Happy Easter

A study published in the European Heart Journal seems to indicate that chocolate is good for you – at least that’s what the headlines say. This seems to be a fortuitously timed announcement for the chocolate industry at Easter and is without doubt a textbook piece of PR.

In a multi-media world where information flows fast and freely it is worth remembering that the headline often IS the story – not everyone will read the whole piece and very few will cross reference it in any way. On this occasion I thought a bit of further investigation was called for.

The facts it seems are something like this: Providing that you are not overweight and that the rest of your diet is healthy you may be less likely to suffer from a stroke or heart attack if you eat half a bar of chocolate a week.

I can’t help thinking that making one bar of chocolate last a fortnight would be detrimental to both my mental health and my stress levels but maybe that’s just me!

We are PR

Last month saw a lot happening in the world of marketing and PR. Google started rolling out a new feature to Gmail users called Google Buzz; their first serious entry into the social networking space. Reports of Brown’s Bullying at Number 10 hit the headlines; with some over zealous reporters naming it ‘scoop of the year’ and if you haven’t heard we even won a Gold Medal at the Winter Olympics!

For those of you who are familiar with the above then you probably found out through that essential marketing tool that we call ‘Public Relations’ otherwise known simply as PR.

At a time when many organisations are having to impose rigorous justifications on every penny of marketing expenditure, PR is an excellent way of making those budgets stretch a little further.

A New Face at The Phoenix Partners

Hi, my name is Amy Leong and I’m the new work experience girl for The Phoenix Partners. I am currently trying to break my way into the Event Management world and The Phoenix Partners have kindly given me a chance to build up my experience. I studied Marketing Management at University and now currently work at Loughborough University Student’s Union in the marketing department.

So …I am on my third visit here, finding the tasks that I’ve been set interesting and a great insight into events… also having my extra own personal challenge of getting over my fear of dogs as we have the lovely Dyson and Square in the office. All being well I shall be able to add two points to my CV at the end of my time here – Event experience – check, phobia of dogs – gone.

Already after only being here for 3 days, I am more convinced that I would like to work in events, just absorbing the atmosphere and information in the office has been great (and a nice bit of banter too). Hopefully I have made myself useful over the last few days and fingers crossed I’ll be able to come back and help with more, and you never know I might even stroke the dogs!

Another Busy Month...

It has been another busy month for Message Merchants, it’s always exciting to work with new clients and this month has bought the kind of challenges that we relish.

Both Norman & Underwood and Ovation Boat Services are now coming to the end of their first month with us and it has been fascinating to find out how their businesses work and how we can best serve their PR needs.

It is always interesting to peer into specialised areas of work and although the basic premise of PR remains the same there are innumerable variations in style and delivery to suit every client and every delivery medium. The identification of target audience is always important but the way in which those audiences are approached can make all the difference.

It is important that whatever the platform, every message is clear and delivered with enthusiasm.

It’s what we do and it’s what we love doing.