News

Clients pitch to win consultancy time
There’s nothing new about a consultancy pitching to win new client business. But clients pitching to win consultancy time, that’s ‘man bites dog’ news. Jet vet gets media boost
Liz Lean PR will be making sure viewers are glued to their TV screens at 8pm on Wednesday 25th August for the launch of a new five part series of Vet Adventures on Sky One HD. New figures on the cost of an education
With A Level results out tomorrow (19 August 2010), new research suggests that students starting university can expect debts of almost £25,000 by the time they graduate. Ingenious ways to fund your Master’s degree
You could make 115,200 lattes, take 7924 online surveys or recycle 13,193 lbs of copper to fund your postgraduate course, according to this infographic from postgrad.com. Social car share saves students money
What happens when you mix students’ love of Facebook with their love of travel – and a desire to save money? According to the founders of a new website, it’s GoCarShare.com. UK tech brands embrace social media, but aren’t being social
A benchmark study released today by Wildfire reveals that while 90% of technology companies have a presence on two or more social networks, a significant majority are just not being social and are failing to use these channels to engage in a two-way dialogue with customers and followers. Government to cut comms jobs
The government’s Central Office of Information (COI) is to reduce its staff numbers by 40% resulting in the loss of 287 jobs. CIPR launches diversity working group
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has today announced the formation of a new working group designed to address the major diversity challenges facing the PR profession. The Sun seeks Column Idol 2010
Media Trust has joined forces with The Sun to offer 16-21 year olds the chance to write their own column with the support of some of the Sun’s top journalists, including seasoned political columnist Trevor Kavanagh and Bizarre Editor Gordon Smart. Light shines on ethnic minority interns
A paid internship for black and minority ethnic graduates, run by Northern Lights PR, is helping regional businesses including Hallmark and Northern Rail to reach potential new customers from diverse communities. Grayling gains Intelligence
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has appointed Grayling to provide international media relations and digital engagement across Europe and North America. Tough times for class of 2010
The number of graduate vacancies has fallen by nearly 7% this year according to the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR). Students pitch to angels at Arsenal FC
Student enterpreneurs are to pitch their ideas to angel investors at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. Boxing clever with 10 Yetis PR tips
Gloucester based PR consultancy 10 Yetis are back with another tip for PR students undertaking the daunting task of ringing journalists. AS Watson celebrates Apprentice of the Year win
This week AS Watson UK is celebrating as it sees one of its Apprentices win a top Apprenticeship award given by the National Employer Service. Philips and Ridley Scott invite students to “Tell it Your Way”
Philips has launched an exciting global competition giving aspiring filmmakers the chance to have an original work judged by one of the world’s greatest film directors – Sir Ridley Scott, director of Hollywood blockbusters including Alien (1979), Blade Runner (1982) and Gladiator (2000). Win “This is Social Media” by Guy Clapperton courtesy of 10 Yetis
10 Yetis have partnered with Behind The Spin to give away 5 copies of Amazon bestseller, ‘This Is Social Media’. Manchester student voted CIPR Rep of the Year
Manchester student Tara Cronin has been voted the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) National Student Representative of the Year 2010. Tara, who is studying for an MSc in International Public Relations at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, beat off competition from 18 fellow students from around the UK to win the award. A 10 second tip on media relations from 10 Yetis
The second in the series of the 10 Yetis “10 second tips” has arrived! This time their talking media relations. Charlo gives her top tip for students from the comfort of her Yeti bathroom, whilst brushing her gnashers and dressed in her dressing gown. They’re a crazy lot these Yetis! Twitter comes offline for #hullmeetup
Local users of social media phenomenon, Twitter will meet in Hull, East Yorkshire this week to conect with their followers in person and encourage face-to-face networking. Leeds Met students encourage men to Torque
A competition at Leeds Metropolitan University to find the name for a new men only support group has found its winner. Torque, which was suggested by Peter Khoo, who manages the Rose Bowl HelpZone, was picked from a list of over 50 entries. Leeds gets the ‘balls’ to say no
Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Leeds and partners including Ringways Motor group, will come together on Wednesday to tackle the stigma around men’s mental health. Grayling Prize winners announced
Final year Leeds Metropolitan University students have battled it out to win the prestigious Grayling Prize 2010 which awards public relations excellence amongst students. Keep your ear to the ground with 10 Yetis Daily Headlines
Gloucester based PR consultancy 10 Yetis is offering students the chance to keep their finger on the pulse, by signing up to their “Daily Headinlines” mailing list. which offers the headlines and brief synopsis from the days national paper’s lead stories and is distributed to a large list of PRs and students. Music to the ears of students
With festival season nearly apon us it’s almost time to wash down the tent, locate your wellington boots and squeeze into your wonder woman costume. Whether you will be enjoying the sounds of Stevie Wonder on the Pyramid Stage of Glastonbury or tapping your feet notstalgically to The Libertines at Leeds Festival, remember that festival season provides students with a bag full of opportunities to immerse themselves in during the summer. There is also fierce competition between festivals to stand out from the crowd and many are employing some very creative PR tactics to do so. Wanted: Super intern with X factor
A competition is being held at London Metropolitan University on 17 May with the prize of an internship in a London PR consultancy. Media Talent Bank launch first networking evening
Set to be the first of many, Media Talent Bank are holding their first exhibition and networking evening next week for all creative enthusiasts to pop along to. Leeds Graduates and Students ask people to Join the Schmoovement
Two recent graduates from Leeds University are launching a new yoghurt lassi drink called Schmoo. Not only are both the managing directors recent graduates, but the Public Relations team behind the consumer launch are five PR students from Leeds Metropolitan University. PR student launches campaign to help students with caring responsibilities
A new campaign to help improve the experience of students with caring responsibilities has been launched at Leeds Metropolitan University University creates social media savvy’s
In the forthcoming General Election all parties have dedicated teams managing their social media output. It is also near enough impossible to read a copy of PR Week without hearing the term social media. Indeed, as a university student studying Public Relations I am not unaware of the growing popularity and benefits of social media. And apparently, nor is Leeds Metropolitan University. PR students launch comedy competition for The Teenage Cancer Trust
A group of Leeds Metropolitan Univeristy PR students have launched a competition to find the funniest human in Leeds. The “iJokeULaugh” competition is encouraging people to submit a joke, anecdote, cartoon or short film that will make the sides split of upcoming comedians Eric Lampaert and Joel Domett, who will be judging the competition. The Carnegie Rowing Challenge turns out to be an oar-some event
Rugby League charity, ‘Try Assist’ formally known as RFL Benevolent Fund, hosted The Carnegie Rowing Challenge this week. The outstanding event involved individuals and teams rowing a marathon distance of 42,196 metres to raise money for the remarkable cause. Getting strategic with social media at the Don’t Panic Conference
During my week on placement at Speed Communications, Wadds kindly invited me along to the Don’t Panic Strategic Social Media Conference. The conference boasted an impressive line up of leading industry figures and the room was full of delegates from the world of PR. It presented me with the opportunity to hear how social media can be implemented in to campaign to solve real client problems. Here are a list of my highlights. Castle Dungeon Offer £1000 prize as part of Grand Scream of Things
The Castle Dungeons at Warwick Castle turns one this month – and bosses are planning a birthday “bawl” in honour of its first anniversary. PR student makes TV debut!
Public Relations student and Behind the Spin news editor, Adam Burns, made his television debut this week, when he went head to head with Anne Robinson on the BBC’s The Weakest Link. PR Students raise awareness of SADS
PR students from Leeds Metropolitan University have launched a campaign try and raise awareness of SADS (sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.) which claims the lives of at least 12 apparently “fit and healthy” young people a wek in the U.K. The students recently held a SADS awareness day at their university.  The students set up an information stand [...] Student voice has never been louder
The student voice has never been louder in Leeds, as it was announced today voting figures at Leeds Metropolitan University Students’ Union had eclipsed the previous years turn out, with over 3600 votes, four times as many as last year. Combine this with the votes cast in the Leeds University Student’s Union Elections and the total for both is nearly 8,000. Birmingham’s social media experts drop in to give PR students a lesson
“To be interesting, be interested”- this was amongst some of the advice that was on hand at Media Talent Bank’s social media workshop Ptarmigan Academy secures first client
Ptarmigan Academy has been appointed to provide PR support for Leeds-based design company Tag pac. The student agency, part of PR consultants Ptarmigan Bell Pottinger is made-up of Leeds Metropolitan University BA (Hons) PR students, Adam Burns, Steph Holloway, Lois Ackerley, Katherine Hasselby and Clare Callery Three in ten people working in the education sector haven’t learnt something new in the past year.
Three in ten (31%) people working in the education sector haven’t learnt a new activity or hobby, while six per cent haven’t read a book for pleasure during the past 12 months, according to new research out today from The Department For Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Interview skills from the professionals!
Leeds Met, in partnership with the CIPR, hosted a free event at the Rose Bowl last week, to help students improve their interview skills. When it comes to choosing a university its website is king
As prospective university students weigh up their offers of places, a new survey finds the highly competitive battle for new students is fought first and foremost on the university’s own website. New council and university communications partnership
Leeds City Council and Leeds Metropolitan University have teamed up to help public relations students get on the job training, assist with their studies and boost their employment chances once they’ve graduated. Help is at hand for graduates looking to “Future proof” their degrees
With 2009 proving to be the toughest year yet for graduates seeking employment, it has never been more important to shine above the rest after leaving university. With research showing that the number of graduate jobs on offer has fallen by 28%* – what can students and graduates be doing to increase their chances of employment? CIPR Interview Skills Event with the Professionals
Leeds Met, in partnership with the CIPR, will be hosting a free event at the Rose Bowl on Monday 8th March, to help students improve their interview skills. “We love Tweeting during meetings” say Leeds Met Students’ Union
The Leeds Met Students’ Union Executives are showing Leeds City councillors who appear to be stuck in the dark ages just how useful a few Tweets during a meeting can be. Great debate: is PR killing journalism?
Is PR the big problem facing journalism? Carly Ann Smith reports on a debate held to discuss and vote on this. Getting started in PR
The CIPR will be hosting a careers morning for students and graduates interested in starting a career in Public Relations. We understand that it has become increasingly difficult for graduates to enter their chosen career. This event will provide you with useful hints and tips to help you get that all important first foothold on the PR ladder And the winner is………
A Leeds Met student and graduate are impressing the world of PR after collecting awards at the European Public Relations and Research Association Spring Symposium De Montfort student goes the extra mile! 1,170 miles to be exact.
As the annual race to land the dream placement begins, Public Relations students across the country are vying to stand out from the crowd and to prove that they have the competitive edge over their peers. An inspiring way to find an internship!
Now is the time for undergraduates to look for summer internships, according to leading recruitment expert and internship specialist, Ben Rosen of Inspiring Interns. Liz Lean PR appoints Bournemouth graduate
Over the past year, Poole based Liz Lean PR Ltd (LLPR) has experienced an unprecedented influx of events as companies fight to raise and strengthen their profiles during the recession. To accommodate this demand LLPR has hired events manager, Chloe Parmiter, to bring a dedicated, dynamic and creative approach to LLPR Events. Pitfart your way to Paris!
A national cancer charity is giving students the chance to win a trip for two to Paris in a bid to raise awareness of lymphoma – the most common cancer in the 15-30 age group. University of Gloucestershire student launches the #AddMe Conference
Cheltenham’s social media conference, the #AddMe conference, will play host to some of the country’s most prominent social media speakers. Campaign to raise awareness of men’s mental health names competition winner
A Leeds Met student has won a poster competition aimed at raising the awareness of mental health amongst young men. Stardoll, the place for fame, fashion and friends for young women, and ChildLine
Stardoll, the place for fame, fashion and friends for young women, and ChildLine, a service provided by the NSPCC, today unveiled the winners of an innovative campaign. IT’S A WRAP! Confused.com bubble wraps UK street
Snow, ice, wind and rain make for a dangerous time out there on the roads at the moment! To highlight the rise in motor insurance claims during the recent bad weather, Confused.com has covered an entire street in Worcester in bubble wrap. In whom we trust
As the world emerges from a deep recession, Edelman has released its annual Trust Barometer tracking opinion leaders’ trust in business, politics and media. The Icing on the cake for Gas Street Works
Birmingham-based digital media agency, Gas Street Works, is to open up its self-developed filesharing application, ReviewSpace, to the rest of the creative sector later this month – following a successful 3 month in-house trial period. CIPR launches microsites for students
The CIPR has created two microsites for those studying public relations: CIPR Students and CIPR Study Centre. Winner of the Claire Mascall Public Relations Prize announced
Katie Brown, a final year PR student at Leeds Metropolitan University, was named as the winner of the prestigious Claire Mascall PR Prize at the final C.I.P.R guest lecture last week. Macmillan Cancer Support launch comfort blanket campaign
Macmillan Cancer Support teamed up with Future Publishing’s monthly title, The Knitter for this year’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning; an event that has become a renowned charity event. Macmillan collaborated with The Knitter to launch a nationwide Macmillan Comfort Blanket campaign Students pitch police with drink campaign
Public relations students have devised a responsible drinking campaign for police in Cheltenham. Behind the Spin appoints news editor
Adam Burns has been appointed as news editor for Behind the Spin, the national PR student magazine. Students leave classroom for class war
Forget Paris 1968 and the Kent State anti-Vietnam war protests. The face of student protest in 2009 involves web tools and a heavy dose of irony. Volunteers celebrate year of giving socially
Bright One Communications, the volunteer-run communications agency for the third sector, has donated the equivalent of £180,000 of public relations expertise in its first year leading to founder Ben Matthews being included as one of the Future 100 Young Social Entrepreneurs of the Year. Big boys should cry
Male students leave seeking help until it’s too late, according to the Leeds Met Students’ Union which has launched a new campaign to raise awareness amongst men of the university’s counselling service. CIPR student reps announced
The CIPR has announced this year’s student representatives Ptarmigan Bell Pottinger sets up student consultancy
Leeds-based Ptarmigan Bell Pottinger has set up a student consultancy to work on a range of public relations and social media campaigns for national brands. Samaritans launches fundraising appeal on TV
Samaritans is to launch a new fundraising TV campaign on Monday 16 November, appealing for viewers to make a regular £3 monthly donation. Lava lights up career path for students
A partnership between a regional consultancy and a university aims to fast track PR graduates to successful careers without the long commute. Academic conferences in 2010
Here are some public relations academic conferences that are inviting contributions and will welcome attendees next year. Celebrities and digital media in campaign for Ugandan orphans
A new charity launched today uses celebrity support, media professionals and online engagement to make a difference to abandoned babies in Uganda. Student bloggers offered rewards for writing
As part of its EuroBlog investigation into the impact of social media on public relations practice, Euprera will make three awards at its February Symposium at Ghent, in Belgium, February 2010. Each winner will receive a prize of 250€. Speaking digital with a local accent
A new research study by regional communications agency Golley Slater shows how the UK regions are adopting new media at different speeds. Fast track scheme for EUrocrats announced
Minister for Europe, Baroness Kinnock, today announced the re-launch of the European Fast Stream and encouraged graduates to apply. Merged global consultancy announces top team
The ‘new’ Grayling – a global public relations consultancy formed in the merger of Huntsworth-owned Grayling, Trimedia and Mmd – has announced its management structure. Four big names support Bright One
Four public relations industry leaders have agreed to act as ambassadors for Bright One, the volunteer-run communications agency for the third sector. The announcement marks the first anniversary of its launch on 25 September 2008. Strategy and social media concern comms chiefs
The latest research into communications professionals in Europe reveals a spirit of optimism despite fears about budget cuts. The major concerns of almost 2,000 communications professionals surveyed were how to link communications to business strategy and how to cope with digital evolution and the social web. Freshers’ week takes energy
A new energy drink may help students survive fresher’s week and avoid ‘fresher’s flu’. PR survival training
She may have a public relations degree from Bournemouth, an advanced certificate in marketing and have 8 years’ experience in marketing and PR roles. But Natalie Brewer’s induction at Liz Lean PR posed a new set of challenges. Huntsworth restructures public relations
Huntsworth has announced a decline in revenues and profits and is to reorganise its public relations businesses. Starting university’s a joke
A new teen comedy series about the experiences of freshers at ‘Bankside University’ will be shown on the BBC in September and October. Profits down at WPP
WPP pre-tax profits fell 47% to £179 million in the first six months of 2009. Chime announces record profits
Chime Communications plc has announced record half-year profits in defiance of the recession. The marketing services group’s profits were up 3% to £9.4 million for the six months to the end of June. Business leaders urge enterprise route
As A-level results are announced this week, Britain’s entrepreneurs are calling on school and college leavers to consider enterprise as a career option rather than automatically heading for university. Agency adds TV newsreader
Regional advertising and PR agency Ward Lovett has recruited former ITV newsreader Llewela Bailey as a media consultant. Graduates face increased debt
Average graduate debts are expected to reach £20,000 next year, yet the recession means that most parents (74%) are finding it harder to fund their children through university, according to a YouGov poll for the Association of Investment Companies (AIC). Good taste travel
The wagamama restaurant chain and STA Travel have teamed up to create a portfolio of food-inspired holidays in southeast Asia. Free social media newsrooms for charities
Social media news release service Pressitt has completed a social media newsroom for Bright One, the volunteer-run communications agency. It is now offering free social media newsrooms for other not-for-profit organisations. PR and pixels in partnership against domestic violence
A global web-based public relations campaign aimed at stopping violence against women is set to launch next year. Cash prize and work experience for future motor industry star
A new award, aimed at finding the brightest talent to lead tomorrow’s motor industry, has been launched by Autocar, the UK’s leading motoring weekly, in partnership with Courland, the global automotive executive search company. Lessons in managing money
Behind the Spin has learnt details of HSBC’s offering for new students. This includes up to £2000 interest-free overdraft, two years’ free annual worldwide travel insurance, online and mobile banking and access to student advisers. Simple Acts support refugee awareness
Public relations volunteers are working to raise awareness of Refugee Week 2009 (15-22 June). No more heroes anymore?
A television drama has revealed the hidden history of a British corporate public affairs manager’s key role in brokering the end of apartheid in South Africa. Graduates return to university from job market
The recession has triggered a scramble for a place at university with applications to Masters’ in Public Relations programs increasing by 43 percent from last year. Rachel Harvey reports on an alternative option for graduates struggling to find jobs. Death by Chocolate
A PR student was assigned the unusual task of organising a murder mystery party for charity, Kirkwood Hospice this month. PR Professional Profile – Andy Green
What do you see as your area of expertise in PR? I want to push the boundaries of the profession in understanding and managing the creative dimension, its use of brands as tools for delivering messages and memes – which are the DNA of communications. Also, I have coined the term ‘personal brandcasting’ to provide a [...] Students’ winning prescription
PR students from the University of Gloucestershire have won a live pitch to the Meningitis Trust, the UK’s longest-running meningitis charity. Twitter cuts recruitment costs for PR
New social media phenomenon, Twitter, has propelled graduates into work as the latest method of recruitment for PR agencies.