Phew! What a year since Bristol RFC arrived at Stradey Park to help bring down the curtain on 129 years of history at one of world rugby's most famous arenas.
There's been a move to a new stadium, a change of senior management at the club, a radical re-think of how the Scarlets connect with their fanbase - and lots of highs and lows on the playing side.
Of course, there had been a big media build-up to that still, black night of Friday, October 24, 2008. Two weeks before the final whistle there had been Heineken Cup defeat in Llanelli as Harlequins produced a stirring second-half display to win 29-22. A week before the West Countrymen arrived there had been more jitters as Llanelli RFC - the "originals" some will insist - lost 16-10 to Pontypridd on a bright Saturday afternoon of Principality Welsh Premiership rugby.
But now the scene was set for the last rip of the studs on the Stradey turf. And the Scarlets were in no mood to let the occasion pass quietly, quaintly or submissively. There would be pride, there would be flair, there would be a win.
In advance of the 7.10pm kick-off came a hurried and scurried few hours of activity.
The media were there early - more than 250 media personnel would rush in and out through the course of the day. The BBC were broadcasting from breakfast time and the story would move up the Beeb's news agenda as time went on. Eventually BBC News 24 were running hourly updates.
The Scarlets staff were there hours ahead of usual, checking ticket allocation, health and safety measures, food and drink supplies, marquee requirements, sound systems, the pitch, programme deliveries and stewarding levels.
Former captains gathered in one marquee, chatting, laughing, backslapping, reminiscing. Names included Leigh Davies, Scott Quinnell, Wayne Proctor, Robin McBryde, Ieuan Evans and Rupert Moon. There was Phil Davies, Phil May, Derek Quinnell, Phil Bennett and many more. They were eventually paraded onto the pitch escorted by Llanelli Schoolboys U11s.
There was a special presentation to former coach Gareth Jenkins, presentations to past chairmen and presidents, half-time music from Caryl Parry Jones and a final team photo of past captains, chairmen and presidents on the half-way line.
The Scarlets Choir and Cor Meibion Llanelli sang Sosban Fach and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. There were fireworks.
You know what? There was a match too! The EDF Energy Cup challenge of Bristol was swept aside by waves of emotion and passion. Former Bristol centre Rob Higgitt scuttled over for Stradey's last try; Stephen Jones kicked the last points.
The teams remained together on the pitch after the final whistle in a thrilling moment of sporting camaraderie. The Scarlets gave a warmly applauded lap of honour, wing Mark Jones carrying around his tiny baby son.
A few beers later it was all over. It was time to move on. Artefacts were sold as the stadium was stripped by men with screwdrivers and stepladders, the keys for Parc y Scarlets were handed over ... and a new chapter began.
It still feels like it's just beginning, of course. There are plenty of stories waiting to be written about Scarlets rugby.
Few, however, will match the power of that single autumn night when Bristol came to town.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
20 blogs - base camp to a holy (financial) grail
Blogdistributor (http://www.blogdistributor.com/) has just raised its head above the laptop's parapet. It reckons to be a service which links bloggers with commercial operations ... and one which will pay for penning prose via the pixels.
Just one initial problem in my case - any writer wishing to be signed up to become an overnight star needs to have posted 20 blogs and the one you're adoring right now is somewhere around my 16th.
The consequences? A flurry of blogs from Wordsmith For Hire over the next day or two in a bid to unlock the door to global recognition and respect.
To be fair to the Blogdistributor folk, they make no real promise of instant riches and I'm no believer in that possibility. However, in the interests of ongoing research into online communications as a PR tool, you'll soon see me hit the 20 mark.
Just one initial problem in my case - any writer wishing to be signed up to become an overnight star needs to have posted 20 blogs and the one you're adoring right now is somewhere around my 16th.
The consequences? A flurry of blogs from Wordsmith For Hire over the next day or two in a bid to unlock the door to global recognition and respect.
To be fair to the Blogdistributor folk, they make no real promise of instant riches and I'm no believer in that possibility. However, in the interests of ongoing research into online communications as a PR tool, you'll soon see me hit the 20 mark.
The town hall's all a-twitter
The communications team at Swansea Council is in the process of embracing social media ... and all that entails. Tweets and video shorts are among the items now being discussed and planned at weekly news meetings.
A couple of months ago they asked me and a fresh-from-college techno-dude (Sam Nicholls aka Studio8) to report on the positives and negatives of hoisting the authority's messages onto Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and further across the blogosphere. We were delighted to do so.
What we found was a UK public sector already showing encouraging signs of moving with the times and - for this sector - relatively quickly.
Years ago it would have been that local councils didn't keep up. Photography may not have arrived in some town halls until the 1970s - and then banned again once the Pistols turned up. Indeed, in some respects, they still don't keep pace - too many council departments are still working independently of teams performing the exact same function for neighbouring authorities, for instance.
However, look at how some authorities are taking online social networking to heart and I think we're seeing innovations which some private sector media operators could learn from.
Liz Shellard, the Swansea marketing unit's web development manager is inspirational in this regard. She has a close focus on building the council’s search engine rating, achieved largely by luring increasing numbers to authority websites and existing social media platforms.
Social media, she says, is a highly effective way of getting messages to those who don’t wish to get information from the traditional media or from the council website.
Yes, it can be hugely time-consuming if not carefully managed and policed, but tomorrow's information consumer will demand bespoke, personalised services - and that's the way it's going.
Liz told me: “Let’s take them with us – let’s communicate with them how they want. In future years it will be increasingly important for Swansea Council to adapt the way we communicate to take such trends into account.”
Well said, Liz. Enjoy the ride.
More info If you'd like more detail about my Swansea Council social media report, just reply to the blog.
A couple of months ago they asked me and a fresh-from-college techno-dude (Sam Nicholls aka Studio8) to report on the positives and negatives of hoisting the authority's messages onto Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and further across the blogosphere. We were delighted to do so.
What we found was a UK public sector already showing encouraging signs of moving with the times and - for this sector - relatively quickly.
Years ago it would have been that local councils didn't keep up. Photography may not have arrived in some town halls until the 1970s - and then banned again once the Pistols turned up. Indeed, in some respects, they still don't keep pace - too many council departments are still working independently of teams performing the exact same function for neighbouring authorities, for instance.
However, look at how some authorities are taking online social networking to heart and I think we're seeing innovations which some private sector media operators could learn from.
Liz Shellard, the Swansea marketing unit's web development manager is inspirational in this regard. She has a close focus on building the council’s search engine rating, achieved largely by luring increasing numbers to authority websites and existing social media platforms.
Social media, she says, is a highly effective way of getting messages to those who don’t wish to get information from the traditional media or from the council website.
Yes, it can be hugely time-consuming if not carefully managed and policed, but tomorrow's information consumer will demand bespoke, personalised services - and that's the way it's going.
Liz told me: “Let’s take them with us – let’s communicate with them how they want. In future years it will be increasingly important for Swansea Council to adapt the way we communicate to take such trends into account.”
Well said, Liz. Enjoy the ride.
More info If you'd like more detail about my Swansea Council social media report, just reply to the blog.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Heartstrings and headlines
The story of the out-of-work Welsh journalist may not tug at the heartstrings and it's unlikely to hit the headlines. A cocktail of inhuman old stereotypes and distant mega-media managements in self-preservation mode will ensure the lack of furore.
Yet the work sector in which these (mainly) hardworking, modestly paid professionals operate is undergoing a revolution. It's difficult to predict who the winners will be. Or whether there'll be any.
Radical times call for radical thinking and that's what's been occupying the minds of a working party from the National Union of Journalists' Swansea and District branch.
For two months the group has been considering options with one common aim: creating work for freelance and out-of-work journalists based in south-west Wales.
Experts have been consulted, gatherings of interested individuals called, miles clocked, coffees consumed and valued new acquaintances made. Those in the know from the worlds of business start-ups, the co-operative movement and the community regeneration sector have been encouragingly helpful and supportive.
Now - crucially - a marketplace has been identified, trading principles agreed and options for business models are on the table. It may well be that this is an opportunity not to be missed.
It's also time for the union to hand over the reins to a team of members who are passionate about going it alone (with the branch's wholehearted backing and support, of course) and who will take the project forward.
As cliches go, it's now or never - the idea, the marketplace and the professional assistance awaits. All that's needed now is hard work, vision and a great dollop of the teamwork ethic.
Let's get together To find out more, to get involved, to get energised and to start generating work meet up on Monday, October 12, from 6-7pm in the Swansea Yacht Club, close to the maritime quarter's Dylan Thomas Centre.
Details Andy Pearson - 07758 745 240, andy@hopestreetmedia.co.uk
Yet the work sector in which these (mainly) hardworking, modestly paid professionals operate is undergoing a revolution. It's difficult to predict who the winners will be. Or whether there'll be any.
Radical times call for radical thinking and that's what's been occupying the minds of a working party from the National Union of Journalists' Swansea and District branch.
For two months the group has been considering options with one common aim: creating work for freelance and out-of-work journalists based in south-west Wales.
Experts have been consulted, gatherings of interested individuals called, miles clocked, coffees consumed and valued new acquaintances made. Those in the know from the worlds of business start-ups, the co-operative movement and the community regeneration sector have been encouragingly helpful and supportive.
Now - crucially - a marketplace has been identified, trading principles agreed and options for business models are on the table. It may well be that this is an opportunity not to be missed.
It's also time for the union to hand over the reins to a team of members who are passionate about going it alone (with the branch's wholehearted backing and support, of course) and who will take the project forward.
As cliches go, it's now or never - the idea, the marketplace and the professional assistance awaits. All that's needed now is hard work, vision and a great dollop of the teamwork ethic.
Let's get together To find out more, to get involved, to get energised and to start generating work meet up on Monday, October 12, from 6-7pm in the Swansea Yacht Club, close to the maritime quarter's Dylan Thomas Centre.
Details Andy Pearson - 07758 745 240, andy@hopestreetmedia.co.uk
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Why's school so popular?
How come a modest photo of a steel-and-glass atrium at a South Wales comprehensive school tops the Views list on my Flickr platform?
Why does it outstrip neighbouring images of more hi-viz subjects such as professional music (Billy Bragg), pro-sport (British Lions skipper Paul O'Connell, Motherwell AFC, Ashes winner Monty Panesar) and glorious Andalusia?
Each is posted with the same thought put into geo-tags and text tags, each is flagged up on Facebook and Twitter.
Yes, this school is topical in that it's just opened an impressive new main block after an arson attack - but that's surtely not explanation enough.
Inexplicably as well, by the way, a shot of a fairly standard suburban cafe is second in this particular chart. Third is something I'd expected to do reasonably well as it touches on the art of photography and depicts a leading chef all the way from The Ritz London.
Is there rhyme or reason to social media's hookability? Check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/wordsmithforhire/ then place your answers on a tweet, please.
Why does it outstrip neighbouring images of more hi-viz subjects such as professional music (Billy Bragg), pro-sport (British Lions skipper Paul O'Connell, Motherwell AFC, Ashes winner Monty Panesar) and glorious Andalusia?
Each is posted with the same thought put into geo-tags and text tags, each is flagged up on Facebook and Twitter.
Yes, this school is topical in that it's just opened an impressive new main block after an arson attack - but that's surtely not explanation enough.
Inexplicably as well, by the way, a shot of a fairly standard suburban cafe is second in this particular chart. Third is something I'd expected to do reasonably well as it touches on the art of photography and depicts a leading chef all the way from The Ritz London.
Is there rhyme or reason to social media's hookability? Check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/wordsmithforhire/ then place your answers on a tweet, please.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Recession-busting PR package now available
Lots of inquiries are coming in from small businesses looking for PR help to raise their profile as the economy shows hints of picking up. I've responded by creating a new solutions package. Please take a look and pass it on to anyone you know who might be interested.
Cheers,
AP
Hope Street Media A PR solution for Wales’s small businesses
Service A low-cost, effective solution to help small South West Wales businesses climb out of recession.
Aim Regular stories in media relevant to your market
Result Higher profile & higher profits
Method Initial on-site meeting to analyse PR requirements Timeline of regular PR action points On-site no-nonsense consultancy meeting every month Press releases with photography sent to relevant media Advice on other marketing & PR tools eg advertising, leaflets, brochures, newsletters, websites, crisis management, media launches, specialist photography, videography, media coaching, social media (Twitter, Facebook, Flickr etc)
Recession-busting cost £300/month (minimum 12-month contract)
Cheers,
AP
Hope Street Media A PR solution for Wales’s small businesses
Service A low-cost, effective solution to help small South West Wales businesses climb out of recession.
Aim Regular stories in media relevant to your market
Result Higher profile & higher profits
Method Initial on-site meeting to analyse PR requirements Timeline of regular PR action points On-site no-nonsense consultancy meeting every month Press releases with photography sent to relevant media Advice on other marketing & PR tools eg advertising, leaflets, brochures, newsletters, websites, crisis management, media launches, specialist photography, videography, media coaching, social media (Twitter, Facebook, Flickr etc)
Recession-busting cost £300/month (minimum 12-month contract)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Trinity's unholy outlook
Bad news has been a feature of newspapers since the industry began - it sells papers don't you know.
Today, the fact that the doom-laden messages now focus on the news business itself was brought into sharp focus. Trinity Mirror - a margin-hungry nationwide PLC which recently announced an operating profit of almost £50m - has announced the closure of South Wales twin titles the Neath and Port Talbot Guardians.
It'll mean the loss of 15 jobs, a fight by National Union of Journalists members to highlight their heartfelt concerns for print's future ... and the drastic diminution of the crucial local information network for two great Welsh towns.
Neath (population around 47,000) and Port Talbot (35,000) deserve better than the cold, distant relationships offered to them by regional dailies the Western Mail and the South Wales Evening Post. They've enjoyed the warmth of the Guardians for 80 years; the journals have been a cornerstone of their communities.
Which non-Establishment enterprises will now hold in close check the tax-heavy goings-on at the local council and in the courts? Which media will genuinely celebrate the next rugby trophy won by Neath RFC, Aberavon RFC - or by the neighbourhood under-11s? How many ticket sales will be lost at the local cinema, theatres and operatic society presentations? When the hospital wants to publicise news of new visiting hours, the politicians of their surgeries and the police of their Pact meetings - what effect will the loss of the Guardians have?
The demise of the Neath and Port Talbot Guardians - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8273676.stm - is alarming. And they won't be the last local rags to go in these trying times; if you live in a smallish town with a tidy looking weekly newspaper please look after it, support it, buy it.
Good luck to anyone in line to lose their job, best wishes to the Trinity Mirror journalists fighting their corner and all strength to any ... body energetic enough to work hard to rebuild the crucial local media network in those two great Welsh towns.
As newspaper-loving townsfolk are denied their own local papers, here's where Trinity Mirror stood in their latest half-yearly financial report (June 2009) - group revenue £383m, digital revenue £18.6m, operating profit £49.1million.
Have a word, someone!
Today, the fact that the doom-laden messages now focus on the news business itself was brought into sharp focus. Trinity Mirror - a margin-hungry nationwide PLC which recently announced an operating profit of almost £50m - has announced the closure of South Wales twin titles the Neath and Port Talbot Guardians.
It'll mean the loss of 15 jobs, a fight by National Union of Journalists members to highlight their heartfelt concerns for print's future ... and the drastic diminution of the crucial local information network for two great Welsh towns.
Neath (population around 47,000) and Port Talbot (35,000) deserve better than the cold, distant relationships offered to them by regional dailies the Western Mail and the South Wales Evening Post. They've enjoyed the warmth of the Guardians for 80 years; the journals have been a cornerstone of their communities.
Which non-Establishment enterprises will now hold in close check the tax-heavy goings-on at the local council and in the courts? Which media will genuinely celebrate the next rugby trophy won by Neath RFC, Aberavon RFC - or by the neighbourhood under-11s? How many ticket sales will be lost at the local cinema, theatres and operatic society presentations? When the hospital wants to publicise news of new visiting hours, the politicians of their surgeries and the police of their Pact meetings - what effect will the loss of the Guardians have?
The demise of the Neath and Port Talbot Guardians - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8273676.stm - is alarming. And they won't be the last local rags to go in these trying times; if you live in a smallish town with a tidy looking weekly newspaper please look after it, support it, buy it.
Good luck to anyone in line to lose their job, best wishes to the Trinity Mirror journalists fighting their corner and all strength to any ... body energetic enough to work hard to rebuild the crucial local media network in those two great Welsh towns.
As newspaper-loving townsfolk are denied their own local papers, here's where Trinity Mirror stood in their latest half-yearly financial report (June 2009) - group revenue £383m, digital revenue £18.6m, operating profit £49.1million.
Have a word, someone!
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