Things worth talking about...

Forward thinking brands experimenting online...Kindred = #prcaexperts

On Thursday, George, Kindred's Social Media Manager (@GeorgieC) hosted an early morning PRCA briefing on brands experimenting online. Imparting her knowledge to a crowd, keen to hear her thoughts on the various digital executions and future trends, George discussed the subjects of relationship building, loyalty, integration and content generation. To find out more, check out George's Prezi below which includes a number of useful stats and casestudies:

This week Kindred has mostly been eating cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!

Tuesday and Wednesday were a dream come true for Lorna, Jessica and Lucy who spent two days surrounded by 3,000 hunks (of cheese) in an enormous refrigerated marquee just outside of Crewe. As the 3,000 cheese varieties fought it out at the prestigious International Cheese Awards – Nantwich 2010, we made ourselves busy handing out scrumptious samples of British cheese, on behalf of our client the British Cheese Board – one for them, one for us!
 
As well as a fantastic line up of cheeses, we met Corrie actor Sean Wilson (Martin Platt), who now runs his own cheese company, and Darren Gough, who taught us to make Welsh Rarebit out of Collier's cheese!
 
What a day!
 
Oh, we also did a bit of media relations while we were there. See what the Beeb had to say here and find more cheesy pictures here

EVENT REVIEW: Stylist : "Confidence. The Final Frontier."

The night before last Anastasia Scott and I (both Client Service Directors at Kindred) went to the second Stylist (http://www.stylist.co.uk/) networking event; Confidence: The Final Frontier.
 
As well as a fine selection of canapés (well it was hosted at Claridges (http://www.claridges.co.uk) !), there was a great line up of entrepreneurial speakers: Sara Murray – Buddi (http://www.buddi.co.uk), Lisa Stickley - Lisa Stickley, London (http://www.lisastickleylondon.com/) and Jo Newton - Newton Network (http://www.newtonnetwork.com/), Jessica Huie - JH Public Relations (http://www.jhpr.co.uk/) & Colour Blind Cards (http://www.colorblindcards.com/), Kanya King MBE, MOBO Awards (http://www.mobo.com/awards) and Lisa Merrick-Lawless, Stylist. (http://www.stylist.co.uk/)
 
One thing that really stood out was how many obstacles these incredibly successful women had overcome. Two were single teenage mums, most had overcome initial failure in their business, all had been told they’d never make it. What they had in common, was not (they claimed!) any amazing talent, or a unique idea; it was simply hard work. Words like “persistence”, “stamina”, “passion”, “dedication” and “strength” came up again and again. As Kanya King said; “if you do what it takes for as long as it takes, success is inevitable.” I found that very inspiring.
 
Another thing that came across was the power of networks – Jessica Huie had started her career at Max Clifford Associates, and so had a fantastic network and Kanya King had built networks through sheer persistence – calling Tony Blair’s office repeatedly until he eventually agreed to attend her first event. She also advised of the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive, likeminded people. And Lisa Merrick-Lawless demonstrated a technique overlaying a mind-map of everyone you know onto a mind-map of your business, to see who could help you.
 
Inspired and motivated; we set about networking. I was once advised to go to networking events seeking what you can give rather than what you can get, and by this measure, we did quite well! I met a lady who wanted to know more about media buying / selling and invited her along to a lunch with one of our media partners, we gave some PR ideas to a lady setting up a dating site for Northeners, and we hooked up a wedding cake designer with a wedding stationery designer.
 
Fingers crossed for some good karma!   

- Katie Treggiden

Blogger relations: ‘what’s the secret?’ – part one

Recently there’s been lots of talk about how PRs will make the transition from traditional media relations to blogger engagement, not simply from the PRs’ perspective but from bloggers, inundated with emails, stating ‘this is how we want to be approached!’  The good news is it really isn’t that difficult.  Both require the same skills; it’s just about adapting them for a new medium.  

Although there is a definite shift away from issuing a press release (but let’s be honest, the significance of the humble press release was beginning to wane with the growing fragmentation of media channels) one fundamental similarly still exists – a good PR knows how to build a strong, multi-beneficial relationship. The way you go about forging that relationship may differ but the ability to build a quick rapport and get your message across succinctly, hasn’t changed.

When targeting bloggers think about adopting a three step approach: 1) Research, 2) Engagement, 3) Nurture

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Kindred. A video says a thousand words.

WE ARE LOVING THIS GUY.

Kudos Jesse. Kudos.

Things we're loving today : Flipboard

The video says it all.  Stunning, fresh and smart.  Sound like anyone you know??!  Download now... if you have an iPad.  We'd pay if it weren't so damn free!

(via @munkyfonkey)

Social media measurement in 7 minutes...

You read that right!  Paul (@munkyfonkey) was asked to talk to an eager mob at the IAB HQ last night on the subject of social media and measurement of aforementioned social media... in 7 minutes.  It was the first time he had undertaken (?!) the Pecha Kucha method (20 slides, 20 seconds for each slide).  To say he talked faster than normal (yes it IS possible) is an understatement.  

Here are his tips to avoid spitting at attendees!:

1) Have the slides auto forward - this helps you keep to the 20 seconds for each slide

2) Pictures really work - use as many as possible

3) Some things cannot be covered in any semblance of depth in 7 minutes - know what to dwell on and what to say 'Google at will' to.

Full presentation after the jump...

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Seen an iAd yet? Now you have.

We're loving the simplicity and UI of the new iAd platform the mighty Apple announced a few weeks ago.  Whether you like the ad itself (must admit we're not huge fans) the relationship dynamic between the user and the app/ad is undeniable.    What's your take?

Good things do come in threes...

Despite the 25°C heat and what felt like 80 percent humidity on Saturday afternoon on the 5th June, Kindred’s Lorna, Nicola and Gemma dressed head to toe in neoprene and stood on the banks of Blenheim Palace lake about to jump in.  

Overcoming all last minute nerves first timer Gemma and veteran triathletes Lorna and Nicola tackled the Blenheim triathlon covering a 750m swim in the lake, a 20km cycle around the Palace grounds and finally a 5.4km run.

The girls did Kindred proud all finishing around the two hour mark with limbs and muscles still intact. Not put off by their experience, the girls have already started training for the Marketing Triathlon at Dorney Lake on Friday 2nd July. Teams from Kindred will be competing to raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity (http://humanrace.co.uk/more-info-on-the-prostate-cancer-charity-marketing-industry-triathlon-405.html) All other competitors should watch out!