I hope you’ve got your tickets booked! There’s just over 3 weeks to go now until we get together with How-Do to host our Reputation Management seminar on the 7th May! Being the kind people that we are, we’ve decided to extend the offer of the early-bird discount for one more week, so hurry up! This week, I am going to be profiling Rob Brown, Managing Director of Staniforth. Background Rob is a graduate in Economics & Politics from the University of York. He spent a year in independent radio before joining Staniforth PR, working on Rowenta, ICI and Oddbins. Rob set up his own media PR business in the 1990s, with Granada Television, Channel Four and Endemol amongst the clients. His business was acquired by Leedex and Rob was appointed Managing Director of Leedex GTPR’s Manchester office. During this time he was also Chairman of the Institute of Public Relations in the North West. Rob joined McCann Erickson in 2001 to set up their PR division working with Aldi, Peugeot, the Department of Health and numerous NHS organisations where he specialised in strategic communications for public health and dietary campaigns. He is a regular visiting lecturer in PR at Manchester Metropolitan University and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. In 2008 Rob returned to Staniforth, now part of the TBWA group, as its UK Managing Director responsible for its offices in Manchester and London. He works with companies and brands that include M&S, Nissan and Kellogg’s. He is also the author of “Public Relations and the Social Web” published by Kogan Page on April 3rd this year. The Presentation Rob will be discussing the PR Challenges of the Social Web, including how reputations can be affected by social media, the impact of UGC and how reputations can be built and lost. Tickets are still available at the early-bird rate of £95 + VAT – offer ends Friday 17th April. Book Now!

KMP will be hosting a Blogging for Business workshop, which takes place on Wednesday 11th March at the MDDA in Manchester. Back by popular demand, we are hosting this workshop again for those who were unable to attend previous workshops which were fully booked. Hosted by KMP’s Client Service Manager, Gerry Daring alongside well known Journalist and Blogger, Craig McGinty, this workshop is already looking to be another sell-out. This workshop is a complete guide to blogging, where Gerry and Craig will be discussing the background of blogging, showing you how to get started and set up your own blog, as well as providing ideas and tips on how to engage with the blogging community. This practical and hands-on workshop is ideal for those who have heard about blogging and not sure if it is a good idea for their business, those who have seen business blogs and want to start their own, or even people who may have started their own business blogs, but aren’t sure how best to do it. Only a limited number of places are available, so make sure that you book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets cost £125 + VAT. Book Now!

On Wednesday KMP and How-Do hosted a Social Media Marketing seminar at the MDDA in Manchester. There was a great line up of speakers for the seminar, with Mike Antliff from Huzu and Dominic Sparkes from Tempero presenting for us for the first time, alongside KMP’s Chairman – Bill Daring! It was really exciting to have some new speakers with fresh ideas and opinions speaking at the inblackandwhite seminars. We had a great turnout for the event, with attendees from BJL, Blacks Leisure Group, The Co-operative Group, MoneySupermarket.com, and many more! Bill opened the seminar and with a presentation on “PR 2.0 and the Social Media” where he gave an introduction to social media, whilst discussing the case for social media in PR. Bill’s presentation was formed on the basis that the majority of the UK’s population is now online – blogging, chatting, visiting message boards and exchanging news and views, and the introduction of web 2.0 and the implications of social networks have encouraged a change in marketing methods. Bill also talked about how we can track, manage and respond to brand buzz online. Mike was up next, and he delivered a fantastic presentation which covered everything from the evolution of social media, the rise of the web, some of the most influential landmark sites, and highlights of the social media tools and applications contained within. Last but certainly not least was Dominic, whose presentation was titled “Extend Buzz – spend less – managing online communities to drive success“. Dominic discussed the topic of moderation and community management. To conclude the seminar, the 3 speakers then took part in a Q & A session, which gave the attendees the opportunity to ask any remaining questions they had about social media and the issues covered in the presentations. If you have any feedback or comments about the event, then we’d love to hear from you! Just leave us a comment below!

Ok so there’s not long to go now until KMP’s Social Media Marketing seminar (25th Feb) takes place at the MDDA in Manchester. We’ve got some great speakers for this seminar, with Mike Antliff from Huzu and Dominic Sparkes from Tempero presenting for us for the first time, alongside KMP Chairman – Bill Daring! It’’s really exciting to have some new speakers with fresh ideas and opinions speaking at the inblackandwhite seminars. I’ve had a sneak preview of Dominic’s presentation, and all I can tell you is that it promises to be educational, fun and really interesting! Titled, “Extend Buzz – spend less – managing online communities to drive success” (you see it even rhymes!) Dominic is set to discuss the topic of moderation and community management. Mike has also given me a little insight into his presentation, which looks to be jammed pack with social media goodness! Covering everything from the evolution of social media, the rise of the web, some of the most influential landmark sites, and highlights of the social media tools and applications contained within, it really promised to be value for money! Bill is set to discuss “PR 2.0 and the Social Media” where he will be presenting the case for social media in PR. Most of the UK’s population is now online – blogging, chatting, visiting message boards and exchanging news and views, and the introduction of web 2.0 and the implications of social networks have encouraged a change in marketing methods. Bill will discuss how we can track, manage and respond to brand buzz online. So, if you’ve not got your tickets yet, where have you been? Luckily for you there are still a few tickets available, so book now!