What started out as a germ of an idea with a couple of my contacts on Twitter has grown into a broad series of posts about the North East PR and communications scene.

What came out of a few light hearted and sometimes tongue-in-cheek questions was a really positive picture of a region that’s getting its mojo back after some extremely tough years.

If you’re looking for some hints and tips from some of the best comms and PR people you’ve come to the right place.

I was also so impressed (but not surprised) at the willingness of PR professionals in these parts to share their ideas so readily so that others can learn from them. Make no mistake – I’ve learned loads from looking at these posts and would say they make some essential reading for anyone looking to break into the profession.

I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who contributed.

Last year a newspaper that should probably know better caused outrage with a  pretty shabbily informed article comparing the North East to the run down US city of Detroit. It implied a sense of hopelessness and self pity, well if you work in comms take a look at some of these and see if it changes your mind……

#1 “Garlic bread” Bryn Littleton

#2 “Lethargy is something that concerns me” Sarah Hall

#3 “…’S’cuse me Mr Cantona” Christian Cerisola

#4 “austerity has seen PR come into its own” Gill Stephenson

#5 “We worry we’ll get it right because we care” Gordon Arnott

#6 “Drive, diplomacy and discretion” Caroline Latta

#7 “I wish I hadn’t taken it so personally” Jill Farmer

#8 “Last had a night’s sleep in 2005” Stuart Mackintosh

#9 “Reputation is everything” Helen Fusell

#10 “Shy bairns get nowt” Sharon McKee

#11 “You cannot ride every horse yourself” Huw Lewis

#12 “creating a meaningful dialogue” Rachel McBryde

#13 “That’s probably why I went grey at about 30” Ross Wigham

#14 “I was growing tired of standing outside burning factories at midnight” Dan Slee

#15 “Too much really strong, good coffee” Kari Owers

#16 “I’d do my own stunts” Andrew Ward

#17 “No we don’t repair telephones” Chris Taylor

#18 “start running well before you’re 40” Julian Christopher

#19 “Don’t hate me for saying that I sleep quite well” Sarah Hughes

#20 “the North East tends to be as passionate about comms as football” Jayne Humble

#21 “It’s about changing people’s perceptions and making a difference” Helen Fox

#22 “Honesty really is the best policy, kids” Mark Grainger

#23 “Embrace digital but don’t forget traditional” Kathryn Dishman

#24 “A job where being nosey helps” Anna-Maria Cooney

#25 “who knows, maybe we’ll be the next big thing” Kerri James