Creating quotes: tips from an expert
Creating quotes for journalists is very often the responsibility of the PR team and here is some very wise advice about how to go about it from Brussels-based media trainer Laura Shields of Red Thread. It resonated with us when we saw it on Linked In, and we are delighted that she’s allowed us to […]
15 top crisis management tips
Warren Weeks is a Toronto-based media and crisis training coach whose posts on social media are always wise, practical and on-point. He’s been advising companies on how to deal with crisis for three decades and here we are sharing his 15 favourite tips for better crisis management. 1. Always lead with empathy. Fight or flight […]
Our simple guide to journalistic jargon
The media is the same as every sector – it has its own special language – terms which make perfect sense to those in the know & mystifying to those on the outside. Here is a selection of the most common journalistic jargon, which may be helpful for those working in PR and communications. Article: […]
Communication for membership bodies
If you look at our list of clients, there are a LOT of acronyms: ICS (International Chamber of Shipping), GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council), IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health), MTA (Manufacturing Technologies Association), BCC (British Chambers of Commerce), RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry), AELP (the Association of Employment and Learning Providers), NGA (National Governance […]
Coffey turns off Piers: How not to conduct a TV interview
The Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey has found herself in the spotlight – but for all the wrong reasons. She became the centre of media attention after switching off her camera during a testy exchange with Piers Morgan on the ITV breakfast show, Good Morning Britain. When asked to explain the UK’s shamefully high […]
Coronavirus crisis: How to keep your good name
Here are our top tips for managing your reputation through the coronavirus crisis: Do the right thing: show that you care about your staff, your clients and the wider public. Witness the backlash against Britannia Hotels for treating their staff badly and Sports Direct for defying the lock-down. Keep communicating: don’t let there be a […]
Crisis, what crisis? Near perfect response to Coronavirus
When you’re hit by something as potentially harmful as coronavirus, you need to keep calm, come up with a plan (if you haven’t got one already) and communicate that simply and clearly to your staff and customers. As well as wanting to know you’re on top of things, people will also want to feel you’re […]
Off the record: lessons from the Huawei controversy
The government has become embroiled in another unwanted controversy – this time over leaked information about a meeting of the National Security Council. It would appear the Council, which is chaired by the PM and is made up of senior cabinet ministers, is anything but secure after details of their talks were passed on to […]
PR made easy for SMEs: webinar
This month, I was privileged to be asked to deliver a webinar PR made easy for SMEs, by Start Up Richmond. During the webinar we discussed how to do your own PR, including how the media works and what they’re looking for, what makes a good story, how to decide the right media outlet for […]
Media Skills for Conservators
Recently, I gave a speech Media Skills for Conservators at the annual conference of the Institute of Conservation. The aim was to get conservators and restorers to think about the importance of media skills – why they might be valuable for them and the skills it might be useful to might develop. In a packed […]
What do you learn in a crisis simulation?
Why might your company need a crisis simulation? Indeed what is a crisis simulation? In easy terms, it is when we recreate a potential emergency situation, and your team have to deal with the PR fall out – reacting in real time. This could involve the whole company, your senior leadership team, your PR department, […]
How to handle a press conference: five quick tips
If you’re expecting a lot of media attention, it can make sense to organise a press conference. This is particularly true if you’re in the midst of some kind of emergency or looming PR disaster. The advantages are that: it gives the impression that you are open and transparent, it helps you take control of the […]
7 Examples Highlighting the Importance of Branding
Vida Barr Jones is the managing director of the branding and marketing agency, Focus7 International, which specialises in impactful creative, intelligent CRM systems and dynamic digital builds. It lives up to its strapline “we don’t do dull!” In this guest post, she gives us seven examples that highlight the importance of branding. Branding is everywhere, from […]
How to get TV coverage
Most PR departments and agencies we work with have excellent relationships with their target print media, and do a great job securing coverage – but when it come to TV coverage it’s a different matter. This is a shame, because there are undoubtedly thousands of stories out there which would work brilliantly on television, if […]
The benefits of entering awards
Have you ever entered your business for an award? Are you an award winner? If not, it’s something which is well-worth considering. Winning, or even being nominated, is an excellent opportunity for some positive PR both in the short and long-term. After all, if you win, you will always be able to describe your business as “award-winning” […]