Watch the PRCA National Conference online

The PRCA National Conference, sponsored by Vocus, was attended by more than 100 leading industry figures. Speakers discussed subjects including the role of the head of communications in large organisations and the use of social media to manage crisis communications.

PRCA Director General, Francis Ingham, said "The PRCA exists to promote excellence in PR and this conference had something for everyone. Thanks to Thomson-Reuters' excellent webcasting technology, we are now able to share the conference with anyone who is interested."

The conference can be viewed here and a synopsis of the subjects covered by speakers is below.

SYNOPSIS OF PRESENTATIONS 

Chairman's welcome (Francis Ingham, PRCA) - The PRCA Director General outlines the Association's plans for the future.

The changing face of the media (Guy Black, the Telegraph Media Group) - The digital revolution has changed the way we consume information. Guy Black talks about how this has affected the newspaper industry.

The findings and implications of “The Authentic Enterprise” - (Aedhmar Hynes, Text 100 & Tom Kowaleski, BMW North America) - The conclusion of two years of research by the Arthur W Page society, The Authentic Enterprise discusses the role of communications directors in today's large companies.

Improving local public services communications (Alex Aiken, Westminster City Council) - Alex challenged the audience to ask themselves “what do you want to be famous for?” He highlighted that we focus too often on tactics instead of strategy.

Look around you… Who is missing? (Zena Martin, Acknowledge Communications) - Zena highlighted that minority groups are massively under-represented in the UK PR industry and highlighted that this has a negative impact on clients, consultancies and the minorities. She challenged us all to tap into this £390bn market.

The harder they fall (Imogen Bailey, Skype) - Skype actively uses blogging as a communication tool, with 2500 problems answered online each day by Skype employees and users alike. In 2007, when Skype experienced a technical problem stopping 90% of users using the application, they concentrated their response through blogs, enabling them to communicate with users, the media and the technical press to great effect.

Integrated Truths (Kelly Walsh, MS&L) - Kelly explained that integrated campaigns where different elements of the marketing communications mix support each other are more effective than any one area on its own. Kelly explained how to make these challenging projects work well.

In defence of PR (Ed Vaizey MP) - The Shadow Minister talked about how PR is perceived and the value that it adds. He attacked the extension of TUPE to the creative industries, something the PRCA is launching a PA campaign on. He also made a commitment to making PR ‘the 14th creative industry' if the Tories win the next General Election something we will be looking to turn into a manifesto commitment.

Da Vinci (Kelly McGinnis, Da Vinci & Stuart Handley, Dell) - Most consultancies grow organically and through acquisition, resulting in legacy inefficiencies. Dell and WPP are starting a global marketing communications agency from scratch. Kelly and Stuart talk about the challenges this presents and how it the new agency will work.

Make roads safe (Edmund King, The Automobile Association & Saul Billingsley, FIA Foundation) - Road traffic injuries are the 10th biggest killer worldwide. For children of 5-14 in the developing world they are a bigger killer than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Edmund and Saul explain how they are raising awareness and reducing deaths worldwide.

- ENDS -

Photos of the speakers are available on request.

For further information please contact:

Richard Ellis
PRCA Communications Manager
T: 020 7233 6026
E: richard.ellis@prca.org.uk

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