The BBC has announced some of its national radio stations, online outputs and digital TV channels may be for the chop. BBC 6 Music and its Asian network are to be taken off the airwaves by the end of next year and BBC online may also be slashed in half by 2013.

Director General Mark Thompson told his staff that quality, not quantity, is the aim of the game – all part of a major strategy review that’s been billed the biggest shake-up in the organisation’s 88-year history.

It’s depressing news for staff at the beeb. The Union says up to 600 jobs are in jeopardy. Many journalists now have to sit and wait to see if their days at Television Centre are numbered.

But what about this talk of “making “fewer things better?” Well, if it goes to plan £600 million will be plunged into higher calibre programme-making. BBC local radio has been told to improve “its quality and originality,” with more investment in local journalism. Nationally, BBC 1 and 2 will be given more cash to grow. While on the web, the BBC will have to provide more links to the pages of rival publishers.

The landscape of the corporation is changing dramatically, and so will the way it works with those outside the walls at White City.

As a TV and Radio Producer, I know first hand that the BBC can be a hard nut to crack when it comes to getting stories on air or online. I consider the quality of much of the beeb’s output to be high already. If more quality is what it’s after, PR professionals will have to follow suit and work even harder to deliver just that.

On the other hand, now may be the time for outlets like ITV and Channel 4 and various other news websites to shine. If that’s the case, more doors may open, and with it, the potential for more PR opportunities in the future.

TimesTimes | Big, bloated and cunning
GuardianAlastair Harper | Guardian | Why everyone wants to #saveBBC6music
Pop justicePopjustice | Why a sad day for 6Music could also be a sad day for Radio 1
GuardianJohnny Dee | Guardian | BBC 6 Music: axing the station would be massive mistake
First PostJonathan Harwood | First Post | Axe ‘commercial’ Radio 1, not 6Music, fans tell BBC
No Rock & Roll FunSimon Hayes Budgen | No Rock And Roll Fun | 6 Music back on Death Row

Post by Tessa Parry-Wingfield (Producer for TNR Communications)

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01.03.2010

Hamburger Eyes

I stumbled across this fantastic short video by Australian film-maker Nick Fogarty of the photographers collective behind the San Francisco photo magazine ‘Hamburger Eyes’

Hamburger Eyes

Click on the image to watch the Hamburger Eyes short film

Hamburger Eyes started off as a Xeroxed handout by brothers David & Ray Potes in 2001. It’s now a much slicker, stylish operation but it still provides a very off the wall look at what an urban photo journal can be. There’s obvious nods to the classic social documentary work of people like Robert Frank, Nan Goldin, Larry Clark, but with a fresh twist, a West coast hipster cool, and more importantly a lot of fun.

“I’m not even a photographer, I’m a painting contractor who has a camera and takes pictures” says member Stefan Simikich.

I think he underestimates himself. What he and his friends create for themselves and document for others is fantastic and Fogerty has captured that perfectly.

Go to the Nick Fogarty website to view his entire portfolio of work from around the world.

Post by Tim Kerr (Director and Head of Photography for TNR Communications)

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Amid the sickly romantic gestures and unnecessary displays of public affection brought to us by Valentine’s Day 2010, the world, this weekend, rather complacently celebrated the fifth birthday of YouTube, the mass video-sharing site which has changed the way that many of us live our lives.

For the enthusiasts amongst us, it seems impossible that we could function before the 14th February 2005, the day on which Chad Hurley and fellow Paypal employees registered a URL which would unwittingly become the forefront of the ‘online revolution’. So, was there life before YouTube?

From a consumer’s point of view, YouTube has completely revolutionised the way we view video entertainment. Not only did it pave the way for a bridge between Televison and the Internet, YouTube created its own market entirely; and brought with it the trend of the ‘viral video’.  

Examples range from the incredible (Straight No Chaser’s ’12 Days’ saw 10 college friends launched into pop stardom thanks to 8 million views of their phenomenal A Capella take on Christmas carolling) and the bizarre (the ‘Keyboard Cat’), to the downright disturbing (Gary Brolsma’s ‘Numa Numa’ truly has to be seen to be believed). These videos, diverse in their nature, share one distinct trait; they have all become ‘viral’, each receiving millions of views from keen YouTube visitors.   It’s no surprise then that once YouTube was launched and begun to gain popularity, it wasn’t long before corporations began to experiment with using this viral video trend as a marketing tool.  Viral marketing was born and corporate mentality changed forever.

Viral marketing, or a ‘viral campaign’, is defined by the PRCA as “a communications campaign which is designed to exploit the potential of the internet to spread messages rapidly”. A famous example is a video simply entitled ‘Guys backflip into jeans’, which has accumulated over 6 million views since it was first uploaded in May 2008. The video, which at first seems like nothing more than light entertainment, was in fact commissioned by Levi’s, the jeans manufacturer, as a viral campaign for their line of 505 jeans. This is the basis that viral marketing moulds itself on; the videos are much more subtle than adverts – the crazier and more outlandish they are, the more views they will get (cue surfing with dynamite from Quiksilver, HD camera trickery from Samsung and glasses-throwing stunts from Ray Bans). These videos are not created to directly advertise their products, but to encourage interest in the product they are associated with in entertaining and interesting ways.

Certainly, the explosion in social video has significantly changed the shape of our communications business.  The debate about where online video fits alongside traditional PR activity is now part of nearly every conversation we have.  But then, when you consider that a £3K video we produced for computer game, Rabbids has so far received nearly 34,000 hits on YouTube – just because it’s funny and a bit bonkers – you can see why a lot of companies are keen to give it a go.

From both a cultural and corporate standpoint, it is hard to imagine life without such a useful resource – YouTube has become second nature to almost anyone with internet access.  Here’s to another five years of innovative developments from a corporation who have come so far and gained such influence in such a small amount of time. 

 Post by Bob Palmer (A-level student and currently on work experience for TNR Communications)

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The demand for video alongside photography is increasing and with TNR’s recent merger a new service has been born - ’Videocall’.

In an interview with Tim Kerr, TNR’s Head of Photography,  he talks about the huge impact social media has had on the ever changing PR landscape and how capturing a short and snappy video of your photocall can massively increase the coverage your PR campaign achieves.

Video Blog produced by TNR Communications

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The debate about the role social media has to play within PR strategy has been evolving for months.  For those of us working in the industry, it’s a very exciting time to be a part of a movement that is changing the way we communicate.  

Our own experience is that the use of these platforms has enabled us to reach audiences in a very different way and bring about a conversation which has changed the nature of the relationship we have with our customers for the better.  And we’re not alone.  A new survey featured in today’s PR Week has revealed that marketing professionals are set to invest heavily in social media this year by shifting budget away from more traditional direct marketing activity.  However, it would be a mistake to think it’s a straight forward thing to do or something to approach lightly.

It’s taken a great deal of time and effort for us to establish ourselves in the ’space’ and a great deal of discipline to grow our contacts in a way that is credible and relevant.  We spent months researching the medium so we could fully understand it before jumping in with our eyes open and then, with open arms!  And the impact has been brilliant.

A viral video we produced recently for the launch of new computer games, Rabbids, got more than 30,000 hits on YouTube.  Moreover, the comments posted by interested viewers both on the YouTube page itself but also on the peripheral social media networks including Twitter, Facebook etc, then created a public dialogue about the video and the stunt itself which pushed the story further.  Not all the comments were positive, sure, but most were and the reach was indisputable.

Last year the no frills US airline, Jet Blue made the controversial decision to move its customer feedback service entirely to its Twitter feed which meant every criticism, every complaint, every question was there for all to see.  But then again, so was their response.  By making the process so public, the quality of their customer service improved so much that the company saw the reputation of its brand soar amongst consumers.  In a Twitter trends hotlist in August, Jet Blue came top of the list of favourite airlines with more than double the number of dedicated followers than its nearest rival.

Now that’s what you want!

I don’t believe all publicity is good publicity.  However, I do believe that in order to make an informed choice about when to engage in a public forum, you first have to know what’s being said.  As such, monitoring social media is one of the most important elements of any e-marketing strategy.  What you then do to engage with that audience and make the most of the opportunities afforded by online dialogue is up to you.

It’s an ever changing, evolving platform in which to engage with friends, contemporaries, clients and industry colleagues and requires constant monitoring to ensure that you don’t fall too far behind the curve.  The pitfalls are there if you’re not careful but if you truly embrace the idea of conversation, engagement and transparency, then it can work for you. 

We’ve thrown our hat into the ring.  We’re ‘into’ it and we’re developing services all the time to help our clients take advantage of the opportunities offered online but I’d be really interested to hear other views about the use of social media in PR and where it’s going.  What works?  What doesn’t?  Is it a waste of time?

post by Claire Southeard (Managing Director for TNR Communications)

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I moved house recently & one of the joys of moving, especially for someone like me who came of age long before downloads, is boxing up your CD’s.
 
Depending on how big a muso you are you can have your CD’s in alphabetical order, subdivided by genes, or just wherever you have set them last, but at the end of the day they are all 5×5” and fit into packing boxes same as the next one.
 
All except ‘Metal Box’ by Public image Limited. Suddenly you have a CD that does not look anything like other CD’s. It is simply a round metal box with the band acronym ‘PiL’ embossed on the front.

Metal Box album by Public Image Limited

Metal Box - Public Image Limited

Nevertheless, despite it is unusual shape and absence of stickers, or inlay booklets, ‘Metal Box’ is arguably one of the best record sleeves ever made.
 
I say record sleeve, because, having been released in 1979, Metal Box was originally an LP size creation designed by photographer Dennis Morris
http://www.dennismorris.com/index.html

But whether as an LP, CD or iPod image, ‘Metal Box’ still stands out. Here is design that literally is what it says on the tin. The power of simplicity harnessed in the most effective way.
 
PiL themselves were anything but simple. Created by John Lydon after the demise of the Sex Pistols, they moved beyond the limited horizons of punk, merging rock, reggae, dub and world music to create a complex experimental sound overlaid with Lydon’s dark vocals. 

 

However, like all good photographers Dennis Morris had the ability or the intuition to condense wide stories and concepts into single images. Born in London, he had been selling pictures to the newspapers since the age of 11. By 17, he had blagged his way into documenting Bob Marley’s UK tour and then became the closest thing the Sex Pistols ever had to an official photographer before working with Lydon on Public Image Ltd.
 
After PiL he became Art Director for the new Island Records label and later a recording artist in his own right before returning to photography.
 
Lydon recently reformed PiL after a break of 17 years for a UK tour, hopefully encouraging other people beyond house movers to look again at their back catalogue and Morris’s icon design.

John Lydon of Public Image Limited performs on stage with PIL at the 02 Academy in Brixton, London

John Lydon of Public Image Limited performs on stage with PIL at the 02 Academy in Brixton, London

 

Post by Tim Kerr (Director & Head of Photography for TNR Communications)

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Browsing through The Guardian’s recent online picture galleries, I came across a quite interesting selection of images of our Queen and her sartorial choices throughout the decades -

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2009/dec/02/queen-elizabeth-fashion?picture=356273678

Being one of the most photographed women in the world ever, we see how over 8 decades she has taken on some of the subtle and not-so subtle styles of the times.

Two year old Princess Margaret (seated) with her sister Princess Elizabeth aged seven. Press Association Images

Two year old Princess Margaret (seated) with her sister Princess Elizabeth aged seven. Press Association Images

A family stroll in the country in 1942 shows how the future Queen of England is growing into a young lady – see how she has already adopted the much loved headscarf.

Away from the turmoil of the Second World War, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth walk in a field with their daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret (right).

Away from the turmoil of the Second World War, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth walk in a field with their daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret (right).

The recently crowned Queen Elizabeth II inspects the guards in 1953

The recently crowned Queen Elizabeth II inspects the guards in 1953

All these outfits are what you would expect from a young Royal and Queen, but then the 1960s happened….

Queen Elizabeth in the 60's

Queen Elizabeth in the 60's

 

The 1970s and 1980s saw the Queen’s wardrobe choices reflect the fashions of the time, perhaps playing a bit safe but still taking on the colours and styles of the era.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip 1986

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip 1986

 

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip on the Great Wall of China in 1986

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip on the Great Wall of China in 1986

 

A reprise of the headscarf in 2002

Queen Elizabeth 2002

Queen Elizabeth 2002

 

In my house on Christmas day, we didn’t sit down to watch the Queen’s speech just to see what she had to say – it was also the guilty pleasure of seeing what she was going to be wearing that year….

Queen Elizabeth giving the nation's Christmas Day speech 2009

Queen Elizabeth giving the nation's Christmas Day speech 2009

 

Post by Nicola Charalambous (Account Manager, Photography  for TNR Communications)

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As a Producer you never really know what each day will bring – a whacky TV shoot or maybe a more serious, hard-hitting Radio campaign. But when I got a call from FocusPR, I knew this project would be a whole new kettle of fish – or in this case a giant bowl of punch.

Courvoisier cognac – together with food architects Bompas & Parr – had decided to flood a room at 33 Portland Place in London with 4,000 litres of punch by some remarkable feat of engineering. They opened the event to Londoners who could come and taste the cocktail and even row across it, if that’s what floats their boat!

What’s more they wanted TNR to film the spectacle and get online media coverage of the event’s launch. But a unique idea and visually exciting material is always a recipe for video success, especially when you add ex-Blur guitarist Alex James into the mix, as Courvoisier’s ‘Taste Consultant.’ I was excited about jumping on board the campaign.

So, after many phone conversations that went a bit like this…..“a giant bowl of punch, which can serve 250 thousand people….Alex James floating on top of the cocktail?” I was off with my cameraman into the great unknown. 

Things were about to get even more interesting. When we got there we were told to scrub our hands (hospital style), don a hair net and a butcher’s apron, and enter the “Courvoisier Architectural Punch Bowl.” 

Alex James sits on a raft in a 4,000-litre Courvoisier punch bowl, at the VIP launch of the Courvoisier Architectural Punch Bowl exhibition. Matt Crossick/TNR Communications

Alex James sits on a raft in a 4,000-litre Courvoisier punch bowl, at the VIP launch of the Courvoisier Architectural Punch Bowl exhibition. Matt Crossick/TNR Communications

Then the man of the moment arrived. It was certainly the first time I’ve ever interviewed a celeb while wearing a hairnet (Alex James was not wearing said hairnet, but a cooler version reserved only for famous people).

It was movie magic – a big lake of booze, dry ice, fancy dress, giant remote-controlled pieces of fruit and Alex James floating around on a massive inflatable slice of orange. 

We edited a fantastic video of the launch (if I do say so myself) which generated plenty of online interest. I may not be wearing a hairnet again in a hurry for a shoot. But it’s not the first time – nor I suspect the last time – I looked daft in the line of duty.

Post by Tessa Parry-Wingfield (Producer for TNR Communications)

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Video and photography come together in new social media video service

Today (Monday, 11 January) the Press Association’s communications consultancies, TNR and PA Photocall, will merge to create a ‘one-stop-shop’ for broadcast, online and photography PR services, all from a journalistic perspective. 

The two consultancies are fully owned by the Press Association, the UK’s news agency, and are based at their headquarters in London.  TNR Communications specialises in TV, radio and online PR whereas PA Photocall offers the unique opportunity to hire Press Association photographers for PR events, from which the best images are sent immediately to the Press Association Picture Desk to be considered for the News Wire.

To mark the fusion of the two consultancies under the name, TNR Communications, the company is launching a new social media video service.  Taking advantage of the massive explosion in online video communication, ‘Videocall’ will bring together the two team’s photography and video expertise in one package.  An experienced videographer will work alongside a Press Association photographer, to capture video footage of a photocall in order to edit a 90-second clip for instant upload to video streaming sites, creating an immediate and highly visual record of the event.

Managing Director, Claire Southeard, said of the announcement:

“TNR and PA Photocall have worked together very closely for three years, developing both their reputations as providers of PR services with editorial integrity.  However, the opportunities presented by our merger take us into a different league, not only because it brings together the talents of two very experienced and creative teams into one multimedia consultancy, but also because we can now offer a fully comprehensive range of communications services from our unique position at the heart of the Press Association.”

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Well, Well, Well… A first for the charts, reality TV and, according to Scott Mills, for radio one, this Sunday a PR campaign unlike any other beat the odds to topple the X Factor from its four-year throne. And I must say, despite my personal dislike for Rage Against the Machine’s single, I’m certainly a fan of the epic achievement by the two unknowns and their Facebook Crusade to get their point heard.

This protest didn’t involve big bucks, it didn’t employ gimmicks… it just had two passionate individuals whose sentiments, as it turns out, were shared with far more punters than could ever have been anticipated. Yes, I was invited to the group. Yes, my friends and colleagues were all discussing it and yes, I couldn’t help but have an opinion, even though a 90’s metal group wouldn’t normally interest me a great deal. But the sheer pace at which this protest gathered momentum was difficult to ignore.

They took on the PR machine that is X Factor very publically, unapologetically and staggeringly, successfully.

Through Jon and Tracey (“Jon-cey”?), social media has proved itself to be more widespread, more influential and more empowering than any of us could have thought possible.

Zack de la Rocha of the band Rage Against the Machine performs during an anti-war concert during the Democratic National. Press Association Images

Zack de la Rocha of the band Rage Against the Machine performs during an anti-war concert during the Democratic National. Press Association Images

The aim was to get RATM to number one at the expense of the eventual X Factor Winner – whoever that was. The method was simply to start a conversation and invite dialogue, on an open, free platform. The achievement was a Christmas number one, a job offer from Mr Cowell himself, but more importantly for those involved, a sense that justice was done.

Whether you picked the winner or not, even if you feel embittered by the thought of Joe Mcelderry’s crowning glory being snatched away from him, the run-up to this year’s Christmas number one was one of the most exciting chart battles we’ve had in quite some time. Furthermore, for someone who works in the industry, Sunday at just before 7pm was one of the most exciting moments of my career when the British people proved just how powerful social media really could be…

Post by Elizabeth Herridge (Project Manager for TNR Communications)

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