Communications

Alan Warner
Tel: 01923 264004 - 07979 707302
Email: awassociates@fsmail.net

Annual Report 2009

This year we have had terrific coverage in the media. Lead Officers have been good at getting their “topics” into print and our consultants Communications Management have managed to open a number or doors for us. As such, apart from the normal opinion pieces we are now regularly being asked for an opinion on news items.

The media as an entity is a very hungry beast and the willingness of colleagues to contribute, often at short notice, is very much appreciated.

Thanks to continued support from Tribal, we are still producing good editions of the PPMA Focus in The MJ. In addition to editions that coincide with the LGA, Solace and PPMA conferences we have now added another to appear during the ADSS conference. Trying to think of 16 x 500 word articles, find someone to write, chase them for replies, edit them where necessary and get them into the magazine on time can be challenging, but the good feedback received makes it worth while.

The last 12 months has also seen the PPMA enter the world of the blog. We have been experimenting with this new approach as an alternative to ENGAGE which was our on-line magazine. It appears to be working well, but we need a few more newsy blogs from a wider group. These technology options for communication seem to be growing by the day and on the agenda for consideration is how, if at all, we make use of social networking sites and also whether or not we enter the world of the Twitter. Some of what I have seen so far is rubbish, but we have to guard against falling into the good Vs evil debate that often accompanies new ideas.

A high priority is a revamp/refresh of our website. The association has seen a few false dawns on initiatives that have not been followed through. The website should be a gateway to the PPMA for its members and therefore up to date. It is also a useful vehicle for promoting and supporting our commercial activities and needs to be fit for purpose.

A summary for the year is good media coverage, we now need to focus on how we get the best out of new mediums and on keeping our current web offering up to scratch.

March 2009

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