Sponsorship

So, Sir Steve, what made you get back in the boat?

It’s not every day that you get to meet one of your sporting heroes. My chance came yesterday when I met the Olympic legend, Sir Steve Redgrave. I’ve been fortunate in my public relations career to have met and worked with a lot of interesting business figures. I’ve even chaired press conferences for James Caan …

So, Sir Steve, what made you get back in the boat? Read More »

Beckileaks – can brand Beckham bounce back?

By now, you have probably heard about the latest celebrity email hack, this time of the beloved Becks. I’m a massive football fan and also a fan of David Beckham as a sportsman and role model but there is no doubt that this will raise more than a few Beckham-esque eyebrows amongst football fans and …

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These women’s work – worth sweet FA?

What a depressingly predictable scenario. England’s brave, battling “Lionesses” (in itself arguably a bit derogatory but let’s not dwell on that) fly home to great acclaim across the football supporters in the country, men and women alike, inspiring a generation of girls to pull their boots on and of boys to stop making disparaging comments …

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“Anyone” for tennis? Grass court champions = grass roots cash.

Wimbledon fortnight begins. A time when for a few fleeting summer days the nation embraces tennis. The BBC swings into action, elbowing Eurosport aside, celebrities are (for some unfathomable reason in my opinion) spotted in the crowd and pigeons landing on a grass court are considered the height of situation comedy. I’m a massive fan …

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Take it easyJet – Kate’s not the classic role model.

I have written before about the issues brands have to bear in mind when aligning themselves to celebrities. Do both brands fit? Is there synergy in terms of their current perceptions or…hopefully…an opportunity to find that synergy and benefit each other? Consider the risks if it all goes a bit wrong, celebrities are not known …

Take it easyJet – Kate’s not the classic role model. Read More »

FIFA FO FUM – sponsors smell the blood of corruption

With the FIFA annual congress meeting in Zurich today, one man appears to be somewhat absent – as I write this anyway… Whether you are a football/soccer fan or not, most people know the name Sepp Blatter. So far, teflon Sepp has managed to avoid the direct controversy that has surrounded his reign and tomorrow’s …

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As Leicester embraces its kingly gift, what of Nottingham and Derby?

With crowds thronging the streets, the cortege of one history’s (and tellingly, literature’s) greatest villains King Richard III, wound its way to his new resting place at Leicester Cathedral. I heard on the radio at midday today that queues had been as long as 4 hours and even now (3pm) are still 1-2 hours long. …

As Leicester embraces its kingly gift, what of Nottingham and Derby? Read More »

Want award-winning PR results? Throw awards into your marketing mix

A couple of evenings ago, I was out at a networking function but my phone was constantly keeping me updated from a ceremony somewhere in London. Our client www.briefyourmarket.com was shortlisted (top 50) in the hugely respected Deloitte Fastest 50 awards – based on the growth of tech firms across the UK. Our job, as soon as possible, …

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Ennis-Hill makes a stand over Evans and Sheffield United contract

The uproar over Sheffield United FC allowing disgraced footballer Ched Evans to train with them refuses to die down. The club is yet to confirm whether they intend to re-sign their former player but it is clear to one of their biggest fans, Olympic champion and much-loved sports personality Jessica Ennis-Hill, what it will mean …

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A Marathon effort draws to a close but would you run on Sunday?

This blog is a bit of departure from the norm. I tell my clients to keep their blogs and any content 80/20 in favour of useful info v selfish ends (i.e. blatant promotion) . It is crucial with regards PR and editorial too – journalists want things their readers will read, not glorified advertising copy. …

A Marathon effort draws to a close but would you run on Sunday? Read More »