed for not fully paying £200,000 for falsely claiming benefits is being charged 8% compound interest on £166,000 he still owes. He was given a suspended prison term at Swansea Crown Court last year. Click
Publicity power – Healthy, pictorial plug for the 30 April-3 May Mumbles blues and jazz festival. They hope to link up with Brittany and Ireland soon. Click
Don’t miss – Volunteers at a bird sanctuary have started cleaning 23 swans covered in cooking oil at a lake in Swansea. The birds were rescued by the RSPCA and taken to the Tinker's Hill Rescue Centre in Amroth, Pembs. Click
...
Broadcast Real Radio Click
Key local story - Swansea City manager Paulo Sousa says the club may not sign any more Welsh players due to the treatment of defender Ashley Williams by Wales during this week's Sweden friendly against Sweden.
Typical ad break – Millennium Centre: Mamma Mia, Vauxhall UK, Barratt Homes, British Gas, The Times.  You heard it here - Pop star Lady Gaga has developed a taste for fish and chips; after a Cardiff gig, her entourage ordered 35 portions.
...
Print Llanelli Star Click
Promo power – The Mothers Day publicity’s kicked in good and proper; this week Monks health club offers a £59 day of pampering bliss. If your business needs a promotional boost in the build-up to March 14, call Media Master, 07758 745240.
Lead story - The family of a Burry Port nurse who died after an overdose have blamed her death on the Hywel Dda Health Board.
Key opinion – The transformation of Llanelli’s North Dock appears to be gathering pace, brining the promise of development and jobs. Such moves are to be welcomed.
Don’t miss – An ongoing Domino’s Pizza publicity campaign – a free pizza with two Llanelli Star tokens. It’s the sort of campaign that could work for other businesses too.
...
Make every penny count! Andy Pearson can guide your business through the media minefield. Phone 07758 745 240. Email andy@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
...
The Links Twitter | Website
What’s missing? Tell us what you’d like to see in these bulletins - email moreplease@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
...

February 26's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...
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
...
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.
...

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.
...
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.
...
Make every penny count! Andy Pearson can guide your business through the media minefield. Phone 07758 745 240. Email andy@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
...
The Links Twitter | Website 
What’s missing? Tell us what you’d like to see in these bulletins - email moreplease@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
...

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
...

Highlights from today’s Swansea Bay media

...
Broadcast Real Radio
Key local sport - Ospreys officials face European rugby union governing body ERC today in the Heineken Cup 16-man controversy.
Publicity power - Valentine’s Day is already on the minds of Real Radio folk … check out a Q&A with breakfast show presenter Tony Wright at http://bit.ly/bYqYdZ ... Q - If you could choose any Valentine’s date with a celebrity, who would it be? A - My mate John Barrowman; imagine what the papers would say!
You heard it here - Celebrity Big Brother’s latest winner is due to be decided tonight – the favourite is Jordan’s boyfriend.
...
Print Llanelli Star
Lead story - The family of 17-year-old heroin victim Hannah Meredith reveal how they plan to help other families avoid drugs tragedy.
Outreach work - The Wave breakfast show presented Badger is pictured after giving a talk to media studies students at Coleg Sir Gar. He’s invited them back to the station’s Gowerton studios.
Ad power - Nice to see a strong local firm capitalizing on a bright newspaper idea: Atech Signs take out a full page in a supplement celebrating the century’s first decade..
And from further west - After vandal attacks, two schools are to get security fencing – Carmarthen Journal; Pembroke’s Chevron refinery has job cut fears – Western Telegraph; Aberystwyth police blamed for the collapse of a drugs case – Cambrian News.
...
Online http://news.bbc.co.uk
Southwest Wales lead story - A head teacher convicted of nine counts of sexually assaulting girls in his care loses his appeal against conviction – http://bit.ly/9JbwtR
Publicity power - Some bright jobs news for Llanelli car parts plant ThyssenKrupp Tallent - http://bit.ly/cS4Q5M
Recommended - Scarlets boss Nigel Davies says his side will travel to Toulon for their Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final confident of claiming victory - http://bit.ly/9jTyMT

Tonight's big question in the Swansea Bay media

There's a tasty Burning Question for listeners of the Swansea area's Bay Radio tonight ... Should butter be banned?
Based on the news that many doctors want to improve the UK's diet and to ban trans-fats, the good people from Neath Abbey's very own broadcasting house ask: "Do you think we should eat less fat? Ban butter?"
Have your say by going to the website - http://www.swanseabayradio.co.uk/ - clicking on The Burning Question button and checking the box next to the answer you think the question deserves.
My own policy? Butter when there's no other dressing on the toast, spread when the topping's gonna be a tangy citrus marmalade.
Perhaps the good doctors of Swansea Bay could let the local media know what they think - and what their crumpet-chomping habits are.