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Another Careers Day, another success!

Yesterday’s CIPR Careers Day took place at the Chartered Accountants’ Hall in London and over 250 delegates arrived eager to learn all they could about PR as a possible career - and they weren’t disappointed.

Exhibit networking skills

With 14 exhibition stands on display, there was plenty of time for delegates to put their networking skills to the test. Staff were available all day to answer any questions from delegates and offer advice and information. One delegate enthused, “this was the first time I’ve talked to potential employers and it was great”. A list of all the exhibitors can be found at www.cipr.co.uk/careersday.

Speaking from experience

The speakers were as enthusiastic as the delegates. Margot Raggett from Lexis PR discussed PR & the integrated communications mix, which delegates found very informative. Stephen Davies from Edelman and Kirsten Harvey from TfL talked about the benefits and differences in working in a consultancy or in-house.

The case study of a PR campaign was given by Enda Joyce from Media Strategy and a very informative ‘Making your first move’ by CIPR’s Head of Education Policy Mark Ramsdale was loaded with helpful advice on PR training, work placements and graduate trainee schemes. Case studies presented by 2006 Student rep winner Stephen Pembroke, now at Ceres Partnership and a former Careers Day delegate, and Ruth Allman from Reading Borough Council, gave interesting and different accounts of their experience in getting into PR.

Lastly, Emma Dale from Prospect Resources gave a hugely informative talk on applying for that first PR job, including an account of the importance of a decent covering letter and CV.

The delegate pack, which includes a copy of the presentations, a programme, biographies of speakers, a Prospect graduate pack, and a CIPR pen, all inside a smart CIPR bag, is available to purchase if you were not lucky enough to attend this special day.  Please log onto the website at www.cipr.co.uk/careersday for details.

What the delegates thought

“There was so much information in one room, it was excellent. The exhibitors were very, very good; the speakers were informative yet concise; and there was good literature. An excellent day - thank you.”

“A wide range of knowledge, encouragement and confidence to make it in PR.”

“I got the chance to network, talk to the company I was interested in and learn more about the profession.”

“I gained a comprehensive understanding of the industry and how students should approach entering it, by attending this day!”

For more information about the day please visit www.cipr.co.uk/careersday

Move in to PR Careers Day

Move in to PR Careers Day will take place on Friday 27 November 2006 at the Chartered Accountants’ Hall in London.

Interested in pursuing a career in PR? If yes, then read on ….

The only day dedicated to PR will be jam packed with useful information and plenty of time to ask all those burning questions about PR.

Our industry experts will give you the opportunity to discover exactly what PR is; the difference between in-house and consultancy PR and what the qualities and skills are required to work for both sectors; top tips for creating the perfect CV and succeeding in interviews; and taking a look at the training and placement opportunities available to help you climb the PR careers ladder.

Our speakers include: PR blogger Stephen Davies from Edelman; CIPR Young Communicator 2006 finalist Enda Joyce from Media Strategy; and case studies from CIPR Student Rep winner Stephen Pembroke about getting his work placement through the CIPR and Ruth Allman from Reading Borough Council ‘moving into PR without a PR degree’.

We have many exhibitors joining us on the day eager to talk to our delegates about career and gradate opportunities, further education and advice about moving into PR. Bournemouth Media School, Pathfinders, Xchangeteam, Witan Jardine, Octopus Communications, Abchurch Communications, Witan Jardine, Penrose Limited, Edelman, Lansons Communications, Hollis, De Montfort University and Markettiers4DC will all be available on the day to discuss opportunities available.

Also joining us is Victoria King, Education and Student Liaison Officer at the CIPR. She will be available all day to talk about what the CIPR can do you for you and how we can help you make your move into PR. Victoria will also be available to talk about Student Membership and all the benefits and the wide range of services available to our members throughout your studies and beyond.

So come along and find out more by booking at www.cipr.co.uk/careersday

Is lobbying a legitimate activity?

This was the theme of the senior practitioners roundtable at the CIPR PR Centre at St James’s Square this morning.

CIPR President Elect and political consultant, Lionel Zetter FCIPR, introduced the topic and kick started discussions. Focusing on the professionalism of lobbying, he talked about how it is an industry that takes its ethical responsibilities seriously and how all CIPR member lobbyists sign up to our Code of Conduct.

Zetter also highlighted that, despite having a poor reputation and sometimes being linked to stories of corruption by the media, the majority of lobbyists act in an open and transparent manner; and play an invaluable role in the democratic process.

This stimulating opener was followed by a lively debate that looked at how lobbyists might strengthen their self-regulation and improve the system, allowing more equal access to opinion formers and decision-makers.

It was strongly agreed that the lobbying profession needs to be less defensive about what it does and to positively promote its achievements in improving legislation by helping organisations and Government to ‘talk’.

This is something that will be a key theme of Zetter's 2007 Presidency, which aims to raise the profile and self-belief of public affairs as part of the communications profession.

Other attendees included Simon Nayyar of Edelman, Jon French of the ABI and Doug Smith of Westminster Advisors.  CIPR Partners, Media Evaluation Research and PRWeek, were also in attendance.

For more information about CIPR public affairs events, please visit our website www.cipr.co.uk

Video report from National Conference

If you were unable to make it to this year's National Conference, take a look at the video report from the day. This features interviews with CIPR President Tony Bradley and the following speakers:

Michael Regester, Regester Larkin - Michael's session demonstrated how to prepare for worst-case scenarios, highlighting the importance of getting it right first time.

Pamela Taylor, Chief Executive, Water UK - Pamela's session examined the role of PR in reviving brand, using Water UK's experience as a case study.

Stephen Howard, Managing Director, Business in the Community - Stephen's session focused on the value of PR to business, looking at how corporate responsibility can build brand and reputation.

Click here to play the report.

‘Staying ahead of the game’ in PR

Preparing for worst case scenarios, the role of communications in corporate responsibility, and the role of PR in reviving a brand were just a few of the topics on the agenda at the CIPR's National Conference yesterday. Held at Claridge's in London, over 130 delegates attended a mixture of speaker sessions and discussion groups. Judging by the positive feedback, the day was a great success, giving delegates much to take back to the office.

One popular discussion group focused on the role of PR in marketing. Inspired by the report commissioned by the CIPR’s Marcomms Group, 'A marketing communications scenario for 2010', this session focused on the suggestion that PR could position itself to become the prime driving force in marketing communications. Research highlights that of a total £2.4 billion marketing communications spend in the UK in 2004, 60% went to below-the-line elements including PR. The same research shows that PR is the second fastest growing area in this mix, something speaker Professor Philip Kitchen from Hull University Business School believes is a great opportunity for the industry.

In an age where consumers are taking control of the way messages reach them, thinking about how they are making sense of communications in the 21st Century is essential. Professor Kitchen talked about an integrated approach with the tools and techniques of PR recognised as a vital element of achieving marketing objectives. Discussion within the group centred on the often confusing distinctions made between the two disciplines, with many in agreement that the dividing lines can be artificial and political. It was felt that  there was a need to lessen confusion between the two by clarifying to clients what PR can achieve and what marketing can achieve - but also a sense that only by placing PR professionals in the role of prime advisor on communications would fees and position be cemented.

Other discussion groups on the day included sessions on demonstrating how PR can add value, harnessing the power of lobbying and the concept of payment by results. 

CIPR President Tony Bradley opened the conference looking at new developments in the public relations profession. Bradley has travelled extensively during his presidency and highlighted the importance of the CIPR’s international influence, especially in China’s growing public relations market.

Meanwhile, Paul Mylrea, Transport for London Group Media Relations PR Director, talked about getting the most from a PR Team. Mylrea said teams needed to common goals to work effectively. Amongst the tips he proposed to delegates was the idea of taking a gamble when hiring staff and not always appointing the safe candidate; being brave enough to have that management conversation with someone sooner rather than later when the team is not working; and going beyond the simple interview and involving other staff who will be working with the new person.

Paula Cummings, World Vision UK celebrity co-ordinator, also provided delegates with insight into the power of celebrities to promote campaigns: ”Love them, or hate them, celebrities are the currency of the lifestyle media,” she said.

Managing director Stephen Howard from Business in the Community closed the conference by challenging delegates to look at the way their organisations do business and see how they can add value to the community through their PR.

More information on the speakers can be found on the conference website www.cipr.co.uk/conference.

Is it time you found out more about blogging?

Owing to the popularity of the 2006 Freshly Squeezed programme, an additional breakfast briefing has been added to the series.

The new session, entitled 'All about blogging’, will be held on Thursday 7 December. Topics covered will include: The impact blogging is having on the public relations industry, how blogging can be used as a PR tool and what can be done to monitor and control problematic blogs.

Find out more and book your place at www.cipr.co.uk/fresh

Tickets cost £40+Vat for CIPR members and £50+Vat for non members.