Damned if you do, damned if you don't!

Publicly both Gordon Brown and David Cameron have been slated in the media for using PR tricks to try and score public favour. Although I agree that both parties in this recent story have been advised wrongly, I also expect that if either Party Leader hadn't been involved in a photo-shoot he would have been ripped to shreads. They are damned if they do, and damned if they don't.


Both MPs were forced to apologise over these particular PR 'stunts' although this article does suggest that this incident 'highlights the way that the desperate battle for popularity between Mr brown and Mr Cameron in the run-up to the next election can backfire.'


Political 'spin' gives PR practitioners a bad name, always scoring more media coverage when PR activities go wrong rather than when things run smoothly. Can we really ever expect the PR profession's own reputation to improve when political spin doctors seem to hit the headlines almost as often as the Party they work for?


The phrase 'all publicity, is good publicity' has become a line that gets banded around frequently, especially when a PR opportunity has turned sour, when there are no positives to be found or when 'straws, clutching, at' ring true.


Both leaders, in my opinion, never want to lose face and by the media catching out Brown and Cameron 'at it' shows they are waiting to pounce on any potential scandal to fill space and sell papers. But really, is there a scandal here? An admin error yes, a misjudgement maybe but a deal-breaker... I don't think so.

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Movember: Successful Charity PR

Movember (AKA November) is an inventive PR success which highlights Male Health issues. Participants, (AKA Mo Bros), looking for sponsorship simply register @ MOVEMBER and on the 1st of Movember start growing their ‘Mo’ which is short for moustash. Friends, family and work colleagues are then invited to support to the cause in form of sponsorship or one-off donation.

My main reasons for finding this campaign exciting is two-fold;

1. This campaign relies heavily on word-of-mouth for its success. Mo Bros create an advert for the charity on their face, a place where everyone they encounter on a daily basis sees their commitment to the cause. It creates intrigue which then allows Mo Bros to part with some wisdom on the cause and get the ball rolling.

2. I also ♥ this campaign as its fun as well as interactive. By getting people involved in a fun campaign for sponsorship and raising awareness it means, in my opinion, they are more likely to get involved every year as well as recruit others to the cause.

My long-term aim is to gain employment in the not-for-profit sector and with the growing issues highlighted in this recent PR Week article which I think identifies the need for charities to think differently about their PR efforts; I like to see PR campaigns that interact with their publics; those they are trying to educate and those who can raise awareness and funds on their behalf.

This campaign is growing in size with a campaigns currently running in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

I am especially loving endorsement on twitter.com by Lance Armstrong, local interest by The Med on FaceBook and Wilkinson Sword using the idea to promote awareness for the charity AND boost sales.

So whether you are a potential Mo Bro or Mo Sista, please support this cause in any way you can. Donate, grow or attend this event.

I’ve got my 'Mo'- do you have yours?

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King Cowell: PR Success

Simon Cowell, who is quoted as once saying ‘If you've got a big mouth and you're controversial, you're going to get attention’, is undeniably a pantomime PR guru who influences opinion and manipulates viewers and music buying public alike.... BUT TinyHorse ♥s Simon Cowell!

His most recent controversial activity on Saturday 7^th November episode of ITV’s X Factor resulted in public outcry and most media outlet having their say. But TinyHorse knows this is exactly what Simon wanted: more hype for one of the biggest shows currently on British TV. So Saddle-up and enjoy the PR ride!

Cowell previously suggested no-one in a ‘stable’ state of mind would vote for Jedward but TinyHorse knows Simon has decided not to look a Gift Horse in the mouth and use them for his publicity gains. Good job they never fell at the first hurdle!

TinyHorse suggests to make it your mane priority to Jedward and just say ‘neigh’. Don’t leave me with a long face, stop Stallion and leave the TinyHorse a post.

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Can We Learn from Obama’s PR Machine? Yes We Can

Can We Learn from Obama’s PR Machine? Yes We Can

Obama’s presidential campaign was a success and has been attributed to his groundbreaking integrated PR tactics. Good news travels fast. And his campaign was full of good news. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery; so to copy may lead to my own success in PR...

1. For maximum effect messages must be simple and consistent- Ideas need to be communicated in a simple way. Change was the one word that summarised the campaign and was referred to again and again. Getting the language right - to the point of repetition - built Obama into a worldwide brand.

2. Obama embraced different communication tools. Online activity including videos, YouTube, MySpace and FaceBook were used for maximum exposure. Obama’s team also bombarded traditional print and broadcast media with information which forced the McCain camp to respond... In this case; Attack is the best form of attack.

3. Get people involved. This was the real secret of Obama’s political PR success. People involved in all aspects of the campaign was embraced and appreciated for their input. Empowering people with Obama’s message led to voter’s having a personal relationship with Obama’s messengers.

4. Know your audience and refine your data gathering. A centralised online database meant every detail was recorded and allowed for easy cross-referencing of information and creation of lists to target specific groups, ensuring that the communication was right on target every time. All published information was viewed by millions.

5. Protect the PR Machine. So Obama engineered his finely-tuned PR machine but the key to true success is keeping the machine running....Either way it will be a captivating story

So what have I learned from Obama? If PR tactics can get the first black man into the White House, maybe this PR thing is more than just getting a mind-numbingly boring story into the media

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