public sector
In this time pressured era of 140 characters, infinite news feeds and desktop dining you’d think brevity would be a trait that’s worn like a medal of honour.D-day, the ultimate plan on a page
It was one of the largest, most complex moments of human endeavour in all history and it turns out the man in charge managed to distil his plans down to a single page. Continue reading
10 unthoughts from a comms unconference
Last week I got the opportunity to take part in a PR masterclass in Leeds but also, thanks to the vagaries of the British Transport system, re-enact one of my favourite childhood films, Plaines, Trains and automobiles.
The delays, false starts, and cancellations meant I got to revive the prematurely greying and urbane but impatient Neil Page as I struggled back on the seemingly impossible journey from Yorkshire to Newcastle. Turns out it was a part I was born to play. Continue reading
How do you solve a problem like health & wellbeing?
That sounds like a fairly abstract question I know and it reminds me of a Louis CK stand-up routine, where he plays the part of someone trying to explain to an angry god what a ‘job’ is.
The premise of the joke is that a benevolent creator has provided everything we need to survive and the minute his back is turned the humans have massively overcomplicated everything, leading to a need for jobs, double shot Frappuccinos and bacon cheese burgers.
So there lies the problem for big thematic questions like this, because dealing with big problems is inherently complex, can’t be tackled by one organisation in isolation and there isn’t a narrative that’s easy to communicate. Continue reading
NE Comms conversation #13 “That’s probably why I went grey at about 30”
I really hope you’ve enjoyed all the blogs so far and I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has contributed to a great conversation about our industry in the North East.
Because I would never ask people to do anything I wouldn’t do myself, I’ve had a go at answering some of the questions that I’ve been pestering everyone else with.
I’ve strapped myself down, adopted an aggressive tone, turned on the interrogation lamp (normal weekend stuff really) and tried to add my ten pence worth to the debate.
NE Comms conversation #8 “Last had a night’s sleep in 2005”
Stuart Mackintosh spent nine years in journalism, including a spell as Chief Reporter at The Northern Echo, before moving into communications in 2006.
He has had two spells in North-East local government comms – either side of two years as a consultant – and is a former winner of the CIPR North-East Outstanding Young Communicator award.
Stuart is currently Communications Manager at pensions administrator RPMI, in Darlington
I’ve admired his work (and excellent blogging) for a long time and now he has his say on the North East comms scene….
NE Comms conversation #6 “Drive, diplomacy and discretion”
Caroline Latta has been something of a doyen of health sector communications in the North East for a while now.
She’s currently working as Senior communications and engagement manager at the NHS North of England Commissioning Support and she’s been kind enough to share her thoughts with this blog.
The NHS new starter pack, bleepers & pictures of cake
Learning about the NHS and how healthcare comms works has been a real learning curve.
Leaving local government: my 7 PR highlights
Firstly, sorry about the title. It’s hardly Leaving Las Vegas I know but it’s the only thing I can think of.
As most of you will know I’ve now started a new role in the NHS, leaving behind the grit bins, potholes, landfill tax and all the other local authority issues that I’ve wrestled with over the past seven years. Continue reading
7 thoughts on communications for 2014
The turn of the year when you’re meant to look forward and make resolutions is well behind us.
Even that bit at the start when everyone dries out and acts miserable is over, so a few state of the nation observations are probably now (over)due. Continue reading
a day without OJ - A comms, digital & PR blog by Ross Wigham 