Monthly archive for March 2008

But the world’s still spinning round
Richard Bailey finds some flat earth views hidden in this commentary on the sorry state of journalism and public relations. Out with the old, in with the new
The theme of EuroBlog 2008 held in Brussels in March was ‘Social media and the future of PR’. Helena Makhotlova reports on the conference and the tensions exposed between theory and practice. Marjon students win top prize for carrots on the roof
A team from University College Plymouth, St. Mark & St. John (Marjon) has won the largest student national entrepreneurship competition to walk away with £100 each, £3000 prize money for the college and a shiny new trophy. Save lives (and win a thousand pounds)
Six final year PR students beat off competition from more than 100 others to win the annual competitive pitch prize awarded by PR consultancy Trimedia. PR teaching profile - Liz Bridgen
Meet Liz Bridgen, Programme Leader for MA in Public Relations at De Montfort University, Leicester. The world is not enough
There are many launches in PR, but most of them are mere metaphors. Virgin is planning the literal launch of a commercial spaceship and Virgin Galactic’s president Will Whitehorn spoke exclusively to Katie King for Behind the Spin. Heard it on the grapevine
It’s almost 25 years since Grunig and Hunt described the two-way symmetrical model of public relations. Now Zoë Lavender thinks she may have spotted an example in practice at General Motors. Just in time. PR rides to the rescue
White van man may slow down for no one. But Carys Samuel applauds the ‘I slow down for horses’ campaign as a low-cost public relations success. Are our cities safe for cycling?
It’s tough on the streets for cyclists, but Drew Kearney would welcome a live and let live attitude. Bike to the future
Let me start by asking a simple question: What do Madonna, Jeremy Paxman and the actor who plays Ian Beale in Eastenders all have in common? Not even a guess? Well it may come as a bit of a surprise, but these celebrities have been snapped ditching their fancy cars in favour of their trusty bicycle, says Claire Pace. Brands on the run
Media fragmentation? Elusive audiences? Nicola de Liso has studied how advertisers are taking their messages to streets of London in an attempt to reach consumers. Affairs or relationships?
Public affairs is now a highly sought-after career choice for the brightest graduates with an interest in politics and the way we’re governed. Paid to party?
Samantha Jones may be sassy, sexy and sophisticated, but she can’t teach you anything about public relations. Laura Smith tells how she got over the disappointment that a PR degree course is not a rehearsal for Sex and the City. PR student’s guide to work experience
If you’re judged on your last job, then make sure it’s a good one says Katy Marshall in this guide to placement year opportunities. Does learning really lead to earning?
Alice Harper assesses the true value of a public relations degree. Podcasting primer for PR
Rachel Harrison has worked with a podcasting pioneer, and provides a beginner’s guide to podcasting. Public Affairs industry’s Clause 4 moment
Recent quarrels over APPC membership show a young industry coming of age. Nick Reach argues that the industry must work hard to repair the damage or risk tougher Government regulation. Why is this lying bastard lying to me?
The set-piece political interview is a great spectacle, argues Beth Moore. Log on for the great debate
Ellee Seymour says that political dialogue and debate is being conducted on blogs. Here’s her guide to essential political blogs. Smear 2.0
Digital mudslinging is now a prominent feature of politics, says Ollie Christophers, who reports what happens when the blogs of war are unleashed. Welsh Assembly yet to find its voice
The National Assembly for Wales has an important message to get out to the public, but despite having two languages at its disposal, it seems to have difficulty finding its voice says Matt Warlow. You say PR, and I say PA
Summer placement student Ulla Bartsch has discovered that public relations might involve getting people to buy one brand of cereal instead of another. But in public affairs, you are trying to influence public policy. She knows which she’d prefer. Confessions of a good PR consultant
Client handling skills are as much the key to success in public relations as they have always been in far older professions: medicine, law, architecture or, no doubt, even the very oldest, says Douglas Smith. You don’t vote? Get the whips out
I’ve just done a placement where there was scandal, fashion, paparazzi, whipping and a whole lot of celebrities. It wasn’t for a magazine and it wasn’t in a PR agency; it was at Westminster. Don’t stop reading, pleads Katie Matthews. Junk the ads?
Sadie Edwards wonders whether it’s fair to blame obesity on advertising.