President Obama’s firing of General Stanley McChrystal has highlighted the uncertainties of ‘off the record’ press briefings. With debate raging between McChrystal’s team and Rolling Stone over the ground rules agreed for the interview, the episode has shown the potential dangers of one of the least-understood practices in media relations. What does ‘off the record’ mean, how does it work in practice, and are the risks ever worth taking? We help guide you through the minefield. (more…)

One of the enduring myths about PR is that you never know if it has worked; that PR and measurement are somehow incompatible. Of course, this is far from the truth, and many businesses specialise in evaluating public relations programmes. However, what this misconception does highlight is the lack of an industry-wide approach. Finding the right way to measure your PR therefore requires careful consideration. (more…)

80:20 Communications was invited to present to a group of Guildford-based SMEs last night, who wanted to learn about public relations. The evening was organised by networking group Raw Business and Marc used the session to explain the main principles of media relations and various techniques that SMEs can use to do their own PR effectively. It was nice to contribute something to the local business community in this way, and has given us the idea of developing some training-based services that smaller firms could afford. More on that to follow.

Yesterday’s ‘disastrous’ encounter between British prime minister Gordon Brown and forthright voter Gillian Duffy may prove to be a decisive moment in the General Election campaign. Certainly, the PM will have to work hard to repair his reputation. However, thanks to the public’s general weariness with spin, both in politics and business, a public failure or embarrassment can sometimes work to your advantage. (more…)

We’re told from childhood that “a picture tells a thousand words”, but it is striking how many people forget this idea in adulthood. If you are trying to communicate a message, well-executed photography can be a powerful weapon and should be factored into any PR programme. However, success hinges on using the right approach. (more…)