OpenCoffee comes to Sheffield

Following the success of the OpenCoffee networking events we have held in Bradford, bmedi@ are running another event on Thursday 4th December 2008 in SHEFFIELD.
The emphasis of OpenCoffee is very much on the internet and new media industries etc. These free events are informal and see a range of technology entrepreneurs, designers, bloggers, developers, geeks, investors and anyone else who’s interested in digital media and technology exchanging ideas and striking up relationships that would otherwise never have flourished.
The philosophy of OpenCoffee is very much of an Open House of ideas and people.
OpenCoffee SHEFFIELD, is being sponsored by bmedi@ and the Showroom Sheffield. The event will take place on Thursday 4th December 2008 at The Showroom Sheffield from 10am to midday. The Showroom is located at Paternoster Row, Sheffield, S1 2BX.
Please note it is only a two minute walk from the train station to the venue and various car-parks are available in the area.
The event is open to anyone who is interested in the region’s digital, creative and new media industries. You’re welcome to enjoy the coffee, bacon butties, the cakes and the company. We do however need to have an idea of numbers for catering, so please book your place by contacting Steve Ding either by e-mail steve@bmedia.org.uk. or ring 01274 747400. You can also register at Upcoming.
We look forward to networking with you.

Project your self

GREEN Communications has been appointed to create a launch PR campaign for a new generation of pocket projectors. So this week I have been messing around with one of the pocket projectors being distributed by Personal Projector.
The Aiptek projector takes a bit getting used to by luckily Personal Projector offer a one to one service and were able to talk me through any problems. So much so that I will be using it in a couple of weeks to present a pub quiz at my rowing club.
Personal Projector retails a range of new projectors which provide professional presenting and display technologies without the need to use traditional large projectors or even a laptop.
The devices, which are about the size of the Apple iPhone, can display document files such as PowerPoint, Excel, Word and PDF’s, photos and slideshows and even video files, and can produce a high contrast quality display up to 50 inches.
Shiny Media have already done a review which you can find here. My verdict is that if I wasn't given one I would probably buy one - perfect for a mobile sales team, or anyone pitching new business, or showing family holiday snaps and videos - or even doing a pub quiz.

Fancy a job with GREEN Communications?

GREEN Communications is recruiting again. This time we are looking for a talented Account Manager with a sound knowledge of the consumer, lifestyle and business sectors to join our highly motivated team.
You will need to hit the ground running and have a passion for creative media relations, a desire to deliver outstanding coverage for your clients, the ability to think on your feet and manage an executive team.
The ideal candidate will need a broad spread of media contacts across consumer, lifestyle and business within the broadcast, national press, consumer press, online as well as freelancers.
An interest in social media is also desired. There will also be scope to develop a role at GREEN’s in community relations and public consultation.
The work you will be required to undertake will have a broad business and consumer focus and will include working as part of a team to help implement high profile campaign activity.
Further information visit call Ian Green on 0845 4503210. Send CVs with covering letter to Ian at Green Communications, Wakefield Media Centre, 19 King Street, Wakefield, WF1 2SQ or email: ian@greencomms.com.

Talking at the Art of Marketing

I'm getting ready for a gig in Gateshead tomorrow as I am speaking at this years’ The Art of Marketing Conference at The Sage.
The Art of Marketing is organised by Business Link and the Chartered Institute of Marketing takes place on Monday, November 10. The event has been designed to appeal to anyone with a marketing remit, whatever their company size, whether they be regional businesses, marketers or PR professionals.
With a mix of workshops and presentations, the event will act as a forum to share knowledge and best practice and will help attendees inject new direction and creativity into their marketing plans.
I will take part in the Digital Dialogue in an open discussion about the impact of digital media on marketing on communications – in particular focusing on Social Media and the impact of blogs and social networks.
Other speakers include: Ian Gibbons of Mobious; Ki Media’s Kev Price and Paul Asensio from Robson Brown.
Full Disclosure: The Chartered Institute of Marketing is a client of GREEN.

Testing time for Azor

Through FuelMyBlog those nice people at King of Shaves, where CEO Will King is a very active corporate blogger, have sent me a Azor razor and some of there excellent shaving gel.
I already use the King of Shaves gel, having been introduced to it by my son, and it works very well.
Anyway I presume they sent me the Azor to test it out and see what I think about. Let me make one thing clear I am like Esau - I am a very hairy man. I shave every morning and by lunch time I usually have a 5 o'clock shadow.
The closest shave I have ever had has been with a cut-throat razor - but that was done by a professional barber and I don't think I would ever have the skill or courage to do it myself.
As for the Azor, it gave me the best shave I have had for ages - and while I generally use Gillette disposable razors (they're blue - don't ask me what they are called) I would be tempted to convert full time to Mr King's razor.

Gold award for GREEN

Congratulations to colleagues at Green which won gold at this year’s CIPR PRide Awards for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire for a campaign it ran on behalf of Graduates Yorkshire - the dedicated website for matching employers in Yorkshire & Humber with graduate talent from the region’s universities.
We ran a campaign informing businesses and local authorities the importance of investing in graduate recruitment to achieve economic regeneration. It was based on a report by Geoeconomics, commissioned by Graduates Yorkshire, which claimed Yorkshire and the Humber’s long-term ambition to become a successful knowledge economy is threatened by its failure to retain more graduate talent in the region.
The Graduates Economies in Britain report provided a snapshot of the region’s position in the graduate intensive “knowledge economy” and highlights the crucial role that graduates have in supporting and strengthening the knowledge intensive sectors.
Graduates Yorkshire Chief Executive Martin Edmondson, said: “This campaign was successful because the report is vitally important to the region’s future and Green Communications found a way of making an in depth report accessible and relevant to people in Yorkshire.”
“The findings are even more relevant in these economic conditions. Companies need to keep investing in graduate talent to improve efficiencies, become more productive and achieve high value returns.By investing in the future, Yorkshire firms will become more robust against the downturn and be in a position to achieve real growth when the business climate improves.”
Thomas Atcheson, Senior Account Manager at Green Communications, said: “Just like the CIPR Awards for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, The Graduates Economies report recognises the talent and potential we have in the region. We are proud and delighted that our hard work has paid off with an effective campaign and this award is the icing on the cake.”
And the judges said: "Green worked hard to gain standout in this campaign. A very nice balance of online and offline activity to reach stakeholders and keep momentum going. Tangible results generated interest, drove traffic to site; and sign up of employers meant that the core objectives were met. All the judges felt this campaign stood out in the category."
Fair doos the picture shown here is from Pic-Biz.