News

Bob Leaf Appearance at ESU; 28th May 2013

This event certainly isn’t one to miss. Having seen Bob at a guest lecture at my university I can attest how engaging and charismatic he is. Full of interesting stories and funny anecdotes due to his 50 year-long career within the Public Relations Industry. Gaining a bachelors in Journalism and a Master’s degree in History before joining [...]

PR and disruption: a one-day conference in London

PR professionals, students and academics are invited to attend ‘PR and Disruption: Embracing and Managing Change’, a one-day, low-cost conference exploring the knowledge, strategies and skills needed to communicate successfully in contemporary society being held in central London on 10th July 2013.

Students imPRess judges at Grayling Competitive Pitch 2013

A group of four final year public relations students from Leeds Metropolitan University are celebrating after winning the coveted Grayling Competitive Pitch competition and a £500 prize.

PRCA wins campaign for free press

The Supreme Court has today agreed with the PRCA that internet users have the right to browse online without infringing copyright law.

Love and loss; fashion and fundraising

A fashion show organised by PR students in Leeds has raised over £4500 for charity. Emily Dunlop and Sian Floyd report.

It’s Bournemouth v Leeds Met in the final

PR students from Bournemouth and Leeds Metropolitan universities will compete to win a national student pitch competition.

End of season #socialstudent

Daniel Fanshawe is this year’s #socialstudent winner, followed by Joanna Ayre and Nikki Hegarty.

Week 19 #socialstudent

With one week to go to our final ranking, Daniel Fanshawe retains his lead over Kenny Murray and Charlotte Farringdon.

Week 18 #socialstudent

With just two weeks to go to the final table, three newcomers have joined the ranking. Daniel Fanshawe comes straight in at number one ahead of Kenny Murray; Nikki Hegarty appears in joint third place alongside Charlotte Farringdon, and Dev Mistry arrives in sixth place just behind fellow Bournemouth student Jessica North.

Week 17 #socialstudent

With just three weeks to go, Kenny Murray has retained a narrow lead over Charlotte Farringdon followed by Jessica North – but all three are consolidating their position at the top of the table.

GolinHarris swaps interns for apprenticeships

A public relations agency has replaced its internships programme with a new apprenticeship scheme offering three month paid placements.

Week 16 #socialstudent

This week, Kenny Murray has extended his lead, with Charlotte Farringdon regaining second place ahead of Jessica North.

Week 15 #socialstudent

With just five weeks to go, changes in our ranking have resulted in a familar look: with Kenny Murray leading from Jessica North and Charlotte Farringdon.

Win a place on a community management masterclass

Consultant and author Richard Millington is offering two free places to his next community management masterclass to readers of Behind the Spin.

Week 14 #socialstudent

Joanna Ayre has retained her lead over Charlotte Farringdon, but the story this week is the return of Sean Ball in third place alongside Kenny Murray and Jessica North. Liz Welch and Michelle Amos make first appearances in the top twenty this academic year.

Week 13 #socialstudent

There were no dramatic changes this week and Joanna Ayre has retained a clear lead over Charlotte Farringdon.

New service cuts the PR cr*p

A new web-based service identifies and strips out annoying buzzwords from press releases at the click of a button.

Charity supports diversity in PR

A foundation set up by a recruitment consultancy to encourage black and ethnic minority candidates to work in public relations has been awarded charitable status.

Week 12 #socialstudent

There have been some dramatic changes in PeerIndex scores, and we have a new leader this week. Joanna Ayre now has a clear lead over Charlotte Farringdon, followed by Kenny Murray, Jessica North and Nick Horbowyj. That makes five different universities represented in the top five.

Week 11 #socialstudent

Charlotte Farringdon has retained her lead over Kenny Murray for another week – and this year’s #socialstudent is increasingly looking like a two-horse race.

PRCA says internships must be paid

New guidelines on internships from the PRCA confirm the moral and legal and obligation on employers to pay their interns.

Grayling backs student pitch competition

PR consultancy Grayling has agreed to support the Amilla student pitch competition by providing a challenging brief and by assessing shortlisted student presentations.

Week 10 #socialstudent

Charlotte Farringdon retains her lead over Nick Horbowyj in our second table of 2013.

The Art of Perception: Memoirs of a Life in PR – Robert S. Leaf

A Brilliant Insight Into the World of Public Relations for Students and Professionals Alike Bob Leaf has recently released a collection of his memoirs documenting his amazing career in shaping and driving vast growth within the PR industry. Harold Burson, co-founder of Burson-Marsteller says “There is no other person in the public relations business who [...]

Authors declare 2013 the year of the personal brand

A new e-book by two PR consultants has declared 2013 as ‘the year of the personal brand.’

Week 9 #socialstudent

In our first ranking of 2013, Charlotte Farringdon retains her lead with Nick Horbowyj now in second place.

PRCA careers day in Manchester

The PRCA is hosting a day of advice, insight and opportunity aimed at PR students across the country.

Week 8 #socialstudent

For our last ranking of 2012, Charlotte Farringdon has retained her lead despite the predicted return of Kenny Murray. But this week’s surprise is the first appearance of Nick Horbowyj in third place.

New competition for PR students

Students from four universities will be competing against each other to win a national PR prize.

Week 7 #socialstudent

It’s women’s week: Charlotte Farringdon has taken first place with Chelsea Galpin in second and Faye Oakey in third.

Week 6 #socialstudent

Kenny Murray and Charlotte Farringdon retain their lead for the sixth week, but the ranking is becoming competitive below them.

Week five #socialstudent

This week, Kenny Murray has extended his lead over Charlotte Farringdon and we welcome Andreea Dobrila straight into the top ten.

What’s #tweetnotspeak?

First year student Cheryl Pearce reports from an unconventional PR class.

Week four #socialstudent

Kenny Murray has retained his lead over Charlotte Farringdon for the fourth week running. Queen Margaret University Edinburgh students continue to shine, but Leeds Metropolitan second years are bunching behind the leaders.

Picture this

This is a classic recipe for generating publicity. It starts with an idea; it mixes in the visual imagination to tell the story in a picture; it takes preparation. Finally, it’s all about timing. Happy Thanksgiving to all our American readers!

Students take pride in the profession

Last week PR professionals from Yorkshire and Lincolnshire came together at The Queens Hotel, Leeds to recognise and celebrate best practice in the region at the annual CIPR PRide Awards. Faye Oakey reports.

Week three #socialstudent

This week, students from Queen Margaret University Edinburgh have strengthened their hold at the top of the leaderboard, with Kenny Murray still in first place.

Week two #socialstudent

his week, Kenny Murray and Charlotte Farringdon have retained their clear lead. We’re expanding the ranking to cover the top 20, drawn from six universities.

Free event: politics, sport and the common good

Academics, polticians and sports specialists are coming together to debate how sport can be used for the common good.

Week one #socialstudent

Here’s our first #socialstudent ranking of the academic year. This ranks UK-based public relations students according to their Klout and PeerIndex scores.

Amass to impress

New research reveals that contrary to popular belief, teenagers in the UK are largely unimpressed by popular celebrities as role models for their career choices. Instead, they are looking to entrepreneurs for inspiration.

Car and cash for ‘most deserving student’

The student winner of a new national competition will take home a car worth over £5,000 and a £1,000 contribution to their student union or a student society of their choice.

Who are the role models to ‘inspire a generation’?

This year’s search for Britain’s Top Real Role Model is now open for nominations looking to uncover the real role models with £10,000 to be awarded to the winner to start their own social enterprise.

Get involved in Behind the Spin

There are several ways you can contribute to our online magazine for PR students.

Changes to your Behind the Spin subscription

The imminent closure of Google’s feedburner service means that you will lose your email or RSS subscription to this online magazine in the coming weeks. Here’s what you should do to keep receiving updates from Behind the Spin.

Youth specialists win behaviour change campaign

Two Birds One Stone, the youth division of Good Relations North, has been appointed by NHS Wakefield District to handle the PR for its Smokefree Wakefield campaign.

Are you a #socialstudent?

The Behind the Spin #socialstudent ranking is set to return: it will run from the start of November until the end of March 2013.

Win a visit to the Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament and the Higher Education Academy (HEA) are offering funding for students writing a dissertation on Parliament.

CIPR offers free membership for PR students

Students on CIPR-approved degree courses are now being offered free membership of the professional body.

PR as an insurance policy

A new policy offered by an insurance company and several communications agencies promises reputation protection in times of crisis.

Paralympics pictured

A visualisation of the London Paralympic venues has been created by the team at LondonTown.com.

Uni acceptances down 7% as Clearing opens

UCAS has now processed all A level results and as of midnight 357,915 applicants have been accepted into a university or college, compared with 384,649 on results day last year. This represents a fall of 6.95%.

Students warned to clean up profiles to find work

The personal digital footprints of this year’s new graduates could cost them a job, warns a public relations expert.

Write an essay, save a life, win an editorial internship

The Telegraph is offering students the chance to win a two week internship in its editorial team, by submitting a 200 word essay on blood stem cell donation, in support of blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan.

Who does social best?

Analysis of the top global PR consultancies shows Edelman is best at ‘walking the talk’.

‘No edit’ policy for PR on Wikipedia

Wikipedia guidance for public relations professionals using the site has now been launched following backing from a number of international public relations bodies.

UCAS deadline approaching

The UCAS deadline – 30 June – is only days away, so if you want to make a university or college application now is the time to act.

Top UK universities named

Oxford has once again secured its place at the top of The Times Good University Guide league table.

What’s this ear?

You may have noticed random plastic figures and facial features dotted around the city of Manchester in the last couple of weeks. Was this a prank or was someone just having a laugh?

PRs win placements

Students have the chance to win prestigious placements at a PR conference held in Birmingham this week.

Search for the hero inside yourself

Students from Birmingham City University’s School of Media are hoping to save lives by campaigning to increase blood donation from ethnic minorities.

Grayling rewards future PR talent

Final year students from Leeds Metropolitan University have been celebrating after winning the coveted Grayling Competitive Pitch Prize.

Nominations open for student fellowship

CIPR and PRIME Research are looking for candidates for the Student Fellowship Award 2012.

Students investigate lobbying

More than 50 international students came together to study the contentious issue of lobbying in the European Union.

End of season #socialstudent

Congratulations to Hanif Leylabi, the clear #socialstudent winner – and to Lauren Hockey, Jazz Chappell and Michael White who have been ever-present in our 20 weekly tables.

Write a dissertation, win an award

PR students have until 30 April to submit abstracts for a chance to win the 2012 Euprera Jos Willems Award.

Week 19 #socialstudent

With one week to go, Hanif Leylabi retains his lead and Becky Knowles, Charlotte Brierley and Flavio Oliveira make first appearances.

Editorial vacancies

We’re now looking to refresh and replace our editorial team (as is usual each year on a student magazine).

New internship toolkit published

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has released an updated Internships and Work Placement Toolkit.

Week 18 #socialstudent

With two weeks to go, Hanif Leylabi appears to have an unassailable lead. Adele Roberts is a strong climber this week and Stephanie Birch is a notable new entrant.

Week 17 #socialstudent

There’s some movement in our league table, with Lauren Hockey and Charlotte Farringdon climbing and Ryan Mullen entering strongly.

Cosmo launches ‘F word’ campaign

This International Women’s Day (8th March) Cosmopolitan will be launching its ‘F Word’ campaign, a series of initiatives championing women – and men – to stand up and be counted and get what they deserve; equality in all aspects of their lives.

Researching the challenges facing comms professionals

What are the main ethical challenges for communication professionals in the 21st century? Which competencies, qualification needs and strategic issues are relevant within the next months? Are integrated communications and one voice policies obsolete in the age of social media? These and other questions will be answered by the European Communication Monitor, the largest survey [...]

Week 16 #socialstudent

There’s little change at the top this week, but plenty of competition for places in our top twenty. Lauren Hockey is a big climber, Alex Filicevas and Stephanie Ayre have returned strongly and we welcome Hollie Young and Jessica North. Ten universities are represented.

Oh we do like to be beside the Shoreditch-on-Sea

The PR Prom fundraiser for BrightOne in London on Thursday 23 February 2012 was well supported by PR students.

Week 15 #socialstudent

This has been a volatile week. Hannah Shanks and Amanda Champion are the big risers but we welcome two names returning to the list and two newcomers: Amandine Poirier and Malina Istatkova.

New site aims to help PR students

Rich Leigh, account director at 10 Yetis PR Agency and the man behind the CRAPPs, never went to university. Instead he opted for the world of work, teenage fatherhood and a healthy (-ish) liver. But, after speaking to a number of people who have or are hoping to break into public relations employment, one thing [...]

PR students win prizes

Lauren Sizer has won this year’s Claire Mascall PR prize – an award of £1000 plus a prestigious national placement – for her response to a challenging brief.

Fast track membership for graduates

Graduates of CIPR recognised degree courses are eligible to become full members more quickly as the Institute continues to modernise and support the next generation of public relations professionals.

Week 14 #socialstudent

Once again there are no major changes at the top, but Olivia Sym and Hannah Shanks have been the fastest risers this week.

Lords call for regulation of PR

A House of Lords report into investigative journalism published today has ‘highlighted the real need for the responsible PR industry to strengthen its internal system of self-regulation’.

Week 13 #socialstudent

Once again there are no major changes at the top, but we welcome one new name to our top 20 list: Olivia Sym.

Week 12 #socialstudent

There are no major changes at the top this week, but we welcome four new names to our top 20 list.

UCAS figures show decline in University applications

The number of UK students applying for university has fallen by almost 9% compared to 2011, making it the steepest fall for 30 years.

Week 11 #socialstudent

After the volatility of the early weeks, our #socialstudent ranking has now settled down. There has been no change in the top four places and no new names or departures this week.

Roll up for the PR Prom

On Thursday 23 February, from 7.00pm until late, 500 of the top PRs in the UK will come out in force at Shoreditch Town Hall in London in support of Bright One, the volunteer-run communications agency for the third sector.

Get paid to learn PR

In spring 2012 the Taylor Bennett Foundation is running its award-winning PR training programme in association with MHP Communications. This programme has been designed to address the lack of ethnic minorities in the PR industry. The deadline for applying to the next Taylor Bennett Foundation Programme is Monday 27 February 2012.

Who plays live at Leeds?

On 2 February 2012, Liverpool band The Hummingbirds are playing The Dry Dock, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds. The gig starts at around 9:30pm, free entrance.

Week 10 #socialstudent

This week Hanif Leylabi consolidates his lead and we welcome Jasmine Bell into the top twenty.

Sign up for PR careers day

The PRCA is holding a careers day for students and graduates looking to work in PR. It’s at the Natural History Museum in London on Thursday 1 March 2012.

Week 9 #socialstudent

This week, Hanif Leylabi retains his place at the top and we welcome Emma Catchpole to the top twenty.

University backs student entrepreneur

A Leeds-based creative agency which was co-founded by a Leeds Metropolitan University student and two recent University of Leeds graduates has been given funding for office space by the Enterprise Office at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Visualising is key to learning

New Mac software from Sonocent helps students and professionals by making note taking from recorded lectures and interviews an easy, visual process.

Week 8 #socialstudent

For our first table of 2012, Hanif Leylabi retains his place at the top. There are five new names in the top twenty this week – and ten universities are now represented.

Jukebox choir bring festive cheer to Christmas shoppers

White Christmas’ received the most requests as shoppers in Leeds chose their favourite Yuletide songs to be performed by the Bagel Nash Christmas Choir on the last shopping weekend before Christmas.

Student wins prize for political cartoon

An undergraduate studying on the BA Honours Illustration degree at the University of Westminster, has won the prestigious ‘Political Cartoon of the Year 2011′ prize awarded by the Political Cartoon Society.

End of year #socialstudent ranking

For our final table of 2011, Hanif Leylabi regains his place at the top. We also welcome new entrants Chelsey Hobson and Chloe Berry straight into the top ten.

#socialstudent week six

This week, the first four places are unchanged, but Emily Payne has continued her steady progress and has broken into the top five and challenged the male monopoly on top places.

Win a place for dinner in parliament

CIPR students are invited to write their way to a place at the prestigious Maggie Nally Lecture and buffet dinner at the Houses of Parliament.

Launch of PR apprenticeships

A new apprenticeship programme for non-graduates who want to get into the public relations industry has been launched by the PRCA and Pearson in Practice.