By George that's good PR!

The world waited with bated breath.  International media were ensconced outside St Mary’s hospital for several weeks; people camped outside for days, all waiting for George.

And then, finally, on Monday the future king was born, on Wednesday he was named and Sarah won our sweepstake!

Three generations of living heirs (Princes Charles, William and George) offers a reassuring stability to our monarchy, but perhaps more importantly George has unknowingly boosted the ‘Royals’ own  PR.

Events of the last century have certainly marred the Royal Family’s popularity - tragedies and scandals have dented goodwill.  But the arrival of the fairy-tale couple Kate and Will, our Prince Charming and Cinderella (well maybe not, dressed in Alexander McQueen, but she’s not of blue blood) has helped re-build the family’s image and enhance its reputation. 

It’s hard to comprehend the anticipation and pressure of George’s arrival – US Time magazine said he was ‘already a figure of international influence’ before he was born.  Fortunately for the little prince, he won’t appreciate the scale of his entry into the world until he’s much older. 

PR around the event was managed seamlessly, with a captive audience informed via the official announcement and an unexpected tweet and online release.  Then followed the marching bands, the beautiful blue-lit landmarks and the gun salutes; fitting endorsements for the joyous occasion.

This was all then topped off perfectly by scenes of the happy couple leaving the hospital with their newborn, relaxed and engaging – surely helping to revive enthusiasm for the monarchy across the globe?

You couldn't have asked for a better PR campaign.

Sam Kandiyali

Director

There’s more than one way to skin a cat

Language. We use it every day and for most of us it’s something we just take for granted. We speak and the words come out or we write a short text to a friend but without giving it a second thought. When it comes to PR though, it’s something we take a more considered approach to as effectively it’s the tool with which we ply our trade.

For me personally, I find language really interesting, particularly idioms, of which there are apparently 25,000 in the English language! This has been the topic of a few conversations in the office recently, prompted by someone saying ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ which resulted in a lot of quizzical looks from colleagues. Now I have to say these came from the under 30 contingent (sadly I don’t fall into this age category), but after using a well known search engine, we established it derives from the aviation industry in the 1930s.

Our chief executive also circulated an email she received recently from a translation company which included some amusing examples of how different cultures use idioms. For example, in English we would say to ‘rekindle an old flame’ but in Italian the literal translation is ‘to reheat cabbage’ and while we’d say ‘to be poor or broke,’ in Spanish the translation of the same is ‘cleaner than a frog’s armpit.’

On a daily basis at Target we are writing features, news releases, newsletter or web copy for clients. From topics as diverse as using specs as a fashion accessory to the use of aluminium fenestration systems to create energy efficient buildings, we have to be able to tell the ‘story’ in the most interesting and appealing way possible. This rule also applies to the spoken as well as written word, as being able to sell-in an idea to a journalist in what is often a short space of time requires a succinct and measured approach.

It’s clear that language is at the heart of our industry, so I think it’s important we maintain an interest in its origins and treat it with the respect it deserves. While we might never reach the heady heights of Shakespeare or Stoppard, we should still be able to use its intricacies to craft informative and engaging copy that people want to read. After all, that’s why we get out of bed in the morning!    

Bethan Simkins
Account Manager

Glastonbury - more than a music festival

This time last week I was lucky enough to be at Worthy Farm, standing in front of the pyramid stage watching Jake Bugg perform, and of course donning a pair of wellies.

Glastonbury is one of the world’s largest music festivals and provides the blueprint for many others, yet it still remains to be an utterly unique and individual experience. Appealing to folks from all walks of life, it sparks that one common element which unites hundreds of thousands of strangers; civic boosterism at its finest.

It’s 43 years since it all began and although this was my first time at Glastonbury, I instantly felt a real sense that at the heart of this festival’s production and delivery was honesty and compassion. It was refreshing to see no corporate flashing advertising boards for big name brands, instead displayed proudly, the logos of Greenpeace, Oxfam, Wateraid and our dear client Winston’s Wish, whom we’re proud to have worked with earlier this year.

The almost anti-corporate stance could be seen throughout the entire festival; whether it was up in the craft field making your own jewellery out of old silver cutlery in the back of a clapped out VW camper, or in The Park feasting on culinary delights from around the world freshly made in front you, or even trying out Gong Therapy for the first time in the Healing Field. The dominance of charities and independent suppliers over any commercial presence was extremely visible.

However, those few select brands who did manage to enter through the pearly gates were clever to not push their own agenda. EE provided two recharge tents, which allowed attendees to recharge their batteries (including their phones), use wifi and 4GEE at no cost. Whilst Hunter were canny to integrate its marketing campaign with a CSR opportunity, offering a wellie exchange whereby festival goers could donate their old battered wellies for a shiny new pair of Hunters. I was told by one of the rather handsome young volunteers, the old boots would be recycled and profits donated to the British Red Cross. Again, something to feel good about.

There is something very raw and true about Glastonbury. It’s the extraordinary ability of the Eavis family, sponsors, performers, charities and the Glasto revellers to create its own temporary community that makes this festival so successful – that’s music to my ears still ringing one week on.

Alexandra Underwood
Account Executive