March 26, 2009

Don’t Cut your PR Budgets in a Recession: “If I were down to my last $1, I would spend it on PR. Bill Gates, Microsoft.

Importance of Maintaining PR through a Recession


Don’t Cut your PR Budgets in a Recession: “If I were down to my last $1, I would spend it on PR. Bill Gates, Microsoft founder.


It’s common knowledge that during a recession, businesses that succeed are the ones who don’t cut their PR, advertising & marketing budgets. Therefore this is the perfect time to rise above your competitors.


The danger, in a PR context, for businesses in a recession is that most tend to withdraw, and stop communicating with the outside world. All that happens then is that the outside world stops talking about you.


All dialogue can be then lost with the specific markets and communities in which the business operates and the company’s brand and status is therefore weakened. Unfortunately cutting PR budgets, is a natural response. And unfortunately most of our clients seem to be doing just this.


In better times businesses know that PR is no longer a luxury item but it’s a necessity. This doesn’t change when times are bad. In actual fact PR becomes much more important than ever before. If you start reducing your PR spend, you begin to create a problem that will come back to haunt you for months and years ahead. This problem can usually be very hard & expensive to rectify.


On a positive note during this current economical climate, most PR / Communications Companies and also PR photography companies like ourselves are more than willing to negotiate discounted rates with our clients. It’s also worth bearing in mind that you will also find Web Site Design & SEO companies willing to reduce their prices, giving you the opportunity to promote your web presence more cost effectively. I recently paid a company around £250 for some work on my web site recently is already reaping rewards. It’s also the best time to negotiate Advertising fees with Newspapers, Magazines & Television companies.


Just remember that when we do start turning the corner and heading out of these bad economical times, which we will, it’s the businesses that have spent more on PR that people will be going to first because of their ongoing PR & communications strategies.


Another point worth thinking about is that most of the news we see & read is so depressing. Contrary to what most people believe people are always interested in more positive stories. Every Company has plenty of these so use this to your advantage. Most companies don’t realise they could be getting press coverage almost once a week if they have a good relationship with a good PR company.


Never underestimate the power of PR.

March 20, 2009

Dobson Agency now has it's own FACEBOOK group

We have recently created our own Dobson Agency Facebook group which you are welcome to join and find out more about us and our photography services. We look forward to getting to know you better. See you soon. Join us Keith




March 16, 2009

Photographing Neil Morrissey at his new pub, in North Yorkshire

I recently had the pleasure of photographing actor Neil Morrissey & celebrity chef & fellow business partner Richard Fox at their pub Ye Olde Punchbowl in Marton-Cum-Grafton, in North Yorkshire.

I was commissioned by
The Publican Newspaper to do some photography for a feature on Neil and Richard’s micro brewery, where they produce their own MorrisseyFox brands of beers.

It’s a really lovely pub they have, with a very stylish mixture of old and contemporary design. I didn’t have chance to eat this time, but, the food looks fantastic. So I’m looking forward to booking a table in the near future and sampling their menu.

I was impressed with their beer too. While I was there I had a glass of MorriseyFox Blonde which I found to be a very refreshing pint. It’s a hybrid of Larger and Ale, and if only I wasn’t driving I would have quite happily sunk a few more.

Before I left I asked if Neil if he could right a little message to my son, as he is struggling with his English work at school. One of his favourite TV programs is BBC’s
Waterloo Road, in which Neil stars as Dept Head of School Eddie Lawson. Neil very kindly agreed, and my son was over the moon. I must say we have noticed him trying harder since.

Link to the feature & photographs in the Publican…
CLICK HERE





March 10, 2009

Muscular Dystrophy Campaign Tesco Charity of the Year 2009.

We were recently commissioned by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign to photograph 32 of their Tesco Charity of the Year photo-shoots throughout the UK. All of these were completed within 5 days.

All the images from the 32 locations were uploaded by our photographers directly to each individual assignment created on our web site’s secure client area for the charity to view & download when they please. Making life much easier for them, and saving them a lot of time and hassle.

More information below on
Muscular Dystrophy and the COTY, please see below…
The
Muscular Dystrophy Campaign has been selected as Tesco Charity of the Year 2009 as the staff and customers of Britain’s biggest retailer aim to raise £3 million for the Giving children equipment to be independent campaign. Tesco staff and customers can help us buy vital specialist equipment for children with muscular dystrophy, allowing them to lead happier, more independent lives.

http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org/tesco