Programme - Thursday 8 November

Registration from 8.30am for 9.15am start
Lionel Zetter FCIPR, CIPR President, will chair the conference

9.15am
Welcome
Lionel Zetter FCIPR, CIPR President

9.25am
Managing change in a growing global environment
Guy Black, Corporate Affairs Director, Telegraph Media Group

Everyone, from the smallest public relations organisation to the largest consultancy, has to be aware of changes in the growing global media environment in which we all operate today. The Telegraph Media Group has been in the forefront of those changes in the UK media market. Previously director at the Press Complaints Commission and a former Press Secretary to Michael Howard, Guy Black will reflect on:

  • The rapid development of the digital media landscape
  • Is this development good news for communicators, or is it creating major problems?
  • How PR practitioners should be reacting

10.05am
Transforming a brand
Heather Rabbatts CBE, Chief Executive & Deputy Chairman, Millwall Football Club

Having successfully transformed Lambeth Borough Council, Heather Rabbatts has embarked on breaking down barriers at a major London football club to change their image and improve morale. Few women are welcomed into the world of football, far fewer of mixed race who admit to knowing next to nothing about football. But she is an unusual person and loves a challenge.

Learn how one of Britain's most influential women set about making these changes successfully and gain an insight into how she tackles a challenge. She will discuss her successes and failures in terms of:

  • How to get management buy-in
  • The importance of communication
  • Motivating the team
  • Top tips on where to start with such an undertaking

10.45am
Coffee & networking

11.15am
Discussion groups
Four groups will run in the morning and are repeated after lunch.

Ways of Changing behaviour through communication
Di Burton FCIPR, Managing Director, Cicada Communications
Leona Deakin, Partner, Cicada Communications

How to devise an effective environmental policy
Nicola Jackson ACIPR, Head of Communications & Media; Bastien Hibon, Creative Director, Friends of the Earth

New PR Opportunities using Broadcasting
Howard Kosky MCIPR, Managing Director, markettiers4DC

Using new technology in PR
Kai Boschmann ACIPR, Group Head of Corporate Affairs, DSG International

12.15pm
Protecting employee and company reputation
Simon Walker, Chief Executive, The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association.

Following the recent events at BP with Lord Browne's early exit and communications staff at BA involved in recent problems, employee and company reputation should be high on the agenda of all organisations. Previously Communications Secretary to HM The Queen and Director of Corporate Affairs at British Airways, Simon Walker is well suited to advise on the following topics:

  • Crisis planning and preparation
  • How to anticipate problems before they arise
  • How to handle media reaction
  • How to keep staff motivated during a crisis
  • How staff can be helped to protect themselves

1.05pm
Lunch & networking

2.15pm
Discussion groups repeated

3.15pm
Tea & networking

3.25pm
Handling a major crisis
Andrew Francis, Internal Communications Manager, Gloucestershire County Council

In July this year, parts of the UK were hit by major floods, which disrupted people's lives and caused enormous damage. In Gloucestershire, one of the worst hit places in the country, the crisis was initially handled by the Police, working with councils, fire and rescue, health, utilities and the military. However, the role of clearing up and looking to the future has been handled by the County Council. Andrew Francis will discuss the Council's role in this crisis in terms of:

  • How the various agencies worked together in partnership
  • Co-ordinating and communicating messages
  • Communicating with the media
  • The many phases from the deluge to the clearing operation
  • Getting messages to employees who are dealing with the incident while facing problems themselves

4.15pm
Closing remarks
Lionel Zetter FCIPR, CIPR President



 

Conference information

For more details on the conference, contact Elspeth Graham at elspethg@cipr.co.uk.

Developing Excellence

This conference is recognised under Developing Excellence, the CIPR's Continuous Professional Development programme. All CIPR members who have signed up to Developing Excellence can count this conference as part of their 30-hour yearly commitment to CPD.

The scheme is open to all full and associate members of the CIPR and offers a structured way of keeping PR skills up-to-date. All those who complete the scheme are awarded Accredited Practitioner status.

For further information on Developing Excellence, please email DebbieL@cipr.co.uk or telephone 020 7766 3333.

 “Thank you for a very well organised and informative day. It was well worth it.”

Sarah Carless, Account Manager, Michael Rigby Associates, 2006 conference delegate