Wales holiday business on the PR hunt

PR and the media will be very much on the agenda when tourism professionals gather in Swansea on September 28.

And I'm delighted to report that I'll be there, hosting an informal - but highly informative - Q&A session with Rupert Hall, the South Wales Evening Post's very engaging business reporter.

He's agreed to reveal to visitors at the Tourism Swansea Bay Marketing Mix Roadshow how to make their businesses essential to editors.

The big question, no doubt, will be: "How can I tempt a journalist to write a great story about my business?"

Spotlight

We hatched the plan over tea and coffee in Morgans Hotel and are both looking forward to our half-hour in the spotlight at the nearby LC.

It goes without saying that successful PR involves developing good relationships with the journalists you may have to deal with in future months and years.

The writers and broadcasters themselves seek to build a great contacts list - so get yourself along to the show and add a few more crucial names and numbers to your Windows Contacts.

Other speakers include Visit Wales head of campaigns and digital marketing Gillian Berntsen, South West Wales Media advertisement director Lisa Cameron and The Wave and Swansea Sound station director Helen Bowden.

Prepare for Swansea-Cork media splurge

On PR duties for Swansea Council yesterday, I was delighted to test the quality of the ship about to ply a new passenger ferry route between Swansea and Cork.
The MV Julia is big, well kitted out and looks the part. As its March 1 launch date approaches expect plenty of activity in the local press thanks to operator Fastnet Line.
Those businesses which could benefit from the knock-on effects of service are encouraged to maximise their publicity opportunities.
If you're based in Cork or its environs, try some promotions in the superb south Wales media - newspapers and broadcasters will be delighted to have you on board. For advice phone me in the UK 07758 745 240.
If you're based in Swansea Bay, try something similar in the southern Irish media. I have a strong tie-up with a fabulous PR operator out there; she knows her local media inside out.
My photos show the vessel from quayside in Swansea Docks.
For the record, the Julia can carry 1,860 passengers and 440 cars.
It has a selection of bars and restaurants along with a cinema, kids’ area, shops, tourist information and pet kennels.
It has 300 cabins which will be particularly useful as the ship will operate overnight crossings both ways due to customer demand.
Look out for some special launch offers which will, I'm sure, be plugged heavily in the Swansea media and amongst London's Irish ex-pat community.
The first I'm aware of is kids going free.
Book at least one adult ticket and vehicle for 2010 travel and up to three children can travel for nothing.
Moreover, those who book before February 28 will be able to transport an adult and car in March for under £90.

Swansea Bay media - snapshot survey coming

Business operators from across Swansea Bay will be at Neath RFC on Tuesday (http://bit.ly/9KNVtz)... and I'll be asking them to complete a local media survey.
With the increasing fragmentation of the Swansea area's print, broadcast and online scene, it'll be interesting to see how folk feel.
I suspect there'll be a lot of confusion; there's a lot of media out there now with many, many ways of advertising and lots of barriers to editorial content.
However, let's ask the people who count first - the readers and advertisers.
Here's a taster of the questions I'll be asking:

• What's the most effective Swansea Bay publicity vehicle for your enterprise?
• What are the biggest hurdles to getting a story about your enterprise into the local media?
• Why don’t you pay to advertise in the local media?
• Would you be happy to run a low-cost promotion in the local media?

Tuesday's Kick Start Your Business event begins at 11am with addresses from JCP solicitors (http://www.jcpsolicitors.co.uk/), marketing man Mike Leahy (http://www.intowntoday.co.uk/), and Flexible Support for Business (http://bit.ly/bhMmrM) duo Clare Hale and Vicky Griffiths.
Lunch at 1pm brings networking opportunities. Lots more chat after that, no doubt.
More details from Tourism Swansea Bay (http://www.tourismswanseabay.co.uk/) - 01792 403339 / 07854 464648.