Those working in the communications business whether in advertising, marketing, sponsorship or public relations are consistently challenged by clients to devise bigger and better stunts, secure long-lasting coverage, redefine how an industry is promoted and provide value for money. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most effective – such as a 3,500km bicycle race around France.
The idea of the first ever Tour de France was to sell copies of L’Auto newspaper, a publicity stunt that was such a success it destroyed the paper’s rival Le Velo in the process. The race is n…
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The overreliance of the UK economy on the financial services sector is over exaggerated when compared to single sector economies, such as the oil dependant Middle Eastern states. However, its rehabilitation is vital to the future prosperity of the country.
The economies of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), notably Abu Dhabi, are clear in their objectives for the transformation of their economies. Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030 sets a course for the development of a modern, diverse economy, to pave the way for the day when the oil wells run dry, which incidentally is way beyond this date…
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In a recent article ‘Torture, depravity – all the media’s fault,’ Andrew Sullivan eloquently criticises the US media as having ‘once scrutinised the powerful’ but has now ‘with some exceptions – become mouthpieces for the powerful’. He goes on to quote Rolling Stones columnist Matt Tiabbi in the recent article that led to major changes in US military command in Afghanistan: ‘If you wonder why this hopeless war has gone on for 10 years, the American press’s decision to act as an extension of the Pentagon’s $3.6 billion annual budget must be part of it.’
This questions whether information and th…
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Isn’t it about time sports organisations and teams got a better grip on their communications? Over the past 48 hours we have seen the England football team implode publically as former captain John Terry addressed the world’s media at the team’s daily press conference. While some have applauded his honesty others have questioned the loyalty to his manager, Fabio Capello, and his successor as England captain, Steven Gerrard.
Subsequently Terry has apologised for publically undermining his teammates but this has been an unwelcome extra episode in the long-running soap opera that is team E…
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Talking to almost any journalist over the last few weeks over a drink or lunch and they are pretty unanimous in their hope The Times will be successful with their recently installed pay wall. Journalists realise that with so much content out there it is very unlikely that, in just a few years time, one or more of the national newspaper titles may have disappeared from our newsstands. With ever declining circulations coupled with ever declining ad revenues the newspaper industry is under real threat.
In a previous blog I discussed the merits of pay walls. Media commentator Roy Greenslade has int…
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