PR strategy – British Airways Style

I saw an interesting article on the internet yesterday, an interview with one of Britain’s Olympic medal hopefuls, Campbell Walsh. He was commenting on a very interesting point which could prove to be yet another embarrassing PR moment for his name sake at British Airways, Willie Walsh.

For those who didn’t know British Airways are now in partnership with London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. They are also “honoured and excited to be flying Team GB and Paralympic GB to Beijing” in the summer and to quote their website “we are delighted to be playing an active role in helping create a lasting legacy for the community as sport in the UK.”

Hmm, that’s not strictly true now is it BA? Back in November BA changed their baggage allowance for some sporting equipment, and now longer accept the following: kayaks, canoes and oars (I think you mean paddles BA?!), pole vaults and javelins.
Now correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t pole vault, javelin and canoeing all Olympic sports? How then, can the athletes compete in the canoeing without their boat? All these items are custom made for each competitor, so it’s not like they can just borrow one when they get to China?

Likewise, it isn’t just about the actual Olympic games themselves, the top level competitions and qualifying rounds for canoeing take place all over the world in the years running up to the Olympic competitions, and rather that playing an active role in helping UK sport, BA are now impeding our medal hopefuls. I am watching this with story with interest to see if British Airways change their policy, or whether they will end up with egg on their faces?

Ruth

Product Placement Power

Working in the PR industry, I often notice screaming examples of product placement in TV programmes and films, i.e. the pointless two second shot of a Ford in Casino Royale.

So I was interested in the idea that a committee chaired by Schools Secretary, Ed Balls, is considering getting the new Diploma qualification featured in soap operas to encourage take up.

The BBC website today quotes....Among the proposals are calls for "imaginative communications strategy, for example involving pop stars and Hollyoaks storylines".

So getting one of the characters in teen show Hollyoaks (I say 'teen' like I don't still watch it every night....) to study for a Diploma on the show will hopefully raise awareness and take up of the new courses. Sneaky marketing or genius idea?

Whichever it is, it shows the power that TV, radio and celebrities all have over youngsters today and PROs and marketeers should be considering this in campaigns. I say bravo to the National Council for Education Excellence for moving with the times and doing something about the currently low take up of an excellent qualification.

And if a Hollyoaks babe studying for a Diploma in Health & Social Care sparks an idea in at least one educationally-confused viewer's head, then surely it's worked?

Helen

Some of our bits

Although we spend our time working hard for our clients here at Gemini, we do occasionally like to steal a bit of the limelight for ourselves....so here are a few links to what we've been up to lately with the Nottingham Evening Post - and look out for Gemini PR appearing in a paper near you soon!!

Our wise and wonderful fashion tips for the SATC ladies

Ruth munches on some brownies

Flushed with love

Dianne with her Nottingham Northern Swimming Club hat on

Thoughts on the big cup final

Before I start this blog I would just like to clear something up. As a Liverpool fan, and not bitter in the slightest that we weren't in the final...honest, I didn't want either Chelsea or Manchester United to win last night. If I had my way, they would have called it quits at half time and all gone to the pub.

But as it was, I thought it was quite fitting for Manu to win in the 50th anniversary year of the Munich air disaster and the look on Bobby Charlton's face was worth the, begrudging, decision that it was best for them to win. Now I wish Alex Ferguson would retire and give someone else a chance to win the league.

But my heart definitely goes out to John Terry, he's the one player I actually like in the Chelsea team, and I'm sure there are plenty of people who share my view. To put so much hard work in through the season and the match only to miss a penalty must be gutting beyond belief.

I can only hope that it isn't what people remember him for. Instead, let's remember Ronaldo's miss - less time in front of the mirror and more penalty practice Cristiano?? - and the satisfying moment when Drogba got his comeuppance for all the season's moaning and diving and was shown the big red.

And one last tip for the Chelsea fans, perhaps you should your replace your 'scouse free zone' banner with a 'trophy free zone' one.....

Helen

The Theories of the Female Voters

The results are in! Grazia magazine have just released the results of their women and politics survey...with some interesting findings.

Apparently, according to the findings our ideal PM would be a modern thinker, trustworthy, aged between 42-45 and if we had to vote for a celebrity George Clooney or Helen Mirren would be the favourites!

Also the most common features of female politicians are intelligent, dowdy and in need of a make over and 79% thought that no female politicians were stylish.

Luckily for us though, the most important reason for voting for a candidate is their policies and ideals as well as being trustworthy and social conscious. Reasons for not voting include allegations of sleaze, supporting George Dubya and being a heavy drinker...so we’re not all shallow then!!

My favourite statistic though is that 73% of Grazia readers think that things would improve if there were more female MPs...here here.

So, if DC, El Gordo and Cleggy are listening, stop telling us about your love life, celebrity friends and do something about our yobbish nation...oh and if you do this and look like George "Swooney" Clooney that would be great thanks!

Ruth

David's Red Tie

As David Cameron swept into Crewe yesterday to try and steal a traditionally labour area, I couldn't help noticing his bright red tie....which party do you belong to again David?

Helen