This new media thing just keeps rolling and rolling

I have been busy of late what with work and helping organise the CIPR's Northern Conference which took place yesterday in Leeds.

Overall it was a great event, even if I do say so myself, with 150 people coming from as far away as Belfast(!). I find it bizarre that with so many PR firms in Yorkshire - not to mention Manchester or the North-East - so few events happen here. One comment on the feedback form summed it up: 'more PR events in Leeds'!

Anyway, I was pleased to hear all three keynote speakers: FT UK business editor, John Willman; chief press officer at First Direct, Rob Skinner; and CEO of Editorial Intelligence, Julia Hobsbawm; flag up that PR and media is changing fast and that PROs need to adapt to the changes or else (hear that Colin?).

None of these remarks were prompted so it was good to hear journos and PROs raising the issue. It was also good to see the best attended workshop being Stuart Bruce's blogging seminar.

The award for keynote most uncomfortable with new media must go to Julia Hobsbawm, whose uttered "erm... blogging and things..." didn't really convince me. But hey that's ok, she knows David Blunkett and Kimberley Quinn doesn't she?

There's a podcast of selections of the day coming soon and a short promo video that was produced during the course of the day.

There's a more in-depth round-up with pictures including a bit more about the venue (in case anyone wants to run another PR event in Leeds) at Eventualities - Don't Panic, the organisers great blog.

Thanks to all who helped out and those who attended. Even PR ex-student, Alex Pullin, blagged... sorry, blogged her way in! Also, good to meet fellow blogger, Andrew Wake from Don't Panic. When's the double CD out again?

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that Rob Skinner has a personal blog that's worth reading.

Comments

[Andrew Wake]

Hi Simon,

The CD anthology of my Eighties record label is in planning with Cherry Red Records but is currently being hindered by missing master tapes and 20 years of non contact with many of the groups.

Interestingly, we touched upon my feeling that blogging is very similar to the fanzine culture that fed the independent music scene back then so it's worth noting that many of those scissors and glue scribblers are actually now in the mainstream media in one way or another.

When I do finally get round to writing the story of my label bit for it's website you'll certainly recognise many of the names of those who rubbed shoulders in the capital's sticky, beer stained pub venues back then.

For anyone interested in my previous rock and roll existence, you can check out my as yet incomplete label website at -

http://www.mediumcool.info

It desperately needs the google juice!

[Alexandra Pullin]

I resent the 'blagging... sorry blogged her way in' comment - especially when I seem to recall that it was a certain Mr S. Collister who first suggested I 'blag' a ticket! ;-)

Anyway was good to see you and I think that for all my whinging over the price tag - it was a fantastic day.

[Simon]

Haha. You did blog your way in essentially! No offence intended.