News

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. There’s no marketing like snow marketing
CURB the creative media solutions agency delivered a quick-hit ‘snow tagging’ campaign for Extreme – in the London snow. PR Professional Profile – Nigel Keenlyside
Nigel Keenlyside FCIPR, tells us about his career and presents his advice on working in PR. PR conferences 2009
Some PR conferences in 2009 Survey identifies new challenges for PR
Professor Ralph Tench at Leeds Business School, Leeds Metropolitan University has produced a report on the findings from the largest research project into European Communication Managers’ perceptions of the practice in 2008. Social media goes mainstream
A conference on social media has shown the widespread adoption of new tools and approaches in public relations. Dowle joins staff in Huddersfield
Jayne Dowle has joined the PR teaching team at Huddersfield University. Event gives insight into PR careers
PR professionals gathered in London last week to speak about their time in the industry for the annual CIPR careers day. Gloucestershire recruits Leeds Met talent
Senior lecturer, Richard Bailey is resigning from Leeds Metropolitan University to join the University of Gloucestershire’s PR subject team. 60 Ideas in 60 Minutes
60 Ideas in 60 Minutes was the most anticipated guest lecture to be given at Leeds Metropolitan University this year, as part of the CIPR guest lecture series. Journalism’s place in business
A new course sets journalism alongside public relations and places it within a business faculty. PR grows west
University College Falmouth has introduced the most westerly PR course in the country. PR teaching profile – Catherine Sweet
Meet Dr Catherine Sweet, course leader for the PR & Communications degree course at Southampton Solent University. Death and taxes
Karl Milner’s guest lecture at Leeds Metropolitan University was on the subject of stories. Punch and Judy approach to creative media relations
Huddersfield students have shown their visual creativity. Napier student wins national PR award
A student from Napier University in Edinburgh has been crowned as CIPR Student Rep of the Year. Behind the Spin – podcast episode 1
In this episode, entitled ‘The medium is the message’, Rachel Harrison and Sam Brookes discuss podcasting with Karen Ainley. Vogue and Bucks Fizz for Lincoln students
Lincoln students have held their first PR networking event. Arranged by CIPR student representative Lizzie Hunt, the Bucks Fizz reception enabled students and local PR practitioners to meet in a relaxed atmosphere. Conference calendar
June 23-24 2008, London World Public Relations Conference & Festival 2008; September 11-12 2008, Plymouth Beyond the Spin (the sequel to Behind the Spin 2006) 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.