CELEBRITY MEDIA RELEASE BLOOPER

There is highlighting your client's good points and then there is....well, telling big old porky pie lies.

The UK based Infinite PR, which is headed up by ex-Public Relations Director at EMI, Murray Chalmers (who clearly should have known better!), has just issued a stinker of a media release. The release opens with the following words:

'Now I lie here in the wet patch in the middle of the bed,

I'm feeling pretty hard done by, I've spent ages giving head.'

Nice. This adorable little couplet is followed by the claim:

'Lily Allen, the Wordsworth of the MySpace generation......'

Hang on a second. Lily Allen? Wordsworth? I've heard about embellishing the truth but this is just ridiculous! I'm sure poor old William is turning in his grave. If you don't know who Lily Allen is check out this YouTube video of her performing- poet certainly isn't a word that comes to mind.

I really don't know what to say. Even a PR Junior Account Executive knows that media releases should consist of solid, newsworthy facts, not the overemotional statements that run throughout this entire release.

If you want to read more about this particular blooper, check out this Guardian article. They even phoned Murray to ask him exactly which of Wordsworth's works he thought Lily's songs were most like? Very funny.

PR DISASTERS- KERRY KATONA SLURS HER WAY THROUGH 'THIS MORNING'

I know that many Kiwis will not know who Kerry Katona is or will be familiar with breakfast TV programme 'This Morning.'

Just to provide some brief background information- Kerry Katona used to be part of a very successful British girl band called 'Atomic Kitten.' Since she left the group she has gone through divorce, drug addiction, depression and bankruptcy. Recently, she has had something of a body makeover and has been promoting a new TV series. Clearly, the message she wants to get out is 'I have got my life back on track.'

Yesterday morning, she appeared on 'This Morning', an extremely popular show which is watched by a huge portion of the British population. She came across as confused, uncoordinated and slurred her way through the entire interview. She also became incredibly defensive when questioned about her alcohol consumption.

Why, oh why, would any self-respecting publicist allow her to get up in front of a camera in this state? The whole thing was a train wreck and simply awful to watch. To be completely honest, I would be sacking her whole PR team or at least having very stern words with them.

Mindyou, I'm imagining that the TV shows viewing figures haven't suffered too much......

Does anyone else have any PR Disasters to share, either here or abroad?

WHAT'S IN YOUR PR BAG?

This post was inspired by my English friends over at the PR and Comms Network. I thought it would be interesting to see whether there is any difference between what British and Kiwi public relations consultants choose to carry around.

The rather organised gentleman over at PR and Comms survives each day with only a few essentials, including his iPhone and a copy of the Economist neatly filed away in his 'man bag'. Click here to read the full list.

As I type this, I am looking in trepidation at my plum coloured Karen Millen handbag, which is sat, bulging, on the floor next to my desk.... Looking inside, I discover the following:

• A matching Karen Millen wallet, stuffed with receipts, money, my various cards, driving license and notes from my boyfriend


• An apple, to join the two other wizzened apples and tangerine on my desk that I never get around to eating!


• A hairbrush


• A pair of Bill Bass sunglasses that reaaallly need replacing


• A big bunch of keys, complete with London phone-box keyring


• A mini Crunchie bar


• A small sandwich bag of dry cereal (don't ask)


• A couple of Sharpies that I keep forgetting to take back to the advertising studio in my building


• A collection of random coins and car park receipts

Along with my handbag, I also have my laptop.

I feel rather shamed compared to the neat and tidy blogger in the UK. So, now that I have laid bare the contents of my handbag, I'm interested to hear....what do you have in your PR bag?

Do you have as much useless stuff in your bag as me? Is it a woman thing? Do the guys over in London have less stuff because they generally don't drive to work- they tend to either walk or take the tube and just aren't able to carry as much around?

Or is it just me?

OWEN GLENN STANDS UP FOR HIS RIGHTS ON 60 MINUTES

Who else watched the 'A Rich Man's World' feature on 60 minutes last night? I have to say that after reading all the negative stories about the interviewee, Owen Glenn, in the press, especially in relation to the whole Winston Peters saga, I was preparing myself for the worst. I had pretty much decided that I wasn't going to like the man.

Annoyingly, by the end of the segment my opinion had changed. I thought that he came across really well in the interview. He made no excuses for his wealth and I found myself agreeing with him when he said 'I worked hard for my money- I'm not going to apologise for being well off'. I also didn't realise how much support he gives to worthy causes around the world. I found myself warming to him much more after I discovered just how much money he is giving away, in the bid to make a difference.

I think it's true that we live in a 'tall poppy' society. People get uncomfortable when others break away from the mould and become super successful. I applaud Owen for standing up against those that would shoot him down.

I think it was a great PR move on his part to agree to be interviewed by 60 Minutes- he has certainly won me over.

DON'T FORGET THE LITTLE PEOPLE

A few weeks ago, a new rival for my boyfriend's attention appeared on the scene. Now, let me stop you before your imagination starts dreaming up visions of a blonde haired, red lipped seductress. The rival isn't a woman, it's not even human. It's the book, 'The Man Who Ate the World' by Jay Rayner.

Yesterday, my boyfriend sent Mr Rayner an email, thanking him for the entertaining read. What impressed me most was that Jay Rayner replied within a matter of hours. The message went like this:

'Hi Nick,

Well that's the kind of feedback every writer wants to hear. Now go tell all your friends to buy the book, I need all the help I can get.

All the best.

Jay'

My boyfriend was thrilled with getting a response from the author and both of us will definitely continue to buy his books and read his reviews in The Guardian.

This should serve as a valuable lesson for other businesspeople out there. No matter how large or successful you become, do not forget the little people (although, they are not really so 'little', they most probably got you where you are today through their custom and support)

You don't have to use big, overblown gestures. Treat your customers like you would a friend. Respond when they ask questions. Let them know what is going on with your company- whether this is through media releases, a regular newsletter or other forms of communication. Ask for their feedback, through surveys and polls. Even sending them a Christmas or Birthday card once a year will let them know that you are not a soulless, disconnected corporation and that you value their support.

By the way, I don't blame Nick for being so caught up with this particular book. I've already read it and I couldn't put it down. Mr Rayner is a very witty, very funny man and a fantastic writer to boot. The only thing I can complain about is that the book left me slightly hungry and desperate to journey the world sampling all those different foods (ah well, Burger Fuel will have to do for now....)

ANOTHER STUNNING LAUNCH EVENT: ORAL SURGERY ASSOCIATES WELCOMES THE FIRST 3D X-RAY MACHINE TO AUCKLAND

On Friday, 10th October, Intermediary organised another glamorous launch event. I really enjoy putting these occasions together- I think that if I wasn't in PR, I would be quite tempted by pure event management! This time it was to celebrate the opening of oral surgery, Oral Surgery Associates, at the brand new Ascot Central building, Greenlane.

The unveiling of the revolutionary 3D imaging device and the launch of the brand new specialist oral and maxillofacial surgery offices drew more than 130 dentists, doctors and industry professionals from across the region.

Oral surgery Associates has received a great amount of support from the dental community. Prominent dental companies including Sirona, Nobel Biocare and Henry Schein Shalfoon all made contributions to the grand opening.

Click here to see the original launch media release