LEWIS 360°

Simple things matter

We were born with two ears and one mouth for a reason, folks. If you're still struggling, check out Yahoo! Answers for some help.

The reason I raise this point results from a Q&A on The Freelance Survivor with seasoned tech reporter David Strom:

DEE-ANN LEBLANC: Can you give some examples of the problem, and how you handle it?

DAVID STROM: I try to be polite and tell them that their pitch isn't suitable. Or for Baseline Magazine, I ask them for customer references that I can quote in the story, that usually ends the email exchange pretty quickly because it means that the PR person has to work harder to find the right contact.

The most important skill for PR people is to LISTEN TO THE PRESS. Next is FOLLOW UP with real information. Take notes on con calls and then deliver the things that were promised. Less than a third of the PR people I talk to do all of these simple things. 

David is one of the best at his trade and has always been a pleasure with which to work.

To my PR colleagues, after reading the Q&A - LISTEN UP!

Meerkats v The Economy: The curious case of suricata suricatta

A couple of months ago I was practically laughed out of our morning press briefing for suggesting an increase in meerkat coverage in the UK media is directly related to the health of the economy. On the surface I can see where my esteemed colleagues were coming from, especially when you consider my only ally in this thesis is the artist Tracey Emin.

The argument goes that whenever the country is at a low ebb we are either consciously or subconsciously drawn to the restorative powers of meerkats; they make us smile.

The real breakthrough years for meerkats therefore were recession of the 1990s when they became a regular feature on wildlife documentaries. They then went quiet with the onset of boom time, but over the past couple of years have come back with a vengeance.

And this morning’s trawl through the papers revealed such a welter of meerkat coverage I was forced to test my thesis using Google Trends.

I believe the two graphs speak for themselves.

The role of sustainability and the most overused PowerPoint pic in the world

We had a great talk this week from a good friend and contact of mine, Simon Perry, principal sustainability analyst at Quocirca.

If you want to delve a little deeper than 'greenwashing' and want a practical, informed, insightful and pragmatic lowdown on sustainability and its relevance to ALL business I'd not hesitate to say Simon is your man.

I'm pulling together some thoughts on his presentation now but wanted to share one insight 'with the group' because I've seen it to be universally true with my own eyes and I'm sure there will be those among you who agree.

According to Simon, many companies, even in 2009, have only got as far with their sustainability plans as having a slide on a PowerPoint presentation which they awkwardly introduce, accompanied by slightly fluffed lines and empty promises.

And you can spot these slides a mile off... because they all use the same picture:
 
It's amazing how a polar bear on a small iceberg looks uncannily like a token gesture on a PowerPoint presentation.

Best practice in global PR forum on April 1

In today’s rapidly shifting media landscape, PR campaigns have the power to spread a company’s message to a larger audience than ever, at a fraction of the cost of other marketing methods.

Implementing a global strategy that takes into account cultural considerations and maximises ROI has never been more important, in order to maintain consistency and achieve success.

That is why we have chosen global PR as the theme for our next event. Join a panel of industry experts as they explain why the speed of communications, combined with current industry challenges, makes cross-border PR efficiencies critical to business. On a practical level, the forum will also cover the key criteria to successful PR execution across multiple markets.

Topics will cover

• The evolution of brand marketing – overcoming cultural challenges in local to global campaigns
• Driving campaigns in emerging markets
• Making economies of scale work for your client
• Best practice PR in international business media

The event will be at the LEWIS Media Centre, in central-London from 16.30 on Wednesday 1, April
Places are limited though, so to book your place please email Sally Cliffe at sallyc@lewispr.com or call +44 (0)207 802 2626

Former Government CIO appointed as Chief Executive of FA

Sky and the Guardian are both reporting that Ian Watmore, currently Permanent Secretary of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and a veteran of the IT industry, has been appointed as the Chief Executive of the Football Association (FA).

Initially it seems like an odd appointment when you consider that Mr Watmore's previous posts include Head of the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit, Chief Information Officer and Head of e-Government, in the Cabinet Office. However, he has carried with him an excellent reputation in his past positions and has worked closely with former DIUS Minister, and now Chairman of the FA, Lord Triesman. 

So as someone who has immersed themselves in Government IT issues over the past few years, I would say that this is certainly an unexpected appointment, but a welcome one nonetheless. And, I would hazard a guess, the only time a former CIO has been appointed to the upper echelons of the FA!

SC Magazine award finalists include us!

We were delighted to be told last week that we have been shortlisted for 'PR Company of the Year' at the upcoming SC Magazine Awards 2009 Europe. It is the first time we have entered these awards so we're doubly-excited, and with some great experience and clients in the space we're looking forward to hearing the results on April 28.

You're truly scrumptious

And so is the latest LEWIS viral - a Valentine's Day delight based on the much-loved classic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Create your own lines for this film song to send out to that special person - spread the love far and wide.

http://www.lewispr.com/valentinesday_video/

Verdaderamente Deliciosa, Veramente Deliziosa, 本当に素晴らしい, Vraiment Délicieux, Zum Abeißen Lecker, 回味无穷, Sach mein swadist...

...Happy Valentine's Day!

UK public slam BBC for its role in the downturn

The BBC and other media outlets played a part in weakening the UK economy with their reporting of the credit crunch, according to a survey of public opinion.

Eighty-five per cent of respondents to a LEWIS PR survey believe the media played a role in worsening the economic crisis, while 78 per cent believe they have seen speculation reported as fact by major news outlets.

The research, based on 500 responses, also found 64 per cent of respondents believe financial journalists should be bound by a code of conduct handed down by an organisation such as the Financial Services Authority.

The research was carried out last week while some of the UK's leading business journalists faced a grilling from the Treasury Select Committee over their reporting of the crisis. Of those who were summoned to appear before the Committee, the BBC’s Robert Peston was cited by 52 per cent of respondents as being most to blame for fueling the financial crisis. Just over a quarter of respondent singled out the Daily Mail’s Alex Brummer. 

On a more positive note, 97 per cent of respondents believe the media can have a positive impact on leading the UK out of recession.

‘Good Friday’ charity forum launches at LMC

The LEWIS Media Centre (which incidentally was the stage for the Labour Party’s election victories) is opening its doors to assist charities on the first Friday of every month.

The ‘Good Friday’ programme means the 200-seat auditorium and venue based in Westminster, can be hired free of charge to any charity in the UK. Its aim is to support charities in holding events, campaign days and networking events, helping promote their causes and encourage membership and networking events.

Oxfam, Action for Children, Pride London and LIVE 8 have all used the centre for launches and key announcements.

Free use of the venue on the first Friday of every month is open to any registered charity (subject to availability) from immediate effect. Charity event organisers are encouraged to contact Katie O’Leary on +44 (0)20 7802 2626, to arrange a tour or discuss bookings.

Winter term report: Education Minister must do better

The Education Minister, Jim Knight's blog has been inundated with what can only be described as a a waive (sic) of bloggers/journalists with their metaphorical red pen in hand, to correct the spelling of everything Mr Knight has ever written on his blog. 

This follows a number of media reports (most prominently the BBC) that the Minister responsible for, amongst other things, raising school standards is actually prune (sic) to the odd typo or 23.