Archive

Tesco jim-jam ban

29-Jan-10 11:46

Ever popped down to Tesco's in your PJ's? No? Well it seems some people do. The Daily Mirror reports today that a Tesco store, which has implemented a ban on anyone entering the store in their nightwear, had to march out a mum who entered wearing her PJ's and slippers. She explains "I've got lovely pairs of pyjamas, with bears and penguins on them. I've worn my best ones today, just so I look tidy." Perhaps she thought that was enough to stop her being thrown out? It's always a controversial issue when it comes to organisations ‘banning' people wearing certain items of clothing, but I think a lot of us may turn our noses up to someone sporting a pair of PJ's whist riffling through the frozen food isle.

This kind of story always makes me chuckle, a bizarre moment in the midst of all the doom and gloom. But why do these stories have such appeal? Is it so we can just have a laugh, or perhaps take pity on the single mum, who apparently doesn't have enough time to get dressed in the morning and is completely happy to have a picture taken of herself sporting her penguin clad PJ's in a national newspaper? A pair of joggers and trainers (you could be excused) but come on, pyjamas, is there really any need?

The worrying thing is that the secret confessions of my PR colleagues reveals that at least 50 per cent of us have taken a step outside in their PJ's before (mostly to the local fast-food outlet!) - Although, most of the stories related to an incident during student days, so these could be forgiven!

Rachel

Councillors should know better

29-Jan-10 11:44

Having read the story on councillors in Cornwall using Twitter to mock other members during a meeting, I am left amazed at how negligent people can be when it comes to using social media. As I work in the PR industry I have come to rely on Twitter quite a lot for my own use as it allows me to find out what features journalists are working on and in turn lets me pitch in ideas relating to my clients.

Although I have found this very effective, I would say that Twitter is not for everyone, or for every business sector. I would argue that it has its place in the public sector as it is a way of making MPs and political parties appear more approachable - however social media can also damage the reputations of organisations or public figures just as easily.

Whilst councillors saying things such as "high level of accidental sexual innuendo in the council today" and "she said phones must be switched off. (I love that we're completely ignoring that instruction)" may not be classed as particularly libellous or defamatory, it does make you question the professionalism of these councillors if they are being so blatant on a public website.

The article goes on to say that the council is now in the process of putting together a social media policy for employees to ensure that it does not adversely affect its reputation and this is something many organisations should be considering if employees are active on social networks; especially for work purposes.

Louise

It's a dog's life......

28-Jan-10 09:53

We are delighted to be working with Retrieva, a GPS tracking collar for dogs. It is a subject close to our hearts in the Ascent Reading office and as dog lovers we couldn't have wished for a more fitting client. Anything that helps to keep our furry friends safe and secure gets our vote!

Whilst researching doggy news in the press this morning I came across a story in the Metro about Tosca the blind bichon frise. Poor little Tosca fell 30ft into the sea while his horrified owner stood watching, completely helpless as he vanished underneath the water. However hope was not lost - to the rescue like the UK's very own David Hasslehoff, builder Matt Darlington dived in to retrieve the little pup. Without a second thought Matt risked his own life to help save Tosca and gave him the kiss of life.

This had us discussing how highly valued our canine companions are in the UK and that they really do quickly become part of the family. The Retrieva tracking collar can help ensure that your dog is not one of the thousands reported missing or stolen each year and gives that added peace of mind when out walking in an unfamiliar or wooded area.

Although I think in Tosca's case a pair of arm bands could have come more in handy....

Danni

Honesty is the best policy

26-Jan-10 16:50

Honesty is the best policy

I've always been taught from a young age that honesty is the best policy, and I still stand by that. In fact, being completely honest with our clients on what will work from a ‘news' perspective, and what won't, is something we are adamant about. After all, if the material we generate doesn't deliver results our clients won't stick around for long.

Time and time again I've sat through meetings or discussions where the suggestion of ‘writing a press release' about the latest award that has been won (or worse still, that the business has been short-listed for an award - i.e. they haven't won it yet), has been at the forefront of the PR agenda. Now, I don't want to get into a debate on whether these so-called industry ‘awards' are worth their weight in terms of generating credibility for a brand - because I'm sure in some cases they may well support the process, but unless you have won an award for something unbelievably obscure or completely revolutionary (and that does mean revolutionary), the likelihood is, it probably doesn't constitute news.

Few journalists will relish the prospect of highlighting to all of your potential customers and fellow competitors how amazing your product or service is (even if it is). Journalists print stories that sell newspapers; that means stories that interest their readers. It's not rocket science but this simple fact is sometimes forgotten by companies that simply want to ‘churn out' press releases regardless. We don't take this route ever. We will tell our clients if we don't think a story has ‘legs'. If we don't believe they'll get the results they want, it is pointless for us to spend our time and their money flattering egos. We are here to drive up revenue for businesses and sometimes that approach calls for honesty - we like to think this is a good thing.

Natalie

When it comes to our passports – are we a bunch of losers?

26-Jan-10 12:29

When it comes to our passports - are we a bunch of losers?

I read some interesting stats in the Mirror today regarding passports, revealing that more than 16,000 passports are lost every year by people using them as a form of ID in clubs and pubs.  A study of 855 passport replacement requests found 54 per cent were made by people under 30 and almost 10 per cent of the documents were lost on a night out. On a slightly larger scale, can you believe that about 350,000 UK passports are lost or stolen each year, according to the Home Office?

I find this quite amazing in a world where we are consistently warned about passport cloning and identity fraud, yet many people are still relatively careless with them. When I was younger, I applied for my provisional driving licence early so that I could use it as a form of ID in advance of learning to drive. Even if you're not intending to start driving lessons straight away, although some of us view it as a bit of a bonus if we get asked to prove our age, it is worth applying for the card in advance to avoid any awkward situations on a night out, where you're turned down at the club door for not being able to prove your age - plus it's better than using your passport (in my opinion).

Regarding ID cards, I still think there are very few alternatives readily available. The only service that I know of is Citizencard, the leading proof-of-age scheme which enables you to leave your valuable documents safely at home and take out this card instead. Perhaps if the public were made more aware of the service and any similar services, this may help to reduce the number of passport losses.

At least I can rest safe in the knowledge that the next time I find myself queuing outside the local nightclub I won't be relying on my passport to get me through the doors. I would be devastated if I lost mine, as I've built up a number of stamps from my travels so it is my souvenir too!

Donna

 

Life at Ascent so far...

21-Jan-10 14:06

As a relatively new member of the Ascent PR team here in Reading, I thought it was about time I wrote my first blog on my experience of being the newbie on the team! I joined the team in October 2009 as a trainee account executive, and cannot believe how the time has flown by! They say time flies when you're having fun and that is certainly true. I've learnt so much over the past three months and have never felt so at home and settled in. I am fortunate enough to work with a fantastic team who have provided me with real continuity of support and advice, whilst having some fun along the way.

My role also allows me to work with some fabulous clients and I'm really benefiting from working across such a diverse range of industry sectors. Having attended the recent ‘Las Vegas-themed' Christmas event in December, I also got a real feel for the ‘work hard, play hard' ethos that the company encourages; and it gave me the opportunity to put names to faces, whilst partying the night away of course! Ascent PR offers a welcoming environment that encourages team spirit and rewards individuals for their loyalty and commitment; and on that basis, I'm very happy that I am part of it! Right, must grab a cup of tea and get back on the phone to that journalist now....

Donna

Why banning computers would deprive those most in need

14-Jan-10 10:44

The Daily Mail has today being venting about the downsides of the Home Access Grant scheme and seems to conclude that too much time spent in front of a computer is bad for a child's development and that computers should be banned from our schools.

We've been banging the drum for the Home Access Grant on behalf of our client BLi Education, for a while now, even more so this week as Gordon Brown pledged to use the scheme to get 270,000 low-income families online to help with their kids education.

The vast majority of the national media have run with the story this week, focussing on that pledge, but the Daily Mail has taken a sideways look at it.

Of course it's naive and wrong to expect that every single media outlet will obediently follow the line that's put out on the press release.

But it is frustrating when a journalist gets an idea in his or her head and won't shift from it. For example what this article fails to mention is that children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds could benefit hugely in terms of improving their GCSEs and even their job prospects through the Home Access scheme.

Research by education software specialists BLi Education, one of the six official suppliers of the free computer equipment under the scheme, suggests that with technology at home children could achieve a 2 grade improvement some GCSE subjects. That means those pupils who would have got a D, could now get a B at GCSE with home access to technology.

I would applaud the use of the latest technology in my local school. After all, you wouldn't rip up the state-of-the-art sports pitches or pour concrete into the Olympic-sized swimming pool if the school had one.

If you're going to ban computers why not get rid of all innovative educational tools such as calculators, ink pens, books and the good old overhead projector?

The days of the abacus and feathered quill are long gone and technology is a tool for learning just as books and field trips are. And it doesn't mean that children spend all their time playing computer games, perhaps the ever-improving exam results in GCSE and A Level each year suggest they might well be learning something too.

By Simon Peevers

 

Snow news is good news

07-Jan-10 11:45

You could have spent weeks planning for a major campaign launch, but as soon as the first snow flakes start to fall there is really only one story in town.
Perhaps it's something to do with the British obsession with the weather, but the media can't get enough of the white stuff, pretty much at the expense of anything else.
Bristol saw its share of snow and disruption on Wednesday and in the response the Evening Post is running several pages of pictures and reports on how people have been coping with conditions.And buried among all the traffic and weather reports there will be a healthy dose of PR making the best of an opportunity that has literally fallen in their laps.

Newsdesks across the country will have spent all day looking for stories of heroism, human interest and examples of the old blitz spirit. And the PR industry will have reacted on cue providing stories of courage in the face of adversity or simply using the snow as the hook for publicity. In The Sun today, for example, the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has managed to get in on the act by claiming the snow could cost the economy £1 billion and put many small businesses at risk.

On a more light-hearted note a UK-based extra-marital dating site, Illicitencounters.com, is claiming that it saw an unexpected increase in visitors with most new members registering from areas worst hit by extreme weather, including Hampshire, Berkshire, and the West Country.

As well as the snow, anything animal-related is always sure to get coverage as well so the PR team at London Zoo must be delighted with today's coverage of the annual head count of all their creatures great and small, ‘despite the freezing conditions', says the Guardian.

Of course it can also be a potential PR nightmare for those caught in the eye of the snow storm, such as transport companies and grit suppliers. Through no fault of their own they find themselves to blame for the weather and the fact that people are snowed in and unable to get to work. Every story has a villain and unfortunately it's often those who work tirelessly most of the time to keep the place going that are the easy target.

It must be a case of crisis management for a few of the beleaguered press officers trying to broadcast clear messages during a day of ever-changing circumstances such as we had on Wednesday in Bristol. In the end the head of comms for First Bus in Bristol went on to a message board of the Evening Post website to counter the criticism head-on and was clearly exasperated at some of the comments from people who had clearly not got the message.

 

Simon