22 Aug 2008

Welcome to my late summer newsletter. With a bit of luck you’ve managed to squeeze in a summer break or maybe yours is just around the corner.

Hopefully your businesses are busy and have survived the traditionally quieter months of July and August.

Time for an update from Anna Addison Associates……..

Summer generally is a quieter time for me and a chance to catch up on dreaded admin! But this year I have bucked the trend and I’ve seen a marked rise in enquiries and new clients since June.

When I have delved deeper into why people are choosing PR at this stage, many have cited a drop in advertising budgets (yes, because of the much talked-about credit crunch) and the realisation that using PR can be better value. Also, summer is the ideal time to get websites ship shape and I have been busy with many copywriting projects- don’t forget that’s another service on offer.

So here’s my latest news….

I am pleased to say I have again been asked to be involved with A Taste of Africa which returns for its fifth year in October. The colourful multi-cultural event takes place all over Teesside and includes an exhibition of black arts, an African awards dinner at the Wynyard Rooms and a debate on racial equality at the University of Teesside in Middlesbrough. A Taste of Africa will culminate in a massive day of celebration in Middlesbrough town centre and at Middlesbrough Town Hall on October 24th. The day will include street performances, music, food and fashion shows.

The Learning and Skills Council, Tees Primary Care Trust, the Department of Health, Northumbrian Water and Equality North East are already signed up as sponsors. Organisers are currently inviting businesses and organisations to become sponsors of the event which is expected to attract over 5000 people. A range of opportunities are available. Please contact Sade on 01642 611443 or 07748 644864 or email info@culturescic.co.uk. Visit www.tasteofafrica.org for more information.

Unity City Academy in Ormesby, Middlesbrough recently asked me to come on board to help promote some of their achievements and events.  The academy recently hit the headlines thanks to its new Applied Enterprise Centre, which will teach young people vocational skills such as motor mechanics, construction, catering, horticulture and hair and beauty. Their open evening on Tuesday 23rd September will showcase the new centre to potential new students and parents.

On a totally different note- you might have heard of Gok Wan- love him or loathe him he’s all over at the moment. But, a little closer to home, Sally Hanley is a professional personal and corporate image consultant who has teamed up with life coach, Anne Ellis, to offer businesses specially-tailored Personal Development Packages. The ladies, from York and Harrogate respectively, help to boost confidence, image and ultimately sales. Visit http://www.clearlyconfidentimage.co.uk/

Medical manufacturers, Attends, is another new client who I have been working with as they continue with their European expansion. The Newcastle company is one of the UK’s largest producers and distributors of disposable incontinence pads and has recently invested over £10 million in products to help it expand further across Europe.

DigitalCity, based at the University of Teesside’s Institute of Digital Innovation, is going from strength to strength and I have I had the pleasure of meeting some of the current fellows over the summer. Multi-sensory furniture, text-dating and interactive classroom dance tools are just a selection of the creative businesses emerging.

If you fancy becoming involved with DigitalCity, they’re looking to recruit more professional mentors who work with its fellows on creative and technical projects. Each mentor provides essential one-to-one support to graduates working in emerging industries such as animation, video games, multimedia and films.  As a mentor you provide the expertise to help the fellow produce work to industry standard, develop existing skills and take their ideas to market. Mentors can be based anywhere in the UK but must have the desire to help emerging talent in the North East. http://www.idi-uk.org/

And, staying with DigitalCity, I am looking forward (with a certain amount of trepidation admittedly!) to holding my first workshop for the team next week. I’ll be speaking to some of the fellows about how creative industries can promote themselves in the media and how to create their own opportunities. I might even see some of you there!

That’s it for now- more news in the News Room.

As some of you will be aware the office will be closed whilst I am on holiday from Thursday September 4th reopening on Thursday September 11th.

Thanks for you continued support,
Anna

Summer's Coming......

23 May 2008

February 2008- A Brand New Year...

12 Feb 2008

Seasons Greetings from Anna Addison Associates

18 Dec 2007

Autumn Newsletter

03 Oct 2007

Spring Newsletter from Anna

17 May 2007

January 2007- Happy New Year

30 Jan 2007

November Update- Welcome!

13 Nov 2006