SideWiki allows members of the public to contribute information next to any webpage. You install it as a browser sidebar and once installed, you can read and write entries along the side of the page.
Having already been sidetracked by the new gizmo and a client with poor reviews, I am of the opinion that it will be another important thing for digital PRs to manage.
While there are some safeguards built in, it is essentially a licence for web-rogues to have a pop on any website they want to.
Some say it’s a good thing for the legal professional, but for PRs is it just another thing to monitor in a long list?
To be fair it probably is. But lets not get too down-beat – I’m sure it will present many ‘opportunites’ too. Besides, some clever-tech will soon design a programme were you can monitor all your important websites in one. That’s if Google has not already done so…
Ex-NOTW editor Andy Coulson came out on top of today’s Culture Select committee meeting, despite attempts from Labour spin-doctors to move the story into the political agenda and score valuable points over the Tories.
David Cameron’s recently appointed aide delivered a text-book case of reputation management by admitting guilt, welcoming an investigation, and generating some sympathy for himself – oh and humouring his audience with some clever name dropping: “I never asked for a Gordon Taylor story, I never commissioned an Gordon Taylor story, I never read a Gordon Taylor story, I never published a Gordon Taylor story,” he replied.” With all respect to Gordon Taylor, he is hardly a household name.”
The inconclusive evidence will leave many disappointed and Coulson’s careful handling will prevent a repeat of the ‘banker’s barrage’, featuring Fred the Shred et al, being played out in the media.
Its not been around since the nineties and with all between now and then, for many, today is the launch of the Sony What, man?
Yes, the Walkman is an iconic brand but for those younger than 20, few will appreciate what it symbolises.
Granted, its had a massive revamp and with features like: OLED touchscreen, Wi-Fi and built-in noise cancellation it does have a chance of competing.
But for me the Apple brand is far too powerful. And its not only established amongst today’s ‘trendies’ its also part of the lives of the then, ‘early adaptors’. Most of whom are now too stuck in their ways to change.
So apart from an: “Oh, Doris they have bought the Sony Walkman back, do you remember that when cassettes were around”? Or a: “Bruv, that Danielle Bux is fit man, init”? I doubt many Apple fans will be motivated to change – especially with price tag of £200+.
Let’s be honest, even Sony themselves admit: “We hope it will rival the iPod“. Not a convincing enough statement for me. If they don’t have much faith, then why should we?
Hooray for the Gurkhas! It is hard to think of a group of people who deserve to be in this country more.
It is just a shame that the Gurkha veterans – some on their death beds – have been dragged through an even longer legal battle than most of them probably experienced in their military tenure. All to establish the basic presumption that: “Those who fight for our country have a right to live in our country”.
And hats off to actress Joanna Lumley, whose father was an officer with the 6th Gurkha Rifles, for campaigning for justice for this long. You deserve equal plaudits and perhaps even a few letters after your name…
But what interested me most about yesterday’s media coverage was David Cameron’s share of voice.
Where did he come from? Where has he been throughout this campaign? A text book example of how to get media coverage by piggy-backing a news story. An established brand and a solid comment with a different angle will go far.
Whether he deserves to be in the same picture or even mentioned in the same breath as the Gurkhas, or Joanna Lumley, is a different matter. But job done – another shot fired at Gordon. Only time will tell whether it is just a flesh wound or another nail in the coffin…
Yes I am a man – but by no means a sexist one. And I probably should avoid this subject for fear of being labeled one – but I can’t help myself: Harriet Harman’s Equality Bill demands re gender pay audits are absolutely absurd.
Has she not noticed that we are in a recession? How does she propose that the thousands of struggling SMEs in the UK fund these pay gaps? Does she not realise that this is an unnecessary pressure to put on our businesses which will ultimately keep them in the red and us in a recession for longer?
Also, look at how many people are out of a job – some may argue that the bankers of this world deserve it – but there are many skilled workers unemployed. And don’t forget all the graduates looking to break into the labour market.
Businesses should not be worrying about recruiting the right about of women and men at the moment, not even worrying about ethnic minorities or people with disabilities.
We are in a recession! Its simple – we need the best people for the job, with a passion to succeed, drive exports to international businesses and get this country out of the economic hole it is in.
So, Harriet, if you really want to make use of yourself I suggest you stop moaning, get your head down and start working towards achieving a healthy level of employment in this country.
You are meant to be a role model for professional women, and men, so stop moaning and get on with your job!
Until today I have never doubted Boris, but I’m now wondering if what his doubters were saying almost a year ago was true – that he will use his position as Mayor to move onto bigger and better things.
So here I am reading about Boris “considering all of his options” and asking myself why. Why say this and why say this at a time when Labour is firmly on the back foot? Where’s the team spirit, Tories? I thought politics was all about kicking the opposition when they were down…
His comment can be compared to that of a petulant footballer’s. Or something an agent might say in a bid to secure his client a move to Real Madrid or an improved contract with his current club.
Well perhaps that’s it? Perhaps Boris wants a transfer to 10 Downing Street or a bumper pay packet to see him through until after the Olympics – which ironically he can only do if re-elected.
At least with Ken you could see he had passion for the job. Honestly, Boris, why make people question your commitment to the country’s Capital on St. George’s Day?
And if you did want out then don’t make suggestions while holding the flag of your country. Or was that an ingenius piece of crisis PR by your press office – just to show you do care afterall?
