What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 29th October

Welcome to another week and what a busy one it is!

Tonight we’re off to the Vue Cinema in The Lowry Outlet Mall, Salford Quays Manchester to join Bil Bungay at a very special screening of his Film, When the Lights Went Out.

Based on supposedly true events that occurred at No. 30, East Drive on the Chequerfield Estate, in Pontefract, this is the story: In 1974, the Maynard family moves into their dream house. It’s a dream that quickly descends into a panic stricken nightmare as the family discovers a horrifying truth – the house is already occupied by the most violent poltergeist ever documented. As the attacks on the family become increasingly violent and terrifying it becomes clear that the exorcism of the poltergeist will be their only chance for survival. Two separate exorcism are attempted… the consequences of which… are disastrous.

Although the film has been out a month or so, the screening this evening will be special as everyone has to dress up as a vicar! We’ll post photos in due course!

Wednesday is the CIPR Northern Conference at The Rose Bowl, Leeds Metropolitan University with a Fit for the Future theme.

The focus for this year will be cantered around the changing face of the PR industry and how fit we are to tackle the increasing challenges that lay ahead.

Whether it is understanding and keeping ahead of the continual changes in the digital and social media sectors, making the leap to being a sole practitioner or starting your own consultancy, or making sure you are mentally fit to face the future of this increasingly diverse industry.

Key speakers at the event include Max Clifford, who probably for anyone with an interest in the media will need no introduction. Additionally,  Gavin Forth, Global Marketing Director at ghd and Nicola Green, Director of Communications & Reputation at 02 are also speaking.

There are also three panels and three workshops on the day all addressing different subject matter:

Journalism, will see three of the North's senior journalists from the world of print and broadcasting will talk about how they have adapted to be "fit for the future", how they see mainstream and digital media integrating, and what effect they think Leveson might have on press regulation.

Social media, will see t hree leading thinkers on how social media and digital communications is evolving and changing the role of PR practitioners. They will share their expertise on how we can be 'fit for the future' and claim the social media space as communications, engagement and relationship specialists.

Video Broadcasting will focus on One hour of video is uploaded to YouTube every second and over 800 million unique users visit YouTube each month. The panel will outline how video is changing the skills required for PRs and explore how you can leverage the medium to support your communication objectives whether that's online or off. 

Kantar Media who are headline sponsors of the event are also delivering a session on “Track to the Future”.  Over the past decade, the client-agency relationship has evolved from a one-lane relay, with clear control procedures to finish the race, to a wider track, where we merge our expertise to complete the race together. In this session, Group Commercial Director of Kantar Media Intelligence UK Dean Wading and Deputy Manager of Media Evaluation, Matt Couchman discuss how much more PR and communications specialists can deliver beyond just numbers to set the track to the future.

And if that wasn’t enough to keep our delegates occupied, there are also three workshops in the afternoon the first of which is Leaders of the future with Professor Anne Gregory.

Running at the same time is  The future of digital communications with Paul Mallett, Digital Strategic Director and Board Director, Brass and Strategic Creativity or 'New School PR' with Andy Green.

So all in all a very very full day for the delegates!

Friday we are in preparation mode for a busy weekend with our clients Beachcomber who are holding an all years “Reunion Academy Weekend” at the Ettington Chase Hotel in Stratford.

Beachcomber Tours have been based on the High Street in Guildford since 1989 and specialise in the paradise islands of Mauritius and the Seychelles.  In Mauritius Beachcomber Hotels were the pioneers of the hotel industry opening the first hotel on the island way back in 1952 so we certainly come with some pedigree.

They certainly know how to look after their clients and their travel agents are in for a cracking weekend, with a treasure hunt around the grounds, a firework display and drinks, three course dinner, a band, entertainment a plenty and something rather special that we have been asked to provide…a candy buffet!

So in addition to doing our bit with registration, table decorations and centre pieces we have also had to source blue sweets (to match their corporate colours of course!) and chocolate which hasn’t been that easy, but should make for a stunning display!

So, that’s probably more than enough for the week

Have a good one everyone!