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Hotel builds reputation for new era

Andy Pearson — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:30:49 +0000

Congratulations to Sleeperz Hotels! Today the chain opens its second hotel – in Newcastle (pictured) – a little over three years since it launched in Cardiff.

Based on great prices, sharp design, striking architecture, city centre location, attention to detail and a can-do attitude, the young chain is one to watch as it evolves.

And it shouldn’t be too difficult to watch because they’re eager to engage traditional and new media.

Strategy

Following a wide range of media exposure to publicise their Welsh offering, Sleeperz have a similar press strategy on Tyneside.

They’re also far from shy in tapping in to online resources to get the messages out there.

Follow @SleeperzHotels on Twitter and you’ll enjoy a fresh and lively discourse with the team.

Countdown

As the countdown has taken place to the Newcastle launch, Sleeperz have conversed via Twitter with friends as varied as individuals looking for rooms in the North East to neighbouring businesses such as architects Tiger Tiger and from entertainment venues to the city’s Business Improvement District, NE1.

Similar things are happening on Facebook so check them out at Sleeperz Hotels.

It’s a move sure to bear fruit as the business reveals itself in its new territory as being chatty, welcoming and interested in what’s going on.

More www.sleeperz.com

Keith calls in on city club

Andy Pearson — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:30:09 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE

Issued for Swansea Business Club

Media contact Andy Pearson – apearson@effcom.co.uk, 07890 953 402, 029 2064 6867.

Release date Jan 4

Photo Keith Baker, group chief operating officer of Pure Wafer Solar.

City innovator to address Swansea Business Club

An innovator at modern manufacturing’s cutting edge is guest speaker at Swansea Business Club this month (note:January). Keith Baker is due to address club members over lunch at the city’s Village Hotel on Thursday, January 26.

Keith Baker is group chief operating officer of Pure Wafer, established 11 years ago and now a worldwide leader in wafer reclaim services which help maximize efficiencies with silicon test wafers used in production processes.

The Pure Wafer Solar division, based at Swansea Vale, aims to create a single source solution for solar energy needs. It’s a leading UK manufacturer of photovoltaic cells, employing a process developed with Swansea University and using recycled materials.

Pure Wafer has another base in Arizona.

A co-founder of Pure Wafer, Mr Baker has many years experience in the semiconductor industry, working for leading chip manufacturers such as Siemens Microelectronics. He was previously vice president of technology for Steag Microtech where he played a key role in the early development of the 300mm wafer manufacturing processes.

Swansea Business Club president Kath Whitrow said: “Keith Baker has been a driving force behind a new breed of Swansea manufacturer. His expertise is renowned around the world.”

Club secretary Bruce Roberts said: “The Pure Wafer story offers a dynamic look into the future with their use of new processes and development of innovative systems.”

Keith Baker will address Swansea Business Club at the Village Hotel, Swansea, from 12.30pm on Thursday, January 26. The talk follows highly successful business club events in November and December, featuring guest speakers Sean Holley and Brendan Rodgers from the world of sport.

To book your January 26 place, go online at www.swanseabusinessclub.com or contact Lisa Williams at Effective Communication before January 19 – phone 029 2064 6860, email lwilliams@effcom.co.uk.

ends

More: www.swanseabusinessclub.com, www.purewafersolar.com

Swansea Business Club hits the manufacturing trail next week when the co-author of a city success story takes the speaker’s platform.

Keith Baker is group chief operating officer of Pure Wafer which has its headquarters in Swansea Vale. They have another base in Arizona.

He’s due to address club members over lunch at the city’s Village Hotel on Thursday, January 26.

Leader

Pure Wafer, established 11 years ago, is a worldwide leader in wafer reclaim services which help maximize efficiencies with silicon test wafers used in production processes.

The Pure Wafer Solar division aims to create a single source solution for solar energy needs.

It’s a leading UK manufacturer of photovoltaic cells, employing a process developed with Swansea University and using recycled materials.

Experience

A co-founder of Pure Wafer, Mr Baker has many years experience in the semiconductor industry, working for leading chip manufacturers such as Siemens Microelectronics.

He was previously vice president of technology for Steag Microtech where he played a key role in the early development of the 300mm wafer manufacturing processes.

Swansea Business Club president Kath Whitrow told the media: “Keith Baker has been a driving force behind a new breed of Swansea manufacturer. His expertise is renowned around the world.”

Dynamic

Club secretary Bruce Roberts told the press: “The Pure Wafer story offers a dynamic look into the future with their use of new processes and development of innovative systems.”

To book your January 26 place, go online at www.swanseabusinessclub.com or contact Lisa Williams at Effective Communication before January 19 – phone 029 2064 6860, email lwilliams@effcom.co.uk.

More: www.swanseabusinessclub.com, www.purewafersolar.com

What’s so right about What’s On?

Andy Pearson — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:25:27 +0000

Just what can you say about What’s On in Swansea?

As Sketty-based boss man John Hughes says: “Who would have believed it!

“When we started the magazine back in 1987, little did we think that we would go on to celebrate our silver anniversary.”

Kidnap

There have been good economic times since the days of Terry Waite’s kidnap and Lester Piggott’s jailing, of course, but there have also been some grim economic struggles.

Swansea itself has seen its leisure scene just about keep pace rather than sprinting ahead.

So the longevity of What’s On is a testament to the publishing determination and skill of John and his small team.

Success

So what’s success built on? Well, three key elements it seems to me.

It’s remained closely focused on its raison d’etre – it tell readers what leisure opportunities are available to them in Swansea in the coming weeks.
It’s progressed gradually and modestly – like a marathon runner not having any truck with injections of speed, and
It has cleverly balanced the needs of the modern advertiser and modern reader – there’s plenty of paid content but it doesn’t look like traditional advertising.

The latest edition of the square-format satin-finish mag runs to 84 pages and cheerily announces its own big anniversary news on the front. Quite right too!

Strong

There are strong sections on art, sport, lifestyle, dining out and others.

The exceptional listings section runs to eight pages, featuring everything from Daniel Craig’s dark The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo at the Taliesin to demonstrations tomorrow (January 11) by the Swansea Floral Arrangement Society.

The magazine team write: “It’s been a roller coaster journey starting in the midst of the 80s recession when the magazine was first named Outlook City.”

I’m sure they’ll ride out the latest economic storm.

Tasty PR treat for Welsh rugby fans

Andy Pearson — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:32:22 +0000

Those good folk at Peter’s Pies are celebrating more things Welsh.

A couple of months after running a survey on favourite places around the country to eat pies, the firm is now focusing on sport.

They’re asking: “Who’s your tastiest Welsh rugby player?”

Choices

Your choices include Sam Warburton, Jamie Roberts, Adam Jones, Toby Faletau, George North and Leigh Halfpenny.

You can always nominate a player not on the Peter’s shortlist – and all entries will go into a draw for some Wales-Scotland RBS 6 Nations tickets.

Already, rugby fans have been showing their interest – on Friday the official Ospreys Supporters Twitter page (@OspreysSC) retweeted my tweet on the fact that two Liberty Stadium stars had made the shortlist – Adam Jones and Dan Biggar.

What’s not to love about this lively little PR tactic, eh? Get your vote in now – http://svy.mk/uX0raK

“Hey, I’m free,” says new Welsh mag

Andy Pearson — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:00:36 +0000

Businesses in and around Swansea have been busy studying a showcase issue of a new magazine due to hit the city next year.

Editor and founder Gareth Howells plans to launch City Of Swansea around March.

With a solid background in graphic design, he’s eager to make the publication as ravishingly good looking as possible.

Skill

It’ll be a real challenge to make such a new concept work but he’s a man with energy, determination and skill so the best of luck to him.

The mock-up copy, mailed in lavish packaging, certainly reveals a new outlook for Swansea publications.

Built on a smart post-millennial urban-chic design ethos, there are lots of mono images of young people looking as they should – like themselves.

Sharp

Scene setting imagery is sharp, detailed and surprising. It looks good … and it’ll be free. Gareth says: “Our goal is to provide an elegant and alluring magazine.”

Advertising for the A4 title is being offered at attractive rates, with a full-page ad going for £339 and a double-page clocking in at £679.

Any new publication on the Swansea Bay media scene is welcome. Good luck Gareth!

More info Click

Welsh universities not slow to tweet

Andy Pearson — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:00:54 +0000

Dec 14 – XXXX

Universities not slow to tweet

They’re some of Wales’ most influential establishments – and it’s good to see that they’re not afraid of the social media world

PR, PR agency, Swansea, Cardiff, Wales, Swansea University, Cardiff University, social media, Twitter, Cardiff Met, Uwic, Swansea Met

With so much being said about Welsh universities this year, it’s interesting to see how some of the learning crucibles are engaging with stakeholders via today’s most de rigeur communications mechanism.

Long-established bodies such as Cardiff University and Swansea University seem to have embraced Twitter with great care.

Newer instititons such as Cardiff Met and Swansea Met have gone at it in a slightly more XXXX manner.

Energy

What all have in common is that they’re tackling Twitter with energy and with great positivity.

That is to be warmly applauded as the last thing they want now is to be left behind on the information super hard shoulder.

Here are a few typical examples of useful tweets from this small selection of Welsh uni’s.

Cardiff University – @cardiffuni

Pioneering international partnership honoured: Times Higher Award for cancer research with China http://go.cf.ac.uk/ufqrLg

Nice link to full online story; shame there are no hashtags and @ addresses to create a more ersonal feel

Swansea University – @SwanseaUni

Company acquisition a first for Swansea University @HumanandHealth http://tinyurl.com/ceng69w #healtheconomics #research #Education

Nice use of hashtags to link in with potentially relevant twittersphere conversations; nice link to web page detailing the whole story; nice @ username link to the uni’s humand health sciences dept which will, hopefully, produce a retweet.

Cardiff Met – @UWIC

No Bus Service in Cardiff tomorrow (Includes UWIC Rider) due to industrial action across the city. Find out more… http://fb.me/1lBry6CHU

Excellent use of Twitter to keep staff and students abreast of non-uni occurrences that could impact upon them – a strike on Cardiff buses

Swansea Met

@SwanseaMet’s @DrCharlesSmith live on @BBCBreakfast in the morning, talking to @steph_mcgovan about the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement

Lively use of Twitter’s immediacy to plug an expert commentator’s forthcoming media appearance

With so much being said about Welsh universities this year, it’s interesting to see how some of the learning crucibles are engaging with stakeholders via today’s most de rigueur communications mechanism.

Long-established bodies such as Cardiff University and Swansea University seem to have embraced Twitter with great care.

Newer institutions such as Cardiff Met and Swansea Met have gone at it in a slightly more chatty manner.

Energy

What all have in common is that they’re tackling Twitter with energy and with great positivity.

That is to be warmly applauded as the last thing they want now is to be left behind on the information super hard shoulder.

Here are a few typical examples of useful tweets from this small selection of Welsh uni’s.

Cardiff University @cardiffuni

Pioneering international partnership honoured: Times Higher Award for cancer research with China http://go.cf.ac.uk/ufqrLg

Nice link to full online story; shame there are no hashtags and @ addresses to create a more personal feel

Swansea University @SwanseaUni

Company acquisition a first for Swansea University @HumanandHealth http://tinyurl.com/ceng69w #healtheconomics #research #Education

Nice use of hashtags to link in with potentially relevant twittersphere conversations; nice link to web page detailing the whole story; nice @ username link to the uni’s human and health sciences dept which will, hopefully, produce a retweet.

Cardiff Met @UWIC

No Bus Service in Cardiff tomorrow (Includes UWIC Rider) due to industrial action across the city. Find out more… http://fb.me/1lBry6CHU

Excellent use of Twitter to keep staff and students abreast of non-uni occurrences that could impact upon them – a strike on Cardiff buses

Swansea Met @SwanseaMet

@SwanseaMet’s @DrCharlesSmith live on @BBCBreakfast in the morning, talking to @steph_mcgovan about the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement

Lively use of Twitter’s immediacy to plug an expert commentator’s forthcoming media appearance

Journalist Mike takes to the stage

Andy Pearson — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:00:25 +0000

Dec 13 – http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=195647720473080&comments

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PR, PR agency, Swansea, Cardiff, Wales, Fluellen, Mike Witchell, Vetch, Swansea City, Garage Players

REVIEW: THE GARAGE PLAYERS, The Garage Music Venue, Uplands, Swansea; Sunday, April 10, 2011

by From the Reviewer’s Chair on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 10:17am

THE GARAGE in Swansea’s Uplands is already well known for its music and comedy gigs but has recently embarked upon a new adventure with the inception of the Garage Players, a talented group of like-minded people whose concerted efforts on a creative writing course at Swansea University’s Department of Continuing Education(DACE)have led them to combine forces and share their skills with a wider audience in a warm, welcoming and intimate environment.

Joined here by well-loved local musicians Brian Breeze and Dave Cottle, who provided musical interludes with a variety of beautifully performed numbers including How High the Moon(made famous by Les Paul and Mary Ford)and Antonio Carlos Jobim’s bitter-sweet opus The Shadow of Your Smile, the company – featuring figures well-known in the local theatrical/writing fraternity and including Maybellene Breeze and Mike Hedges – treated the crowd to a programme of one-act plays and sketches written and performed by themselves. Largely humorous in nature and penned with great obervation for detail, the pieces went down a storm and one cannot help hoping that they might be developed still further, perhaps blossoming into longer works to give them even more substance and depth.

Among my personal favourites were a terrific, sitcom-style piece set in a chip shop, featuring some acidic dialogue and great one-liners, and a smart one-acter revolving around the world of reality TV in which a group of television researchers discuss new ideas for a show in the face of dwindling audiences(something which the Garage Players need not fear, given their increasingly high profile in the local arts community). A lovely piece, this, with some excellent performances from(among others)Julie-Anne Grey, Steve Grey and Millie Philippart.

The piece which really seemed to strike a resounding chord with the audience, however, was Mike Witchell’s inventive comedy about a press interview with Miss Vetch Field(Maybellene Breeze)prior to her “retirement” from the world of professional sport: Witchell – a former columnist and journalist for the South Wales Evening Post, whose quirky and off-kilter talent for putting words into the mouths of inanimate objects such as buildings and statues provided the once-proud newspaper with some of its most memorable column inches – played the role of Ed Lines, a celebrity/showbiz writer who had posed as a sports journalist in order to grab an interview with the Grand Old Lady for one last time, and it worked splendidly.

It is both heartening and ironic that the Garage Players should attract such a wide cross-section of followers from Swansea’s literary, theatrical and musical community, given the fact that the city’s Dylan Thomas Centre is under such pressure at the moment: events such as this prove once and for all that, in the right hands, the arts are accessible to all and are not as elitist as some would have you believe.

The Garage Players can be seen again at the same venue on Sunday April 25 at 7.30pm. Visit www.garagevenue.com or telephone 01792 475147 for details.

GRAHAM WILLIAMS

It’s never too late to innovate say players

Tuesday, March 29, 2011This is SouthWalesFollow

DEEP in the bowels of a building in the heart of Swansea’s Uplands a group of mainly mature performers are going through their paces.

Scripts are being read and words being projected as if an audience was in attendance.

It wasn’t. This is a rehearsal, but there will be one on April 10 when The Garage Players officially debut.

Officially, because the two shows they have already put on at The Garage venue in Uplands Crescent were end of term efforts after a script writing course they attended at the city’s Dylan Thomas Centre.

“It was the university’s Department of Adult Continuing Education (DACE) course taken by Dr Catriona Ryan, who is an Irish poet,” says Mabeline Breeze. “We all gelled, all got on really well.

“Catriona asked us to do a couple of end of course shows and we did them at The Garage. We didn’t want that to be it, so we carried on and asked if we could call ourselves The Garage Players.”

That was January and since then Thursday lunchtime rehearsal sessions, initially at the Uplands Tavern across the road and now at The Garage, have followed in preparation for the big launch night coming up.

One of the players is Lesley Williams, who worked in Swansea social services for 30 years, dealing with mental health and substance misuse and chairing a domestic abuse forum across the city.

Breast cancer in 2005 forced her into retirement. She is still receiving treatment but doing well and four years ago was strong enough to sign up for a DACE creative writing course.

“I enjoyed it, then did a theatre script writing course and then a poetry course,” she says.

“I have written a 10-minute play with 17 characters in it about my experiences of breast cancer.

“A friend in The Garage Players who is doing a media course is hoping to film it. It is about my experiences of the ridiculous things people say to you. A friend of mine said to me ‘have you tried beetroot?’ and said ‘you might want to buy sandals for when your toenails drop off’.”

They did drop off, but at the time Lesley did not appreciate the insensitive comments, although the two friends are fine now.

Her new world is, well, a world away from the pressure of social services, but one which she is relishing.

“Everyone is really supportive,” she adds.

“I did not think I could perform. I was really surprised. I wanted to express what I was feeling about what people said to me. I was taking a great risk, but they make it safe.”

Swansea poet and performer Malcolm Parr is well used to getting up in front of an audience and doing his stuff. Mabeline, who is fronting the new group, is a long-standing friend and persuaded him to come on board at 76.

As a mainly solo performer, he now has the discipline to work with others. “I have mainly performed in Swansea, doing anecdotes, monologues and poetry,” he says.

“I talk about things that are true things, things that have happened to me. I don’t have to learn them because I know them.”

Malcolm is all for the concept of this rather mature bunch of writers and performers giving it a go. “I think it is great that people are doing things, rather than just sitting down watching TV.

“The atmosphere here is excellent. It is very happy and I love it. It is great to see people doing something. There is a great sense of achievement and pride.”

Mabeline echoes that and is looking forward to the April 10 show, featuring mini-plays, poetry and music. The latter is in the hands of her husband, blues guitarist and singer Brian Breeze, guesting that night with Dave Cottle on keyboards.

She will be doing her own thing, though. It cannot be often that someone has played the role of a field, as she will. It is no ordinary field, though, but Vetch Field, the much lamented former home of Swansea City Football Club.

“It is the Vetch Sketch, written by Mike Witchell,” she says.

“He plays the interviewer Mike the Mike and he interviews me. I am the field and I am wearing an artificial turf cape and a tiara.”

Mabeline is wowed by the script, and indeed the whole concept of The Garage Players, people of a certain age sharing a passion for writing and performing, enjoying each other’s company as they go about their business, their version of showbusiness.

“We have already booked The Garage for monthly shows in May, June and July,” she adds.

“These days people of a certain age are supposed to sit in the corner. It is all about Botox, a nip and tuck here or there.

“Things are only for young people, but we feel we have got a part to play as well. We have got life skills. We can talk about our lives, our families, the things we have done.

“It is not about the face. We use our minds, our humour, our wit. Our motto is: ‘It’s never too late to innovate’.”

This is SouthWalesFollow

A SIDEWAYS look at reality TV, dialogue to fry for at the chippie, and the last-ever interview with Swansea’s much eulogised Vetch Field are some of the quirky offerings cropping up at a writers’ group session tomorrow.

An evening of new plays and poetry, as well as music, is planned at The Garage, Uplands, from the fledgling Garage Players.

The group met on a creative writing course run by Swansea Uni’s adult education unit and they step up to the mic from 8pm.

Works by familiar faces Mabe Breeze and Malcolm Parr, as well as Mike Witchell will be aired and doors are open at 7.30pm.

As the theatre world goes panto-happy, one Welsh journalist is eagerly developing a lively piece of his work for debut at Swansea’s Grand Theatre.

Mumbles-based Mike Witchell was a sub-editor and satirical columnist on the South Wales Evening Post for many years until recently.

He’s now a main mover in the development of Port Talbot Magnet, a new type of collaborative local news network that’s doing fine work in a town which lost its local weekly paper a couple of years ago.

Dramatist

And now’s the chance to book your seats for his next step on a fresh challenge as a dramatist.

His short play Take Me To The Vetch Field plays the venue’s Arts Wing Depot Studio on March 17.

Between now and then our man is working it up from a very short, snappy piece into an hour-long production with the help of hard-working Swansea stage specialists Fluellen. And I predict success.

Original

In its original form the play has already been warmly received.

After seeing it in small Uplands venue The Garage, reviewer Graham Williams wrote: “The piece which really seemed to strike a resounding chord with the audience … was Mike Witchell’s inventive comedy about a press interview with Miss Vetch Field prior to her ‘retirement’ from the world of professional sport.

“Witchell, whose quirky and off-kilter talent for putting words into the mouths of inanimate objects such as buildings and statues provided the once-proud newspaper with some of its most memorable column inches – played the role of Ed Lines, a celebrity/showbiz writer who had posed as a sports journalist in order to grab an interview with the Grand Old Lady for one last time, and it worked splendidly.”

Picture The latest brochure from the Grand Theatre, Swansea.

Media City trip for Five Live treat

Andy Pearson — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:00:26 +0000

Dec 12 – http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ctvmw

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PR, PR agency, Swansea, Cardiff, Wales, Mark Chapman, Five Live, Monday Night Club

TOMORROW, 19:00 on BBC Radio 5 live

05/12/2011

Mark Chapman with a look ahead to the evening’s Premier League action, Fulham v Liverpool.

Andrew Mark “Chappers” Chapman (born 11 October 1973 in Rochdale, Lancashire), also known as Chappers, is the main sports presenter on Radio 5 Live as well as presenting for BBC Sport on television, his mother is Emily Chapman and his father is Peter Chapman.

He was the sports newsreader and Mills’ sidekick on The Scott Mills Show on BBC Radio 1 in the afternoon.

Contents [hide]

1 Early life

2 Broadcasting career

2.1 Radio

2.2 Television

2.3 Writing

2.4 Podcasts

2.5 Other activities

3 Personal life

4 Links

5 External links

[edit]Early life

Chapman was born in Rochdale but spent the majority of his youth in the town of Sale on the other side of the city of Manchester. He attended Manchester Grammar School, and during his time there developed an interest in radio broadcasting, wanting to work for Radio 1 from the age of 13. He went on to achieve a degree in French and Business Studies from the University of Hull[1].

[edit]Broadcasting career

[edit]Radio

Chapman worked as a continuity announcer on BBC Television before working on Radio 1.[2] He has worked on Sara Cox’s Breakfast Show before his last role on Scott Mills’s “Drive Time”.[3]

On 24 December 2009, Chappers made his final appearance on the Scott Mills Show[4], stating that he had enjoyed the past 10 years at Radio 1, but it was now time to move on to a more serious commitment to sports presenting.

In February 2010, Chapman began a regular spot on BBC Radio 5 Live hosting a new Monday evening sports and discussion show from 7:00 to 10:30pm.[5]

[edit]Television

In 2007, Chapman began presenting Five’s Football Night, taking up the position following John Barnes’ move to a more peripheral role on the show. He also narrates the Rugby League Raw show on BBC One that follows rugby league clubs taking part in the National League play-offs. He also presented Football Italia, on Five with Laura Esposto, when Five acquired the rights to show football matches from Serie A for the 2008/09 season from Bravo. He narrates the camera clip television show, When Sports Goes Bad. Chapman has also presented Match of the Day, The Football League Show and occasionally presents Final Score. Other work for the BBC includes hosting the London and South East edition of Late Kick Off, the BBC’s regional Football League show, as well as a one-off documentary for Inside Sport about homosexuality in sport.[6]

Chapman joined ESPN in 2009 as part of their Premier League coverage, hosting Talk of the Terrace along with Kelly Cates, as well as The Umpire Strikes Back on ESPN Classic.[7] Chapman also presents the UK version of Pardon the Interruption with Steve Bunce.

On 29 December 2008, Chapman appeared on Celebrity Mastermind. His specialist subject was Premier League Football. He came second with 25 points.

[edit]Writing

Chapman wrote a monthly column for Shoot Monthly magazine. In 2010, he released his first book, entitled Heroes, Hairbands and Hissy Fits: Chappers’ History of Modern Football, in which he gives a harsh critique of modern football and players both professional and part-time.

[edit]Podcasts

Chapman appeared in The Times first 2007/08 season The Game podcast hosted by Gabriele Marcotti in August 2007.[8] He also presents their cricket podcasts.

He also presented the Championship Manager Podcast Chappers’ Premier League Podcast along with regular hosts Kevin Day and Graham Poll. However, as of the end of the 2010/2011 English Premier League season, the podcast is defunct.

[edit]Other activities

Along with his ESPN colleague Kelly Cates, Chapman works as the in-ground host of all of the senior short-form international cricket matches played in England.

[edit]Personal life

For Sport Relief in 2008, Chapman and Comedy Dave ran 32 miles at 32 Premier League clubs in England and Scotland.

Chapman completed the 2008 Flora London Marathon for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

He is a Manchester United football fan, and often made comments about his support for the club on The Scott Mills Show.

Welcome to MediaCityUK, the new home for the BBC, ITV, Coronation Street, SIS and the University of Salford. Our vision is for MediaCityUK to become a global hub for innovation and content creation.

Located at Salford Quays on the banks of Manchester’s historic ship canal, MediaCityUK has been developed by The Peel Group.

Our bespoke community features a wide range of commercial office space, one of the biggest HD studio developments in Europe; 378 apartments, a hotel and a brand new tram stop in the heart of a spectacular five-acre piazza.

Find out which businesses are already part of our community here at MediaCityUK.

Well, how excited can a fella get?

The application for free tickets went in … and it came up trumps. Now it means a first visit to Salford’s MediaCityUK.

And I can’t wait to see what all the fuss has been about.

Biggest

It has seemed like the biggest house move of all time; all our heroes from Match of the Day, Newsround and other BBC institutions having to up sticks and head north.

Now an evening at the purpose-built new broadcasting citadel is assured a week tonight with two audience tickets for BBC Radio Five Live’s Monday Night Club.

It’s normally presented by Mark “Chappers” Chapman who never fails to delight with his childlike enthusiasm for Premier League soccer. Check out the show details here – click.

Forthcoming

Kick-off is usually 7pm – and doors open for the audience at 6.30pm. There’ll be a look ahead to the forthcoming top-flight action and panel chat about a bunch of other headline sports news.

There’ll be few people in the audience or on the panel with the same depth of knowledge as Chappers.

He may hail from the traditionally basement-league football town of Rochdale but his capacity for sporting facts is very much in the Barcelona realm.

Regular

His regular Five Live slots began last year although he’d presented Channel Five’s Football Night three years earlier.

His other sports broadcasting credits include BBC One’s Rugby League Raw, Five’s Football Italia and camera clip show When Sports Goes Bad.

He has presented Match of the Day, The Football League Show and Final Score, south east regional show Late Kick Off, the regional Football League show and the occasional documentary.

Mastermind

An appearance on Celebrity Mastermind saw his do pretty well with his specialist subject – Premier League Football.

As well as hosting the Beeb, incidentally, MediaCityUK is a home for ITV and Coronation Street among others.

It aims to become a global hub for innovation and content creation.

Historic

Located at Salford Quays on the banks of Manchester’s historic ship canal, MediaCityUK features a wide range of commercial office space, one of the biggest HD studio developments in Europe; more than 370 apartments, a hotel and a new tram stop in the heart of a five-acre piazza.

More here Click

Photo MediaCityUK from www.mediacityuk.co.uk

Swans boss Brendan Rodgers in demand

Andy Pearson — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:00:54 +0000

Dec 8 – http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Premier-date-pulls-crowds-Swans-boss/story-14029552-detail/story.html

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PR, PR agency, Swansea, Cardiff, Wales, Swansea Business Club, Brendan Rodgers, Swansea City, Swans, Barclays Premier League

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Premier date pulls in crowds for Swans’ boss

Saturday, December 03, 2011South Wales Evening PostFollow

THE magic of the Premier League has cast its spell over Swansea Business Club.

The first manager to take a Welsh soccer club into the Premier League has made a speaking engagement with the club the hottest ticket in town.

Swansea City boss Brendan Rodgers will be guest speaker next Friday and despite the £40 price tag, 215 seats have already been snapped up.

Business club president Kath Whitrow said: “Brendan has got the X-factor — pure and simple. He’s already assured of legendary status in Swansea and we’re thrilled that the city’s enterprise community is coming out in force to salute him.

“This is our Christmas dinner and already bookings are up an incredible 50 per cent on last year’s festive event. Brendan’s good nature and extraordinary pulling power mean he’ll have a bumper audience.”

Brendan, who guided the Swans to the top flight in May, is due to address business club members over lunch at the Marriott Hotel, Swansea.

His talk comes a day before the club faces Fulham, and in a month which also sees them play big guns such as Newcastle United and Tottenham.

Swansea Business Club secretary Bruce Roberts said: “Swansea City have become a fabulous standard bearer for the region and Brendan Rodgers is proving to be a great ambassador for the area in both personal and professional terms.

“We’re thrilled to have him as guest speaker at our Christmas lunch; it’s a measure of the man that tickets are selling really quickly.”

Born in County Antrim, Brendan moved to England as a teenager but had his professional playing career ended by injury at 20.

He became Reading’s youth coach before Jose Mourinho made him youth team manager at Chelsea in 2004. Two years later he became reserve team boss at Stamford Bridge before being appointed Watford manager, then Reading boss. He joined the Swans in July 2010.

At Swansea he has attracted players such as Scott Sinclair and masterminded a historic promotion play-off victory, winning 4-2 against his old side Reading at Wembley on May 30.

Shortly afterwards he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

He will address the business club from 12.30pm. Other special seasonal entertainment is also promised for the event.

www.swanseabusiness club.com.

nino.williams@swwmedia.co.uk

The South Wales Evening Post reported on Saturday that Swansea City boss Brendan Rodgers was proving to be a real draw for members of the area’s business community – click.

Reporter Nino Williams penned a story – headlined Premier date pulls in crowds for Swans’ boss – which recorded how 215 tickets had been sold for his speaking engagement with the business club.

More have now gone and this means that today’s lunchtime event at Swansea’s Marriott Hotel is a sell-out.

Wonderful

This is wonderful news for the business club and great news for Rodgers as he does battle with the footballing elite to keep his Liberty Stadium side in the top flight.

Quite simply, it reaffirms for him that the whole city is behind him, other than maybe a small number of teams dicing with relegation.

“The magic of the Premier League has cast its spell over Swansea Business Club,” reported Nino.

Hottest

“The first manager to take a Welsh soccer club into the Premier League has made a speaking engagement with the club the hottest ticket in town.”

Business club president Kath Whitrow told the Post: “Brendan has got the X-factor — pure and simple.

“He’s already assured of legendary status in Swansea and we’re thrilled that the city’s enterprise community is coming out in force to salute him.

Bumper

“Brendan’s good nature and extraordinary pulling power mean he’ll have a bumper audience.”

Rodgers, who guided the Swans to the top flight in May, is a PR professional’s dream. And members of Swansea Business Club are sleeping soundly too!

IoD chairs right to call for media training

Andy Pearson — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:00:53 +0000

Dec 9 – http://www.iod.com/home/local-network/south-west/default.aspx

Head XXX

Sub XXX

PR, PR agency, Swansea, Cardiff, Wales, IoD, media training

9 questions to ask before every media interview

Media trainers usually spend the majority of their time teaching you how to communicate during a media interview. But too often, we forget to talk about what to should do before an interview begins—or before you agree to the interview in the first place.

Before agreeing to an interview, you should interview the interviewer. Learn as much as possible about the story they’re working on, as you’ll be able to prepare for the interview with greater precision as you learn more about it. Most journalists are willing to share at least the basics about the stories they’re working on, and some are willing to go into great detail about their stories.

Here are nine questions you should ask before every interview:

1. What’s your name? I know, that one’s obvious, but I’ve seen people forget to ask. Also ask reporters which news organization they work for and whether they cover a particular topic.

2. Can you tell me about the story you’re working on? Keep this question open-ended and remain quiet while the reporter talks (the more they talk, the more you’ll learn). Feel free to ask follow-up questions and to clarify any points you don’t fully understand.

3. Are you approaching this story from any particular perspective? Some reporters bristle when you ask, “What’s your angle?” directly, so this question tries to get the same information in a slightly more subtle manner.

4. Who else are you interviewing? Reporters often play it close to the vest on this one, but it’s worth asking. You’ll often be able to get a sense for the tone of the article by learning whether the other sources in the story are friendly or antagonistic toward your cause.

5. What’s the format? For print interviews, this question will help you determine whether reporters just need a quick quote from you or whether they are writing an in-depth piece that will focus extensively on your work. For broadcast interviews, you’ll be able to learn whether the interview will be live, live-to-tape, or edited. Also ask how long the interview will last. For television, ask if the format will be a remote, on-set, or sound bites interview.

6. With whom would you like to speak? Reporters will often tell you the person they want to speak to—often a company leader or subject matter expert. But they’ll frequently take anyone in your organization who can answer their questions satisfactorily, so ask.

7. Is there anything else I can help you with? Ask the reporter if you can provide them with any press releases, graphics, photos, videos, etc. You can often expand your presence in a news story if the reporter chooses to use your supporting materials.

8. Who will be doing the interview? For many radio and television interviews, you will be contacted by an off-air producer rather than an on-air personality. If you’re not sure who the interviewer will be, ask. Also ask where the interview will be held.

9. When are you publishing or airing the story? Look at the story as soon as it comes out. If it’s a positive story, share it with your online and off-line networks. If it’s a negative story, consider contacting the reporter or editor, or issuing a response.

Visit the Mr. Media Training Blog to see the 21 Most Essential Media Training Links. Brad Phillips is the author of the Mr. Media Training Blog and president of Phillips Media Relations, which specializes in media and presentation training.

IoD South West

Regional Committee Meeting – Wednesday 7 December 2011

Agenda

1. Welcome and apologies for absence 10.30

2. Notes from Last Meeting and Matters Arising 10.35

3. Chairman’s Report 10.40

SW Activity Review

National Update – inc IT (CRM + website) and premises

2012 SW plans and budget

4. Regional Director’s Report 11.10

2011 Management Accounts

Branch event attendance and financial out-turns

Membership – Regional Membership Development Executive

5. Regional Sponsorship & Events Update 11.40

2012 Awards / Evening with Entrepreneurs

6. Branch Matters 11.50

Any items/issues to be raised by Chairs at Regional Level from Branches – please notify SF before the meeting

7. Regional PR Update

- Andy Pearson, Effective Communication 12.00

8. IoD South West Director Development Update

SW Chartered Director Ambassadors 12.20

9. AOB – Please notify SF before the day of the meeting 12.25

10. Next Meeting Dates for 2011

11. Close – Buffet Lunch 12.30

12. Media Training for Chairmen

- Andy Pearson, Effective Communication 13.00

It was good to be in the company of the IoD South West yesterday.

Chairman Gerry Jones, director Simon Face and five county chairmen gathered in Bristol to plan ahead for the coming months.

And part of the session was taken up with a little media training.

Tips

Specifically, they asked for some tips on being interviewed by local radio reporters.

I was happy to oblige.

For others interested in this important skills, let me outline five key questions to answer before each interview – they all help you prepare by learning about the story being put together for new bulletins.

Clarify Who you’ll be talking to and which radio station they work for.

Establish What the story is about – and be as specific as possible. Running stories especially can evolve with many different angles.

Ask Who else is being interviewed. This will help craft some of your responses.

Prepare For the broadcast format. A radio interview could be live, live-to-tape or recorded for future editing. How long will it last?

Check When the story is due to be broadcast. Listen to it and, if and if corrections are needed, contact the reporter again.

More the the IoD South West here Click