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!

What’s Floating Around Cloud 9? 22nd Oct

Welcome to another week and it’s busy, busy, busy at Cloud 9 Towers!

Not only do we have two major client events looming, but we are also well and truly into awards and events season so without further ado here goes….

Tomorrow night we are off to the PR Week Awards at Grovesnor House on Park Lane, with our friends and sponsors, Kantar Media. Whilst it’s a few years since we’ve been to PR Week, there are sure to be a few familiar faces around although the shortlist this year looked very London centric!

Thursday is RSViP in Nottingham at eschebeche in  West Bridgford where the food culture of the Mediterranean meets a tapas café and bar, with some of the best beers and wines from Southern Europe. It's all about enjoying great food and drink in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere, with lots of networking and we look forward to sharing an olive or chorizo!

We’ve turned down a couple of cracking invitations this week (we are very lucky at Cloud 9 to be on the radar of some great venues and event hosts) including a host of Christmas Showcases, Hotel Previews and a rather interesting Preview Evening at The Hepworth Gallery  in Wakefield of Barbara Hepworths Hospital Drawings.

This new exhibition will reveal the remarkable series of exquisite drawings and paintings made by the artist during the late 1940s, illustrating surgeons at work in operating theatres within Post-War Britain.

Following the hospitalisation of their daughter Sarah in 1944, Hepworth and her husband, the artist Ben Nicholson, struck up a friendship with Norman Capener, the surgeon who treated Sarah at the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital in Exeter. Through this friendship, Hepworth was invited to witness a variety of surgical procedures at Exeter and the London Clinic. Over a two-year period, 1947-49, Hepworth produced around 80 works within the series. As well as pencil, ink and chalk drawings, many were executed in both pencil and oil paint on board, and as such can be seen as both paintings and drawings.

With over 30 works on display, including Hepworth’s sketchbook, this new exhibition is the most significant presentation of this extraordinary series to date. The exhibition comprises key loans from national, public and private collections, some of which have never been exhibited previously.

We’ve also had to forgo a rather lovely invitation to join the great guys at Mercure Hotels who invited us to a rather intriguing weekend in Shropshire at the Mercure Albrighton Hall, this coming weekend.

It a truly great venue – very idyllic with a beautiful lake, large meeting spaces and refurbished bedrooms. It’s also got one of the best spa’s in the group complete with squash courts!

However, no one can accuse us of being party-poopers at Cloud 9 as we did have a fabulous time at the Mercure Brandon Hall Hotel a couple of weeks ago where all things chocolate was the order of the day, or should we say night!

Set in 17 acres of tranquil grounds surrounding the 4-star Mercure Brandon Hall Hotel and Spa in Warwickshire, the hotel has 120 contemporary rooms, each with satellite TV and internet access. An elegant lunch or dinner menu can be found at the Clarendon Restaurant, or you relax near the open fireplace or patio or the Berwick Bar. An indoor pool and fitness centre can be enjoyed at the Spa, and the hotel has 10 fully equipped meeting rooms, which can welcome up to 280 guests.

The agents dinner with a Willy Wonka theme was a truly excellent evening and despite the hangover and chocolate high, a great night at a great venue!

We wont be staying in doing our knitting this coming weekend – Saturday night we are all off to support our local community with an Abba Sensation Night at the local Grange Hall, before the challenges of next week when we have not one, but two very important client events – but more of those next week!

We end this week with an invitation! 

Bil Bungay invites to you to join him for an exclusive showing of “When the Lights Went Out” on Monday29th October.

Time: 8.00pm

Venue: The Vue Cinema, Lowry Outlet Mall, Salford Quays, Manchester

Strict Dress Code: Vicar (Black Suit & White Paper Collar)

There might be the odd free drink on offer and whilst you do need to adhere to the dress code to guarantee admittance, it shouldn't be too much effort to pop on a Black Suit with a white collar made from a piece of paper!

Places are limited to the first 225 guests, and you need to register with paula@freshawards.co.uk to guarantee your place, although all are welcome so please pass on the invitation and we will hopefully see you there – and if you would like to see a preview of the film, then here goes..

Have a great week!

What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 3rd September

Welcome to another week and it feels a bit like we are all back to School!

August has been and gone and whilst much of the Summer has been dedicated to all things Fresh, the CIPR Northern Conference will be upon us before you know it.

Also now that "silly season" is over in the media, it's time to start looking at some of the great events and activities available to the industry over the coming months.

Whatever your needs, there really is something for everyone and despite all of the doom and gloom that continues to dog the press, we have a genuine feeling that things are on the up here at Cloud 9 Towers. We've some new exciting projects on the horizon and lots to look forward to, as well as maintaining our free venue finding service, which continues to be a valuable resource for our clients.

Don’t miss the UK’s biggest event for PAs, EAs & Office Managers - office* returns on 12-13 September 2012 to the new venue of National Hall, Olympia. With its mix of innovative products and services, networking and inspiring seminars, make sure you attend for what’s set to be the biggest and best show yet. With Over 175 exhibitors offering everything from stationery to business travel, training to corporate hospitality, there is also a great opportunity to learn essential skills in the 50 educational and inspirational sessions presented by the best speakers and trainers in the country. Additionally, all delegates can source everything you need in one dedicated area – including the NEW HBAA Village, NEW office* Interactive Theatre, and the returning AIM Accredited Destination & Venue Village. http://www.officeshow.co.uk/  It's free to attend so get yourself registered now! 

The CIPR Northern Conference is a must for anyone in PR and this incredible event will take place at The Rose Bowl, Portland Crescent, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3HB on 31 October 2012 with a “Fit for the Future” theme. The focus for this year will be centred around the changing face of the PR industry and how equipped 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 have the skills, gravitas and confidence to reach the top; the 2012 Northern Conference is one you cannot afford to miss. There will be a packed schedule this year and a choice of interactive workshops as well as several keynote speakers, all of whom are at the top of their game. Delegates will also be able to enjoy the great facilities available at The Rose Bowl, a stunning prestige building with great views of the City of Leeds. Please email paula@cloud9em.co.uk to book your place or book online via Eventbrite http://ciprnc2012.eventbrite.com/

 

Renowned for facilitating business and interaction between sponsorship buyers and sellers, Think!Sponsorship is back on 14th November, at Stratford Circus, London.  Titled 'Forward Thinking' the event looks at sponsorship in a post Olympic Games landscape and will discuss, debate and analyse sponsorship's Olympic Winners and Losers, trends such as vertical ownership, education sponsorship, the future of alcohol sponsorship, commercial CSR and much more! The speakers' list includes high calibre experts like Matt Brocklehurst, Product Marketing - Mobile Advertising at Google, Tricia Thompson, Director of Cycling, BSKYB, Des Violaris, Director UK Arts & Culture, BP, Ilona Harris, Head of Corporate Partnerships, Tate and many more. Although not cheap to attend, a very valuable and interesting event for anyone looking to secure sponsorship. http://www.thinksponsorship.com/

We end this week with some exciting if somewhat scary news! We are off to see the premier of "When the Lights Went Out" which has been produced by our friend Bil Bungay.

The story is based in Yorkshire, 1974. Britain is in recession, the oil crisis and black outs loom large. The Maynard family move into their dream house, only to find a "presence" already living there. Len, Jenny and their daughter Sally must struggle to keep their already-fragile family together as they are attacked by poltergeists. Soon it becomes apparent that Sally is their main focus of attention. The house becomes a living nightmare. They must exorcise the evil spirits for them to survive.

Not only are we are off to the premier but we also get to visit the actual house...scary stuff!

Hopefully, we will back next week so have a good one everyone and enjoy!