Archive

The fairer sex...?

25-Feb-10 10:29

 

I was rather impressed by an article which appeared in the Express today revealing that women are the smartest sex having proven their victory in a brainy battle of the sexes. Women apparently came out on top after participating in a worldwide five-month online game of Trivial Pursuit, in which millions of players had their general knowledge tested. The balance of power shifted a number of times, but women correctly answered a total of 4,088,139 questions in comparison to the men who answered 4,077,596 questions correctly, so there wasn't a huge in-balance there.

Apparently, the most questions were selected from the entertainment category, followed by science and nature, sports and leisure, history, arts and literature, geography and people and places. It is no surprise to me that the majority of the female participants picked the entertainment category, as it is generally an area that lies close to our hearts and is also something that we are constantly exposed to. Often, we find the latest entertainment gossip via the newspapers, chat magazines, on the web, on the box and also by word of mouth as most of us girls do like to talk, so we should be experts by now.

There is an ongoing debate that will probably continue for many years to come regarding who really is the smarter sex, and I don't honestly believe there is one, but I do feel quite proud to be female after reading today's article, so well done to the ladies!

Donna

Children - a priceless gift or a long-term investment?

24-Feb-10 17:38

Research released yesterday from insurance company LV=, claims that the cost of raising a child up until the age of 21 is over £200,000 and this is banking on the fact that your child is financially independent by then; if not this figure could be considerably higher. With research showing that there has been a four per cent rise over the past year in UK families' expenditure, it just shows that they are not all cutting back during the recession as many may claim to be.

Children leaving it much longer before they move out from their parents' home, is also putting a real strain on parents. From personal experience many of my friends are still living at home with their parents and we are all hitting 25! Apparently one third of parents are even remortgaging their homes to fund their adult children which I find pretty amazing and I hope that my parents never find themselves in this position. I can understand that the added pressure of university fees and young people struggling to get on the property ladder may give parents entering the new decade a real financial headache; although I think that saving early could help.

As long as parents try to ensure they plan financially as soon as they find out they are expecting a baby then I don't think there should be too many problems. Being a little more organised before the birth and while the child is young will help in the future when their little angels are still living at home in their twenties. Hopefully then, remortgaging the house will be the very last resort.

Danni

 

PRs and journalists can work in harmony…

23-Feb-10 17:49

A recent article which appeared in PR Week interviewed the infamous award-winning Nick Davies, two years after the publication of his controversial book Flat Earth News. Being a PR person that is used to dealing with the world of journalism on a daily basis, I was both interested and quite inspired by some of Davies' comments. He came under a lot of fire when the book itself was published from key personnel at The Guardian and The Observer (I expect that the reception he received from some professionals in the PR industry was equally hostile at first). The interesting thing is, that much of what Davies has said in this more recent interview, I agree with. As PR people we do have to consider what the journalist is looking for (and that always means what is in the best interests of their readers, listeners or viewers). Journalists are not interested in promoting our clients' products and services, after all, why should they care? What they do care about, is that what they print will sell newspapers. The thing is, when you look at the sole purpose of a newspaper or magazine - all of this is logical.

Now, don't get me wrong, we all know that PR agencies are there to do a job. We are being paid by our clients to get as much press exposure as possible (and the journalist knows that), but that doesn't mean we can't provide the press with the right material and information to print a story that is of interest (and one that will benefit our clients' objectives in the process). Journalists do need PR people, but they need good PR people that are useful, helpful and have taken a moment to understand what they might be looking for - before they make the mistake of calling up to say "Why haven't you used my press release?"

Davies stated in this interview: "At the moment, the extent to which we rely on the PR industry for our stories has increased and will carry on doing so."
He also said, "A lot of PR people have been journalists. But a lot of PR people will say it is ridiculous to write a press release and then see a paper and read that very same press release. A lot of PR folk see the bigger picture. Yes, a PR person is trying to represent the organisation for which they work, but in the rest of their lives they are citizens. If they see a paper and read about the threat of swine flu and wonder whether or not they should go to Mexico, they need to know what they are reading is a product of journalism, not fed to journalists by pharmaceutical firms trying to promote themselves.

I believe that by focusing on what matters to journalists: topical news (and sometimes this means ‘bad news' because there is no getting away from the fact that this sells newspapers), but also coming up with themes and angles that really matter to people - if the PR industry does its job well, journalists and PRs should be able to work together in harmony and help each other in their differing goals.

Natalie

Be happy, don’t worry!

18-Feb-10 17:24

According to a recent study in the Daily Express today, being happy is a great way to keep your heart healthy, which is no surprise really. Doctors recommend that we should all try to ‘inject' more fun into our lives, to help avoid heart attacks and other health-related complications. "If you enjoy reading novels, but never get around to it, commit to getting 15 minutes or so of reading in. If walking or listening to music improves your mood, get those activities in your schedule", said Dr Karina Davidson who led the research.

I fully support Davidson's comments as I know myself, I rarely make time for relaxation and hobbies, and feel as though I'm always on the go. Switching off is generally not easy, especially if you have a busy work (ing) or family life, but we are only human beings after all, and must make time to put our feet up sometimes.

The study, published in the European Heart Journal, assessed almost 2000 men and women for 10 years for symptoms of depression, hostility, or anxiety and how much they felt joy, happiness, excitement and contentment. The team then calculated a five-point scale of happiness and found that for each point up the scale a person was placed, their risk of developing heart disease dropped by 22 per cent.

This is a shocking statistic which just goes to show that maintaining your happiness is crucial in order to encourage a healthier lifestyle and sense of wellbeing. For those of us that are down in the dumps, taking action is key, whether it's talking your problems through with someone close to you (your mum or dad), or visiting a counsellor or specialist. When I'm feeling a bit rubbish, I try to focus on something positive - whether it's a day out or holiday coming up, or even just a night out with friends. The ultimate key is to manage your work-life balance, have fun and in the words of Bob Marley, 'be happy!'

Donna

Can shamed celebs rescue their reputation?

18-Feb-10 13:28

It's hard to avoid all the media speculation surrounding shamed celebrities such as John Terry, Tiger Woods and Ashley Cole - it looks like they're taking it in turns to wash their dirty laundry in public. I think it's a shame to see all these allegations splashed in the newspapers, as even though the celebrities will probably recover over time, it's their partners and families who will be most affected.

Celebrities are always courting the press, and rely on publicity, good or bad, so despite the fact that they may hit out at the press for printing false allegations they're probably impressed with the amount of exposure they're receiving.

Or are they? Tiger Woods' affairs have really damaged his reputation and more importantly the Tiger Woods brand, so he has a huge repair job on his hands, starting tomorrow when he's due to speak out for the first time about his personal life. Managed carefully, Tiger Woods should be able to repair the damage over time, very much like David Beckham did six years following his affair scandals. Brand Beckham is now huge and many of us have forgetten that his personal life was plastered all over the papers for the wrong reasons.

What really interests me though is how much the public really cares about whether celebrities get back with their partners or divorce them. The media reveals so much about celebrities that we feel like we really know them and that they are a part of our lives. I'm sure that the press will continue to ensure that we are embroiled in the affairs and scandals of our favourite celebs for years to come.

Angela

Can shamed celebs rescue their reputation?

18-Feb-10 13:20

It's hard to avoid all the media speculation surrounding shamed celebrities such as John Terry, Tiger Woods and Ashley Cole - it looks like they're taking it in turns to wash their dirty laundry in public. I think it's a shame to see all these allegations splashed in the newspapers, as even though the celebrities will probably recover over time, it's their partners and families who will be most affected.

Celebrities are always courting the press, and rely on publicity, good or bad, so despite the fact that they may hit out at the press for printing false allegations they're probably impressed with the amount of exposure they're receiving.

Or are they? Tiger Woods' affairs have really damaged his reputation and more importantly the Tiger Woods brand, so he has a huge repair job on his hands, starting tomorrow when he's due to speak out for the first time about his personal life. Managed carefully, Tiger Woods should be able to repair the damage over time, very much like David Beckham did six years following his affair scandals. Brand Beckham is now huge and many of us have forgetten that his personal life was plastered all over the papers for the wrong reasons.

What really interests me though is how much the public really cares about whether celebrities get back with their partners or divorce them. The media reveals so much about celebrities that we feel like we really know them and that they are a part of our lives. I'm sure that the press will continue to ensure that we are embroiled in the affairs and scandals of our favourite celebs for years to come.

Angela

Are we killing our pets with kindness?

17-Feb-10 17:45

Pet charity PDSA has today released survey findings that highlight the growing problem of obesity in British pets. With a third of British dogs now overweight and one in four cats piling on the pounds, owners appear to have become lazy with their pet care. One cat called Amber in the survey used to weigh 7.1kg, exceeding her weight by 63 per cent. She was put on a slimming regime and has already lost 1.23kg, but still has a long way to go.

Perhaps it is poor education and people are simply not being given the correct advice when choosing a pet that is best suited to them. For example, if you work full time and have a small garden buying a breed of dog such as, a retriever would probably be a bad choice, where as a pug which requires less exercise may be more suitable. Also treats should be kept to a minimum, as any extra food will mean extra exercise is needed otherwise it won't be burnt off and your pet will get fat.

Vet Sean Wensley mentioned in the article that they are even noticing a rise in small pets such as, hamsters becoming obese. I think that the survey results definitely link in with the growing number of overweight humans within the UK - obese humans are creating obese pets. But this could easily be changed by altering your pet's eating habits and exercise regime and by doing so may even help combat the growing number of obese humans in the process. If dog owners are taking their dogs for more/longer walks then they will too be improving their exercise regime.

So maybe we should have a think the next time we let our cats have the leftovers off our plate or forget to take our dogs out for a walk, we are doing them more harm than good and in the long run they will thank us for it.

Danni

Gordon shows his ‘human side’

15-Feb-10 17:46

There are a lot of mixed reactions and views today regarding Gordon Brown's appearance on Piers Morgan's Life Stories last night. Many have been questioning the motives of the teary-eyed prime minister as he opened up to the British public on the death of his baby daughter amongst other personal memories. I think that the ordeal of losing a child is unthinkable for any parent, and I think it is quite sad that some people are viewing this part of the interview as a sign of weakness or indeed purely a staged PR stunt.

It reminded me of when Margaret Thatcher left Downing Street for the very last time (her eyes clearly blotchy from tears), and yet nobody seem to question her emotional integrity, she was simply trusted on this basis, whether we liked her or not. I think the reason many people react the way they do is through fear. For someone in a position of leadership and power to let their guard down when we live in such an unpredictable world can be scary for some - perhaps we expect them to stay calm, focused and objective under pressure regardless of the subject matter? I think it is very much linked to how we view politicians today - seeing these public leaders chatting on Twitter or making guest appearances on reality chat shows somehow makes us feel awkward and ‘humanises' them too much - perhaps we believe they have simply thrown away their claims to authenticity?

Now, I'm not saying I agree with this view. In fact, I think the interview was well conducted and that Brown did retain his integrity. Aside from the whole emotional outburst, was the whole thing a publicity stunt? Probably, but I think by now this is something we have come to expect when a general election is just around the corner...

Natalie

Stressed, tense and red with rage? How do you deal with your hang-ups?

05-Feb-10 17:53

Stressed, tense and red with rage? How do you deal with your hang-ups?

When was the last time you had a sneaky alcoholic beverage?  Was it a quick social pint down the pub or a large glass of wine at home, whilst drowning your sorrows? According to the Express today, money worries caused by the economic squeeze are beginning to affect the nation's health, with people admitting they are smoking and drinking more and more. New research has shown that financial troubles, stress at work and job security are three of the top five insecurities of every-day life, which is no shocker.

Apparently more than eight out of ten of us (83 per cent) are experiencing some kind of worry, with 21 per cent admitting they turn to drink when stressed and one in ten lighting a cigarette. I must admit, I do crave a glass of wine on a Friday night, but if I'm stressed, I usually get on the phone and take it out on my mum or go for a jog on the running machine. Perhaps for someone who doesn't have those home comforts, turning to alcohol or smoking may seem like the only way out of the black hole.

The most common concerns thrown up by the poll were money (40 per cent), problems with friends and family members (25 per cent), health (24 per cent), pressure at work (22 per cent) and job security (21 per cent). It's no surprise to me that money worries come out top, especially with the recession having affected the entire nation.

So, when we're generally feeling a bit down in the dumps and not sure what to do next, what do we do? According to further stats, socialising with friends and family is the most popular solution (54 per cent), followed by listening to music or reading a book (40 per cent), exercise (33 per cent), talking to people about how we feel (32 per cent) and spending time with a partner (22 per cent).

I'm glad to see that we are such a loving nation when it comes to spending time with friends and family, which in my opinion, is the way it should be when we need a shoulder to cry on. Although, the stats also claim that us ladies also turn to comfort foods (I'm assuming they mean chocolate?) and suffer from higher stress levels than men! Perhaps such high levels of anxiety are as a result of PMT and female hormones, and we can't help that can we? So men, give us a break!

So, the next time you're feeling a little tense and not sure how to wind down, why not try something new? Drinking and smoking can scar you for life, whether it's your health or bank balance, so have a good old chinwag with your best friend or take up yoga? Stop moaning and do it!

 Donna

For better or worse, for richer for poorer......

03-Feb-10 17:54

Romance of the century or the biggest PR stunt of 2010 so far? Of course I am talking about the surprise Price/Reid Las Vegas wedding. I don't think that anyone saw it coming (except perhaps the agents arranging the six-figure magazine deals) and the press have gone crazy for it! After Alex managed to turn it around in the Celeb Big Brother house last month, is Miss Price just simply looking for an easy way back into the hearts of the British public? Or perhaps she is working on the fact that two ‘celebrities' are better than one when it comes to popularity and monetary value? And of course the likes of OK magazine are lapping it up.

 

Working in PR, I have noticed that by ensuring you give the media what they want, so to speak, is undoubtedly going to reap the best results for your client. Regularly changing the tact and angles you use to gain coverage will keep the client looking fresh and innovative to the press and keep them wanting more.

 

I have to give it to Katie though, she certainly knows how to get people talking - although I'm unsure that I will be advising my clients to partake in a shot-gun wedding, simply to boost column inches, in a hurry.......

 

Danni