Sound Communication

IS the BBC in favour of unfair trade?

That’s the question after the Corporation forced newscaster George Alagiah to quit as patron of the Fairtrade Foundation, a registered charity.

Seems the Beeb thought there would be some conflict of interest because Alagiah, who is unpaid and who was approved as a Patron in 2002, is due to front a programme on food later this year.

The Fairtrade Foundation, of course, helps producers in developing countries to win a fair price for their work – rather than being routinely exploited by corporate conglomerates. [Read more →]

Tags: Corporate Social Responsibility (Sound behaviour) by Matthew Finnegan
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RADIO 4′s Today programme has been broadcasting a new series of special reports on the care of elderly people.

This morning’s report provided a powerful reminder of exactly why the BBC is still the best public service broadcaster in the world.

Reporter John Manel told how he had enlisted a 70-year-old woman to go ‘undercover’ in a care home for almost a week – and keep a secret audio diary.

What was utterly enthralling about the report was the freshness of the insights provided by the volunteer, Debbie Davies, trustee of the charity Compassion in Care. [Read more →]

Tags: Media relations by Matthew Finnegan
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A SURVEY from America may give us an insight into the future shape of communications here in Britain.

Despite prophets of doom forecasting that the days of the traditional media are dead – or at least rapidly dying – are US cousins appear more optimistic.

Almost two thirds of the 1200-plus American journalists surveyed by PR Week, still see room for newspapers and magazines in the future, even though many are now also called upon to blog their reports, download podcasts, upload to YouTube, shine the editor’s shoes, etc, etc, etc.

So journalists in America are underpaid and overworked and being asked to do more and more in the digital age? No news there – or here, across the Atlantic.

But perhaps there is interesting news for our clients in the sources of information listed by both traditional and non-traditional journalists.

A staggering 89 per cent said company web sites. Almost 74 per cent specified Google; slightly less said e-mailed press releases; with just over 70 per cent saying a ‘conversation’ with a source, or a personalized e-mail from a PR person. Almost half of those surveyed relied on newswires with just 13.9 per cent relying on RSS feeds.

A subject we shall be returning to in the future, no doubt.

Tags: Digital communications, Media relations by Matthew Finnegan
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THE modern media is obsessed with celebrity, sensation, cutting costs and increasing advertising revenue.
Getting your story in the papers, on radio and TV is more difficult than ever before.
But media coverage can make a huge difference to morale, teamwork, profit and loss.
It can affect how you are viewed by potential funders, customers, suppliers, partners and decision-makers.

Sound Communication can help make sure you get the right media profile.
Our team of respected journalists has decades of experience in the print and broadcast media.
We know what makes a good story. Our press releases don’t end up in the bin, as spam or in the deleted items folder.
We know how to build positive relations with the media – local, regional, national and specialist.
How to identify and develop stories, photographs, sound and film.
And how to gain coverage where it really matters.

Our expert journalists can manage negative stories, handle a media crisis and provide high-level strategic media advice and guidance.
We can also help you prepare for your next encounter with the media through ‘real-life’ training.
When it comes to the media, we know what we are talking about.
We can make sure the media know what you are talking about too.

• To find out more about the Sound Media Training sessions contact info@soundcommunications.org.uk or click on ‘Real Life Interview Training’

Tags: Media relations by Matthew Finnegan
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A LOT of nonsense is talked about ’spin’ and so-called ’spin doctors’.
But now, thanks to the beloved Guardian, you can see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Step Inside the Spin Room at the New Hampshire primary in America, earlier this year.
It was the development of these ’spin rooms’ in US Presidential TV debates which first gave rise to the term ’spin doctor’.
Supporters would gather to give their own, usually intensely loyal, verdict on their favoured candidate’s TV performance.
The phenomenon grew out of the demands of the mass media – and has now become a household term of abuse.

Notice the number of journalists gathered in the ‘Spin Room’.
No revolt against ’spin’ here – rather the journalists appear to be hanging on every word that is uttered.
Every cough and splutter is taken down. Every soundbite recorded. Every muttered aside captured.

[Read more →]

Tags: Media relations by Matthew Finnegan
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