Mayor gets his teeth into PR

Swansea Lord Mayor
Richard Lewis in today's
South Wales Evening Post

Richard Lewis is usually happy to be in the limelight.

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."

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.

May 11's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...
Print Western Mail Click
UK – Labour leader odds (thanks to William Hill): David Miliband 4/7, Harriet Harman 16/1, Alan Johnson 6/1, Ed Miliband 9/1, Ed Balls 16/1, Jack Straw 33/1.
Wales – A major new hotel, restaurant and housing development could soon be in the pipeline for Hafod Copperworks, one of Swansea's most historic industrial sites. Swansea Council has put the site on the market.
...
Broadcast Bay Radio Click
Editorial – A Swansea pensioner has been convicted of sexually assaulting a passenger on a city bus.
Key home page ads include Directory Inquiries, Admiral Insurance.
...
Online South Wales Evening Post Click
Editorial – Hain backs Brown as he pushes for Lib-Dem summit. Click
Most commented stories – 1 - Plaid attacks debates exclusion after failing to make ground in election - Click. 2 - Hain backs Brown as he pushes for Lib-Dem summit - Click. 3 - Hotel's marquee plea is set for council rejection - Click.
...
Links Twitter | Website
...

April 23's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...
Online BBC Cymru Wales Click
Local top story - A ready meals plant is set to close, putting 234 jobs at risk in Swansea after it fails to reach a deal with a supermarket chain. Click
Bumpy ride - Traders in Burry Port are demanding some of its 72 speed bumps are removed claiming they are driving customers away. Click
...
Broadcast The Wave Click
Editorial - Swansea Council has helped overcome the social worker shortage by recruiting from Germany and Sweden.
General Election - Plaid's Ieuan Wyn Jones remains angry that his party were left out of last night's televised prime ministerial debate.
...
Print Western Mail Click
Editorial - Wales needs to back calls for St George's Day to be recognised as a bank holiday in England if it too is to succeed in getting a public holiday for St David's Day, campaigners claim.
Commercial - The Magners League promotional folk are cranking up excitement for the competition's first grand final, to be played on May 29. Savvy Swansea Bay businesses should back the Ospreys on this one and start looking at commercial hook-ups.
...
Links Twitter | Website
...

March 23's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...
Print Western Mail Click
News - An undercover police operation provided the evidence that sent a corrupt South Wales former head of CID to jail.
Opinion - There should be uniform standards in food standards law relating to separate machinery being used for the preparation of raw meat and ready-to-eat food.
Online – Don’t miss this Warren Gatland video ... a hard man talking. Click
...
Broadcast Scarlet FM Click
News - Motorists in Llanelli and Carmarthen have been fined for throwing cigarette stubs out of their windows in a new council crackdown on litter ... and a new, improved online news feed here.
Online – Here’s the month’s cheekiest media competition ... win tickets to Pembrey’s new Go Ape attraction. Click
...
Online Swansea Council Click
Editorial – Swansea and Neath Port Talbot businesses and voluntary organisations are being urged to be thoroughly prepared for the worst in future. Business Continuity Awareness Week is being held until Friday. Click
Recommended – Swansea Council is asking for public comments on trails being developed to conserve, enhance and allow access to the city's heritage. Click
...
Links Twitter | Website
...

Crusaders deserve Swansea Bay media splurge

Look out for significant Swansea Bay media activity by rugby league club the Celtic Crusaders over the next week and a half.
On April 1 they're due to bring the first ever Super League game to the area as Gareth "Alfie" Thomas and his teammates meet London rivals Harlequins RL.
That makes for an exciting night out in my book, an antidote to the disappointingly one-sided RBS Six Nations.
The Crusaders asked Andy Pearson Publicity to line up some decent visibility in the Swansea Bay media as the build-up progresses.
Our friends at Afan FM, Radio Tircoed and the South Wales Evening Post have all indicated an eagerness to run match ticket competitions.
Other organisations have put their hands up too to help herald a new dawn in Welsh sport. Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Trust and Swansea Council are among the organisations keen to run employee ticket offers.
Hosts Neath RFC, meanwhile, have also been quick to show their support.
A press just issued from The Gnoll reads: "We welcome Super League here for the first time when the Crusaders play Harlequins on April 1 at 7.30pm.
"It will be the first time the famous old ground has hosted top-class professional rugby league and, with the Crusaders beginning to make an impression from their new Wrexham HQ, great interest is already being shown in one of only two 2010 fixtures the outfit will play in South Wales."
Supporters have the chance to see both codes with a ticket package embracing the Crusaders’ return to South Wales and Neath’s Principality Premiership clash with Pontypridd on Easter Saturday for £20. For dual tickets click here.
Tickets for the Crusaders-Quins game are £10 adults, £8 concessions, £5 U16s. To buy, click here.

New addition eyes Swansea Bay media business

A warm welcome to Swansea Eye, the latest addition to the local media circuit.
The Eye's a glossy lifestyle magazine brought to my attention by Townhill-based photographer Liz Barry during a business show at the Liberty Stadium today.
Advertisers in the current edition - datelined March - include Burns Fitness, Grosvenor Casino, A&M Taxis, Mumbles Kitchen Studio and Dream Doors.
Editorial features include a motors page, Formula One, money, spring style and a kids'page.
Full details to follow - once I've fixed up a meeting with one of Swansea Eye's key players.
Good to see, incidentally, that they've used an Andy Pearson press release on page four. It was issued on behalf of Swansea Council and focuses on a glowing Estyn report for Morriston Primary School.

March 9's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

...
For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
...
Print Western Mail Click
Lead story – The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says it has no sympathy with striking civil servants.

Key opinion – Wales is over-governed and doesn’t need 22 directors of social services, let alone 22 council chief executives. With money tight, now is a good time to rethink the way we run and pay for local authorities.
Promo power – “Get in early” is the WRU’s new mantra ... a page one ad plugs pre-registrations for tickets to the June 5 Wales v South Africa clash.
Top tales – The Western Mail’s top commented-on website stories at present include: Delve gets Wales squad call Click, Claims of financial abuse may close Communities First fund Click, Cardiff City fans protest Click
...
Broadcast Scarlet FM Click
Key local story – An initiative to train Carmarthenshire police officers and council staff in basic sign language has been such a success that it could be set to grow.
Promo power – Handy tip to business: you can request a Scarlet FM ad quote online – just click here.
Police hunt - Click here to see a Post Office visitor wanted by Llanelli police in connection with a robbery.
...
Online Swansea Council Click
Key local story – Officers from the council have held talks with Swansea Tennis Centre users about the future of the attraction. Click
Publicity power – Swansea will join thousands of other communities across the globe on March 27 at 8.30pm when the lights go out for an hour in council locations to mark nature conservation charity WWF's Earth Hour. Click
School budgeting – Plans to create two new Swansea primary schools could go out to consultation this month. Officers recommend creating new English and Welsh establishments. Click
...
Community Radio Tircoed Click
News - Firefighters tackled a series of grass fires including two on Gower.
Interviews - Phil England talks to Kerry Lynne, of Diabetes UK Cymru, and Meilyr James in the regular herbal spot.
Website – New attractions on the events page, plus details on how to advertise.
...
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 broadcast blast for Mike, Olly, Chris & Steve

Sketty broadcast phenomenon Mike Leahy is ploughing on energetically with his fledgling blog radio show In Town Today.
He broadcasts every Thursday from 7-8pm and the show can be enjoyed after that by download.
The latest features news from the Uplands Diner, home of The Beast breakfast, a frank chat with Swansea Council leader Chris Holley over budget cuts and some verse from Olly the Uplands street poet.
Olly's charming first poem begins: "The small, quiet village settles down, only protected by the stars/ The women make the suppers as the men put away the cars/ The lights disappear into the night as the village soundly sleeps."
There's a splendid interview with Steve Balsamo (pictured), lead singer of Swansea band The Storys who plan a rousing farewell gig at the Grand Theatre this June.
He tells Mike: "I grew up listening to my dad's favourite, Mario Lanza, and my mother's country choices like Jim Reeves. I was greatly influenced by that mix."
Tune in!

Photo: Terry Morris Photography

Media Master - today's Swansea Bay highlights

... For those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay
Andy Pearson Publicity The Swansea Bay media expert
...
Blogging live! That's me tomorrow (Tuesday) when Andy Pearson Publicity is one of the fantastic exhibitors at the Kickstart Your Business Show at Neath RFC, 11am-3pm.
...

Print South Wales Evening Post Click
Lead story - Moves to close Swansea Tennis Centre have been announced as the council looks to balance its books.
Promo panel - Swansea cafe La Baguette du Jour offers lunches for £1.50 with a Post voucher. The snack is a toasted sandwich and cappuccino. Other cafes should try it to - go on!
People power - A bigger than usual response to the Post's daily reader vote. Saturday's question was: "When it comes to rugby, is it OK to say you hate the English?" Yes: 139. No: 170.
...
Broadcast The Wave Click
Lead story - Wales' former auditor general Jeremy Colman to be quizzed by police today over discovery of alleged pornographic material on his laptop.
Publicity power - Haiti charity single Everybody Hurts, featuring big names such as Leona Lewis and Robbie Williams, available for download today. For sale in shops tomorrow.
You heard it here - Improved news service up and running on Wave website - top recent local stories listed on News and Listen Here pages.
...
Online Media Master Blogspot
Greetings to a new Swansea Bay editor - Click.
Sweaty palm time for Swansea radio bosses - Click
Prepare for Swansea-Cork media splurge - exclusive pics - Click
...
PR success Joy for Andy Pearson client CATS (Class Act Theatre School) on Saturday when a press release reporting 5,000 ticket sales for the company's Pontardawe panto was used by the South Wales Evening Post.
...
Have a great day! ...
The links
Twitter www.twitter.com/andywordsmith
Website Coming soon
...
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

...
PR success A story based on an Andy Pearson press release appears in the just-out February edition of Swansea Life magazine – Laverbread and Curry (Swansea Business Show, Zaal restaurant)
...
Print South Wales Evening Post
Lead story - Threat to 100 jobs – axe looming over teachers as Swansea Council budget falls.
Key opinion - Gordon Brown’s proportional representation referendum plan: “It’s a bit late now.”
Promo power - The first Gorseinon Food Festival is to take place on April 24. Tuck in, folks!
Don’t miss - RBS 6 Nations pull-out … or, if romance is more your thing, two pages of gift ideas for Valentine’s Day, including goods from Lush, Comet, HMV, Boots and Laura Ashley.
...
Broadcast Swansea Sound
Key local story - RBS 6 Nations: Wales will be able to select full-back Lee Byrne this weekend after his “16th man” ban was overturned. Expect a team announcement at around 1pm.
Publicity power - Llanelli’s Waterside Half Marathon is due on March 7 thanks to Human Being Active, Fusion gyms and Carmarthenshire Council. Register online via Swansea Sound - http://bit.ly/9wLnCq
You heard it here - Katie Price and Alex Reid have been married in a Vegas “quickie”. Magazine photo team in tow.
...
Online www.walesonline.co.uk
Recommended - The pothole road map of Wales … with an online form to submit pothole sightings direct to Media Wales – “If you can take a photo of the pothole that's even better!” Hit http://bit.ly/6Su8fR
Publicity power - Virtual Fair: An innovative retail advertising platform for west Wales stores, including Max Evans, Dreamtime Beds - http://bit.ly/ap1Gw7
Key story - An historic vote will be held on February 9 to request a referendum on new law-making powers for the National Assembly - http://bit.ly/deK6xL
...

Highlights from today’s Swansea Bay media

...
Print South Wales Evening Post
Lead story - More from the Kirsty Grabham murder trial … followed by Asda pledging up to 300 jobs this year at its new Gorseinon store.
Key opinion - There’s no reason to celebrate the end of recession yet as South Wales is likely to suffer job cuts and higher interest rates this year.
Promo power - Schools - increasingly being run along business lines - are becoming more and more aware of the power of press ads. Today we have Olchfa, Oakleigh House and Ffynone.
Don’t miss - A two-page preview of Swansea’s February 27 Get Welsh Show, with some great local food enterprises in the limelight.
...
Broadcast Swansea Sound
Key local story - Up to 500 Swansea Council workers could lose their jobs due to budget cuts.
Publicity power - The silky vocal cords of Moira Stewart continue to advertise HM Revenue’s self-assessment tax campaign.
You heard it here - The station’s website has a 2-minute Sky News TV highlights package – useful for those in a rush.
...
Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/
Key local story - Nine wards have been shut in two Swansea hospitals because of an outbreak of norovirus. No new patients are being admitted to the affected wards at Morriston and Hill House.
Publicity power - ClwbCast has a significant home page plugs, seeing WalesOnline and Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach team up to deliver a monthly podcast.
Recommended - Swansea City dropped to fifth place in the Championship after being held to a goalless draw against Chris Coleman's Coventry City. Darren Pratley hit the post.
...
Make every penny count! Andy Pearson can guide your business through the media minefield. Phone 07758 745 240. Email andy@hopestreetmedia.co.uk
...