Sunny skies, rally cars and big muddy puddles

After ten months of being intimidated by talk of horrendous cold and wet conditions at Wales Rally GB, I set off for my first WRC experience earlier this month – and, against all expectations, I really enjoyed it… rain, mud, sunny skies, loud exhausts, early morning starts, long drives through Welsh countryside, ‘portaloos’ and everything else (well, maybe not the portaloos)!

 

Having joined Prova shortly after the Rally finished in 2010, I had been blissfully unaware of the hub of activity that is Prova Towers in the weeks preceding the event. This year, I was able to experience it first-hand and, for the last couple of months, the activity has gradually increased, reaching a crescendo in late October of media calls, photo opportunities, business partnerships and competitions.

 

For me, what’s been particularly interesting about working on the Wales Rally GB campaign is the real mix of people we’ve been able to work with; from the FIA and Ford on a driver safety initiative, to GAME and the FERM Power Tools team on a competition run throughout all 387 stores in the UK; from the Scarlets rugby stadium to council representatives, competition winners and rallying legends of the past.

 

What has been clear with all of these people, however, is that rallying is something which inspires huge passion among its fans and which also has the ability to drive great interest across a wide spectrum of the world – from families looking for a fun day out to drivers looking to prove themselves.

 

Having driven the Conwy to Cardiff stretch of the Rally (albeit on far fewer occasions), I understand the exhaustion some of the drivers were facing at the end of the weekend – but also the fun they had on the Welsh roads. There were so many positive comments – from drivers but, more importantly, from fans and spectators along the whole route.  

 

While Wales Rally GB may be over for another year, the team at Prova PR is looking forward to building on our motorsport and automotive success in the coming months. 2012 is shaping up to be another exciting year!

 

Aimee

The Great Escape

I recently attended the Milan Motorcycle Show (EICMA), which saw the launch of Triumph’s new Tiger Explorer. Here are my reflections on the show and the current state of the industry....

 

Moto Guzzi, Benelli, MV Agusta and of course Ducati were all there to fly the Italian flag of design, power and let’s face it, ‘sex on two wheels’. Milan’s EICMA bike show is certainly the place to be if you’re after the latest when it comes to racing heartbeats – as Europe’s premier bike show it’s where all the major manufacturers converge to launch their latest models.

 

What is so interesting about this year’s show is the relatively low profile of the various Japanese manufacturers, who have been undoubtedly hit by their reliance on sports bikes, sales of which have fallen markedly in recent years. Certainly (and very sadly) the earthquake ane tsunami earlier in the year did not help matters.

 

While the old ‘performance bike’ foes of Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki have all seemed to find it hard to deal with the recession, the likes of Ducati, BMW and (most significantly) Triumph have all fared far better, largely maintaining sales and continuing to invest in new models.

 

Triumph, Hinckley’s finest, was there to launch three new bikes; the limited edition Steve McQueen; the testosterone-fuelled Speed Triple R and the Tiger Explorer, Triumph’s latest assault on the adventure bike market.

 

The new 1215cc beast is a sight to behold. More masculine, dynamic and powerful than its nearest rival, the BMW R1200GS, the Explorer has firmly set the cat among the pigeons in the German camp. I reckon they are rattled. And with good reason. The Explorer is no one-off, overnight flash in the pan, but part of a trend. Last year’s launch of the Tiger 800 (and its off road twin the XC) outperformed the market and the bike has become Triumph’s best selling new model.

 

Likewise, the Explorer looks set to turn heads and gain fans after its launch in early 2012.  

 

So, what’s the secret to Triumph’s success? It’s all about making complex things look simple, as the great jazz musician, Thelonious Monk, once said. Understanding what riders want, constantly improving existing models and keeping styling up to date are all part of the heady mix of new product development. Triumph also has a great brand, the epitome of cool, which always helps to sell the lifestyle and the bike; then again I am biased!

 

St John

Mapping out a sustainable future

I spent a recent train journey to London reading the European Commission’s Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe.  And it made for an interesting, but also rather scary, read.  Indeed, over the course of the 20^th Century the world’s use of fossil fuels increased by a factor of 12 and we extracted 34 times more material resources.  But what’s more shameful, is that in the EU each person consumers 16 tonnes of material each year – and we waste SIX tonnes each. 

 

However, our consumption demands are predicted to only increase – we’ll require an additional 70 per cent of food, feed and fibre by 2050 but 60 per cent of the world’s major ecosystems producing these resources are already degraded or being used unsustainably. Put simply, in 40 years time, we are going to need more than two planets to sustain us!

 

I found the EC’s document very insightful and the world would definitely be a more sustainable place if all its Visions are achieved. However, the document, in my opinion, sets out a very utopian view and there is real lack of detail in how we get there. That is the issue that we are all currently facing - how do we achieve it? It’s all well and good setting targets and objectives, but there needs to be practical advice and support in how we get there.

 

Looking around the businesses in the environmental sector, there’s a great mix of innovation and concepts that make perfect sense but require a change in approach. However, together they face the same questions and challenges from their target customer base; is it essential, am I legally required to do and it how much does it cost? As the roadmap points out, the era of plentiful and cheap resources is over. However, it’s not a concept that the corporate world is fully ready to accept.

 

Communication is fundamental to ensure that individuals and businesses are aware of why changes need to be made. Without it, there is no rationale for doing things differently. As communicators, we understand resistance to change and seek to deliver behavioural change by making audiences aware of why change is good, the benefits offered but importantly how it can be achieved.  If every person and business was to make a small change – be it to energy, waste or material use, the impact on the environment would be significant but rather than intangible goals, small milestones are needed with practical guidance on how to get there.

 

Rebecca

Big boys' toys

Three weeks into working at Prova, I had the chance to go and see face to face how one of our clients, Savoye – the global warehouse automation specialists – work. St John picked me up from Derby, before we hit the road to Doncaster. The purpose of the day was to assess the suitability of the warehouse to produce a video case study for the client.

 

Navigating up the motorway, we arrived at one of British retailer Next’s homeware warehouses. Here, we had the chance to observe how Savoye operates the logistics for one of the UK’s top retailers. We were greeted by Martin, our client contact, and quickly strapped into our high visibility gear for the day.

 

Entering the warehouse, the scale and complexity of logistics became apparent. Martin was particularly keen on showing us his logistics creation, described as his adult Hornby train set. The newly constructed warehouse was being used to store over 1,400 sofas and with so many to store, space optimization is the key. Five cranes, eight rows of steel racking and what looked like a train track covered the floor, to allow the automated cranes to move around loading and offloading sofas. This is something of an innovation in the logistics world as it allows cranes to go round corners.

 

Overall, the visit gave me a great insight into how Savoye and logistics work in the flesh which is completely different to reading about it. I find it extraordinary to think what goes into buying a product, like a sofa, and the process of getting it from the warehouse to your home. I really enjoyed the day and look forward to getting started on filming the case study!

 

Nathan

Another year, another successful show

The display panels are back in their bags, the handouts have been handed out and everyone at Prova has tired feet after another successful RWM event at the NEC in September.

 

This year the show merged with CIWM’s Futuresource which made it significantly bigger and busier than previous years, which was great to see. Meanwhile, the seminar programme brought together some of the industry leading names to talk about some of the sector’s most pertinent issues.

 

Once again, Prova confirmed its long-term commitment to the recycling sector by investing in a stand at the UK’s top waste and recycling show. We also went even further and gave all exhibitors a drink on us by, sponsoring the drinks reception on the first night of the event.

 

We adopted the theme of ‘Red Hot Communications’ and certainly got heads turning as visitors passed our eye catching stand. Despite the portents of economic doom, footfall was healthy during the three days and we can report a strong interest in strategy public relations consultancy!

 

We had a great time – and met some really interesting new contacts at the networking event that was very well received by all. However, we are still on the lookout for the exhibitor who thought it was funny to steal all of our chilli plants that were part of Prova’s branding at the show!

Red hot communications at RWM

This year's Recycling & Waste Management (RWM) exhibition is nearly upon us, so it’s all systems go at Prova as we have three clients exhibiting, as well as our own stand. The event, in partnership with CIWM, is the leading exhibition for the recycling and waste management sector.

 

Our work across the environmental, waste and recycling arena sees us delivering innovative campaigns for food, paper, metals recyclers as well as a number of ground-breaking cleantech organisations. We’ve been doing it for more than ten years and we take great pride in our clients’ work, the growth of their businesses – and the relationships we have with them.

 

As well as our stand at the event (3168), we’re also sponsoring the Exhibitor Drinks Reception taking place on Tuesday 13 September at Cafe Viridor in Hall 18, at 4.30pm. So, come along and have a drink with us!

 

We’ve got a strong track record in environmental PR, boasting one of the most experienced teams in the UK, so please do visit us at stand 3168 or attend the exhibitor networking reception to find out how red hot communications will help grow your business.

The Streets, dry your eyes...

This should be the time of the UK's annual Indian Summer. The days have started to get shorter but we are still left with that golden hue, a late summer warmth, and for those commuters amongst us, a couple more weeks of respite before the school traffic returns to the roads. And around the corner, for us of a petrolhead nature, the magical few days that is the Goodwood Revival.

So, it is usually a truly wonderful time of the year and one of those occasions when one feels privileged to be living in this country, at this point in time. But not in 2011. The last few weeks have seen the streets of the UK alight and feverish, with looting across our cities. Yet to lend the term riot to those incidents would be to give them a cause and a credence that they seem to have been lacking.

 

Watching events unfold from afar while on holiday was perhaps even more disturbing than being at home to witness things first hand. Following the battering inflicted on the perception of the UK by the phone hacking scandal, it seemed that any last vestiges of decency, dignity and integrity were being kicked out of the body civic by events on the streets last week. And it was even more heart-breaking to see those scenes play out while watching from a foreign country.

I thought Matthew Parris in the Times hit the nail on the head, though. Recent events do not mean we are buggered as a society. However, we have got a lot to do to mend things; both in the media and on the street. The common thread that is lacking would seem to be a certain respect. There is so much right in our country and with our economy. And we see that across the automotive and environmental industries; so much for us to be rightly proud of. But it is up to all of us to tell the world of that success, that innovation and that sense of communal pride; because we have got a lot of catching up to do...

 

Richard

Could you be Prova’s next apprentice?

Looking to step into the worlds of motorsport, business communications and corporate sustainability?

 

Gain an excellent foundation in red hot communications at Prova.

 

We’re searching for an intern to get stuck in, hone their writing, client and media skills and take responsibility for monitoring for coverage and collating evaluations.  

 

We are an agency of 11 and our new intern will get involved in all activities, across the board.  Prova specialises in six sectors, chiefly automotive and motorsport and we operate at the forefront of the environment sector. Our high profile clients include Triumph Motorcycles and Wales Rally GB as well as ING, Millbrook Proving Ground, DS Smith Recycling and PDM.

 

For a job description and to see whether you’ve got what it takes, please email me at rebeccaw@provapr.co.uk.

 

Rebecca

Social media comes to the rescue

The role of social media in the spread of disorder across the UK last week has been much debated. Whatever your opinion, it’s clear that social media has had a positive effect in the aftermath.

Dan Thompson, an artist, used Twitter to organise a clean up using the #riotcleanup hastag and a website was set up to inform volunteers of how they could help. The result: people turned up in their hundreds to come to the rescue of their communities and make light work of the clean up job.  Also, Kate Nash, a singer, used her Facebook and Twitter accounts to coordinate donations to those made homeless during the riots.

The mugging of the injured student Ashraf Haziq caused outrage when shared on YouTube and a ‘Let’s Do Something Nice for Ashraf Haziq’ campaign was set up to raise money to replace his stolen belongings. In fact, over £22,000 was raised as awareness spread online and the rest will go towards helping others who have suffered too. Plus, numerous campaigns have raised money for other individuals and businesses.

 

Social media is a tool and can be used for good and for bad. Unfortunately, a few users tried to use it to incite riots and looting but many more used it to help the victims.

Getting dirty for a good cause

Painting and gardening – not the usual items on our weekly ‘To Do’ lists here at Prova but very much on the agenda last week.

 

To support one of our clients – ConocoPhillips – some of the team at Prova swapped our pads and pens for paint brushes and trowels. Every year ConocoPhillips undertakes a Community Day where its staff get involved in projects for local charities in Warwickshire. Normally the charity or project is chosen by the company’s staff but this year Prova issued an appeal via the local press for organisations to nominate themselves for ConocoPhillips’ support.

 

A father whose daughter is mentally and physically disabled read the article in his local paper and contacted ConocoPhillips to nominate the care home where is daughter is a resident – 14 Marloes Walk Care Home in Leamington Spa. The care home, which is operated by Turning Point, provides specialist nursing care for eight young adults with profound learning and physical disabilities and serious health issues. These young adults are permanent residents and require 24/7 care. 

 

Understandably, the care home staff’s priority is to look after residents, leaving them little time for caretaking jobs such as painting and gardening. So, last week, some of the team here at Prova joined 80 enthusiastic volunteers from ConocoPhillips, donating their time and energy over three days to paint the care home’s communal areas and give the garden some much needed TLC.  

 

When all of the work was complete, the feedback from the manager of the care home was testament to everyone’s efforts – “A massive thank you for all your hard work, time and enthusiasm over the last three days. It has really made a big difference to us all. Turning Point’s mission statement is about how we turn lives around, this time you've done it to us!”

 

In a busy PR office it can be all too easy to have tunnel vision and only think about delivering results for clients. This has given the team here the opportunity to deliver results and make a positive impact in other ways.

 

Catherine

Inspiring the next generation of PRs

Last week, I did something that would petrify most people (including myself!) – I addressed a group of 15 year olds about my career. It was at a networking event run by TarGetMore, a not-for-profit organisation with the mission of “inspiring young people to aspire to greatness”, primarily 14-16 year olds. So no pressure for my talk then! In the end, addressing a group of 15 year olds wasn’t as daunting as expected – they were all really keen to listen and ask questions. And later, working with a group of students to plan a work experience placement in PR was a useful exercise too. They asked some insightful questions and came up with brilliant ideas of what they’d like to do, realising that it is within their reach to go into an organisation and learn as much as they can.

 

TarGetMore’s plan of action is to organise more events like these so that school children have contact with a variety of professionals to inspire and advise them on steps forward. I had no idea that I wanted to work in PR when I was 15 (in fact, my knowledge of the industry just about extended to Max Clifford and the show Absolutely Fabulous!) but I got into PR by volunteering for work experience at various companies after I graduated and haven’t looked back. I think TarGetMore is a brilliant organisation with a commendable aim. I was lucky growing up as I was encouraged by both my parents and school to be ambitious. However, there are some children who are bright but just don’t know about all the opportunities out there or how to grasp them. This is where TarGetMore comes in by making them aware that a number of careers are within in their reach and offering guidance. They are always looking for professionals from a variety of fields to volunteer and companies to organise work experience with, so get in touch with them if you’re interested in helping out.

 

Lauren

A wasted opportunity?

Last week saw the long-awaited release of the Government’s Review of Waste Policy in England at the CIWM 2011 Conference. As a communications agency which prides itself on environmental experience and knowledge, we were not only keen to cast an eye over the review itself but we were also monitoring every key blog, tweet and article streaming out of the CIWM event.

 

Unfortunately, the general consensus seemed to be that the review did not 'pack the punch' its extensive build up (perhaps inadvertently) promised. There was a general sense of disappointment in the distinct lack of new targets set by the government, and the new Anaerobic Digestion Strategy and Action Plan – unveiled alongside the review – barely received any recognition. Furthermore, there were some sections which could be regarded as a shirking of responsibility which will instead fall on householders, Local Authorities, and even charities. Environmental campaign group, Friends of the Earth even went so far as to condemn the review as ‘embarrassingly vague’.

 

The review does, at least, highlight the need to progress from the now ‘social norm’ of recycling and focus on waste prevention. Whether this is through encouraging packaging manufacturers to think of the full life cycle of products, or promoting a behavioural shift away from our current so-called ‘throwaway society’, considering the bigger picture when it comes to recycling will play a fundamental part in moving forward.

 

Beccie

 

Traffic cones, rally cars and clouds of dust!

When people say the world of PR is glamorous, they obviously haven’t spent an eleven-hour day laying out traffic cones, clearing weeds and stapling signs to wooden posts!

However, that’s just what the Prova team was doing earlier this month in preparation for the official launch of Wales Rally GB 2011 and the accompanying Rallyfest event which took place at the Royal Welsh Showground near Builth Wells. All in the midst of a UK heat wave.

Whether for 10 people or 10,000, outdoor event planning is not for the faint-hearted. Leaving all the controllable logistics to one side, the weather is a variable that cannot be controlled. After spending weeks anticipating a wet event in Wales, the sun came out just days beforehand and out came the suntan lotion and baseball caps – glamorous we were not!

However, the PR glamour came to life in the official launch when rallying stars of past, present and future came together to discuss the all-new, four-day route for Wales Rally GB 2011. Around 50 people attended the launch, including representatives from the media, local councillors and the Welsh Government.

All in all, Rallyfest 2011 was a fantastic event – over 2,000 people came to the Royal Welsh Showground near Builth Wells for a day of live action demonstrations, stunt displays, children’s entertainments and World Rally Championship merchandise.   

And, this followed hot on the heels of Prova’s CIPR Excellence Awards win for last year’s successful Rallyfest event in north Wales…

David

A glass trophy and the last train home!

It’s that time of year again… the CIPR Excellence Awards took place earlier this month in London. Over 700 entries were received for our national awards from some of the best PR consultancies and in-house teams across the UK.

For Prova, all eyes were on the automotive category – where we were competing against big-name brands such as Citroën, Nissan, Tom Tom, Ford Retail and INRIX.

The campaign we put forward was the highly successful Rallyfest event we launched for Wales Rally GB in October 2010. The highlight of the campaign saw around 12,000 people attend a free event in north Wales, generating almost £350,000 for the local area.     

And, we’re thrilled to say, Prova team member St John White was invited to the stage to collect the winner’s trophy. Judges commented that the campaign was a “classic case study in outcome-driven PR” and it stood out among the competition due to the tangible business results for both the client and the local economy.

Prova has a strong track record in delivering innovative, commercially-focused results for clients across a variety of sectors – including automotive and environmental – and has been recognised with awards almost every year since it was founded at the turn of the 20^th century.

So, no resting on our laurels. In fact, while St John was collecting the trophy, the remaining Prova team was frantically working away on the first Rallyfest event for 2011 which took place in the Royal Welsh Showground near Builth Wells on Saturday 4^th June. 

Aimee

A ‘Noble’ cause

Last bank holiday, it was all about bikes as Prova’s automotive team was working on a campaign to celebrate Triumph Motorcycles’ 500,000th production bike coming off the line at Hinckley. We wanted to do something different to mark this major milestone so we recruited stand-up comedian Ross Noble to embark on a unique tour of Britain onboard Triumph’s half a millionth bike (a one-off Speed Triple). It was known as the ‘Sit Down Tour’ and for seven days Ross was guided by his fans on Twitter to find the best of Britain and ignite a nationwide passion for motorbikes.

 

Ross is an avid motorcycle fan and a big supporter of Triumph, so it was a perfect partnership. Starting out from Hinckley, he rode around the country following the suggestions of his fans. These took him to the UK’s smallest pub in Bury St Edmunds, on a flight with the Wales Air Ambulance, and on a visit to a Wild West street in the heart of Edinburgh. The tour ended with a homecoming visit to Newcastle for Ross, along with 300 fellow bikers – there’s a great video of his arrival at Triumph North East here.

 

During the tour, it was extremely exciting to watch Twitter, with people uploading photos of themselves with Ross and the 500,000th bike – someone even wrote a blog about the power of Twitter!

 

The one-off Speed Triple will be auctioned off at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 1 with all the proceeds going to Riders for Health. The charity is one close to Ross’ heart and provides vital motorbike transport for medics to reach otherwise inaccessible parts of rural Africa. Let’s hope it raises a lot of money for such a worthy cause!

 

Lauren

Switching to ‘the other side’ – a journalist’s experience of PR

When I started my month of work experience with Prova PR, I didn’t expect to be sat in the same room as the MD. But then again, I also didn’t expect to gain an insight into so many different client projects.

 

I must admit that, as a journalism student, I was worried I was betraying the path I’d chosen by switching to ‘the other side’ – one of the more polite terms my lecturers use for the PR industry!

 

But Prova is not what I expected at all. Constantly active, so many different projects and such an inspiring atmosphere.

 

That was probably that strangest thing. It is possible I’ve just been unlucky in jobs, but I’ve never experienced a workplace where people are so passionate about their work more or less all of the time! It creates such a wonderful workplace vibe when people are so energised by what they do.

 

Rallyfest has been one of my favourite projects. Getting to see how such a huge event is organised is the last thing I thought I’d be doing, I’m just disappointed I didn’t get to see the end product!

 

Helping to write articles and press releases was also a highlight of my time with Prova. Writing is something I love doing and it was great to have the opportunity to see how this fits into the context of PR.

 

I had to keep reminding myself that I don’t really work here and I would be leaving but after becoming immersed in the team, I did keep forgetting and I didn’t really want to believe I wouldn’t be back on Monday.

 

I think I was a little naïve about what working in a PR company would be like. I’m not ashamed to say I really knew very little about how a PR company works, but I have enjoyed it all so much.

 

I can’t say enough how much I will miss my experience at Prova, and in PR generally (especially the cakes and cookies) – hopefully one day I will get the chance to work on projects such as these again. How wrong my lecturers were!

 

Bex

'Back to school' summer stress for UK mums

As schools confirm the 2011 intake, more than half a million UK mums are set for a summer of stress. I am one of them. I’m a school starter, petrified of the looming gates, the summers of exam angst, evenings laden with homework and the knowledge that this is my lot for the next 14 years of my life. Except, I’m not the one actually having to go to school, my daughter Bella is and I am heaping all my knowledge and anxieties onto her unwitting, wide eyed and excited ‘when I go to big school mummy….’ tiny shoulders.

 

A survey we recently commissioned for Oxford University Press found 78% of mums in my position are ‘anxious’ about their child starting school, with only 5% stating they feel ‘very excited’ about this crucial milestone.

 

We undertook the survey because Oxford University Press publishes Read with Biff, Chip and Kipper, a series that matches the books children use when learning to read in school. They are available for mums to buy on the high street and are really rather good. Bella and I are reading them together now, I am getting an idea of what she will experience in September and she is getting to know the characters that she will go on to experience for the next few years of her education – as teachers change and she progresses, Biff, Chip and Kipper will go with her. What’s more, I am feeling a little more settled and excited about what school will bring – forget eating solids and sleeping through the night, how about the first moment that Bella reads a word from the page to me?  What a moment that will be.

 

Jane

Sweeeping to victory...

Last Thursday, Rebecca, Sally and I attended letsrecycle.com’s Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management at The Savoy Hotel in London. The awards – now in their eighth year – were hosted by broadcaster and journalist Krishnan Guru-Murphy. The waste industry ‘oscars’ are seen as one of the most prestigious events in the recycling calendar, as well as being renowned for showcasing innovation, dedication and success in recycling and waste management.  

 

Prova sponsored the new category ‘Recycling Business of the Year’ which recognises the work done by any company, small or large, operating in the UK which has provided a service in a consistent and thorough way for its customers. The judges from letsrecycle.com chose SWEEEP Kuusakoski as the winner of the award in its first year. The other finalists in the category were Hadfield Wood Recyclers and Newlife Paints.

 

The purpose of the new category was to recognise companies at the forefront of the recycling arena – and it’s great to see SWEEEP Kuusakoski taking the plaudits. SWEEEP Kuusakoski processed 27,000 tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in 2010, achieving recovery rates of 94%. The organisation recycles a significant proportion of WEEE from London, while its areas of operation now also include parts of the Midlands and Wales.

 

From Prova’s perspective, we are passionate about innovative recycling and waste organisations and we understand the marketplace extremely well. Having been involved in the industry for almost 10 years, we are well-placed to be able to drive commercial opportunity for organisations looking to grow their businesses.

 

Richard

PR life beyond the M25

To say my first few weeks at Prova have flown by would be an understatement – in fact, I am pretty sure that time speeds up as soon as you set foot in this office – but I’m enjoying every minute of it and strolling past a castle on my way to work definitely beats being sardined into a tube carriage every morning!

 

When I moved back up to Warwickshire from London I was looking to continue my career in PR in an equally challenging and exciting environment. I didn’t doubt I would find this outside of the Big Smoke but it struck me that, within the London bubble, there is little recognition of it. Despite being part of the same industry, there seems to be a disconnect between those who work in PR agencies within London and those in ‘the regions’. Naturally, the concentration of PR agencies and big name clients is higher in the Capital, but does this warrant a divide between the two?

 

During my time in London I was lucky enough to be working for a fantastic agency. It gave me opportunities that I perhaps would not have otherwise had and I was part of an enthusiastic and diverse team who really knew their stuff. But this is quite simply a recipe for success for any PR agency – as I’ve seen from meeting and researching various agencies across the Midlands and, of course, from my experience so far at Prova.

 

I feel it’s an issue that needs to be addressed within the PR community. There is clearly so much talent, creativity and knowledge outside of London and we all know that sharing best practice is one of the most effective ways of developing our industry. So, as professional communicators, why aren’t we communicating more!?

 

Beccie

Getting to grips with PR

During a fantastic week of work experience at Prova, I have been lucky enough to obtain a real insight into the exciting world of PR, working for a wide range of clients and learning about the many innovative events and promotions which Prova have organised and enabled me to become involved with.

Before my week at Prova, I was not entirely sure what working in a PR firm would incorporate, and how much contact the firm actually has with its clients.  This week has helped me gain an understanding of how a PR firm works and what I could be engaged in, if I were to work in Public Relations.

It’s been great to have the opportunity to experience “sell-ins” to local newspapers and radio shows; draft press releases; undertake a broad range of background research for future promotions; and to sit in on meetings. These tasks have really helped in obtaining an idea of what it would be like to work in a highly productive and friendly PR firm like Prova.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my busy week and thank everyone for being so welcoming and providing a wonderful overview of what working in Public Relations is all about!

Isabel

Social media in action

Monday night saw the first Warwick TweetUp at Lane’s Bar and Restaurant for local people and businesses on Twitter. Starting with a suggestion that Warwick tweeters should meet up, the buzz around #WarwickTweetUp snowballed and a guest list event was quickly organised. Social media is all about people creating their own communities and engaging with them organically – perfectly illustrated by the growth of Warwick TweetUp. It was amazing to see businesses volunteering their time and services to make the TweetUp happen – for example a swish website has even been set up.

Since I embarked upon my career in PR, I’ve been acutely aware of the social media revolution and how companies can capitalise on this shift. Attending the Warwick TweetUp meant that I could witness this in action. As well as being a great way to network, a number of Warwick entrepreneurs were able to showcase their talents on the night (such as baking bespoke Twitter bird cupcakes) and some are offering exclusive promotions to Warwick TweetUp members too.

I’m in no doubt that those who contributed to the event will see a return on their investment so I’ll be keeping an eye out to find out how many business opportunities have been generated because of Warwick TweetUp.

Lauren

Fuelling Valentine’s Day

Keen to grab a piece of the Valentine's Day media space at a local level for our client – the fuel brand Jet – Prova came up with the idea of positioning Jet forecourts as the saviour of those absent minded Romeos and disorganised Juliets that had either forgotten or been unable to buy their loved ones a gift over the weekend.

 

18 Jet forecourts throughout the UK were chosen to take part in the media relations-led initiative, which saw Valentine's Day ‘rescue packs’ containing a teddy, chocolates and a card being handed out to customers.

 

Rather than promoting this initiative in store, we wanted to directly measure the impact of press coverage - print, radio and online - on driving people to the forecourts. A catchphrase - 'Help, I need Jet to fuel my Valentine's Day' was included in press releases and mentioned on the radio interviews undertaken. Only the first ten customers into each participating forecourt that relayed the catchphrase were entitled to their rescue pack.

 

In all, it was a great success. Many of the forecourts had given away all their packs within less than an hour of opening (one within minutes) and a couple had people enquiring about it the day before. Our overall aim was to create a light-hearted media story that helped strengthen Jet's position of 'fuelling the local community'. It was a great opportunity for the owners of the sites to generate some goodwill among their customer base, as well as some positive local publicity, helping to drive footfall into the forecourts.

 

Catherine

What’s in a name?

I once worked with someone who contended that all successful brands were either someone’s name or a five letter word – Tesco being an ideal example as it is both.  This gentleman worked in printing and so was surrounded by brands like Ricoh and Epson.

If five letter brands are the way to go, then Prova is certainly on to a winner!

But, we would argue that with successful brands like BMW, Renault and Nissan holding sway in the automotive arena, five letter brands are not all they are cracked up to be.

One five letter automotive brand where value is currently being tested is Lotus – so popular that two teams will start the Formula 1 season under the Lotus banner. However, after the legal wrangling over possession of the licence to use the name and the settling of the dust in March, whether either will emerge a victor remains doubtful.

Brand name and image is everything – just ask Gap and Starbucks – and if you do not definitively own that brand and the behaviours associated with it then potential customers, allies and sponsors will be less than willing to join your cause.

Aimee

Keep Calm and Recycle On

Yesterday The TaxPayers’ Alliance announced the results of its research into the different recycling practices of local authorities. And, the angle that most media outlets picked up was the fact that one authority provides its residents with nine bins to separate their recycling.

 

It’s a real shame to see so many media covering this story in the same way as well as completely missing the point. There is a pertinent reason why we need to separate our recycling and by sensationalising the issue then this vital message doesn’t make it through. The TaxPayers’ Alliance argues that councils are passing the buck to the taxpayer. Really? Aren’t they actually saving money by removing the need for complex secondary separation processes? And shouldn’t we take responsibility for the waste we produce?

 

We need to change people’s attitudes to recycling – we’ve come an exceptionally long way from sending nearly all household waste to landfill to now only sending 60 per cent, but obviously we’ve still got a way to go. But, if we look towards Europe, The Netherlands sends less than 5 per cent to landfill and Germany sends only very slightly more. In these countries, waste separation is an accepted practice and has been for decades. Kitchens have been adapted to have small but separate waste containers for different materials making it quick and easy to do. Organisations like the TaxPayers’ Alliance are pandering to those who don’t want to recycle and can’t be bothered to take responsibility for their own environmental impact. The UK has only eight years of landfill left – and we’re all faced with rising prices for the goods we buy as raw materials become scarcer. By asking residents to separate their waste, local authorities can provide recyclers directly with clean, good quality recyclate that can be used in high end goods.

 

Having different bins for waste materials makes good environmental and commercial sense. We need to focus on communication and education as well as providing support to changing attitudes to get more people engaged with kerbside recycling, rather than fuelling the fire for those who can’t be bothered.

 

Rebecca

A new year dawns

Well, the snow’s thawed, temperatures are starting to rise (slowly!) and many of those New Year resolutions are already consigned to the waste bin. And with the annual Autosport Show finished for another year, the eyes of the motorsport industry turn to the season ahead. 

 

For the British motorsport sector, it’s looking like another busy year. The F1 grid is bursting at the seams with the products of our very own motorsport valley, while the WRC, WTCC, Sports Prototype Championships and a multitude of single-seater series seem, in the main, to be boasting full grids this year. Meanwhile, below the pinnacle of the sport, the great triangle that is semi-professional and amateur motorsport is busier than ever, with new series, new cars and new drivers joining the fray.

 

All of which is great news for the industry, thought to employ almost 40,000 people in the UK and be worth in excess of six billion pounds per annum to national GDP. However, any continuing success cannot be taken for granted. The economies of the East and Far East, especially China, are becoming more and committed to building their own motorsport sectors. A motorsport sector is not just seen in economic terms, but also from a prestige perspective. Where there is motorsport, the argument goes, the conventional automotive organisations will follow.

 

Therefore, it is critical that, as an industry, the British motorsport sector continues to evolve, innovate and embrace new technologies. The threat of overseas competition, be it in the form of new constructors, new tracks, or new technology, will only grow. Such competition needs to be addressed with innovation and we are starting to see businesses embracing new power forms, such as electric. The TTXGP initiative in motorbike racing is gaining strength, while the EV Cup – one of the world’s first series for electric race vehicles – is set to hit British tracks in 2011. In addition, British-based firms such as Mercedes GP are getting involved in pioneering projects such as the Formulec initiative to develop an electric F3 car.

 

However, it’s not only new forms of energy that the motorsport industry needs to embrace. It is also about looking towards other technology sectors, such as aerospace. The motorsport industry is one of the most progressive, lateral thinking sectors in the UK economy and now is the time for it to be leading the way and embracing new opportunities. Indeed, motorsport should be leading sustainable technology innovation.

 

In many respects, 2011 will be a pivotal year for the industry, a year when the foundation blocks of a more sustainable, more responsible and wider sector specific reliance will be laid. And if that happens, the UK motorsport industry will continue to move forward and flourish...

 

Richard

InteGREATed marketing

Integrated marketing – a somewhat overused term in marketing circles – is a passion of mine. I’m talking about when a team of creative minds, from different disciplines, come together around a table to bash out an overarching ‘big idea’ that will work through-the-line. Where the role for PR isn’t to amplify an existing advertising creative (how last century!) but where our role is to deliver credibility, influence and engagement behind a creative story being driven through TV, print, digital, in-store – everywhere that our chosen target audience will be interacting with our brand. Like an orchestra moving towards an emotive crescendo, the conductor is the very brand that we are all working to serve. Even better, when Creatives and Planners from difference disciplines lock heads and perform at their peak in order to out-think their opposite number.

 

We all know the consumer rules. Savvy shoppers choose products because they are relevant to them, (this brand represents me) or because they provide an added value – a price promotion on a brand with a high perceived value, or a straight forward added extra, incentivising that purchase. My bulging freezer is testament to my appetite for a premium brand on a BOGOF!

 

It’s dog eat dog out there. Specialist agencies coming together to work as one seamless team to deliver brands and businesses with a clear, consistent, controlled, credible and, above all, relevant public image will stand-out and win the battle for the purse.

 

Jane

Why don’t more people recycle?

An article in our local paper this week discussed how Warwick District Council’s landfill tax bill will double by 2014 based on recent waste statistics. This is a result of the Government’s landfill tax escalator taking disposal costs from £48 to £80 a tonne.

Over the last ten years, recycling has gone from being what a few, slightly weird environmental people might do to becoming part of everyday life. Kerbside collections have evolved and cover nearly all the UK and despite much outcry when introduced, alternative weekly collections have also proved successful in making householders think differently about their waste and recycle more.

But obviously, with WDC’s recycling figure only at 49 per cent, more than half of waste is ending up at landfill sites which will run out by around 2018. So there is still much to be done – and part of this has to be by enforcement. However, initial feedback on the shape of the Government’s much anticipated waste review shows that a softly, softly approach is going to be taken around issues of enforcement.

But will this achieve the desired results? Probably not, and, with budgets being cut, communications programmes are going to be curtailed and if people don’t know how, why and what to recycle then they won’t. As a nation, we are far behind our European counterparts, which I think is rather embarrassing! In the rest of Europe, recycling is in their psyche and there is no reason why it shouldn’t be here. This is one issue the Government should be harder nosed about, looking to ban certain materials from landfill and help the recycling industry focus on research and development to find better ways to capture, process and reuse materials.

Interestingly the article doesn’t cover how this cost is going to be passed on – will this mean higher council tax bills for all, or will those who don’t recycle face fines? The latter would have a much greater effect on those not recycling!

Becca

Prova’s sustainable Christmas Heart

Prova’s Sustainable Advent Calendar raised £250 for the Heart of England Community Foundation – an independent charity which connects people and companies with community projects in Coventry and Warwickshire.

To celebrate our 10 year anniversary, we undertook a sustainability pledge every working day in December in the lead up to Christmas and raised money through updating our Facebook fans and Twitter followers and for every social media interaction, more money was raised!

From turning the radiators off (when it was -7!) and sharing a lunch of homemade soup through to sending reusable Christmas cards and purchasing Secret Santa presents from local charity shops, we made a positive difference to our environmental footprint and local community.

We are now working with the Heart of England Community Foundation to identify community projects to help so we’ll keep you updated on what we achieve with them!

Lauren

I’m dreaming of an electric Christmas…!

One of the exciting projects I’m starting to get involved with – for a couple of clients – is the practicalities of electric vehicles (EVs) and their transition from niche manufacturer to mass market over the coming three years.  

With financial support (up to 25% of £5K off list price from January 2011), government endorsement and big names like Ford, BMW and Renault getting in on the action, it looks like the EV is truly here to stay.

And, with its motor industry heritage, the West Midlands (and the UK) is well placed to lead developments in the sector. 

However, my big question about EVs – with all this white stuff currently on the ground, how will those EVs (and their batteries) hold up?

If you’ve got the answers then we’d love to hear them!

Aimee

Home working is the new 9-5

By now, you are probably fed up with hearing about snow.  Pretty though it may be when you have all the time in the world to play with it!  This last week has shown that the UK’s transport network is not exactly set up to deal with it.  According to Royal Sun Alliance, the snow could be costing the UK economy £1.2 billion per day while the British Retail Consortium said that the snow had been a major blow to Christmas sales. 

Here at Prova Towers it has been business as usual.  While the PR industry is incredibly reliant on communications and getting people in front of each other, we’re also highly adaptable to changing circumstances.  With access to email servers from home or from our Blackberries or iPhones, we’re never far from contact. 

So, while some have struggled through the snow – taking care not to damage their cars or slip on the ice, others have been mercy to the British public transport system – can’t say a three hour commute from Birmingham to Warwick is ideal!  Others still have chosen to work from home – making use of travel time saved to deliver results for clients.

The moral of the story?

It doesn’t matter how much it snows, a PR person is always available!

Aimee

Hardly a tale of true grit*

I read with interest the commentary in last week’s Birmingham Post on Birmingham City Council’s press office refusal to reveal salt and grit levels for the cold weather.  Apparently, these figures are considered classified information and are being treated on a need to know basis – the public does not need to know!

Now, you can understand where they are coming from.  A lot of analysis will have been done at senior levels to ensure the right quantities were ordered and decisions will have been taken on a strategic basis.  Having not been privy to that decision-making, the most we can do is look at the scare stories in the media about the levels required and criticise the council for not ordering enough.  The council may well believe no knowledge is better than half knowledge.

But, as a basic of issues management, if you leave a vacuum then people will rush to fill it.  And, in this increasingly 24/7 media world, people will fill it quickly.  So, surely it is better to be open and upfront rather than create the space for speculation and assumptions?    

*Title borrowed from the Birmingham Post commentary which inspired this post!

Aimee

A fitting introduction to a team of motoring nuts!

My first week with the Prova PR team has been a real whistle stop tour of the world of motorsport and the wider automotive and environmental arenas.  I’ve been introduced to the FIA, F1, WRC and so on via the medium of stick figure drawings, drooled over catalogues for Triumph accessories and delved deep into fleet management and logistics.

However, something which really proves Prova’s commitment to the motoring industry is the consultancy’s sponsorship of the Guild of Motoring Writers Awards – Business Writer Award.  To say thank you to the motoring industry for all of the support provided to Prova’s clients over the year, the consultancy feels it only fitting to sponsor the cash prize and trophy for the best business writer and has been doing so for a number of years.    

And, this year, Prova certainly backed the winning horse.  Jorn Madslien, who took home the Prova PR Business Writer Award, also received the Newspress New Media Award and Renault UK Journalist of the Year accolade and was highly commended in the AA Environment Award.  Madslien was recognised for comprehensively raising the profile of the motoring industry at the BBC and broadening the subject’s appeal on a national level – something we can wholeheartedly endorse.

Aimee

PR - the sustainable discipline

Earlier this year, when Pepsi diverted 25 million dollars of Super Bowl advertising spend into an interactive competition where consumer communities proposed worthy social causes to receive the money instead, the PR team behind the initiative will have taken a seat at the top table. In an overt sustainability message, Pepsi was demonstrating a deep commitment to supporting the communities and consumers it depends upon and used public relations tools to influence, encourage, engage and interact with their target consumer. Public relations has never been more significant than when a business is making sustainability claims.

 

Sustainable business practice is not just about environmental wellbeing – a frequent misconception. Sustainability in business requires new business models that build lasting prosperity for the many, not the few. By 2050 it is projected that the world’s population will be 9 billion people. Of which, 2 million will be new, middle class consumers. Such a prosperous outlook demands new business models that create efficiency and new market opportunities. Deloitte and the World Economic Forum have come together to urge business leaders to stop treating sustainability as an add-on element of corporate social responsibility, but a practice that must be integrated into every aspect of the business. A five step plan includes: Innovation; Collaboration; Investment in the long term; Value-based frameworks and Leadership. Those taking the lead are being called the market makers.

 

Clearly re-building a business model is no mean feat. Leaders who embark on this journey must communicate to every stakeholder at every stage. Setting out a clear vision, the plan and processes, and preparing for any negative outcomes will be part and parcel of this unprecedented process. For brands that rely on consumer consumption to survive, using PR as a marketing discipline to interact with and engage the target consumer will prove to be a wise business decision.

 

Jane

World class rallying

Earlier this month Wales Rally GB – one of the UK’s largest and most iconic motorsport events – returned to Wales and I had the pleasure of joining a number of Prova’s team in Cardiff.

 

I’d been looking forward to the event for a while as we had been doing a lot of promotional activity in the run up to the rally including planning the inaugural Rallyfest in North Wales to bring the sport to a wider audience. I had also been writing a column in the South Wales Evening Post for Gareth Roberts, the up-and-coming co-driver for Craig Breen, current Irish Young Rally Driver of the Year, which really helped me get into rallying.

 

I spent Friday at Wales Rally HQ in Cardiff tweeting about the live rally action as well as taking local school children on a VIP tour of the service park. It was great to see their faces when a rally car was revved and to answer their questions although I think one girl was disappointed Lewis Hamilton wasn’t there!

 

On Saturday, we left before dawn to drive up to Crychan where we waited to interview drivers at the end of the stage. As Wales Rally GB is the British and final round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), it attracts the world’s top driving talent so it was exciting, if not a little daunting, to ask the best rally drivers questions! However, with the guidance of David who does this practically every weekend, I got into the swing of things, taking quotes from drivers and relaying them back to the media centre where they were used by the world’s motorsport journalists. We also had the added bonus of interviewing the National rally entrants who were really excited to be driving on WRC stages and their enthusiasm was infectious.

 

I immensely enjoyed my chance to work behind the scenes of a world class event and I was bowled over by the dedication and passion of those who make it happen. For instance, without the hundred of marshals who voluntarily give up their free time to work on the event, the rally wouldn’t be possible. Plus, I was really pleased for Craig Breen and Gareth Roberts as they finished 12^th overall in Wales Rally GB – their best WRC result so far – and 2^nd in their class!

 

Lauren

Jane mulls over the changes in the PR industry upon joining Prova

As an enthusiastic graduate, starting out in consumer PR in the mid 1990s, I communicated with clients and journalists by fax and undertook research by phone via the Yellow Pages while slavishly packing my rollerdeck with contacts. Telling friends and family I worked in ‘PR’, was met with a curious look. My mum would explain my work as, ‘she drops off Pot Noodles to Chris Evans at 5am in the morning’.

Setting down my BlackBerry, while checking our Twitter feed, what excites me the most is that I am now operating in a world where communication technologies and innovations are exploding and have become a fundamental tool within the fabric of our culture. Where celebrities rule and peer recommendation is trusted more than advertising. A world where Public Relations is coming of age. Some might say, it’s about time.
 
According to historians, publicity began as early as 1899, when a leading biscuit company in the States created a product with a distinctive brand name, trademark and packaging. The use of publicity to support this marketing milestone was so effective that the ad agency, Ayer, set up its own publicity department. PR might be the younger sibling to advertising, but it has become the key discipline to manage this extraordinary landscape of communications tools and stimulate today’s consumer who wants to engage, interact and be excited by the brands they purchase. To my mind, public relations as part of the marketing mix, has never been more relevant.

 

Jane

Exhibition fever is upon us!

Apologies about the lack of posts in September but the good folks of Prova have been busy manning, organising and even exhibiting at events and exhibitions galore.

 

While David, Richard, Zoe and I were among the Prova team manning the press office at the Low Carbon Vehicle (LCV 2010) event at Millbrook, Rebecca, Catherine, Sally, Lauren and Clare were working hard at the RWM 2010 show (the UK’s top environmental exhibition) at the NEC.

 

Hot footing it directly from Millbrook to Birmingham, both Richard and I delivered presentations on various elements of the PR discipline; Richard focussing on PR tools, me exploring the use of digital media. Armed with our presentations on memory sticks, we were both feeling the pressure to be following eye-catching fashion shows featuring recycled clothing on the catwalk stage at the NEC!

 

The amount of interest in Prova at RWM was significant, with all the team working hard to follow up on enquiries from marketing directors interested in forging partnerships. As a consultancy that understands the language of the ever changing recycling market, we know we have the right skills and expertise to deliver for this audience.

 

St John

Be an exhibitionist!

There are just weeks to go until RWM 2010 and as Prova are seasoned professionals at RWM, I thought I’d write a blog about how to get the most out of exhibiting.

 

It’s imperative to prepare fully for exhibitions, rather than approaching the various elements of the event on a piecemeal basis, to ensure that your company gives out a clear, coordinated and consistent message.

 

Visitors to exhibitions are bombarded with hundreds of different messages, so work out your message and aim to communicate it in a simple, yet engaging way to attract attention and encourage conversation with visitors.

 

The next step is to ensure all of your communications tools – press relations, print advertising, Twitter, website, stand design, handouts, seminar topics and catalogue entries – all communicate the same message.

 

Don’t forget the all important pre-event period, so be sure to invite customers, suppliers and other contacts to the show. Spend time developing informative press material to hand out and make sure it’s full of news, product information, company background and relevant pictures.

 

Thinking further ahead to next year, make the most of the RWM by planning ahead; arrange to attend pre-event networking opportunities and put a company spokesperson forward for a seminar speaking slot.

 

This can all seem like a lot of work which is why many companies call on the services of professional marketing and PR firms to provide support in this area. As well as having a consultancy that can write copy and ensure the messages are consistent, it’s often beneficial to use a third party, to make sure the project receives that attention it deserves.

 

If you are going to invest time and money to exhibit at a show like RWM 2010, you’ve got to make the most of it so draw up an action plan, agree a hard hitting message and make it happen!

 

See you at RWM 2010 – Stand 502!

 

St John

Is scrapping the default retirement age a good thing?

The debate sparked by the announcement that the government is due to phase out the compulsory retirement age of 65 has certainly been interesting and at times extremely heated. The baby boomers have been accused of having their cake and eating it (once again) while the younger generation suffer from an ever reduced job pool as the older generation hold on to the their jobs.

 

I graduated last year so I’m well versed in the lack of jobs for graduates (a letter I wrote about this situation was even published in the Daily Mail last year!) but I honestly don’t think older people working for longer will prevent members of my generation being appointed to the entry level jobs we crave. The majority of jobs in this country are in the service sector where experience and knowledge are valuable to both the company and other employees. Instead of being booted out the door at 65, the expertise of older workers should be passed down the company so younger workers can benefit.

 

We’re constantly being reminded of the financial time bomb for tax payers burdened with supporting an ever increasing generation of pensioners who are often coerced into a life of leisure and poverty. It makes sense for those who are still fit and willing to work to continue to do so as they’d be better off than on the state pension. Also they would continue contributing to society, instead of being sidelined and forgotten. The health benefits of work are generally accepted, with some doctors even saying that retirement is a death sentence. If we’re living longer, then it makes sense to be working longer.

 

Lauren

Learning from Fruit and Veg

I’m a bit of a sucker for those ‘business doctor’ programmes when the proven expert (be it Gordon Ramsay, Gerry Robinson or Alan Sugar) rolls into town, verbally abuses the clueless owners of the company, then rides off into the sunset, having cured every strategic ill under the sun and turned them into happy, profitable entrepreneurs.

 

I recently saw retail guru Mary Portas helping a fruit and veg shop in Liverpool, run by three sisters, who had not quite grasped the concept of customer service, promotion or even the calculation of a profit margin!

 

In the end, after a fair amount of conflict and inevitable drama, the girls pulled together and made a huge success of the shop, increasing weekly income from £2,000 to £2,700.

 

It occurred to me that some of the basic lessons of business learnt here could teach us all a trick or two. Here are some of the gems I picked up from the programme:

 

Understand your market – get out there and talk to your customers. What do they think about you? What do they want? What are the competition doing well? Where can you compete with them? Here, the sisters were up against the convenience of Sainsbury’s and Tesco, so needed to come up with a different offer.

 

Focus on quality – look at the quality of your product or service and be hard on yourself. The sisters at the veg shop didn’t see the benefit of getting to the market early – before 5am! – to bag the best produce every day for their customers, but soon realised that this was a key part of their plan.

 

Be innovative and think about your customers – you can never stop thinking about what your customers want and how the market is constantly changing. Our purveyors of fine fruit and vegetables just didn’t get the idea of veg boxes until Mary pounded the streets drumming up customers. In just half an hour, they had signed up half a dozen regulars.

 

Know your mission – I know they can be a bit old hat, but having a clear, simple mission can really help to focus minds. In this case, the sisters’ mantra was something along the lines of; “Local, Fresh, Less”. They are a local retailer (sourcing local produce); the fruit and veg is always high quality and bought that morning at market and they encourage people to buy less but to buy more often to ensure freshness. They will always try to be less expensive than the big supermarkets too. So simple, but so effective!

 

Branding – lastly, we should never stop thinking about the brand our business has and how we communicate the values of the company. In the case of our scouse emporium, the shop changed its name from Fosters to 3 Sisters and had a complete refurb, including some marvellous photos of the girls clad in fruit and veg (think calendar girls with carrots!).

 

While these simple, but very powerful messages transformed the shop, I reckon these are lessons that could be adopted by any business; law firms, electronics manufacturers, logistics providers and even PR agencies.

 

St John

 

The Power of PR

Prova set itself the challenge of coming up with a World Cup PR initiative on behalf of our client, fuel brand, Jet.  Trying to avoid anything too ‘cheesy’ or too overtly promotional, we opted to establish a World Cup Football Shirt Amnesty.  A total of 17 Jet forecourts, located throughout the UK, were chosen to take part, with the commercial objective of raising the profile of these forecourts in their local media, getting local communities involved and increasing footfall.

 

We recognised that it was important to find a well respected partner for this project to donate the collected shirts to and, following research, approached and secured a partnership with VSO, the leading international development charity that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries.  Adding a further link to the World Cup, all donated shirts will be sent to South Africa to be distributed to children and adults through VSO’s network of volunteers and local sports education projects.

 

Tailored press releases for local media, as well as supportive POS for the forecourts, helped to launch Jet’s national ‘Dig Out, Drop Off, Donate’ initiative. Customers were asked to bring in last season’s football shirts, or those that they have grown out of.  Prova secured many radio interviews with VSO and Jet forecourt owners promoting the initiative.  Print press coverage was also particularly effective in raising awareness and giving a ‘call to action’ for people to get involved.

 

The initiative ran for just two weeks – timed to finish on the first day of the World Cup to avoid clashing with and getting lost among other World Cup news.   Its success has more than exceeded expectations – more than 1000 football shirts have been donated across the 17 sites, with one individual forecourt receiving more than 250 alone!  Across all the sites, the amnesty has created a buzz among staff and customers.  With the football shirts now on their way to South Africa, local communities here in the UK can feel proud that they have directly helped to make a difference for local communities elsewhere.  Prova is proud to have played its part too!

 

Catherine Scotcher

Prova tries T'ai Chi

For Prova’s ‘Learning at Work Day’, the team decided to try some T'ai Chi and I was invited to instruct the lesson, having taught T’ai Chi for more than 20 years. I arrived at The Studio in Warwick and everyone was really friendly. After a quick warm up we started the class with a few exercises called K'ai Men which means Open Door in Mandarin and is aimed at increasing the flow of chi (energy) in the body. The chi flows best when people are relaxed so I tried to create a relaxed environment and a focused attitude during the class. The Prova team enjoyed a range of exercises which were aimed at improving balance, deep breathing and releasing energy. We did a series of gentle movements called ‘forms’ which enhance and generate the flow of energy in the body. They also increase flexibility and feed the body with much-needed energy by helping chi to flow more freely. Over time, meditative aspects become more integrated into the movements which will lead to a strong mind and internal stillness. Hopefully the lessons learnt will serve the team well.

 

For more information, see our website: www.seahorsearts.co.uk

 

Rachel Simpson (guest blogger)

Snap happy PR in focus

This week I boarded the early commuter train from Birmingham to London for a TNR Communications workshop in PR photography. Photos accompanying press releases from PR agencies (Prova not included) have a reputation for being cheesy and uninspired (think big cheques – so passé) which means it’s important to inject as much inspiration into our photography as possible!

 

The workshop was led by Tim Kerr, the head of photography at TNR Communications (consultants of the Press Association). His decade of experience on the picture desk meant that he was able to give us PRs a good insight into the working life of a picture editor, as well as their likes and dislikes (over branded, messy photos as well as ones of big cheques are pet hates). The picture desks of national newspapers receive up to 20,000 photos a day meaning photos must stand out if they’re to be selected for print. The subject of 50 per cent of the photos picture editors are looking for has already been decided in advance according to the news stories of the day but the rest are quirky photos that catch their eye such as record attempts for the largest pizza, flash mobs and the like.

 

Often on paper, a story can sound uninspiring but if it’s accompanied by an eye catching picture then it can make its way into the nationals. A bell ringing festival doesn’t sound particularly exciting but an artistic photo of a group of bell ringers taken from up the bell tower made the Guardian’s Eyewitness page. Clearly, photography shouldn’t be an afterthought in PR but should be planned in advance to ensure that photos sent to picture desks grab the picture editor’s attention, as well as summing up the essence of the story. If a lot of hard work has been put into a press release, article or PR stunt, then the accompanying image shouldn’t sell this short. Investing in a photographer with a proven track record and taking the time to plan creative shots is well worth it if gets clients more coverage. And that’s what everyone wants!

 

So to summarise, large cheque photos: bad, creative and unusual photos: good.

 

Lauren

 

An education in PR

When I first made the decision to study Public Relations, I realised that not a lot of people understood what PR actually is and what it can do. “You need a Masters to hand out leaflets?” one friend asked me, seeming confused.

 

Now, coming to the final weeks of my course and having been at Prova for four months, I am still learning and feel there is much more to find out and many opportunities to develop my skills in the ever-changing world of PR.

 

First of all, it has been interesting to put the basic practical skills that I have learnt into practice. It is clear that mastering the technique of how to write a press release that a journalist actually wants (which at times felt like we practiced to death in the first semester) as well as when and how to best communicate this to the media is undoubtedly essential to successful PR. What you can’t learn at University is how to communicate with clients on the importance of deadlines or how to tactfully explain why their story is not necessarily always going to make the 10 o'clock news. These skills take time and experience to perfect.

 

In my second semester we looked more at the fundamental issues surrounding PR, the ethics and values, whether there are any ethics and values, how as a professional to control messaging and how this is impacted, helped and hindered by the world of social media.

 

Our ethics classes made us think about the type of PR practitioner we would like to be in an ideal world and the type of clients we would like to work for, which led to many a debate. However, in reality, working in a busy office with demanding deadlines and never ending to-do lists leaves little time to ponder.

 

As I join Prova full time I am looking forward to gaining more knowledge and experience with a wide range of clients. Hopefully I will bring the skills and understanding I have developed to the benefit of the team. Exciting times!

 

Clare

World in crisis communications

I spent seven days stranded in Gran Canaria due to the Icelandic Volcano this month. I personally don’t have a problem with the airspace being closed if there is the slightest risk to air safety (and I’m a good flier). However what has shocked me has been the complete lack of crisis communications plans from airlines. Surely they would have learned from last year’s snow debacle (which I also managed to get caught up in and spent 24 hours in Heathrow, luckily business class lounge) and September 11^th.

What staggered me as a communications specialist was that it took at least two days for the Government to catch on that its citizens were stranded, and it wasn’t until the Monday that alternative solutions were even contemplated.

Furthermore, our airline’s own communication was disgraceful.  The internet is the easiest and not to mention the cheapest way for stranded passengers to keep up to date with the latest developments. However our airline could only put up a statement a day listing cancelled flights – no advice, support or at the very least understanding.

Communication channels have really changed over the last few years, however it’s only when something goes wrong that the backward approach of many leading brands’ comms teams become apparent.  Our airline didn’t use Twitter, Facebook or its own website to communicate with the 60,000 passengers it had stranded.

In our case, we were told to contact via the website or via the special freephone number. OK fine. But don’t add insult to injury, not to mention customers’ misery by not making these work. Show you’re doing your best – get extra people on the ground to handle calls, extend your opening times (seriously, closing at 8pm or for the weekend when people are stuck is OK?) and damn well make sure people respond to the website emails.  We sent four, and we’re still awaiting a reply...

Over the course of four days trying to get eight people off Gran Canaria we spent in excess of 12 hours trying to get through. It amazed me that airlines feel the need to be devious in such circumstances – not using hold music or anything so people hang up as they think they’ve been cut off.  Remember – without these customers you don’t have a business.

Then, to make matters worse, on the flight home (after having to leave half our party for an extra two days due to lack of flights) the airplane was half empty. The airline wasn’t bright enough to realise the people flying out for a week’s holiday never made it out and as a result didn’t need their flight home.

Maybe it’s because of the job I do, but good communication in this situation was paramount. I was extremely shocked and to be honest disappointed that so many communications professionals made a complete hash of what could have been their chance to shine.  After two ‘act of God’ weather incidents ruining my holidays my advice to anyone reading this is not to go on holiday when I do.

P.S. My next holiday is in June.

Becca

Prova meets Rick Stein's MasterChef

Last week saw the Prova team decamp to Padstow in Cornwall, for our away day (and night). We were treated to a mouth-watering meal at Rick Stein’s Cafe and then lay our heads down in the sumptuous hotel rooms above The Seafood Restaurant. Our wake-up call the next morning wasn’t a shrill alarm and a mug of instant coffee as usual, but a cooked breakfast and a brisk morning walk on the beach! What a refreshing change! Our next stop was the Padstow Seafood School to cook a menu inspired by Rick Stein’s Eastern Odyssey. And an odyssey it was! We learnt to gut and cook squid for a zesty salad dish, in addition to preparing meals with ingredients we’d never heard of before!

Jumping in at the deep end of the culinary world reminded me a little of beginning work with a new client. It’s vital that we immerse ourselves in our clients’ worlds so we can work most successfully. That’s why we make numerous visits to see the work our clients do firsthand in order to understand them better. At the cookery school, both of our teachers were experienced and talented chefs, so it must have been frustrating for them to see us make simple mistakes. Thankfully, they didn’t conform to the irate Gordon Ramsey stereotype and were patient with us; explaining where we were going wrong and gently setting us on the right path again. Sometimes, clients have to be just as patient with us as their PR company. As PR professionals, our strength lies in communications, not as technical experts, so it might take a little longer for us to understand all the science, but once we do, we can shout effectively on behalf of our clients. Similarly, we have to be just as understanding when dealing with clients who are unused to working with the media. If we are patient and properly brief our clients then we can get them on board in no time at all to produce real results for them in their target media.

Another interesting point was raised by a number of us at Prova; the service at all of Rick Stein’s establishments was not only impeccable, the members of staff went the extra mile for their customers. As soon as our minibus stopped outside our destination, we were welcomed by a member of staff who was expecting us, coats were kept warm by the radiator while we ate to make the chilly sea air more acceptable when we left and we were even chased down the road by a waiter with forgotten keys! These establishments could trade on Rick Stein’s name alone but their staff purposely work that bit harder for their customers. Likewise, it’s important for us as a PR agency to work just as hard for our clients, particularly as our clients are so passionate and hardworking for their customers.

All in all, it was a successful trip; us newbies bonded with the Prova ‘old guard’, we all enjoyed taking the sea air and, most importantly, we learnt to cook some delicious new dishes to add to our culinary repertoire. Oh – and I even cooked the Babi kecap at the weekend, so it was definitely worth it!

To see photos of our jaunt to Cornwall and our culinary adventure, go to the Prova facebook page http://bit.ly/bfV8cD

Lauren

The definition of irony

A friend asked me the other day what my definition of irony was. I pondered the question and replied that it was when a bank, owned 85% by the taxpayer, had financed the takeover of a UK company, which ended with a factory closure and job losses a week after the deal was done. Sound familiar?

 

That is just what happened in the case of Kraft acquiring that bastion of Quaker principles, Cadbury. While it’s an outrage that 400 jobs are to go at their plant in Keynsham, near Bristol, the whole deal raises other questions about corporate responsibility and government policy in the area of mergers and acquisitions.

 

While it could be argued that the Kraft board never made a cast iron guarantee to keep the plant open, it was certainly disingenuous in its assertion that it would ‘hope’ to save the factory once the deal was done. In retrospect, it’s easy to see how the workers at Keynsham have been left with a very bitter taste indeed. Perhaps lessons will be learnt here and the government, now looking characteristically toothless, will realise that without greater regulation, the UK’s family jewels of brands and skills will continue to be plundered by global corporations. Maybe what is needed is a ‘public interest’ test for all proposed takeovers, to ensure UK workers are not mere casualties of the M&A world.

 

The Kraft episode goes back to the basics of good public relations; which despite the influence of tabloids and spin doctors, is still about honesty, clear communication and making the right choices. Although criticised for being a bit slow off the mark, Toyota is proving the old adage that ‘fessing up’ and making good your mistakes will come good in the end. Life must be very testing for everyone at the world’s biggest carmaker at the moment, but I am confident that they will come out the other side in far better shape than a certain American FMCG brand.

 

What seems to get missed in the feeding frenzy of mergers, takeovers, product recalls and corporate communications is that in the end, it should be all about people’s welfare – be it staff, customers, shareholders or suppliers. Responsible industries should look after the needs of all their ‘publics’, not screwing suppliers for the best deal or exploiting workers with low wages and poor conditions.

 

Good companies take a far longer view, with some in the past even building whole communities, village halls, swimming pools and gardens for their staff. Now doesn’t that sound vaguely familiar?

 

St John

 

The Case Is Altered...

I’ve just come to the end of two weeks of jury service – spending day after day waiting to be called on cases. Obviously, one is not allowed to discuss any specifics, but as an educational process, as well as it being a civic duty necessary to undertake, it’s been a fascinating time to juxtapose the worlds of the law and PR.

 

The PR and media arenas demand quick thinking, gut reaction and clear choices. We have to be able to capitalise upon situations, under a clear strategic route, for the good of our clients, while turning the needs and demands of journalists round quickly in order to offer the best possible service.

 

The pace of the judicial system has, however, taken me by surprise. Everything is at a far more measured rhythm and the reasons behind that are clear. Decisions made in the courts have massive consequences for people - a far bigger impact than anything we might do in our professional lives in PR and for that reason, evidence has to be considered in far greater detail and process followed more rigorously. That is only right - the judicial system is a foundation block of our hopefully liberal, just and decent society and the role of the jury in that process is a critical one.

 

It does mean, however, that there is a lot of sitting around for the members of the jury. It is a world of second hand newspapers, endless cups of coffee and long, long delays. Such an atmosphere could breed an element of anger amongst people, but from what I have seen, it is an air of cheerful stoicism that binds the ranks of jurors. Everybody’s lives are touched by a common purpose, a common inconvenience and a common challenge to get to the courts despite the weather. Yet, people seem to implicitly take it on board that it is their civic duty to play their part in the judicial process. And it’s not often that we see the civic imperative play a part in a modern society where the pursuit of the self seems to be, sometimes, the chief driver.

 

So, it is humbling to be involved in that process, albeit briefly; to know that we have a greater role to play in society than just worrying about ourselves, our own people and our own immediate environment. It’s a big but welcome lesson – and one that I’ve found very positive. We just need to find a way of cutting back on quite so much downtime!

 

Richard

Let it snow…..

We’ve all faced the slings and arrows of outrageous weather over the last few weeks. But in a funny way, given the slow thaw we are seeing at Prova Towers in Warwick, I kind of miss the snow, writes St. John White.

 

Not that I like to see old ladies falling over in the ice or inexperienced drivers playing bumper cars along unmarked roads that are more like rinks. What has been good to see is the emergence of the indomitable spirit, of people lending a hand and looking out for others. I’ve heard no end of good stories about blokes helping push strangers out of snow drifts, people checking on elderly neighbours and hospital workers sleeping on the premises to make sure A&E departments are manned.

 

On a more mundane level, the bad weather gives us a common point of reference – which is what really defines what academics call the ‘human condition’. What really counts is connecting with people. And the adversity we have all faced getting to work or stocking up on the essentials, has in many ways given us all an excuse to do this. Despite the wet socks and bruised backsides some of us have experienced in the snow, I say bring it on! Shaking up the norm is always a good thing and anything that gives us the opportunity to make new friends or contacts and see the world from a new perspective has to be a good thing.

 

After all, isn’t that what good PR is really about? Making new connections and forging relationships based in mutual understanding and respect? If the bad weather has helped us to do that, let it snow.

 

London Calling

It was Prova’s turn to be dishing out the awards last week, when it attended the Guild of Motoring Writers’ annual awards dinner at the RAC Club on Pall Mall in London, on the 3^rd December. The automotive industry’s great and good were all in attendance, including the cream of the country’s automotive and technology journalists.

 

We were sponsoring a new award, entitled ‘Prova PR Business Writer of the Year’, which came with a handsome trophy and an even more attractive cheque for the winning journalist. Entries for the award were of an extremely high calibre but it was eventually decided, in conjunction with the Guild, that the first ever winner should be Ralph Morton.

 

Entries came from the across the business, trade and technology arenas but it was Morton’s work with Business Car Manager that caught the judges’ eyes. Yet, it was also extremely positive to see the environmental question being addressed by entries. Bridging two areas of expertise for Prova, the environmental question and debate with regard to the transport and fuel of tomorrow are issues that we as an agency are extremely keen to see highlighted. 

 

Richard

Prova has a winning night out

Birmingham didn’t know what had hit it last Friday night when hundreds of PRs descended upon the ICC for the CIPR Midlands PRide Awards. Emma, StJohn and I went along to represent Prova; hopeful but not expectant of an award.

 

The theme of the evening was ‘circus’ and we were greeted by a mime artist (who took quite a shine to Emma!), a juggler and an expert hoola hooper. After a couple of drinks, everyone took their seats. The tables were adorned with all sorts of goodies – fake moustaches, red noses and joke glasses to keep in the circus spirit. Unfortunately our table didn’t win the free champagne on offer but it didn’t dampen the fantastic atmosphere.

 

It was a great night – not only did me and Emma manage to stay on our heels all evening, Prova won two awards! We scooped gold in the Corporate and Business Communications category and silver for the Best Use of Photography or Design. StJohn had to dash off for a romantic (and slightly flooded) weekend in Shrewsbury, so Emma and I did the dutiful thing and shared the glory between the two of us, knowing StJohn was there in spirit…

 

If you want to see photos of us grinning and looking very lovely, just search Prova PR on Facebook.

 

Ellie

Press road trip

Three journalists, one client and two PRs went on a road trip last week. Well, we went on a plane too, all to see an industrial scale anaerobic digestion plant deep in eastern Germany that will soon be replicated in Doncaster. 

 

With Marks and Spencer’s biscuits, haribo and glacier fruits to fuel us and our 9 seater ‘fun’ bus, we travelled through rural Germany to see how they used local food waste from caterers, retailers and establishments to generate renewable energy and a digestate for local agriculture.

 

We were treated to a very informative tour around the site, which recycles around 50,000 tonnes of food waste each year and saw how food is received, processed, pasturised and digested. We were even able to climb up the 300m digesters to see the process in action, which was very interesting. But coming down the external mesh stairs in the dark and in high heels was slightly unnerving to say the least.

 

All in all, it was a very informative trip, which although required a lot of planning and a lot of travelling really helped bring our discussions on anaerobic digestion to life for the media.

 

Becca

Prova get a mind make-over

Being the creative sort we are, Prova has launched a series of monthly ‘Chill Out’ sessions, where guest speakers are asked to come along to Church Street, and share their experience and insights with the team. Obviously, some wine and obligatory nibbles are involved.

 

This month saw Angi Egan, public speaker and retail consultant, talk to the Prova folks about her experiences at The Body Shop, IKEA and her ethos on romancing the customer. Her lively discussion really struck a chord with us.

 

We knew Angi initially through her training and coaching skills, helping clients with their presentations at seminars and events. However, her insights and inspiration in terms of customer relations is something that other businesses can really learn from. We’re already talking about introducing some of the ideas raised at our first ‘Chill Out’ into our business.

 

For future events, Prova is planning to invite guest speakers from all sorts of different areas including the media, industry and Government. It’s all too easy to continue doing things in the same way – and these sessions are really designed to help us look at issues in a new way. Angi has certainly helped us to do that!

 

St John

 

 

One rally down, one rally to go

October 22 -25 saw some of the Prova team head to South Wales for the Rally of Great Britain 2009. This year, Rally HQ and the Service Park were based in the heart of Cardiff Bay, with the spectator area directly in front of the magnificent Wales Millennium Centre.

 

Zoe and Flick were based in Rally HQ, in the Millennium Centre handling any media enquiries that arose throughout the four day event. Meanwhile, David, Hugh and Keith formed the information team that had the brilliant task of driving into the Welsh forests and interviewing drivers at the end of stages. Although definitely one of the more challenging tasks (try standing in the middle of a forest, in the rain, trying to pry open an angry driver’s door to get a comment) the guys did a brilliant job, with the motorsport media praising it as some the best end-of-stage commentary from the entire world rally championship.

 

David even ended up helping Jari-Matti Latvala fix his car at the end of one of the stages, but now he’s back after recovering for a week following the rally, I’ll let him tell you all about it…

Memoirs of a graduate…

It’s been over a month since I joined the world of work and ended my rather unhealthy relationship with daytime television. Gone is the time when whole days slipped away, with only Phil and Fern to provide any sort of intellectual stimulation.

 

The Prova team welcomed me with open arms (not, I hope, because they’d realised the benefit of having another person around to make cups of tea) and I quickly settled in. It has to be said that the transition from slothful student to PR professional and general ‘proper person’ has been made a lot easier by a constant supply of cakes, biscuits and sweeties, as well as regular Friday pub lunches.

 

Before I convince you all that I am still living the lethargic life of a recent graduate, it’s not all been cakes and sweeties. I’ve got stuck in to various projects; writing press releases, researching different media, ‘selling in’ competitions and generally getting involved in office life.

 

I’m learning a lot about PR each day, which I love. I do still miss being able to lie in until midday and spend the majority of my time in my pjs though…

 

Ellie

Making friends with Google…

Never let it be said that Prova isn’t embracing the digital revolution with open arms, we’ve all been working hard to master new techniques and technologies that will give clients a dynamic online presence.

 

So a couple of weeks ago we got Mark P Summers from Monkey Design House to come along to teach us all about search engine optimisation (SEO). We focused on the global superpower that is Google, looking at how to improve Google placement organically. Certainly an interesting day, Google and the way it works has always fascinated me. When Google goes down, millions of sites are affected – through advertising, gmail and many more functions. Google isn’t just a search engine – it’s pretty much THE internet as we know it today.

 

Though we might never know any of its top secret algorithms, it is vital that companies wanting to keep control of their online communications understand a little about how Google works and categorizes sites. We’re taking all of Mark’s SEO tips and starting off with this site, and I’ll let you know how it goes…

 

Flick

Prova Rocks!

Last Friday saw the return of Prova Rocks in which we sponsored the legendary Earl Grey & the Tealeaves as they stormed Stratford’s Cox’s Yard with classic tunes from the past four decades. Clients, friends and partners were invited along to bop to the likes of Don’t Look Back in Anger, Purple Rain and other banging tunes from the Kinks, the Stones and Blur.

And if that wasn’t enough of a treat, guests left the night with a party bag filled with retro sweets and Prova’s very own Winter Warmers CD – an eclectic mix of our favourite tunes.

If you couldn’t make Prova Rocks, keep your ears peeled as we are already planning our next shindig and you can check out the photos on our Facebook page.

Emma

LCV 2009 demonstrates ‘tipping point' for low carbon vehicle sector

The Prova event team has just returned from two days at the Millbrook Proving Ground, running the press office at LCV 2009. The event is the biggest low carbon vehicle event of its kind, attracting delegates for two days of informal discussion, technology briefings and ride and drive experience.

This year’s LCV saw visitor and exhibitor numbers surpassing everyone’s expectations, building on the firm foundation of the inaugural 2008 event. Media attendance was also up this year and the Prova team worked very hard to ensure that the 80 plus journalists’ and photographers’ every need was catered for.  

The Prova team was impressed with the range of technology being demonstrated during the two days. The 200 plus exhibitors included government agencies, key industry suppliers and major vehicle manufacturers, as well as a number of academic organisations showcasing the latest LCV technology with a number offering a glimpse at future developments.

Amongst the technology on display was a range of new low carbon vehicles destined for the UK’s roads in the near future. These included the impressive Tesla sports car, BMW’s Mini e and Mitsubishi’s family car the i-Miev. The impressive seminar programme attracted influential low carbon vehicle advocates including Lord Drayson, CEO of Ricardo David Shemmans and Chelsea Sexton the founder of the Lightening Rod Foundation and driving force behind the award winning film Who Killed The Electric Car?

LCV 2009 was a huge success for everyone involved and Prova is already looking forward to next year’s event. For those that wish to gain more information about LCV 2009 visit the official event website at www.lcv2009.co.uk.

 David

PROVA LAUNCHES THE 13 QUESTION METHOD TO IMPROVE PR

Prova’s St John White provided a series of insights to delegates at the RWM event in Birmingham, to help businesses energise their flagging PR campaigns. Entitled The 13 Question Method, the presentation highlights the key areas where businesses need to focus to bring fresh energy to their communications functions at a time when all organisations are looking to achieve maximum value.

 

He said: “We’re seeing a lot of businesses taking a much more pro-active and strategic approach to their communication in the current climate than we ever imagined. More senior management in industries such as waste, recycling and the environment are harnessing the power of PR to drive home their messages and differentiate themselves in a highly competitive and expanding market.”

 

White has over twenty years' experience in PR, both in-house and within consultancy, and has developed a 13 point plan to help businesses get the most from their public relations function.

 

Prova will also be presenting a seminar on PR Best Practice at the LARAC event in Liverpool on 7^th October.

 

You can see his presentation here

 

St John

 

Prova’s in the running for two PRide Awards

The finalists for the Midlands PRide Awards have been revealed and we’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for two awards!

 

Our ‘Charging Ahead with the Batteries Directive’ campaign for Varta Consumer Batteries has been nominated for the Corporate & Business Communication award. And we’re also a finalist in the Best Use of Photography & Design category for business moving company, Robinsons.  

 

The annual PRide awards, led by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), recognise outstanding success and achievement in the PR industry. So it’s a real privilege to have been shortlisted.

 

We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed until the ceremony on 20 November!

 

Emma

Many thanks to the Prova Team!

Prova and French PR agency BG Presse recently launched an exchange scheme. The first participant, Julien Eloy, shares his experience…

I would like to give a big Thank-you to the Prova Team. To work with you during the week was a real pleasure and very interesting for several reasons. Probably the first is to understand how an English agency like Prova works compared to my French agency, BG Presse in Paris. Finally, French and English cultures are not so different! Except when it comes to beer and wine! It was also interesting to exchange our different points of view concerning our plans for common customers such as Savoye Logistics and LPR. I’m sure the exchange will have a positive impact on our client campaigns. To conclude, I hope this visit will be the beginning of a great collaboration between our two agencies, with lot of other customers. Again, merci beaucoup and I hope I will have the pleasure to visit the UK again soon!

 

Julien

Prova’s sponsoring the Guild of Motoring Writers Awards 2009

We’re sponsoring a new award for the Guild of Motoring Writers, called the ‘Prova PR Business Writer of the Year’. The award and a cheque for £1,000 will be presented to the winner at the Guild’s annual ceremony which will to be held at the RAC Club on 3^rd December.

 

Guild members are held in high esteem across the industry and we’re really excited to be supporting the new award! The automotive sector is changing at an unprecedented rate in this country and it is heartening to see the Guild looking to recognise the importance of automotive business journalism.

 

Emma

There is a light that never goes out...

Recent reports in the national media confirm that the publishing world, like so many other commercial arenas, is suffering. Circulation figures for consumer titles are heading south, with Nuts and Zoo down 25 and 31 per cent respectively and even FHM losing 15 per cent of its readers over the last year. In addition, advertisers are hardly forming an orderly queue at the offices of the leading publishing houses, clamouring for space. Indeed, media agencies are predicting further falls in advertising revenue over the next few months. So, while some are predicting the end of the recession, the publishing world seems to be lagging a few months behind.

 

Yet some organisations are bucking the trend. Dennis Publishing has seen circulation fall by a mere one per cent and amidst the current downturn, there is some resilience amongst quality-led titles. And it is very much the same in the PR marketplace. Quality is alive and well amongst the agency community – and those offering an innovative, hard-working service based upon tangible results and added value, are starting to emerge from the downturn in a better place.

 

However, the recession in publishing is having a knock on effect in PR-land.  Fewer pages and magazines mean, on the face of it, less editorial opportunities for our work. And at the lower end of the quality spectrum, some business to business publications are seeking ‘colour separation’ charges – a euphemism for straight payment - in return for column inches. However, such publications are not the places for ambitious, forward-thinking organisations looking to build their profile in front of key audiences. And when we hear the cry of a colour separation request, we know its not a place for one of our clients.

 

Indeed, it’s the magazines with staying power and healthy advertising revenues due to organisations wanting to be in them that should be the place where people want to be. And that’s the mantra we’re following – quality never goes out of fashion.

 

While some offline publications are floundering, online outlets are flourishing. Companies who embrace the opportunities offered online, both in terms of publications and new ways of communicating with audiences, are those who will prosper as we all come out of the darkness of recession, blinking in the shimmering light of a new dawn!

 

It is the role of a high quality PR consultancy to lead the way, picking the good from the bad.  So, while the recession maybe shutting some doors, a whole new chapter of opportunities is opening up. We just need to make sure that we are offering media outlets what they want in order to be able to seize upon the opportunities around the corner.

 

Richard

Social media shockers

Last week we stumbled on some interesting facts that highlight the growing popularity of social networking, some of which surprised us more than others and sparked some interesting debate here in the office. So, we thought we’d share some of them with readers of our blog…

 

- 2/3 of the global internet population now visit social networks

 

- Social networking is growing at three times the overall internet rate

 

- 3,600,000,000 photos are archived on Flickr.com – June 2009. That’s roughly one photo per every two people on the planet and means we have a lot to trawl through to populate our new website!!

 

- There is an average of 3,000,000,000 Tweets per day on Twitter.com

 

- If Facebook was a country, it would be the 8^th most populated in the world, just ahead of Japan

 

If you have any interesting social media facts then share them with us at blog@provapr.co.uk

 

PS. We’ve just drawn lots to move desks here at Prova. Will let everyone know how we get on – they do say a change is as good as a holiday after all!

 

Zoe

DVD show was a huge success

The Prova event team have just returned back, hot and sweaty, from two days at the Millbrook Proving Ground running the press office at DVD 2009. The event is Defence Equipment & Support’s (DE&S) key stakeholder platform for the land and support chain communities in the defence sector, attracting attendees for two days of informal discussion and briefing. This year’s DVD saw delegates and exhibitor numbers surpassing everyone’s expectations, improving on 2008 impressive total. Media attendance was also up this year and the Prova team worked very hard to ensure that the 150 plus journalists’ and photographers’ every need were catered for in the hot conditions.  

After six months of hard work promoting the event, the Prova team was still impressed with the actual scale of the event, which occupies almost half of the Millbrook site and showcases some truly incredible equipment. This year’s event saw the launch of some of the latest defence technology, including the MOD’s three new tactical support vehicles Coyote, Wolfhouse and Husky as well as the most up-to-date body armour, which are all heading to the frontline to support British troops on operation. DVD 2009 was a huge success for everyone involved and Prova is already looking forward to next year’s event.

For those that wish to gain more information about DVD 2009 visit the official event website at www.theevent.co.uk.

David

Prova gets up close and personal

I think it’s safe to say that tight fitting harnesses are not a strong look for anyone. And the Prova team was no exception last Friday on our away day to A Day in the Country. After being firmly strapped into what can only be described as ‘leave nothing to the imagination’ harnesses and then galloping around the rope course pretending to be horses, things were never going to be the same again. After that sort of humiliation, the rope course’s initially terrifying Leap of Faith seemed all the more appealing.

 

Saying that, once we got over the initial embarrassment, we had the most fun day, filled with rope climbing, clay pigeon shooting, cream cakes and a hearty stew. This was topped off with at night at the dogs complete with cold food and a head waitress with no teeth. James and Richard meticulously planned each bet but managed to just about break even, so it was amusing when Flick picked two ‘pretty’ dogs and walked away with a sweet £20 win…and the unwanted affections of an Al Murray lookalike. 

 

But words can’t describe the day as well as hard photographic evidence. Take a look for yourself on our Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39123853@N05/

 

Emma

Welcome to Prova’s blog

Welcome to Prova’s blog which will be updated regularly on the weird and wonderful goings on in Prova, from new client wins to ongoing debates about the best kind of biscuit, it will hopefully give you an insight into the workings of our very busy and very unique agency.

It’s been all go getting the brand new website up and running and I suspect that Emma in particular will be pleased to see it finally go live after spending weeks pouring over ideas, liaising with designers and chasing copy. But it’s finally live, and I think everyone in the office is breathing a sigh of relief. Keep your eyes peeled for regular updates and feel free to send us your thoughts and comments at blog@provapr.co.uk.

Flick