Features

We need to talk
In our rush to embrace social media, aren’t we all in danger of becoming anti-social? What’s wrong with picking up the phone asks Lauren Symons. She’s gotta have it
Celebrities have them. Why can’t a poor student have a Mulberry bag asks Claire Wright. Hacks and flack jackets
David Piggott reports on the Maggie Nally Memorial Lecture given by Richard Gizbert of Al Jazeera. I’d vote for The Ex-Factor
I’ve never watched X Factor before, confesses Sophie Sadler, and probably won’t be watching it again. Stop watching reality shows
The more I thought about it, writes Charlotte Giver, the more I found it ironic that in an industry where we know everything there is to know about brand, image and reputation management, the reputation of its workforce is false. TV’s PR beauty myth
Men in PR are seen as go-getters, but the same qualities brand PR women as bitches. Charlotte Giver blames popular television shows for this. Teenage dreams
Whenever I tell people I want to have a career in fashion I’m always met with something that goes along the lines of ‘oh, that’s nice’, writes Elli Share. But I can tell that behind the friendly-yet-slightly-condescending reply, they think I’m just another 18 year old girl living their life through the contents of Heat Magazine. Is Behind the Spin wrong to use Klout and Peerindex for #socialstudent?
Social media editor David Clare takes a look at online influencer measurement and the way our #socialstudent list is calculated. Nothing succeeds like excess
The Jeremy Clarkson affair suggests to Ben Frith that nothing stirs people as much as a good controversy. Falling in love with fashion PR
When I began my placement all I looked forward to was fashion week, says Yasmin Lawton. Then then suddenly it was here and the demands increased. I’m a person, get celebrities out of here
Using celebrities as spokespeople for products is hardly a new concept. We know that an ad is an ad, but when is a tweet a commercial, asks Alex King. QR codes: An interview with co-founder of ScanMe
Our social media editor, David Clare, interviews John Harrison, co-founder of ScanMe.com, to find out how to best use QR codes in PR campaigns. Questions that confuse students: strategy or tactics?
It’s a distinction that often baffles students: what’s the difference between business objectives and communications objectives; between strategy and tactics? Experienced practitioner and university lecturer Robert Minton-Taylor is here to help. Is social media effective for B2B brands?
Young PR professional Alex Neale takes a look at the use of social media for B2B brands. Blog and roll
Tumblr is the fashionable place to blog right now; Daniela Pietrosanu explains why. Beyond bunga-bunga: letter from Italia
As Italy veers between farce and tragedy, political debate has moved from the piazza to a Twitter hashtag, reports Miriam Pelusi. A passion for online fashion
Fashion has always been a passion for Rebecca Hardisty. But it was only on placement that she was able to connect fashion to social media and public relations. Can Brands Really Be Our Friends?
Every like you make on Facebook brings more news onto your Facebook wall. Emma Gannon asks whether brands really can be our friends. Getting people to join Google+
Marketing and Public Relations graduate, Anna Kraappa, takes a look at Google+ and why it is so difficult to get friends to move to the platform. How to pitch to bloggers – best practice, tips and case studies
Digital PR expert and Bright One founder, Ben Matthews, gives his tips and tricks on how to best pitch bloggers. PR – a two speed industry
Daryl Willcox is in the business of press releases. Having seen digital PR come to life, he discusses the two speeds at which PRs approach this new practice. Twitter’s increasing popularity with celebrities and sports stars
Jessica Johnson takes a look at how Twitter is having an impact on sports personalities and celebrities for this month’s social media feature. Is social media making us anti-social?
Social media executive Claire Dunford questions whether or not social media is actually making us less social. Why social media matters and what you should be doing about it
Social media editor David Clare introduces this month’s feature on social media and PR. How to tell if you’ve got a story – and write a press release
Daryl Willcox, founder and chairman of Daryl Willcox Publishing (DWPub), offers his advice on writing press releases to properly create news stories. Crisis point: London Riots
Behind The Spin’s social media editor, David Clare, discusses the London riots, after three nights of chaos on the streets of London and elsewhere in the UK. Telling the story in pictures
As costs come down, film making becomes a useful tool for public relations to communicate the message widely. Freelance film maker Matt Brown describes the ups and downs of his work. State of the union
Following election victory in May, the Scottish National Party is pressing ahead with a referendum on independence. Graeme Forbes reports from Scotland on the state of the union. How to write a business blog for your client
Managing Director of Write My Site, Emily Hill, offers her tips on writing for a corporate blog. The fear of face-to-face
Many students and young practitioners find networking with industry people extremely difficult and uncomfortable, writes Gabriela Balcerzak. The problem is, there are rules to be learned. Ideas win prizes and placements
One trend among ambitious students is participation in crowdsourcing programmes, allowing busy but tenacious Millennials a chance to contribute to companies looking to connect with the digital generation. Brian Keenan describes Ketchum’s Mindfire open innovation community. PR fought the law – and the law won
In times of crisis, the advice given by a public relations consultant and a lawyer will often be diametrically opposed. Aimee Burge asks which profession tends to win this power struggle. Lights, camera, disruption
‘Today was one of those days when you take one for the team and ignore your better judgement.’ Dominic Stevenson describes what happens when a film crew arrives. Kiss, and don’t tell
Super-injunctions are at the heart of the tussle between privacy and free speech. Alicia Chadwick argues that these are a bad case of one law for the rich… The future of social media for PR
Leeds Met student,Laura Horgan, gives her thoughts on the future of social media for public relations with plenty of insight from leading PR professionals. Advantages and disadvantages of Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality is becoming big business as the technology behind it becomes readily available to consumers. Francesca Larkin discusses both the advantages and disadvantages of AR for public relations. Referendum campaigns reviewed
It’s the first national referendum in his lifetime, and Alec Vickerson reviews the campaign tactics. AV yes or no?
On 5 May, we have a chance to vote in a referendum on the voting system for Westminster elections. Journalism student Ismail Mulla makes the case for voting ‘yes’ and freelance writer and ‘future PR girl’ Louise Atkinson explains why she’s voting ‘no’. Best place at the best time
A Hungarian associate professor, Márta Konczos, describes her time in the UK and tells students why this is a great time to train as a PR practitioner or academic. Top 10 charity campaigns of 2010
Want to know the top 10 charity campaigns of 2010? Let Petra Opelova show you her top choices. CSR: How to Spring the Trap
Corporate social responsibility is a major issue for big business. John Parman looks at how CSR should be implemented within organisations. Charity 2.0 and diffusion of information
Social media has huge potential for not-for-profits – but can cause problems too. Melanie Rawlings discusses how charities can realise its potential. How charities use celebrities in PR campaigns
There are many celebrities involved in charitable work whether as patrons or spokespeople, but why is this?Selwyn Jerry Boston tackles the question using a case study of charity event, The Wig Party. How to become popular on Twitter
Twitter is awash with PR wannabes. Rich Leigh of 10 Yetis gives ten tips on what not to do if you’re seeking Twitter popularity. Does your mother know you work for the devil?
With so many so quick to condemn public relations, why would an intelligent person choose to study this subject? Tove Nordstrom mounts a defence of PR as a force for good. The Power of Product Placement in Music Videos: “Pass the Courvoisier”
As product placement is to become more common place in the UK from today Bournemouth University student Francesca Larkin takes a look at the history of product placement in music videos and the effect it has on brands. Attention seeking hyperactivity disorder
Lady Gaga is everywhere. Alex Witham explores her talent for publicity and her appeal to gay audiences. Social media: work hard and play hard
Every student understands the fun part of social media. Micha Kirkbride takes a look at its commercial implications. Does sporting celebrity still sell?
Sport has always produced stars who inspire people, and for the last 50 years marketers have tried to use this to sell products and promote campaigns. However, in a world where consumers have become far less susceptible to such ploys, is the role of celebrity endorsement becoming obsolete asks Tom McGovern. The PR beauty myth
The Spin Crowd may be entertaining television. But what does it say about those working in PR, asks Emma Penny. Blogging is the new black
Fashion glossies remain popular, but amateur fashion bloggers have gained an important niche says Stephanie Ayre. Tips for a trouble-free dissertation
For some, it’s the peak of their studying; for many others, a difficult mountain to climb. Claire Latham tells how to succeed with your PR dissertation. Pepsi refreshes its approach to marketing
Public relations campaigns are there to raise awareness, and ultimately generate sales. But this can be done by simply giving away your money, as David Clare explains in a case study on Pepsi. The role of the student reps
The CIPR has hosted a meeting for student reps. Alex Dobocan reports on the meeting and looks forward to the challenges ahead. Ethical global PR: a case study
This year’s Claire Mascall award was won by Christine Quigley. Here’s an edited version of her essay on ethical global public relations, winner of the £1000 top prize. Taking a look at Ping by Apple
Stephen Johnson gives us his opinion on iTunes’ recent addition to the social arena; Ping. Beware of gifted geeks
Lucille Pickering reviews the film about the birth of Facebook, The Social Network. Blogger or WordPress: which is best for student blogs?
When it came to starting my PR blog I was torn between using Blogger or WordPress, reports Rosey Stones. Both seemed equally popular and both seemed to offer everything I needed. However, there are differences between the two that may sway your decision. A student at #smcc10
PR student Oana Jinga reports from the Social Media in a Corporate Context 2010 (#smcc10) conference. From Joe Bloggs to Über Blogger: The Blogger Evolution
Shelley George takes a look at the most unlikely of bloggers… and why PRs should take notice of them. A brief history of diffusion of innovation in social media
Recent graduate Thomas Harrison-Lord discusses how social media depends upon the innovators and early adapters to gain popularity. A new location network just checked in to town… Places
Section editor for PR and social media David Clare takes a look at Facebook’s entry into the world of location based networking with Facebook Places. Twitter virgin mounts Facebook fightback
Help, I’m a twitter virgin and have only just started blogging, yet dissertation and graduation are looming large. Ines Alcobia seeks like-minded friends on Facebook. The importance of measurability in social media for PR
Janey Spratt discusses the notion that with social media comes the ongoing job of maintenance, monitoring and measurement. Starting a degree in PR? Read this first
Current PR students and recent graduates give their advice to this year’s new students on what really matters. Richard Bailey reports. Sibling rivalry theory of international PR
My relationship with my younger sister sheds light on the differences between public relations in the US and in Europe, argues Abigail Crim. Social web and the evolution of PR
Adam Coulter explains why social media has required public relations to evolve and what the end result of this evolution will mean for the profession. Flying high in a new age
For her dissertation, Katy Jameson explored how the interactivity of social media communication between customers and airline companies can effectively contribute to building brand equity. Why learn social media at university
Surely there’s nothing to teach a student about social media? Stephen Johnson thought not until he took a pioneering course at university. Political blogging: can it reach young people?
Young people tend to be disengaged from party politics. For her dissertation, Bethany Ansell explored whether political blogging could make a difference. Why PR matters in sport
In this World Cup summer we know that sport matters. Niall Malone, Spurs fan and former AFC Bournemouth press officer, discusses the importance of PR in sport. Life-changing event
‘I never expected that being a CIPR student rep could be such a big turning point in one’s career’, writes Katerina Aleksandrova. ‘Yet my CIPR student event has already started to open doors in the industry.’ Sixteen is old enough to vote
Sixteen and seventeen year olds can get married, have a child and join the armed forces. They may pay taxes yet they can’t elect MPs and local councillors whose decisions affect their lives. Alex Delaney, chair of the British Youth Council, argues it’s time for change. Sorry Twitter, this election will be won on the doorstep
Though the election has only just started officially, candidates have been campaigning for months. Clare Siobhan Callery follows a Conservative candidate round a rural West Yorkshire constituency and discovers that elections are fought on the doorstep, not on the internet. Lobbying sting leads to new calls for change
A Channel 4 investigation into politicians and the lobbying industry has led to renewed calls to regulate, as Jack Adlam explains. None of the above
When it comes to voting, many young people don’t bother. Emma Lister canvasses opinions on why fellow students are reluctant to place an X on the ballot paper. Nowhere web
Do online communities necessarily have less value and meaning than those in the real world, asks Laura Smith. It’s written on the tablets
Apple’s forthcoming iPad will be a game changer for publishers and for PR argues David Clare. Election 2010: a tale of three halves
Our electoral system encourages two-horse races, but as Mark Pack explains there are more than two sides to the coming election. Gordon Brown: moody monster or man for the moment?
Leadership qualities are vital in winning elections. Nichola Bottomley and Sarah Whyte ask if Gordon Brown has what it takes. Online campaigning lessons from the US
We know how important social media was in Barack Obama’s campaign. But what lesons have been learnt for UK party politics asks Jag Singh. Elections need X Factor (and text factor)
More young people vote in The X Factor than in General Elections. Surely it’s time to learn lessons from this, says Lucy Hird. Time for election 2.0?
The successful use of social media by the Obama campaign is widely admired. But have British politicians learnt the lessons, asks James Knight. Can Labour win?
With the gap in the opinion polls closing, could Gordon Brown and Labour win another five years asks Sam Nickerson. Politics in Romania, twenty years on
Twenty yeas on from the collapse of the Ceacescu regime, Romania is a democratic member of the European Union. Adi Zabava explains how the recent presidential campaign was fought in this young democracy. Brands on the run from social media storm
Does the advent of social media change our understanding of PR asks Janelle Hardacre and what does this new world mean for brands? PR and social media: the good, the bad and the ugly
Social media is now a maintream activity, and so it’s inevitably the target of public relations activity. As Laura Crimmons reports, this can be done well, but it can also bring the company much public criticism. Anti-social networking
The mobile internet means we may be constantly communicating, but are we really connecting asks Suzie Watts. How Oxfam uses social media for social good
We publish an edited version of Katie Brown‘s award-winning essay on Oxfam’s use of social media to promote stakeholder engagement. PR Pros Proffer Brand-aid to Troubled Tiger
Priyanka Palit reviews the Tiger Woods story to see what lessons can be learnt from PR literature and from PR practitioners. Astroturfing: the unacceptable face of public relations
Having studied the practice of astroturfing for her Master’s dissertation, Priyanka Palit reveals the shocking truth in this summary of her reading. Single white female on diversity in PR
The issue of diversity in public relations is one is one that has plagued the PR landscape and been the subject of several academic studies. It’s also a subject that’s close to home for Clare Siobhan Callery from Yorkshire. An insider’s guide to celebrity endorsement
Head of Golley Slater Manchester, Agatha Chapman-Poole, discusses the pros and cons of celebrity endorsement – and making sure you choose your champion wisely. Chirpy celebrities
It may have started with celebrity following, but Laura Daly now thinks she’s experiencing the future of marketing and communication. Rescue me
Though presented as fairy tales, celebrity stories rarely seem to end up ‘happily ever after’, says Emma Dickinson. You say celebrity, I say culture
Just back from a 14-state tour of the United States, Laura Smith discusses the power of US celebrity culture. How Glasto got its mojo back
Would you want to sleep in a muddy field, share portaloos with strangers, and not wash for six days? Caroline Gibson explains why she and 170,000 other people chose to at this year’s Glastonbury festival. Music on the internet? It’ll never catch on
Gareth Thompson recalls the 1994 European launch of the online music pioneer. Internet Underground Music Archive (IUMA) and the mixed press reaction to what was to become a defining change for music distribution. Here come the PR girls
Ellis Noble loves The City, Ab Fab and Sex and the City, of course. But why, she asks, does TV always present public relations as such a glamorous activity? Get ahead, go digital
Portfolios are a well-established weapon in the PR student’s armoury. Ben Cotton asks if it’s time they went digital.