Chime Communications PLC said its first half year pretax profit rose 62 % to £5.4 million from £3.3 million a year ago.
Operating profit increased 65% to £6.1 million and margins continued to improve to 15.8% from 13.3%.
Chime chairman Lord Bell said the results were 'very encouraging' adding that the company is 'positive about the outcome for the full year'.
The Chime companies are:
Bell Pottinger (which includes several Bell Pottinger and Good Relations companies, Harvard, Insight, Resonate, Ozone, De Facto,The SMART Company, MMK, Rare and Traffic); the UK's leading research and consultation group (Opinion Leader Research and Ledbury Research) and now with VCCP, one of the fastest growing advertising and marketing services groups in the UK, including specialist agencies in financial services (Teamspirit) and property marketing (TTA).
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Intelectual Property advice - and podcast
Own It offers free intellectual property advice for London's creative people.
It offers a range of services, from basic to specialist support, through online and face-to face seminars, workshops and, where appropriate, surgeries with intellectual property lawyers. They work with a network of IP advisors including lawyers and specialists at various trade associations associated with the creative industries in the UK.
Own It likes to keep with the times, and so that everyone, no matter of location, can benefit from Own It’s free intellectual property advice, they’ve created podcasts from some of our free events.
It offers a range of services, from basic to specialist support, through online and face-to face seminars, workshops and, where appropriate, surgeries with intellectual property lawyers. They work with a network of IP advisors including lawyers and specialists at various trade associations associated with the creative industries in the UK.
Own It likes to keep with the times, and so that everyone, no matter of location, can benefit from Own It’s free intellectual property advice, they’ve created podcasts from some of our free events.
Cancer Research benefit from podcast
We are seeing many PR applications for new media. It is an area of practice that grows by the minute.
N-E-Life reported another such event.
N-E-Life reported another such event.
Number one breakfast presenter of North East radio station Metro Radio, Tony Horne, is tuning into the i-pod generation with the launch of a unique series of podcasts dedicated to a selection of real-life topics and high-profile sporting events.
Launched on 7 September the podcast kicked off with exclusive coverage of Cancer Research pioneer Findlay Young’s Great World Run.Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Corporate assets need PR maintenance
I have argued elsewhere that hyperlinks are corporate assets (and should be on the ballance sheet).
Working from the Steve Rubel test, "Wikipedia articles on the top 100 advertisers in the U.S. are consistently among the most highly ranked pages in Google on direct searches." would suggest that keeping you organisations' Wikipedia entry up todate is a pretty good idea.
I know, you do that every month anyway - don't you.
Working from the Steve Rubel test, "Wikipedia articles on the top 100 advertisers in the U.S. are consistently among the most highly ranked pages in Google on direct searches." would suggest that keeping you organisations' Wikipedia entry up todate is a pretty good idea.
I know, you do that every month anyway - don't you.
Broadband via satellite
While is seems good for rail passengers that they will be able to access broadband connections via satellite under plans published today by media watchdog Ofcom, it is not the big application.
So what about ships, ferries, coaches, buses, cars and events? In fact any location that wants access on a moving platform or at a temporary location could benefit.
For people in PR who organise days out and events this could be useful.
The regulator is making a new type of spectrum licence available that will allow train operating companies to install "satellite earth stations" on trains.
Some operating companies already offer wireless broadband access through trackside terminals, but this is not always reliable.
So what about ships, ferries, coaches, buses, cars and events? In fact any location that wants access on a moving platform or at a temporary location could benefit.
For people in PR who organise days out and events this could be useful.
Getting with it - are we competent?
Robbin Goodman, Executive Vice President and Partner, Makovsky and Company. Goodman argues a strong case for corporate blogging as an emerging public relations and business tool in a paper at the Institute for Public Relations.
But the case that she makes stands in stark contrast with the other thrust of her paper - which provides the most complete published review of findings from the Makovsky 2006 State of Corporate Blogging Survey. That study - a nationwide telephone survey of 150 senior executives (directors and above) of Fortune 1000 companies - was conducted for Makovsky by Harris Interactive.
"Who will admit that in 1996 they questioned - even doubted - the power of the Internet to transform the way business everywhere would be conducted?" Goodman writes. "Despite evidence of another major shift taking place, many senior executives seem determined to doubt the Internet's power to alter business communications."
Oh... yes and what about the communications sectors like Public Relations. Did they see the web coming? This time it is dimensions bigger. The PR job is to show corporate leaders how big, pervasive and structurally different and to point up the dangers and opportunities of disintermediation.This is, of course consultancy. are we good enough at it yet?
Scream Marketers on-line screeching about reach
In terms of ad network reach, according to comScore data, the re-launched vcmedia network is now second only to Advertising.com in the UK but ahead of players including 24/7 Real Media and Burst Media.
The report in e-consultancy says:
Meantime, Burst Media this week shook the stock market because it did not think it would hit its financial targets.
I just have a feeling that this form of on-line advertising is getting less effective. It is based on the 'scream marketing' model and is a turn off.
The report in e-consultancy says:
ValueClick announced today that it has completed the integration of its vcmedia and Fastclick online advertising networks, creating a network with 59% reach among UK internet users.
The announcement, which follows the purchase of the US network Fastclick a year ago, is significant because it demonstrates the increasing competition in the ad networks space and the importance of reach as a selling point for the major players.
Meantime, Burst Media this week shook the stock market because it did not think it would hit its financial targets.
I just have a feeling that this form of on-line advertising is getting less effective. It is based on the 'scream marketing' model and is a turn off.
The growth of user generated content
User-generated content (UGC) has increased dramatically in the UK over the last year, according to research by comScore and reported in e-consultancy.
I am not sure about collective inteligence but that is a lot of extra eyeballs and shows how much PR has to do to stay with the media that is really beginning to count and be part of user generated content.
The firm found Wikipedia to be the top UGC property, and the sixteenth most popular site overall with 6.5m visitors in July 2006, up 253% from a year earlier.
Other UGC sites that have moved into the top 50 in the UK include MySpace.com (up 467% to 5.2m visitors), Piczo.com (up 393% to 4m), YouTube.com (3.9m visitors), and Bebo.com (up 328% to 3.9m).
"Web 2.0 is clearly architected for participation, as it attempts to harness the collective intelligence of Web users," commented Bob Ivins, MD of comScore Europe.
I am not sure about collective inteligence but that is a lot of extra eyeballs and shows how much PR has to do to stay with the media that is really beginning to count and be part of user generated content.
IBM in SecondLife
Philippe Borremans has posted about an IBM meeting in SecondLife
IBM has an island on SecondLife - the 3D online virtual world - and will use it to foster collaboration between employees, ex-employees and industry colleagues.
As he says: "Good attitude when it comes down to testing new ways to collaborate and communicate."
Cool idea huh!
IBM has an island on SecondLife - the 3D online virtual world - and will use it to foster collaboration between employees, ex-employees and industry colleagues.
As he says: "Good attitude when it comes down to testing new ways to collaborate and communicate."
Cool idea huh!
PR accused of mass human rights violation cover-up
According to Kolawole Olaniyan, Amnesty International's Africa Programme Director, a cover up of mass human rights violations among the poorest people in Zimbabwe is a public relations practice.
I take offense.
His comments, published in ZimbabweJournalist.com and Reuters are a direct attack on the work of Sarah Green, Eulette Ewart, Neil Durkin and Steve Ballinger who are all practicing public relations employees of Amnesty International and whose profession, this statement infers, can be directed towards human rights violations.
A sad state of affairs that Amnesty should employ such people unless Kolawole Olaniyan mistakes public relations for state propaganda. If so one might expect a public apology to his colleagues and my profession.
I take offense.
His comments, published in ZimbabweJournalist.com and Reuters are a direct attack on the work of Sarah Green, Eulette Ewart, Neil Durkin and Steve Ballinger who are all practicing public relations employees of Amnesty International and whose profession, this statement infers, can be directed towards human rights violations.
A sad state of affairs that Amnesty should employ such people unless Kolawole Olaniyan mistakes public relations for state propaganda. If so one might expect a public apology to his colleagues and my profession.
Financial Dynamics acquired by a consulting company
The FT reports "Financial Dynamics, one of the top financial public relations companies, is being bought for an initial $260m in cash and shares by FTI Consulting, a US consulting and investigations company."
The FT says: "It is also the first time a financial PR firm has been acquired by a consulting company, rather than a media or marketing group."
This does not say a great deal for the media groups who own "Public Relations Consultancies".
It does reflect conversations with CEO's of PR firms owned by advertising dominated groups who are frustrated at the 'in yer face' publicity pitches they are routinely asked to provide.
The FT says: "It is also the first time a financial PR firm has been acquired by a consulting company, rather than a media or marketing group."
This does not say a great deal for the media groups who own "Public Relations Consultancies".
It does reflect conversations with CEO's of PR firms owned by advertising dominated groups who are frustrated at the 'in yer face' publicity pitches they are routinely asked to provide.
New Media Conference in Edinburgh
Blogs, podcasts and RSS newsfeeds create both opportunities and threats that communications professionals simply cannot ignore. The
This conference will consider how practitioners can adapt to ensure they continue to communicate with target audiences who are becoming increasingly selective. Presentations will be given by a roster of highly renowned international speakers who are experts in their fields and are at the cutting edge of these new communications practices.
The event is being supported by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, Scotland offering a discount to CIPR members. Delegate tickets are £145 + Vat for CIPR Members and £185 + Vat for non-members.
For further information or to book your tickets please contact Nicky Wake at Don’t Panic on 01706 828855 or by e-mail nicky@dontpanicprojects.com
Tickets can also be booked on line at -
www.dontpanicprojects.com/booking.htm
Podcasting, a PR tool
THE City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra has become the first major ensemble in the world to launch a regular podcast.
The free 30-minute monthly download includes the latest CBSO news, interviews and discussions with musicians and conductors as well as music clips.
The report in the Manchester Evening News shows how podcasting can be used in public relations to help promote and build communities online. Well done City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Soccer podcast launched
The Times has announced that kicking off from next Monday, TheGame will make its first appearance as an online show in the shape of The Game Podcast – presented by Danny Kelly.
Each week, the show will bring news, chat, debates and interviews with top football players and managers, starting with an exclusive interview with Michael Owen, the England and Newcastle star.
No doubt a target for some PR interaction, this is also an example of how podcasts (and associated blogs) offer a channel for communicators.
RSS a PR technique
Offering content to web masters and social media editors has always been a useful tactic for PR practice. Vasrue.com is launching a directory for articles with free RSS news feeds, travel portal design refresh, a travel blog and a newsletter. It is an example of how technologies like RSS can be used to deploy PR services and is reported in Internet Travel News.
In an effort to support other webmasters, Vasrue.com is offering its original articles through RSS news feed free of charge. Now newspapers, ezines, magazines and independent websites can effortlessly integrate fresh, captivating content from the Internet portal in no time. Each article is available for PDF download, RSS feed or browser printing.
In an effort to support other webmasters, Vasrue.com is offering its original articles through RSS news feed free of charge. Now newspapers, ezines, magazines and independent websites can effortlessly integrate fresh, captivating content from the Internet portal in no time. Each article is available for PDF download, RSS feed or browser printing.
The mobile platform for PR communication
The increasing functionality of cell phones is an area of interest to Public Relations as this platform for communication increases the range of communications channels available for adoption for public relations practice.
A study reported in Cellular News has found that location aware services will prove increasingly popular with 3G phone users. This interest in global positioning technology was one of the findings in the 2005/2006 National Technology Readiness Survey (NTRS) released last week. The annual survey also found that besides voice calls, the current most commonly used features on cell phones include text messaging, web surfing, email and picture messaging.
Survey respondents also reported an interest in Bluetooth technology that allows users to connect their cell phones to other devices without wires. Broadband internet access and MP3 uploading were high on the list of most desired features.Monday, September 11, 2006
News coverage has changed - it never becomes history
Chris Anderson makes the obvious obvious. Your news release can be news for years. Your news release becomes more influential over time.... here is how he describes it:
Online, everything is equally available and relevance is not determined by where something is on a page but by what other people think of it. When you look at it from that perspective, you see that stuff that is deemed ‘good' builds its incoming links over time — that is, the longer it is out there, the more people link to it and the more people discover it.
Google and other search engines measure relevance on the basis of incoming links which will rank it higher and higher, and as a result it will appear higher and higher in search results and therefore get even more traffic. In a weird way, it completely inverts the calculus of news, which is that the new stuff is what matters and the old stuff doesn't matter — because the good old stuff gets more relevant over time as more people flag it and link to it.
I think it was a surprise to many people that search would be such a powerful driver of demand for news, especially when you consider that canonical search — the regular search rather than news search — doesn't even find stuff until a week or so after the fact because the spiders just take that long to find things. What you're realising is that people care much more about what's relevant than what's new.
Conversation more powerful than a press release
Dan Greenfield commented today: "No longer is a PR person’s reporter Rolodex the gateway to successful corporate communications. Instead, that Rolodex is as big as every customer, vendor, partner and competitor who interacts with your company."
What Dan discovered is that converastion is more powerful than the press release.
I am delighted. It is evidence of values driving public relations. His public is now defined by a convergence of values. The values of his constituency and his and his organisation's values.
In combination this is more powerful.
It is levering value from relationships instead of shouting at market segments.
I hope that thi is a virus that is attacking every PR department in the world and it seems that it is.
Now lets see if we can understand this better. It will inform PR practice and is applicable at the coal face too.
What Dan discovered is that converastion is more powerful than the press release.
I am delighted. It is evidence of values driving public relations. His public is now defined by a convergence of values. The values of his constituency and his and his organisation's values.
In combination this is more powerful.
It is levering value from relationships instead of shouting at market segments.
I hope that thi is a virus that is attacking every PR department in the world and it seems that it is.
Now lets see if we can understand this better. It will inform PR practice and is applicable at the coal face too.
BeebSpace - an acquisition plan at the BBC
e-consultancy were sharp eyed with this one: BBC Worldwide, the broadcaster’s commercial arm, is apparently looking for an acquisition to compete with Rupert Murdoch’s Myspace, according to the Mail on Sunday.
The paper says the BBC has £350m to spend on acquisitions and wants to target the youth market through a social networking site.
can I spot PR practitioners are rushing to Bebo to get some idea of what the new domian will look like.
9/11 London
The 67 Britons killed in the Sept. 11 attacks five years ago were remembered today at a memorial garden near the U.S. Embassy. Before an early afternoon ceremony led by U.S. Ambassador Robert Tuttle, bouquets of white roses and yellow carnations were piled beneath the oak pergola where the names of the victims are inscribed on three bronze plaques.
Herald Tribune
Herald Tribune
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