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We all know that things are tough in the automotive industry but it seems that some companies have simply forgotten that they are dealing with people. Chrysler's dealer comms leave a little to be desired!

Clients and agencies in a recession - the reality?

Thanks to Todd Defren, Shift Communications www.pr-squared.com

International PR - we're not that different really

I was at an ICCO meeting last week before attending the Paul Holme’s Sabre Awards at the amazing City Hall, Stockholm.

Part of the ICCO meeting was a round table discussion from attendees representing PRs from 20+ countries around the world – South America, Europe, Africa and North America.

It was interesting to see that many of the changes we have seen in the UK market in the last 12 months have been repeated in other countries. The top six trends were:

1. Decline in print media on the back on collapse in advertising revenues
2. Advertising sector pushing hard for digital communications budgets. Sweden was the exception where the PR sector seems to ‘own’ digital communications.
3. Downward pressure on all budgets across all sectors
4. Clients asking for more for less
5. Pitches asking for projects rather than retainers
6. Strategic consulting and crisis advice growth areas

On a positive note, Brazil is forecasting one and a half percent growth in its economy for 2009 and with South Africa’s banks precluded from taking foreign investment the country’s financial sector has not been hit as hard by the credit crunch. Although with the average South African worker have nine dependents the impact of unemployment is considerable.

If you are looking for an overview of the international PR sector take a look at the latest ICCO World Report – published earlier this year – and what I believe is the only annual report specifically on the PR sector.

You Can't Polish a Turd

When a company or an organisation gets something wrong they have two choices from a communications perspective - put their hands up and apologise or continue to plod on defending their mistake.

Two great examples of these different approaches in the last 24 hours – one serious one not serious.

Joanna Lumley’s hijacking of an impromptu press conference with immigration minister Phil Woolas yesterday was a good example of plodding on regardless. Once you’ve seen the clip you’ll know who you trust and who you don’t. Why a government with so many huge issues to manage continues to fight this battle is beyond me. But setting a monotone and uncharismatic minister alongside a famous and popular actress who clearly has the moral high ground is just plain stupid.



On a lighter note, Emma Porter of Kaizo (http://twitter.com/emmapotter) highlighted the ad above from M&S in this morning’s Metro, detailing its change of heart over the premium it charges for D-cup bras.

One approach builds loyalty and supports the brand – the other reinforces failings and undermines future communications.

Lego Apprentice: Series 5 week 5

Hat tip:@ScottHider

The psychology of reputation is not something I had given a huge amount of thought to in the past, but I was given food for thought at a Shillings’ breakfast briefing (Communications strategies in a downturn - understanding the drivers and the key trends for 2009) this morning. It included a presentation by Dr Kevin Money from Henley Management College.

Kevin suggested that we are all driven by four key factors (which are all present constantly and need to be balanced for a happy and productive life): acquire – bond – learn – protect. Research that he and his team have recently carried out suggests that if we are to build strong reputations during the downturn then focusing on learning and protecting are critical. This means that companies need to avoid reputation stagnation and continue to learn, especially from companies outside of their own sector.

One amusing example he gave was that supermarkets do not seem to be learning. Why would you penalise your biggest spending clients by putting them in the longest queues and giving the lowest value customers the fastest service? Surely there should be special check-outs for the customers spending £100 plus!

Smart is Cool

I am a huge fan of President Obama's oratory, and his wife Michelle demonstrated similar talents yesterday in a speech given at a London girls' school.

Her message was simple - a good education opens doors, and good educations take hard work. And, once you've made it in your own career, it is your duty to help some one else in their education and the road to success.

Not fashionable messages, but absolutely right. It is a shame we have no one in the UK that can deliver these wise word with such impact.

Damage Limitation or Not

I’ve watched two very different approaches to the defence of MPs expenses claims in the last few days.

It would seem that none of the political parties have got this right (probably something to do with the fact that MPs from all sides have their noses firmly planted in the expenses trough) but some have being doing it better than others.

Eric Pickles’ laughable defence of his claim for a second home while living less than 40 miles from Westminster on Question Time last week was one of the worst I’ve ever seen. Apparently the audience didn’t understand that Westminster works like clockwork so he has to be there on time; public transport is unreliable and as a result he had to work really long days! The audience, with good reason, simply laughed at him.

The second example is Richard Timney's apology for claiming a few porn films on expenses paid for by the tax payer. Putting aside his wife’s spot of bother over claiming for a second home that looks very much like her main residence, he handled the situation as best he could.

He stepped outside the gate of his house, read a short statement, accepted the anger his actions will have created, said sorry repeatedly and then stepped back through the gate. Short, to the point and direct. I do not think that it will save his wife’s job but if you had to advise him this is what you’d suggest.

I am confident that we will be seeing many more leaks around MPs expenses and will watch with interest at the different approached to damage limitation.

Its all about how you Post It

I have always thought that being an MEP would be quite a good job once my PR career has come to an end. It comes with a nice salary, great expenses, generous and robust pension and a little European travel. Plus, nobody in the UK really knows what area your constituency covers, or really cares what you get up to. So if you can avoid getting caught fiddling your expenses it all looks rosy.

But as widely reported since Tuesday, Daniel Hannan, Conservative MEP for South East England, found himself at the centre of the news agenda after he posted a three minute speech he gave in the European Parliament in response to Gordon Brown on to You Tube and his Telegraph blog.

Whatever your politics, what is interesting from a PR point of view is that the mainstream media did not take up the speech when it was provided to them by Hannan but that 200,000+ people have watched the video online and it was also picked up by US (right-wing) media. This in turn has generated a huge amount of media interest and comment.

I appreciate that passionate and articulate political speeches are few and far between, but this one has really struck a chord and without the YouTube as a distribution platform would have remained a forgotten three minutes in Brussels.

Sky Appoints First Twitter Correspondent

It seems that new communications channels go from early adapter to mass adoption much, much quicker these days. Tech Crunch has reported that Sky News has appointed Ruth Barnett as its first Twitter correspondent. Her role will include monitoring the increasing number of 'tweats' that cover breaking news stories that are communicated through the micro-blogging service.

There has been a lot of talk about the value of Twitter recently. But even if this appointment is more about publicity than news gathering it does indicate that PR consultants really need to understand the service and its role within the social media ecosystem if they are to provide clients with sound counsel.