International media relations and training
Track European Commission IST Programs
e-Newsletters
The power of multimedia
International Press events and hospitality
Web Site English language audits & content management
Contact Us
Previously a black art, media relations has moved on to become a critical part of your integrated business processes. We think business process and how communication systems are best integrated within your own enterprise. We also believe that best practices can improve the quality and consistency of our business and help people manage expectations when working with the press. We also take a broad view of communications, to get an Integrated Approach. See our White Paper on this subject.
With this view we can help you streamline these processes, integrate them with your website and help you create news oriented stepping stones that track the progress of your company. We can also help you build up international communities of press and train you to think about what the press needs to make your communication more effective.
A journalist's business is a process. Getting good coverage these days is more a question of your understanding this so that you can balance expectations with results. Unfortunately, you probably didn't cover this as you were completing your marketing or business degree. We have documented this in a way that we hope will help you when working with the press.
If you would like to read our White Paper on understanding the press process just click on this link. Or if you wish to have a short powerpoint presentation summary on how to better work with the press, click here for a free copy of our Media Training checklist
Trying to understand the European Union
If there's one business that's booming in Brussels it's EU lobbying. To
many, the EU is a black hole which the accession of new members is making even
more complex.
We're not a lobbying company, or a specialist in EU legislation. But we do track the telecommunications and IT issues and programs that could interest your company. Perhaps your company would be interested in participating in the activities that the European Commission organises as part of the 6th Framework or IST programs. Maybe you would like to find partners and become a part of this activity. Our company was part of a multi-country group which produced the first successful web-based electronic newsletter for the high performance computing sector in Europe.
For us the European Commission is a market: approachable, identifiable and workeable in the same way as other markets. There are channels to reach this market, even if it's for as basic an objective as to increase name recognition of your company with the people who are making decisions.
It helps that we're here in Brussels. Contact us if you feel that EU outreach should be a part of your marketing strategy.
Electronic newsletters
The internet has made it easy for companies to send selective information to key
customers or prospects, at costs that are ridiculously low compared to those
of the luxurious 3 language 4 colour company magazines we ourselves produced a few years
ago.
Many companies haven't realised there is an increasing convergence in Europe, which can add up to benefits of cross-fertilisation across multiple countries. For example, an application or case study in Holland can interest a prospect in Germany, France or Italy. It can bring business.
Same process, similar problem. If you want to economise, the English language, kept short and simple with good illustrations, can work right across Europe, though we can adapt if more depth is required.
Newsletters are another way of re-purposing the information that you may have developed for your web site, sales staff or internal reference program.
Are you using your references effectively across Europe ? Are your key users getting the international recognition they deserve? Perhaps it's time to pull this together.
Using
multimedia
There are some incredibly creative multimedia production outfits here in Europe.
One of the latest productions we made for a global telecoms client had a life
cycle of 3 years and fronted conferences, press announcements, customer seminars
and sales conferences. Cost per contact, this can be highly effective as well as
motivating for your staff.
No, we don't do it ourselves. We have a wonderful partner in London. James is an ex-ITV producer who's a pleasure to work with.
Nowadays multimedia and high impact audiovisual productions are within the reach of many companies. They can be used to provide the icing on the cake for important events, for the web as streaming video or even integrated into your powerpoint presentations as an interactive tool for the sales folks to take on the road.
There are even specialist companies that can re-merchandise this content to the TV and production companies around Europe.
It's not the same financial level as creating a press release, but your company can get powerful mileage out of these. In a high impact world, perhaps it's time your company started thinking that multimedia can shape up your image for you.
Events
We have extensive experience in planning and implementing International corporate user and press
conferences and seminars in European capitals.
A one day briefing held in one of Europe's capitals is a highly effective way of optimising the time of senior management - an alternative to a multi-country executive road show ( which we also organise).
This kind of an event brings together communities of journalists from different European countries and gives a higher impact for a major kick-off or product launch. Lower cost air and train travel in Europe now makes this kind of event more attractive for the corporate budget. Our participation involves theme and concept development, logistics coordination as well as media relations support and integration.
The same event model can also be used for European user meetings, to which press can also be added. We have used Brussels, London, Amsterdam, Geneva, Paris, Zurich and Monaco as venues for customers wishing to capitalise on a centrally focused event as an alternative to individual country meetings
Web Site
audits and content management
Our business does not include the design and structuring of internet Web Sites.
There are enough excellent specialists around to provide this service. What does
concern us as professional communicators is the quality of the site you may
already have, especially if it uses English language - a common trend for fast
growing mainland Europe companies.
For us a website presents the milestones of your company progress. That's why by
integrating regular news you can keep it alive and fresh. If you would like a
free independent audit of how we think your present website serves your company,
just give us a call.
The quality of the English language is one
concern, as well as the presentation. We have experience in writing simple
English for a pan-European audience. Ongoing content managment as part of your
marketing plan is also important, as is coordination with corporate communications strategies
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