Blog
What’s in a name? (Alys Barber)
So, apparently there’s been a surge in the popularity of names beginning with a ‘K’, thanks in no small part to the popularity of the Kardashians. And when an England international gets in on the trend, you know the popularity is only going to increase. Celebrities have a huge effect on what we call our children, I’m told. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22608832
But, who knew that had an effect on what we call our racing pigeons? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22613247
In PR and branding, much is loaded on what a product or company is called, bands are known to spend ages considering what name to go for. There’s been plenty of research into how consumers or clients react to certain brand names, logos and typefaces, so we know it’s important. But how should you come up with a name for your company or product? Have a look at these tips – and have a little fun with it! http://www.whatthehelvetica.com/2012/02/03/10-tools-for-generating-kick-ass-brand-names/
When will the EU tackle recurrent issues surrounding market access? (Priti Breakey)
http://www.pharmatimes.com/Article/13-05-20/Pharma_access_problems_putting_EU_at_risk.aspx
Should spending cuts have ever effected life saving medicines?
Quintiles forms 5 year strategic alliance with Merck Serono. (Priti Breakey)
Both companies share a common goal of cost-disciplined science but longer term how to expedite the delivery of new therapeutic options to patients with high medical need across Merck Serono’s core research areas of neurology, oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology.
Top 10 Reasons To Be Confident and Happy About PR Agencies & Their Future. (Eddie Everard)
Interesting article by one of our top global PR agency clients @KetchumPR
http://blog.ketchum.com/ten-good-reasons-to-be-happy-about-the-pr-agency-business/
The Power of Marketing ( Julia Walton)
There’s a saying: ‘What do bad writers know that you don’t? How to sell.’
That someone who writes as woefully as Dan Brown is a best seller just goes to show what good marketing can achieve. I think the critics secretly love him, they are having a field day with his latest book. In fact, they’ve never had so much fun!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/10049454/Dont-make-fun-of-renowned-Dan-Brown.html
Social Media Success (Alys Barber)
So, it’s my turn to write the social media content here at Media Contacts. I have a few options, there is plenty to talk about in the news. Sir Alex Ferguson retiring (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22447018), for instance, and how happy it makes me – I could maybe turn it into a piece about retiring later in life and somehow shoehorn a bit of work-related debate in there to make it relevant to my job. I could talk about the Queen’s speech (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22437884), though that has probably been slightly overshadowed by the news about old Fergie, if we’re honest. I could talk about the latest technology (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology/), as I do sometimes, but to be honest there’s nothing that’s inspired me today.
So, instead, I’m going to show off, shamelessly. Hope you don’t mind, but my candidate, Paul (@Hutch_PR ) and I have been blogged about and I’m excited about it.
I should also mention that this blog and its associated LinkedIn group is run brilliantly by the excellent @Marketing_Chap – well worth getting involved in it.
http://www.marketingchap.com/2013/05/a-splendid-example-of-linkedin-success.html#.UYoR5rXvv_o
Which Social Media Personality Are You? via @therealprmoment. Eddie Everard
This infographic has been put together from research by First Direct, it breaks down social media personalities into 12 different types. Which one are you? I don’t think I fall into one specific type but lie across about 3..
http://blog.prmoment.com/12-types-of-social-media-personalities/
“Glorious blue sunshine.” (Christopher Martin-Jenkins) – Alys Barber
There were two rather important services at St Paul’s in London last week. One which has
been debated and which has not been out of the press since. I don’t want to get
into a political debate on here, so I’m going to focus on the other. A memorial
service for cricket commentator, Christopher Martin-Jenkins MBE (20th
January 1945 – 1st January 2013). He was described by Scyld Berry as
coming “closer than anyone to combining the knowledge of an expert with the
enthusiasm of a student.”
There are lots of stories about this great man – many of them relating to his various
struggles with technology, such as mistaking a TV remote for a mobile phone or
hitting the ‘delete’ button rather than ‘send’ when submitting his copy after
matches. One of the less well known stories (though more will know of it now,
I’m sure) is one that current BBC sports commentator, Eleanor Oldroyd, told on
last Saturday’s edition of Fighting Talk. She recalls sending a letter to CMJ
(as he was known) in her youth requesting to meet him as she’d always wanted to
be a cricket reporter. His response was entirely generous and their subsequent
meeting helped Eleanor no end – both stoking her enthusiasm for her chosen
career and educating her. In 1995 she went on to become the first female
presenter of Sports Report since it began in 1948.
I’m sure there are many lessons we can learn from CMJ, and implement in our own careers, but these stand out: Combine the “knowledge of an expert with the enthusiasm of
a student,” (why reword Berry’s line when he puts it so well) and be generous
to others with your time and advice.
The link below is a lovely tribute by Adam Mountford to the great man.
Thought about a career in the travel industry? (Eddie Everard)
I recruit for several of London’s top travel PR agencies
from boutiques through to global agencies and when I work on a role most
clients like to interview candidates that already have travel PR experience but
it’s certainly not impossible to side step into travel PR you just need to make
sure you stand out from the crowd and have valuable reasons why you are keen to
move into travel PR. When I ask why candidates are keen to move into travel PR
a common response is ‘I like travelling’. It’s an extremely competitive sector
to get in to and this sort of response will just not cut it or make me
confident that I could even put you in front of a client! It’s key to set
yourself apart from other candidates and this is where developing industry
knowledge is essential i.e. being aware of relevant trends and issues facing
the travel industry which will help you be able to develop sophisticated
answers as to why the travel industry interests you.
To help gain this knowledge you can read travel trade
publications, follow travel blogs and key industry experts such as Simon Calder
from The Guardian who regularly appears on BBC News as a commentator on issues
in travel @SimonCalder Another place to start could be to tune into the live
web chat taking place tomorrow from 1-3pm (Thursday 18th
April) via @GuardianCareers where global travel company, Flight Centre, is taking
part in a discussion about careers in the travel industry. Although it’s not
specifically PR focused it will give you an insight into the travel industry as
a whole and the careers on offer. Get in contact with Kate Hodge (kate.hodge@guardian.co.uk) if you are keen to ask any PR related questions.
http://careers.guardian.co.uk/careers-blog/travel-industry-career-options