Resignations

Political Headlines – Threat of mass resignations for both May and Corbyn

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Today’s political headlines include May warned of mass resignations if she tries to stop MPs from blocking no-deal Brexit, Corbyn warned of resignations if he backs another referendum, Bercow may miss out on peerage and UK could extend EU membership without electing new MEPs. 

May warned of mass resignations if she tries to stop MPs from blocking no-deal Brexit
The Daily Telegraph reveals that Theresa May has been warned by members of her Cabinet that she will face ‘mass resignations’ if she tries to stop MPs from blocking a no-deal Brexit, with up to ’20 mid-ranking ministers’ have indicated that they are prepared to quit the Government to do so. One Cabinet minister has told the paper that the Prime Minister would be ‘wise’ to give a free vote on the issue. The paper has also obtained Cabinet Office guidance suggesting that a second referendum would take over a year to organise.

Frontbenchers might resign if Corbyn backed another referendum
The Guardian claims that up to a dozen Labour frontbenchers might resign if Jeremy Corbyn were to back a second referendum on Brexit. The paper claims that ‘a string of junior shadow ministers’ have told the paper that they worry that doing so would lead to a backlash in constituencies which voted to leave the EU. The Times adds that a number of Labour MPs have defied their leadership’s instructions by meeting Theresa May for talks on Brexit yesterday, claiming that both May and Corbyn ‘are battling not to be sidelined’.

Government may not give Bercow peerage
The Times suggests that John Bercow might be the first Speaker in 230 years not to be given a peerage by the Government. A Cabinet source told the paper that they couldn’t ‘imagine we would look favourably on those who’ve cheated centuries of procedure’ and insiders have said that the Prime Minister has the power to refuse to award the peerage.

UK could extend EU membership without electing new MEPs
European Parliament legal advice has been leaked to the Financial Times, showing that the UK would be able to extend its membership of the EU beyond this summer without needing to elect MEPs. The UK would not have any seats, but they would only be reallocated to other members once Brexit has happened. However, some European Commission and Council lawyers are concerned that this would undermine the parliament’s authority.

Johnson to make pitch for Tory leadership
The Daily Mail says that Boris Johnson will today make a ‘thinly-veiled pitch for the Tory leadership’ at the HQ of JCB in Staffordshire. He will call for ‘no new taxes’, express his concerns about the ‘worrying’ gap between London and the rest of the country, and call for investment in ‘great public services’.

UK fails to agree post-Brexit trade deals
The Financial Times has obtained a Government memo which shows that the UK has not finalised most of the trade deals needed to replace the 40 agreements made by the EU, and will not have done so by the time the UK leaves the EU on 29 March. Without a transition period, the memo warns, most of these deals will lapse.

Hitachi ditches plans for nuclear power stations
The Times claims that the UK’s plans for new nuclear power stations are now ‘in disarray’ after Hitachi announced that it was suspending plans for two plants and writing off £2bn spent on preparations. This follows the decision of Toshiba to pull out of a project in November. The Government is currently developing a new way to finance nuclear plants.

Plans for calories on menus may be abandoned
According to The Sun plans to force restaurants to include calorie information on menus may be abandoned by the Government, with Chancellor Philip Hammond and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss claiming that the policy would be burdensome for businesses, especially small ones. The Department of Health and Social Care is also unsupportive.

Who’s in and who’s out – keep up to date with any political moves with  Vuelio Political Services.

Barometer PRCA

Agency heads predict positive 2019 for PR

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The PRCA has published the findings of the latest Consultancy Barometer, which has found that PR agency heads are generally positive about the industry’s outlook for 2019 but negative about the state of the UK economy.

The Consultancy Barometer Q4 2018 survey covers business confidence, client budgets and recruitment.

The key findings:

  • 34% of agency heads reported that clients had marginally or significantly increased their budgets; 44% said that budgets had stayed the same; while only 3% said that budgets had decreased significantly.
  • The clear majority of respondents (75%) described the last quarter as busy or very busy, compared to 3% who described it as very quiet.
  • When asked about staff numbers, 42% of respondents predicted that staff numbers would increase in the next quarter, while 53% of respondents expected staff numbers to stay the same.
  • Agency heads were positive about the outlook for their consultancy and the industry as a whole. Over 55% of respondents said the last quarter had made them feel more optimistic about their consultancy, while 39% of respondents said the same thing for the wider industry. In contrast, 71% of respondents said that the state of the UK economy would worsen over the next 12 months. Only 2% of respondents predicted that the UK economy would improve in the next year.

Francis Ingham, director general of the PRCA said: ‘The PR industry is thriving. But agencies are very clear that they expect the next twelve months to be extremely challenging for the country as a whole. The reason for this is clear – Brexit uncertainty.

‘Nervousness about the UK economy has increased in every quarterly Barometer since the referendum. Our industry stands on firm foundations. But even the strongest of business sectors will ultimately pay a price if economic uncertainty continues for too long.’

Gavin Devine, director and founder of Park Street Partners said: ‘The million-dollar question for the next quarter is Brexit. What will it bring? What will it do to clients? For corporate communicators it could be an opportunity, or it could be a threat – it’s just impossible to know.’

Sam Ajilore and Mariah Carey

Music blog spotlight: That Grape Juice

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That Grape Juice is the number one music blog created by Sam Ajilore. Now over a decade old, That Grape Juice continues to be at the forefront of urban music and culture, with bases in London and LA. We caught up with Sam to find out what’s on the agenda for 2019, who are the greatest artists of all time and how the blog works with PR.

What are your plans for the blog in 2019?
Growth! If there’s one thing that’s a guarantee in the digital landscape it’s change. Thankfully, I’ve long approached That Grape Juice as being a ‘voice’ that can permeate a multitude of platforms. Hence, moving forward, the plan is to make the site’s ‘voice’ as accessible and omnipresent as possible – via the web, podcasts, and streaming services.

How is music changing and does this affect your content?
The music industry is most definitely in the midst of one its most pronounced eras of change thanks to streaming, which is now the primary means of consumption.

Because of this, the traditional rulebook has been tossed out of the window and artists have been gifted much more agency over what they release and when they release it.

This, in turn, has de-emphasised the immediate importance of ‘the single’ and ‘the album’ as well as the rigid promo schedules that used to define both. It’s made for a much more interesting arena, one where artists are now framing releases as they choose, which is evidenced by the surge in mixtapes, EPs and songs rolled out simply to feed fans.

As a music news and review platform, it’s resulted in much more content to cover – with some acts working multiple tracks at the same time. It’s really exciting.

Who’s your favourite band/artist?
I’ve always loved spectacle and performance as much as I have music itself. So, the genesis for me will always be Michael Jackson. More contemporarily though, I’d say Beyoncé. She pretty much carries the MJ baton for me personally.

Who’s going to be hot in 2019?
It’s always tough to call and there’s so many variables. I will say that I’m super excited about Normani (formerly of Fifth Harmony). She’s a dynamite performer and is navigating the solo landscape exquisitely so far. She’s making all the right moves and musically has ample potential.

On home soil, I’m really enjoying what I’m hearing from rapper Dave. He has a unique perspective and articulates it in a super compelling way.

Do you play any instruments?
I wish!

Humbly speaking, I feel I have a fairly good ear for melody. As such, I really hope (at some point in this life!) I can parlay that towards learning the piano.

What’s the best song ever?
Wow, this is so hard! And for that reason, I have to list at least three. In no particular order:

  • Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
  • We Belong Together by Mariah Carey
  • I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston

I have a thing for songs that are lyric/story driven while still being easy on the ear. Traits each of these tracks possess.

How do you work with PRs/brands on content?
There’s the standard influx of press releases – of which we receive up to 100… per day!

At a more involved level, we routinely collaborate with PRs on artist interviews, live show reviews, robust features and campaign-long story-telling.

What one thing should they know before contacting you?
A personal approach is often the best approach! We’re pleasant music-lovers who are dually committed to serving our audience the freshest content, while working with PRs, brands, and similar to achieve their campaign goals too.

As such, while mass targeted press releases are sometimes a necessity, it’s so much more impactful when we receive emails from folk who understand the platform they’re reaching out to and have a clear goal in mind when touching base.

It’s surprising to still see generic emails filled with all-encompassing verbiage such as ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ and ‘your blog’ instead of the blog’s actual name.

Put simply, the more personalised the better.

Do you accept press releases?
Yes! From all regions. Music is so universal these days, with the internet being a ‘global village’. So, we’re happy to receive content from everywhere.

What other blogs do you read?
Far too many to name! I will say, though, that I really enjoy reading personal blogs.

My field (music) is rooted in fantasy, spectacle, and escapism, whereas such blogs are anchored in the real, the here, and the now. All of which speaks to me outside of my ‘professional self’.

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Theresa May no confidence victory announcement

Political Headlines – May defeats no confidence motion and Hammond’s leaked call

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Today’s political headlines include May’s defeat of the no confidence motion, Hammond’s leaked conference call, Hague’s general election warning and May refusing to rule out the customs union. 

May defeats no confidence motion as Corbyn rejects talks offers
As The Times reports, last night Theresa May survived the challenge against her leadership by 325 votes to 306 with the backing of rebel Conservatives and the DUP. She invited the leaders of opposition parties for talks after the vote, meeting the Lib Dem leader and the Westminster leaders of the SNP and Plaid Cymru, but her invitation was turned down by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who insisted that she first rule out the possibility of no-deal.

Hammond’s conference call leaked
The Daily Telegraph has obtained a recording of Chancellor Philip Hammond’s phone call with business leaders after Theresa May’s deal was rejected. He told participants that Nick Boles’ cross-party plan to force an Article 50 extension could led to the ‘threat’ of a no-deal Brexit being removed and even to Article 50 being ‘rescinded’ altogether, suggesting that ministers might even back the bill when it is voted on.

Hague warns of general election
The Financial Times reports that Lord Hague has told Citigroup clients that ‘the media are underplaying the chances of a general election in the coming weeks’. Three cabinet ministers have also told the paper that a general election is possible, with May trying to seek public support if she cannot reconcile her MPs, and free herself from the DUP.

May refuses to rule out customs union
The Daily Telegraph says that Theresa May has repeatedly refused to rule out staying in a customs union with the EU as cross-party talks on Brexit, led by Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington, begin. She refused to give a direct answer to Jeremy Corbyn at yesterday’s Prime Minister’s Questions when asked if the Government had ‘ruled out any form of customs union with the European Union as part of their reaching-out exercise’.

Corbyn under pressure to back second referendum
The Times reports that Jeremy Corbyn is coming under increasing pressure to back a second Brexit referendum. Yesterday, 71 Labour MPs signed a letter demanding that the party ‘unequivocally’ backed a second vote, while the Liberal Democrats challenged Corbyn to clarify his position, announcing plans to try to make MPs vote on the measure on Monday.

MPs call for global ocean protection agreement
The Guardian says that the Commons Environmental Audit Committee is calling for a new global agreement to protect the oceans. Its new report warns of the harmful effect of plastic pollution, overfishing and climate change, and claims that the Government has treated the oceans as ‘out of sight, out of mind’.

Hitachi to announce future of Welsh nuclear power project
The BBC reports that a decision about whether Hitachi will continue with its plans to build the new Wylfa Newydd power station on Anglesey will be announced this morning according to Ken Skates, the Welsh Economy Secretary. According to the Japanese press, Hitachi will announce that construction is to be suspended.

Statistics Authority under fire over RPI failings
The Financial Times carries details of a new report by the Lords Economic Affairs Committee that calls the decision of the UK Statistics Authority not to improve the RPI measure of inflation ‘untenable’. Problems with the way it is calculated have led to higher rail fares and student loan interest rates, and higher payments to index-linked gilt holders.

There’s just 10 weeks until the current Brexit deadline – don’t miss anything with  Vuelio Political Services.

CIPR advisor service

How to hire PR professionals and agencies

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The CIPR has launched the Client Advisor Service to guide businesses through the process of hiring public relations support. Whether it’s for in-house PR staff or external PR agencies and independent practitioners, the new Service will connect businesses with experienced CIPR Client Advisors.

The Advisors are all Chartered PR Professionals and will help businesses identify their needs and provide a range of support from preparing job descriptions and briefs to joining interviews and pitch panels.

The Service will be launched at MHP Communications on 24 January, where CIPR President, Emma Leech, will set out her vision for the CIPR in 2019. You can register to attend online.

The CIPR has also launched two new guides, designed to further support businesses looking to recruit PR staff or hire the right PR agency.

In-house roles
Recruiting for public relations roles offers information and advice for individuals and businesses seeking to recruit for PR roles. It covers the whole hiring process from common job titles and typical salaries by both role and experience, to shortlisting and making an offer.

The guide is also a valuable tool for anyone applying for PR roles, as it’s the ultimate guide to what’s required.

PR agencies and independent practitioners
The second guide, A guide to selecting PR agencies and independent practitioners, explains what services you can expect to receive from external PRs, how to define what you need and how to select the right people.

The guide provides detailed case studies for different areas of PR including The McOnie Agency’s work on the Ebola outbreak for Arco – in the ‘Issues and Crisis Management’ section; Taylor Herring’s Fit Kwik campaign for Kwik Fit – in the ‘Special Events, Conferences and Meetings’ section; and MHP’s Drop the Duty campaign for the Wine and Spirit Trade Association & Scotch Whisky Association – in the ‘Government Relations and Public Affairs’ section.

Again, the guide is not only vital for businesses trying to work how to pick a PR agency, but also for the agencies and independent practitioners themselves, who can draw inspiration from the detailed selection of successful campaigns.

Emma Leech said: ‘Reputation has never been more important for businesses and yet public relations is sometimes misunderstood and undervalued by UK PLC. The Client Advisor Service, along with these new guides, aims to change that.

‘The Service takes the pain out of hiring PR support and gives businesses peace of mind when recruiting or hiring agencies. Our Client Advisors will work closely with businesses to ensure they get maximum value from their public relations function. This is an exciting and significant step forward for our industry as we continue to assert the strategic value of public relations to the business community.’

Find out more about the Client Advisor Service. 

Bionic Basil

Pet Blog Spotlight: Bionic Basil

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The Bionic Basil pet blog was created by Cathrine Garnell and inspired by Basil, the cat. Ranked in the Top 10 UK Pet Blogs, Basil and the ‘B’ Team of feisty felines share humour, brain training, mindfulness and cuteness. In this spotlight, Cathrine shares how she portrays each cats’ unique personality, why cats rule, and which kitty is most likely to endure a costume photo shoot.

How has your blog changed from when you first started? 
Where the blog began and where it is today is a lot different; it started out as just Basil’s blog but as it progressed the rest of The B Team joined in, and as time passed they each got an exclusive post which suits their personalities, sharing lots of really fun things to keep any cat fancier entertained on a weekly basis.

What’s the best thing about being a pet blogger? 
Crafting with Cats, Colouring with Cats, Gardening with Cats, Brain Training with Cats, Fashion with Felines, Feline Fiction etc… did I mention cats!

How conscious are you of the animal’s personality as opposed to your own when writing? 
Basil, Amber, Smooch, Parsley, Pandora and Fudge, aka The B Team, each have their own personalities, expressions and voice. They are all completely different individuals so when writing their posts, it’s all about them and what they’re doing at that moment.

Bionic Basil, the B team

What are better cats or dogs?
Oh now there’s a tough question, obviously I have many cats, but I love dogs too, though sadly don’t have the time to have another at this point. So at BBHQ, cats rule supreme at the moment.

Did you have a pet growing up? 
I had lots of pets, mainly dogs, though I also had ponies, donkeys, and my father used to keep rare breeds cattle, so from an early age I’ve been surrounded by all kinds of animals, hence the reason I have my own little cat-herd today.

What’s the best top tip you have for pet owners? 
If you can, do get pet insurance.

How do you work with PRs and brands?  
Most of the time, agencies, publishers and PRs will contact us via email and we simply take it from that point forward. Assessing the brand’s needs along with how we can best present their product/idea in the style of our blog.

What are the best collaborations you’ve worked on?  
A couple of the best collaborations we have done recently are with Miaustore and Catit. Both are such great companies and produce such innovative products for feline enrichment.

Do bloggers need their own industry association? 
A dedicated Pet Blogger association/platform would be great in the UK. Our American friends have Blogpaws, so a UK counterpart would be great, and would help address questions and issues for new and seasoned pet bloggers alike.

What other blogs do you read?  
We read lots every week. On our blog we have a page dedicated to pet blogs, a directory of sorts and we visit most of those regularly. Though our favourite UK pet blogs in no order are:  Erin the Cat Princess, Katzenworld, Memories of Eric and Flynn, Speedy the Cheeky House Bunny and Athena, Cat Goddess.

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May defeat

Political Headlines – May suffers historic defeat in Brexit latest

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Today’s political headlines include May’s historic defeat over Brexit deal, Cabinet split over way forward, Corbyn fails to raise the possibility of a second referendum and Hammond suggests Article 50 could be extended. 

May suffers historic defeat over Brexit deal
As The Times reports, last night Theresa May suffered a ‘historic defeat’ over her Brexit deal, with 202 MPs voting in favour of her plan and 432 against. She has now called for cross-party talks, although according to the paper, a spokesperson said that she would be ‘determined to preserve her interpretation of the referendum result’ in these. Labour has now called a motion of no confidence to be voted on this evening, but the support of Brexiteers and the DUP means that the Government is likely to win.

Cabinet split over way forward
According to The Daily Telegraph, the Cabinet is ‘deeply divided’ over its response to the Brexit defeat. Ministers including Philip Hammond, Amber Rudd and Greg Clark support a series of indicative votes by MPs on alternative outcomes such as an Article 50 extension or a second referendum, but others, such as Jeremy Hunt, Andrea Leadsom and Chris Grayling oppose removing the ‘no deal’ option. Damian Hinds, Karen Bradley and James Brokenshire reportedly support May bringing the deal back for another vote.

Corbyn fails to raise possibility of a second referendum
The Guardian claims that Jeremy Corbyn has ‘risked antagonising’ remain supporters in his party after he failed to refer to the possibility of a second referendum in either of his speeches yesterday evening, arguing that ‘a general election would be the best outcome for the country’. The Times adds that if Labour’s vote of no confidence in the Government fails today, the party could make further attempts in ‘a sustained campaign’.

Hammond suggests that Article 50 could be extended
The Financial Times says that Chancellor Philip Hammond used a conference call with businesses leaders last night to suggest that the Article 50 period to negotiate Brexit could be extended and that a consensus needed to be built in Parliament. He also said that the Government would not put ‘obstacles’ in the way of Nick Boles’ plans to block a no-deal Brexit and let MPs find a workable Brexit solution.

DUP calls for ‘fundamental change’
The Daily Telegraph reports that DUP leader Arlene Foster said that the rejection of May’s deal by MPs showed that she needed to ‘seek fundamental change to the Withdrawal Agreement’ from the EU, while Boris Johnson claimed that the vote gave May a ‘massive mandate’ for renegotiation and also called on the Government to prepare ‘for no-deal with ever more enthusiasm’.

Cross-party plan suggests delaying Brexit until December
According to The Times, a bill published by backbench Conservatives Nick Boles, Sir Oliver Letwin and Nicky Morgan, backed by Labour MPs Hilary Benn and Yvette Cooper, would strip the Government of its power to set the Brexit terms, leaving this to MPs, and if this failed would compel the Prime Minister to request an extension of Article 50 until December.

Tusk suggests UK should cancel Brexit
The Daily Mail says that European Council President Donald Tusk has suggested that the UK should remain in the EU, asking ‘If a deal is impossible, and no one wants no deal, then who will finally have the courage to say what the only positive solution is?’ European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has warned that the changes of a ‘disorderly withdrawal’ have increased and that the ‘time is almost up’.

Lords backs upskirting ban
The BBC reports that the House of Lords has approved a bill outlawing upskirting in a victory for campaigner Gina Martin, who was upskirted at a music festival 18 months ago, and Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse who introduced a private members’ bill as a result.

Brexit continues to dominate the headlines, but there’s more to politics than Brexit. Don’t miss what matters to you with Vuelio Political Services.

Zoe Ball

Zoe Ball takes on Radio 2 breakfast show as first female presenter

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Yesterday, Zoe Ball presented her first Radio 2 breakfast show after taking over from Chris Evans. From next week, Ball will be up against Evans – presenter of the show for nine years – when he starts presenting a rival show on Virgin Radio.

Ball said: ‘It’s going to be interesting times, I’m going to be up against Chris, I’m up against Jamie Theakston [on Heart], my old telly husband. But I feel generally it’s a really exciting time for radio, and I hope we can make a success of it.’

Ball isn’t the only new presenter for the channel, as Sara Cox launches her drivetime show, Jo Whiley begins a new evening solo slot, and Trevor Nelson brings his Rhythm Nation to late nights.

Ball told BBC news: ‘The thing we really wanna do is bring lots of music, lots of energy, not too much chat – but enough, and we want people to have learned something by the end of the show.’

The Telegraph said that Ball and the team began the show ‘fast-talking and jumpy, clearly excited to be there, if wary of the reaction’.

It continued: ‘The programme that unfurled after the first hour or so was warm and bright.

‘The really good news is that Ball was sparky and friendly, and not at all cheesy, braggy or shouty.’

The Guardian’s Mark Lawson gave the show four stars and said the first show was helped by celebrity guest John Cleese: ‘Cleese has helped start a dawn format that feels built to last’.

Ex-BBC boss Roger Mosey, writing for the Mail, was less impressed with the ‘underwhelming’ guests but is generally positive about the new breakfast show. He said: ‘This is an amiable programme with decent music, and Ball is warm and lively as a breakfast companion. I predict most of the audience will stay with Radio 2, and she’ll beat Evans’ digital-only offering by many multiples.

‘Whether it will be as compelling a listen as Evans at his best, I doubt, but the reduction in egotism is refreshing. I think the BBC can be optimistic that Radio 2 will at least stay afloat in these choppy waters.’

The Times’s Clive Lewis only gave the show two stars, as it was ‘too frantic’. He said: ‘At its best, Radio 2 manages to hold together an enormous, disparate audience by making the various shifts in tone seem unforced and perfectly natural. Ball, on the other hand, sounds as if she is still working her way through a recipe on how to bake a new personality.’

BBC director-general Tony Hall, who was at Radio 2, told the Press Association that Ball was ‘brilliant, absolutely brilliant’.

On Twitter, the reaction was generally positive:

 

 

 

However, some listeners were still wary about Ball presenting the show:

 

 

On The Radio urged listeners to give the show some time: ‘It isn’t fair to make a judgement on the first day. Any new breakfast show takes time to sound right to listeners as they get used to a new routine first thing in the morning, but Zoe and her team got off to a flying start. They’ve probably put in a lot of time doing “dry-runs” for the show and it certainly paid off.’

Zoe Ball and BBC Radio 2 are both listed on the Vuelio Media Database, along with thousands of other presenters, journalists, programmes and PR opportunities.

UK EU

Political Headlines – May prepares for historic defeat, while Merkel offers more help

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Today’s political headlines include May preparing for a historic defeat, Merkel offering May more help, Corbyn could call a vote of no confidence this evening and the MP who has delayed giving birth in order to vote. 

May prepares for ‘historic defeat’
The Times reports that Theresa May is braced for what it calls a ‘historic defeat’ when the Commons votes on her Brexit deal today. Yesterday she called on backbench Conservatives and the DUP to give it a ‘second look’ after assurances from the European Union were released, but just half of her MPs turned up to listen to her appeals on the evening before the vote.

Merkel offers May more help
The Sun claims that Theresa May was offered ‘last-minute help’ by German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday, and will tell the cabinet when it discusses ‘Plan B’ this morning that the EU could make more concessions after the Commons rejects the deal this evening, including persuading Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to accept an end-date for the backstop.

Corbyn could call for a vote of no confidence this evening
According to The Guardian, Jeremy Corbyn could call for a vote of no confidence as soon as this evening unless May makes ‘major unexpected concessions’. A source told the paper that if this vote were lost, it would not mean that Labour would automatically back a second referendum.

MP delays giving birth to vote on deal
The BBC reports that Labour MP Tulip Siddiq has delayed giving birth via caesarean section so that she can vote against the deal today. Harriet Harman said that Siddiq ‘should not have to chose’ between giving birth and voting, while Speaker John Bercow described the lack of proxy voting as ‘extremely regrettable’ and delays in implementing it ‘frankly lamentable’.

Senior MPs reject ‘daft’ Boles plan
The Financial Times claims that the likelihood of ‘political paralysis’ has increased after senior MPs rejected a proposal put forward by Nick Boles to use the Commons Liaison Committee to agree an alternative Brexit plan. Pete Wishart, a member of the committee, called it a ‘daft suggestion’. The paper adds that an amendment by Tory backbencher Andrew Murrison will propose a December 2021 end-date for the backstop, and that the Government is considering supporting it.

Pro-Brexit Facebook advert funding unclear
The Guardian says that an obscure pro-Brexit group, Britain’s Future, has spent £31,000 on more than 200 Facebook adverts in the last seven days, but that despite changes by Facebook to improve transparency, there is no evidence to show who is paying for the advertising.

May puts RAF plane on standby
The Daily Mirror claims that Theresa May has put her RAF plane on standby in case she needs to fly to Brussels to seek immediate concessions in the aftermath of her deal being rejected in tonight’s vote.

£132m awarded to charity despite misconduct investigation
The Times reveals that the Government has awarded £132m to the International Planned Parenthood Foundation, despite a senior official being under investigation for harassment and misconduct. Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary, had promised not to fund charities which did not meet ‘high standards on safeguarding and protection’.

Don’t miss the result, get Vuelio Political Services.

Fiona Bruce

Praise for Fiona Bruce’s first Question Time

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The reviews are in for Fiona Bruce’s first episode of Question Time, which aired last week.

Fiona Bruce took over from David Dimbleby following his departure at the end of 2018 after 25 years of presenting the show. Question Time has aired almost 1,400 episodes and still pulls in around two million viewers for each.

There were rumours that the BBC were choosing Bruce to give a ‘softer feel’ to Question Time, but before the show Bruce said: ‘They’d have the wrong person if they were.

‘The person I am in the newsroom, which you won’t particularly see on air because you’re so sublimated in a studio, is opinionated, feisty, argumentative.

‘That’s what I’m known for there. I think you’ll see more of that.’

Her debut was considered a success with positive reviews in the press and online.

Thursday’s show had a panel comprised of the Conservative deputy chairman, James Cleverly, the shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, columnist Melanie Phillips, comedian Nish Kumar and Jo Swinson, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats.

The Telegraph said: ‘She brought calmness, clarity and even some dry wit to her impressive debut’.

The Guardian said Bruce ‘felt fresh and effective’, however, it felt that perhaps ‘the BBC should have taken advantage of the succession to shake up the structure as well’.

Following the show, Press Gazette asked its audience what they thought – with 78% saying she ‘Smashed it’.

Some viewers said that Bruce needed to speak louder, but general feedback was very good.

Fiona Bruce and Question Time are both listed on the Vuelio Media Database, along with thousands of other presenters, journalists, programmes and PR opportunities.

Top 50 political influencers

The Top 50 Political Influencers in the UK

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With 29 March and the Brexit deadline fast approaching, there’s never been a more exciting time to cover politics – but with the media in rapid flux, who really sets the agenda?

Vuelio has curated the Top 50 Political Influencers working in the media, download the full list here.

When it comes to politics, the digital media environment continues to develop in novel, sometimes unanticipated, ways – with some serious consequences. New media have radically altered the ways in which Government institutions operate, political leaders communicate, and campaigns are fought.

While every major vote since Obama’s first presidential victory in 2008 has been heralded as some kind of ‘social media’ event, in the UK the 2016 referendum and 2017 General Election broke new ground with alternative political voices not only loudly opposing mainstream views, but also seeming to wield genuine influence over the electoral outcomes. The work of unashamedly partisan individuals or small collectives, at least part of the appeal of this new commentariat was their distance from the Westminster bubble.

Although new media has complicated the political media system, it has by no means dismantled it. Legacy media – radio and television news programmes, even newspapers – coexist with Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Indeed, content produced by the mainstream is fed upon by emerging influencers, increasing its reach and impact even as it is transformed under the weight of myriad digital judgements.

The Top 50 Political Influencers reflects this evolving media, including broadcasters and print journalists in addition to bloggers and other digital influencers. Those on the list include the most politically informed, those with the best contacts and membership of the right WhatsApp groups for the inside track on breaking news and the latest leaks, and those able to lead conversations across a range of social media platforms.

In these many different ways, each of the 50 has the power to shape politics in the UK – and together, they do.

 

Vuelio is renowned for its media rankings, with the top blog rankings, across all topics and industries, famous the world over. With in-house research teams covering both the media and political landscapes, as well as content and data feeds being analysed by proprietary algorithms, we are uniquely placed to curate this list of political influencers from the world of media.

The ranking takes into consideration a huge range of factors, including audience, engagement, industry recognition and platforms, alongside a research-led qualitative assessment. The list includes a small number of politicians where they are deemed to also have a significant media role relating to politics.

Brexit chess

Political Headlines – MPs plot to ‘seize control’ in Brexit latest

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Today’s political headlines include MPs plotting to ‘seize control’ of Brexit, May’s claim that no Brexit is more likely than no-deal, the cost of air pollution and the EU is preparing to delay Brexit. 

MPs plot ‘to seize control of Brexit’
The Daily Mail leads with details of what it calls a ‘plot by rebel MPs to seize control of Brexit’. Should May’s deal be defeated tomorrow, a bill drafted by Nick Boles, Sir Oliver Letwin and Nicky Morgan would empower the Commons Liaison Committee (dominated by remainers) to draw up a proposal backed by MPs, which the Prime Minister would have to negotiate with the EU, unless she can come up with an alternative within 21 days.

May to claim no Brexit is more likely than no-deal
The BBC reports that Theresa May is to use a speech today to try to persuade MPs to back her Brexit deal in tomorrow’s vote. She will claim that no Brexit is more likely than a no-deal Brexit and warn of ‘catastrophic harm’ to the ‘democratic process’ if Brexit does not go ahead.

New strategy shows cost of air pollution
The Times says the Government’s Air Pollution Strategy, which will be published today, will show that it is costing hundreds of millions of pounds more in damaged health than had previously been admitted. However, almost all of its measures have already been announced and action on many big sources of pollution has been deferred.

EU prepares to delay Brexit
The Guardian claims that the EU is preparing to delay Brexit until July at least, as it prepares for Theresa May’s Brexit deal to be rejected by Parliament. The bloc is expecting an extension request in ‘the coming weeks’ and will then call a special summit to agree a ‘technical’ extension.

Labour suggests creation of ‘regulator of regulators’
According to the Financial Times, a report commissioned by Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell calls for the creation of a ‘pyramid structure’ of watchdogs, overseen by an overall ‘business commission’, with measures to ensure that regulators aren’t too close to the industries they regulate.

30,000 offenders would have been spared jail under Government plans
The Sun reports that 30,000 offenders would have been spared jail under plans to axe prison sentences of under six months which the Prison Minister, Rory Stewart, is considering. Stewart said that these sentences are ‘long enough to damage you and not long enough to heal you’, and abolishing them would ‘relieve a lot of pressure on prisons’.

HS2 considers reducing capacity to tackle costs
The Times says that HS2 is considering whether to reduce capacity by nearly a fifth to try to tackle ‘spiralling’ costs. The paper says that if the decision is made, this ‘is likely to renew questions over the value of the project’.

Concern over uncompetitive contracts
Research by the Financial Times shows that over the last three years, Government outsourcing has become ‘markedly less competitive’, with 23% of contracts being awarded without a tender in 2018, raising concerns about value-for-money and corruption.

Will this be the biggest week in politics of 2019? Don’t miss anything – find out more about Vuelio Political Services.

Amber Rudd Nov 2018

Political Headlines – Benefit cut to be axed and Brexit latest

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Today’s political headlines include the benefit cut to be axed, May calling unions to gain support for her deal, Cabinet ministers accused of undermining May and Shinzo Abe says the ‘whole world’ is against a no-deal Brexit. 

Benefit cut to be axed
The Mirror reports that Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd is to cancel a benefit cut which would have affected 15,000 families, three weeks before it was meant to be implemented. Under the ‘two-child limit’, families are not be able to claim Universal Credit or Tax Credits for more than two children, but Rudd will say today that extending the policy to cover children born before it was announced would not be ‘right’.

May calls unions in attempt to gain support for deal
The Times reports that Theresa May rang union leaders yesterday in a bid to win support for her Brexit deal from Labour MPs. According to the paper, Unite has not denied a claim by 10 Downing Street that the call was ‘constructive’, but the GMB’s response was ‘less positive’. The paper adds that Business Secretary Greg Clark and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson made contradictory public statements about the impact of a no-deal Brexit on British businesses, with Clark saying it would be a ‘disaster’.

Cabinet ministers accused of undermining May
The Daily Mail has obtained a leaked email in which the Number 10 Director of Communications, Robbie Gibb, accuses leadership contenders Sajid Javid, Amber Rudd and Liz Truss of trying to undermine the Prime Minister, warning that ‘this situation cannot continue’. He accuses them of announcing their own initiatives last weekend when the media plan was being ‘starved out’ to ensure the ‘best coverage’ for the NHS plan.

Japanese Prime Minister said that ‘whole world’ is against a no-deal Brexit
The BBC reports that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said yesterday that it was ‘the whole wish of the whole world’ that a no-deal Brexit would be avoided. Theresa May added that Brexit provided  ‘an unprecedented opportunity’ to improve relations with Japan.

CBI calls for MPs to back May’s deal
In an exclusive, The Guardian reports that Carolyn Fairburn, the Director-General of the CBI, is to use a speech today to urge MPs to vote for the Brexit deal in order to avoid a ‘hugely damaging cliff edge’ and a shrink in GDP of up to 8% in a no-deal Brexit scenario. The paper adds that the Government has now signed two contracts to store drugs as part of its planning for a no-deal Brexit, but a third location has yet to be secured.

4,000 civil servants to be seconded to tackle no-deal Brexit
According to The Times, up to 4,000 civil servants are being seconded from their departments for six months to work on a no-deal Brexit. The Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education said that while ‘key services continue to operate’ other parts of his department would be mothballed. Defra and HMRC are to see a boost in their staff numbers.

Government criticised for failure to regulate lending
The Guardian says that the Government’s refusal to regulate lending to small businesses in its response to the Commons Treasury Committee’s has been criticised by the committee’s chair, Nicky Morgan. She called on the Financial Conduct Authority to be ‘given the powers to provide protection to SMEs now’.

Brexiteers blame EU for loss of Jaguar Land Rover jobs
The Daily Telegraph reports that Eurosceptic MPs are using the decision by Jaguar Land Rover to cut 4,5000 jobs in the UK and move production of the Land Rover Discovery to Slovakia as a justification for Brexit. Jacob Rees-Mogg said that the EU ‘uses our money to move our jobs from the UK to other EU countries.’ While Slovakia is a net recipient of EU funding, the funding it gave the firm to open the factory did not come from the EU.

Brexit often dominates the headlines but domestic policy still affects you. Keep on top of everything with Vuelio Political Services.

Elle Linton 2019

Fitness Blogger Spotlight: Elle Linton, Keep it simpElle

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Elle Linton is the author of Keep it simpElle, the fitness blog that recently ranked in the Top 10 Fitness and Exercise Blogs. Giving a behind the scenes view of life as a personal trainer, Elle shares a range of fitness content from race prep guides to perfecting the squat. We caught up with Elle who told us about planning her blog in 2019, how to get into fitness and the best PR campaigns she’s collaborated on.

What are you plans for the blog this year?
I started the year by sitting down and spending some time really thinking about what direction I want my blog to go in. I’m keen to ensure my content remains within the health, fitness and exercise niche mostly to utilise my expertise as a fitness professional. I’d love to create more content related to my studies as my Business of Fitness posts are always well received. I also plan to focus on continuing to build an audience that I connect with through my personal goals especially in running and cycling.

Keep it simpElle

How important is the new year to your content?
After blogging for nearly seven years, I don’t think there’s anything I need to say that hasn’t already been said. I’ve saved all the New Year content for social channels and have continued to create content on the blog that I hope would inspire people at any time of the year, while knowing there is plenty already for those wishing to be inspired right now!

What advice would you give people who want to stay fit and healthy all year?
Set yourself goals! Start with a big, hairy, audacious goal (aka BHAG) then work backwards breaking it down into the smaller steps you need to get there. Then try to stay focused… if you’re training for your first triathlon and you decide to take up gymnastics, ask yourself if that is contributing to you achieving your end goal. Small changes are the ones that add up to results so never dismiss the small wins; celebrate every single one!

What’s the best activity to get into if you’re new to fitness?
This will definitely vary for everyone! I’d say it’s a combination of what resources you have available and what you will enjoy the most. Walking is probably the easiest place to start as most of us do that in some capacity every day. I would recommend working with a professional if you want to join a gym, even if that’s just going to an instructor-led class. The world is your oyster when it comes to fitness… try everything once and don’t stop until you’ve found the activity for you!

How much exercise should we be doing each week?
NHS guidelines suggest you do aerobic and strength training each week to stay healthy or improve health. The amount of activity suggested by them (for adults aged 19-64) is 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or brisk walking in addition to a full body strength workout on two days of the week.

If you’re struggling to meet those activity levels then that could be a great goal, but success would be to do the best you can with the situation that you’re in.

How important are your social channels compared with your blog?
I think we’ve all known for a long time that social channels shouldn’t be prioritised over our own blogs but it’s been hard to do when many brands use social metrics as their main data source. But we don’t own the content on our social channels; these platforms are fickle, and they can be taken away at any time. It’s also becoming common knowledge that followers, engagement etc can be bought and not just earned. For that reason, I will always prioritise my blog as its content is owned and controlled by me. Social channels are a great resource for connecting with others on a more regular basis but for me, it’s not the be all and end all.

Keep it simpElle

What are the best PR campaigns you’ve collaborated on?
There are a few stand out campaigns for me over the past 12 months. I started 2018 with a collaboration with USANA in which I got to work on some health goals that were pertinent to me. This collaboration was over a six-month period so I had enough time to really test the products and see if I gained anything from them. I opted to prioritise long term partnerships last year in order to remain authentic and not flood my channels with new brands that I had very little knowledge about.

I also worked with Tough Mudder last year which was a lot of fun trying out all of their events surrounded by a strong community of women. This collaboration overlapped with working with Samsung and Black Tower Wine which allowed me to create some epic content with great technology, meet lots of great people and to provide my audience with ticket giveaways and lots of wine!

The other notable collaboration for me was with Shimano on a trip to Amsterdam. I got to ride in a city I love but would have never been brave enough to cycle in on my own. The product was useful and really opened my eyes to how it really worked rather than relying on the myths that were flying around. Again, I got to meet some great people on that trip that I otherwise might not have met.

Do you accept press releases?
I don’t think anyone ever has a choice to accept press releases; they always drop into my inbox and many times they are unsolicited, impersonal and irrelevant. It’s only been on the rare occasion that I’ve responded but usually the issue is that I do not advocate products on my channels that I have not tried myself so I’m unlikely to feature something just because I have been sent a press release.

What one thing should PRs know about you?
I’m an honest person; it’s one of my core values so it’s also something I highly respect as a trait in other people. Life is so much easier, and everyone is so much happier working together when information is clear, expectations are shared from the beginning and communication is clear! Also, I love, love, love updates and/confirmation of things happening!

What other blogs do you read?
For all my cycling inspiration I read Fitbits by Tess, Fat Girl Fit by Lisa and Paddle Pedal Pace by Lucy. For my running inspiration I read That’s My Mum by Adrienne and A Pretty Place To Play by Bethan. My guilty pleasure for interiors and the freelance life means I enjoy Break The Loop by Hayley.

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Speaker

Political Headlines – Bercow under fire and Brexit latest

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Today’s political headlines include Bercow under fire for setting a ‘damaging precendent’, Corbyn to call for general election, Tory rebels open talks with Labour about alternative deal and May to back workers’ rights to woe Labour MPs. 

Bercow under fire from ministers for setting ‘damaging precedent’
The BBC reports that Commons Speaker John Bercow has been criticised by ministers for allowing an amendment to the Government’s business motion on the vote on the Withdrawal Agreement, which they claim broke with parliamentary precedent. The amendment, which was passed, forces the Government to come up with new plans within three days should May’s deal be defeated, rather than within three weeks. The Leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom, claimed that Bercow had set ‘a very damaging precedent’.

Corbyn to call for general election again
According to The Guardian, Jeremy Corbyn will use a speech in Wakefield today to call for Theresa May to call a general election, which would ‘let the people decide’ on her Brexit deal and ‘break the deadlock’. Yesterday, two Labour frontbenchers confirmed that Labour would call for a vote of no confidence in May very soon after her deal is defeated next week.

Tory rebels open talks with Labour about alternative deal
The Times claims that Tory rebels have opened talks with Labour about an alternative to Theresa May’s deal. Speaking in the House of Commons, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary confirmed to Ken Clarke that the party would enter cross-party discussions ‘in the right’ spirit once May’s deal is defeated, while he told Sir Oliver Letwin that there would need to be a ‘consensus’ in the Commons if no-deal was to be avoided.

May to back workers’ rights in attempt to secure Labour support for deal
The Mirror says that Theresa May is likely to attempt to gain Labour MPs’ support for her deal by backing an amendment put down by Labour backbenchers John Mann, Caroline Flint and Gareth Snell guaranteeing that existing EU workers’ and environmental rights would be protected after Brexit. The paper suggests that up to 20 Labour MPs could support the deal if the amendment is successful.

Eurotunnel complain about ferry contracts
According to the Financial Times, Eurotunnel is claiming that the Government’s decision to award contracts worth up to £103m to three ferry companies to provide additional capacity in the event of a no-deal Brexit is ‘distortionary and anti-competitive’, and a breach of ‘competition and state-aid law’. In a letter to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling the firm hinted that it could take legal action against the Government.

Senior MPs propose holding inquiry into abuse
The Guardian claims that Parliament ‘is moving towards’ holding a Speaker’s conference to examine the abuse and harassment of MPs after the idea was put forward by Ken Clarke and Harriet Harman. A cross-party group of MPs would examine the evidence and decide the best way of balancing the right to protest and allowing MPs to work freely.

Forced marriage victims will no longer have to pay for their rescue
The Times reports that, following an earlier investigation by the paper, the Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has announced that women rescued from forced marriages abroad by the Foreign Office will no longer be charged for the cost of their rescue. The department will now seek court orders to force their parents to pay instead.

Japanese carmakers urge Shinzo Abe to make no-deal Brexit impact clear to May
The Financial Times says Japanese car manufacturers with factories in the UK have been urging the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, to make the impact of a no-deal Brexit clear to Theresa May when they meet today. The Sun adds that the lifting of a 23-year trade ban on exports of British beef and lamb to Japan is to be announced.

Want to understand what the latest news means for you? Get Vuelio Political Services.

Scarlett Johansson

Political Headlines – Gove says perfect Brexit is as likely as a date with Scarlet Johansson

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Today’s political headlines include Gove’s perfect Brexit as likely as a date with Scarlet Johansson, the guerrilla war against a no-deal Brexit, Government to publish Northern Ireland Assembly Brexit plans and the Government accepts the ferry firm won’t be ready in time. 

Gove says that a perfect Brexit is as likely as a date with Scarlet Johansson
The Times reports that Michael Gove told yesterday’s cabinet meeting that Brexiteers who want a perfect day are like ‘mid-fifties swingers waiting for Scarlett Johansson to turn up’. The Prime Minister also used the meeting to dismiss a second referendum, which Tory activists oppose, while Home Secretary Sajid Javid said that a no-deal Brexit would end the Dublin Agreement and hence the UK’s ability to ‘send people back’, although he later argued in favour of a no-deal Brexit.

‘Guerrilla war’ against no-deal Brexit begins with Government defeat
The Daily Telegraph says that a ‘guerrilla war’ to prevent a no-deal Brexit has begun, after Labour, joined by 20 Tory rebels, successfully voted in favour of an amendment preventing the Government from changing some taxes in a no-deal scenario without Parliament’s permission. The paper adds that May hinted yesterday that if her Brexit deal was voted down by Parliament she might hold a second vote on it.

Government to publish Northern Ireland Assembly Brexit plans
The BBC reports that the Government will today publish plans which will give the Northern Irish Assembly the power to vote on new EU rules should the backstop come into force after Brexit. The DUP has claimed that the proposals will be ‘meaningless’, while Sinn Féin says that it would oppose anything which gave the DUP a veto.

Government accepts ferry firm won’t be ready in time
The Financial Times reveals the Government has accepted that Seaborne Freight will not be able to provide ferry services in the case of no-deal Brexit until late April. Labour MP Richard Burden has also suggested that investor briefings produced by the company may have been ‘inaccurate’ by claiming that agreements had been reached with ports when they hadn’t.

Labour MP calls for it to be easier to challenge rogue bailiffs
The Guardian says Labour MP Emma Reynolds is calling on the Government to make it easier for people to challenge rogue bailiffs, and will lead a parliamentary debate on the issue. A new report by Citizens Advice finds that only a small proportion of people experiencing poor behaviour by bailiffs formally report it owing to the complexity of doing so.

Law firm founder denies dishonesty accusation
The Daily Mail reports that Martyn Day, who co-founded the legal firm Leigh Day which the paper says has been ‘accused of hounding British troops’, was asked how he slept at night by Tory MP Mark Francois when he appeared before the Commons Defence Committee yesterday. He denied Johnny Mercer’s claim that he was ‘dishonest’ and challenged him to repeat the statement outside Parliament, where he could be sued.

Extra freight trains may run if there’s a no-deal Brexit
In an exclusive, The Sun reports that the Government is in talks with two rail freight firms over running extra trains during the night to ensure continued supply of food and freight in the event of a no-deal Brexit. It has also written to rail firm Southeastern, warning that extra freight during the day may disrupt commuter services.

Bars to be removed from prison cells
The Daily Telegraph says that bars are to be removed from the windows of prison cells after a study funded by the Government warned that they were ‘punitive’ and ‘institutional’, claiming that ‘normalising’ prisoners’ environment would increase the likelihood of inmates being successfully rehabilitated.

Keep up with Brexit with Vuelio Political Services.

Carly Rowena

Fitness Blogger Spotlight: Carly Rowena

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The number one fitness blog, Carly Rowena, is celebrating a triple victory after the birth of her baby and also picking up the Best Health and Fitness Blog at the Vuelio Blog Awards 2018. In the busiest time of the year for fitness, we caught up with Carly to find out what’s in store for 2019, how anyone can get into exercise and what advice she has when working with PRs.

Carly RowenaWhat are you plans for the blog this year?
I adore writing my blog and in all honesty never know what direction it’s going to take; all my posts are from the heart and are inspired by things happening in my life or issues that my clients or followers are talking to me about. This year you can expect more travel, fun and innovative workout challenges but also parenting honestly: the good, the bad and the bullshit.

How important is the new year to your content?
This year it took a little backseat as we had our little girl on the 9 December however I love a big spring clean in January and that includes my blog – it’s a brand new chance to analyse, rethink and refresh.

What advice would you give people who want to stay fit and healthy all year?
Sticking to a health goal is all about mindset and time, instead of denying yourself everything you love, how about adding new ingredients, recipes and meals into your day. When it comes to time, I want you to think long term, not just for that holiday you’ve booked. Too often we think short term and that’s why we end up crashing. If you focus on the future and plan to always have exercise in your life, you are far more likely to succeed and make huge changes.

What’s the best activity to get into if you’re new to fitness?
The best fitness activity is to do something you actually enjoy. Whenever I speak to a new client my first question is how they like to move because fitness is simply moving – so that can be dancing, walking, running, climbing, skating, bouldering, anything you like and if you like it, you’re far more likely to stick with it.

How much exercise should we be doing each week?
Personally, I feel everyone should be able to find 30 minutes a day to move, that can be walking to work or walking to go and get your food at lunch or simply following a routine at home or in the gym.

How important are your social channels compared with your blog?
Social channels are incredibly important, each channel shows a different side of you and attracts different people who may then fall in love with your blog.

What are the best PR campaigns you’ve collaborated on?
Oh there’s been so many but I have to say I loved being a part of Reeboks Girl Squad, it was incredibly empowering and I got to meet so many wonderful people, plus my face was on the side of a bus – I felt like a girl band!

Carly Rowena Do you accept press releases?
Unfortunately not, I prefer that all of my posts are written by me as they’re all so close to my heart.

What one thing should PRs know about you?
I appreciate that PRs have a huge task ahead of them, especially as there are so many platforms and bloggers to speak to, however, I think it’s really important to do your research before you email. Too often I get messages calling me by a different name and offering work with brands that have no relevance to my audience.

What other blogs do you read?
I love nothing more than to curl up at the end of the day and catchup with my favourite blogs, currently I am loving: The Adventures of Us and Sorelle Amore.

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PR

PRs react to the portrayal of the industry in Radio 4’s Media Show

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Last week’s edition of Radio 4’s Media Show caused outrage across the PR community and many have spoken against it, defending the industry.

Criticism of the show was that it was an inaccurate portrayal of PR, suggesting the profession was all about publicity stunts and doing anything to get your clients’ news out. The show jumped from making PR sound like a ‘fluffy’ profession, to calling PRs ‘bullies’ and ‘liars’.

Both the CIPR and PRCA have spoken out accusing the show of misrepresentation of the profession.

Emma Leech, CIPR president, said: ‘Public relations is not a dark art. We are not bullies and we are not liars. What we deliver goes far beyond media relations.

‘The truth is tens of thousands of public relations professionals provide ethical and strategic support to businesses of all sectors. We help build trust in organisations by establishing and improving relationships with key stakeholders – not just journalists. Many aspects of PR such as community engagement, digital communication and internal communication involve no media relations.

‘It’s wholly unfair and somewhat naive to label an industry of 70,000 people as dishonest. CIPR members are bound by the Institute’s Code of Conduct and adhere to the highest standards of professional practice. Media broadcasters have a responsibility to accurately reflect the reality of modern public relations. We have contacted the show’s producers to offer our help with definitions, research and guests for future shows.’

Francis Ingham MPRCA, Director General, PRCA, said: ‘BBC Radio 4’s show, The Art of Public Relations, was shockingly inaccurate in its representation of the PR and communications industry as we know it today. The fact that the BBC failed to contact the PRCA, the CIPR, or any other valid representative bodies for their insights is bad enough, but to continuously misrepresent PR as publicity is incredibly embarrassing for the broadcaster.

‘PR and communications is a £13.8bn UK industry, with 86,000 people working in it, and growing every year. It is a creative industry and a success story in that it continuously draws in new skills to stay credible and relevant. This is why the show was a huge disappointment.’

Industry bodies weren’t alone in speaking out, many PR professionals have taken to Twitter to share the truth about public relations:

Not all opinions were wholly negative though, as PR as publicity is obviously one aspect of the profession, which is familiar to many:

Darryl Sparey, business development director at Hotwire, went into detail about the shortcomings of the show in the Hotwire blog, but was unsurprised a 27-minute broadcast was unable to represent the full industry.

What did you think of the show? Let us know in the comments below, or on Twitter @Vuelio.

Ben Hunte

BBC News appoints first LGBT correspondent

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The BBC has appointed Ben Hunte as the first LGBT correspondent in its history.

Ben will report on the stories, issues and debates surrounding sexuality and gender, and focus on providing insight and analysis on matters affecting the LGBT community in the UK.

Ben played a key role during the coverage of the BBC’s Gay Britannia season, and presented his own series of LGBT-themed programmes on BBC Radio 4 and 4 Extra called The Ben Hunte Interviews.

Dedicated roles that are focused on highlighting underrepresented communities provide more diverse views, and richer information for UK news.

Across the media, outlets including Buzzfeed and Thomson Reuters Foundation have added positions such as LGBT editor and LGBT correspondent.

Job titles that feature the patch a journalist covers make it easier for PRs to know what to pitch to a specific contact. For PRs with news relevant to the LGBT community, this increase in focused positions provides access to the right contacts, and in turn helps keep audiences informed with the issues that matter to them. It’s a win-win.

Ben Hunte is listed alongside thousands of other journalists, editors and influencers in the Vuelio Media Database.

PRCA 50 years

The PRCA is celebrating its 50th anniversary

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This year, the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) turns 50 and is celebrating with activities throughout 2019.

Founded on 5 November 1969, the membership body now represents over 30,000 PR and communications practitioners across 66 countries.

To mark the 50th anniversary, the PRCA will be using a special logo throughout 2019, releasing a celebratory book, hosting a birthday party in November, alongside a host of other regional and national activities.

Francis Ingham, director general of the PRCA, said: ‘The PR and communications industry has changed fundamentally since the PRCA launched in 1969. But our mission remains the same – to be its voice. And now that the PRCA is the largest PR professional body not just in the UK, or indeed in Europe, but in the world, that voice has never been louder or clearer.

‘The professionalisation of the industry, combined with the proliferation of new skills, means that we face the next 50 years with enormous opportunities. We’re celebrating our 50th anniversary with pride and optimism, and look forward to a year of reflection, celebration, and discussion.’