So, one of Scotland’s biggest quangos, Scottish Enterprise, has become rather too enterprising in its media relations. Sniffing the air, the communications gurus at the organisation’s glass and aluminium temple which dominates the city’s newly renovated riverside “International Finance District” detect the acrid smell of burnt ash floating their way from the coalition Government’s bonfire of the quangos.
Scottish Enterprise’s £283 million budget is to be slashed in the near future. This has stirred their staff into action. Four press releases in four days trumpeting SE’s achievements are to thump on to the desks of the nation’s business editors this week. One problem – none of the information in them is new. The Herald newspaper (Glasgow’s national daily) is so incensed by the blizzard of unnecessary releases that they devoted a three column news story and a quarter page opinion piece to a rant about it. “Recycling the figures on achievements in press releases over four days cannot massage the unacceptable level of pay-offs, pensions and bonuses at SE” fumes the paper’s business leader-writer. So here beginneth the lesson from Media Mentor: Rule One – don’t treat editors like idiots. Rule Two – don’t treat editors like idiots. Rule Three – (you get the idea….)
Tags: Herald, PR, Quango, Scottish Enterprise
Posted in Latest Media Training News | 2 Comments »
September 8th, 2010 at 7:31 am
Just wanted to clarify a few things in relation to this post and also the article in yesterday’s Herald.
Firstly, the news we’re reporting on this week is not old news. Some of the figures we’re reporting on were included in our annual report and accounts which was laid with the Scottish Parliament last month but have not been announced until now.
Our approach this week is to give some more narrative around these figures so with each news release, we’re also including commentary, case studies and links to relevant research and evaluation to really highlight the impact we’re having from our activities.
It also recognises the fact that people get their news differently these days and is being sent not just to media but the 300+ customers, stakeholders and partners who have signed up to our media centre and also our 900 followers on Twitter.
We’re obviously disappointed that the Herald didn’t like our approach but we’re greatly encouraged by the positive coverage we’ve achieved so far in the Scotland on Sunday, Sunday Herald, Scotsman, Press and Journal and on BBC and are hopeful this will continue for the rest of the week.
If you’d like to read our news in more detail please visit http://www.scottish-enterprise.presscentre.com
September 8th, 2010 at 8:42 am
Neil, you’re certainly on the ball with a swift and measured response. There are always two sides to a story but I hope you enjoyed the writing style of our blog.