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Crisis Comms: Easyjet and the broken seat

A Twitter user went public this morning with a picture, supposedly showing a passenger on an Easyjet flight sitting on a seat with no back on it. Easyjet’s account responded, asking him to take the picture down and then send a direct message with further details, so that they could launch an investigation. Twitter users erupted, how dare Easyjet attempt to censor the internet! They RTd the original post in their droves sending reach through Read more…

By Colin Kelly, ago

Lessons From Hollywood

Top Hollywood producers and directors are turning their attention from the big screen and embracing the world of mobile video production and distribution.   And their interest spells out an important message to anyone in the world of PR or marketing.  At the production end of things Steven Soderbergh has now produced two full length feature films shot entirely on an iPhone.  Last year it was ‘Unsane’ which streamed on Netflix and this year it was Read more…

By Emma Baker, ago

The Paddy Power Of Positive Change

What change do you wish to see in the world? Or, what change do your customers and followers wish to see in the world? Great communication starts with understanding people. The particular group of people that make up your audience. Understand their wants and needs. Their hopes, dreams and fears. And then look to establish if there’s a way you can align your business and your message with what they want. Then flip it. Create Read more…

By Colin Kelly, ago

When The Past Comes Back To Haunt You

Lots of PR and communications specialists (and MDs and CEOs) have far too rigid an idea of what constitutes a crisis. With the world moving at such a speed these days, it would help to be more open minded and recognise that things can flare up out of nowhere and cause serious problems if you’re unprepared. A phenomenon I’ve noticed recently involves the ‘archive’ section of local newspapers. This is a real growth area with Read more…

By Colin Kelly, ago

Blue Water And Crisis Comms

I fear the normally astute John Swinney is out his depth on this one. It’s a brave Government minister who puts his head above (blue) water and tells pupils, teachers and parents that the blue water coming out the taps in their school is nothing to worry about. He’s failed to grasp that even an independent review won’t satisfy many of the individuals affected. And that’s due to the fact that just because something is Read more…

By Colin Kelly, ago

Could Your Team Handle Our ‘Angry Caller’?

Radio phone-in programmes such as Jeremy Vine on BBC Radio 2, Kaye Adams on BBC Radio Scotland and James O’Brien on LBC are interested in one thing above everything else – making great radio. That means, when they are sifting through the calls, text and social media interaction and deciding who to invite on-air to challenge the guest, they are often influenced not simply by the content of the caller’s argument, but by the passion Read more…

By Colin Kelly, ago

Are You Protected Against Fake News?

Last week, an online journal, SearchEngineLand, ran a story about a supposed drop in organic search traffic to the Daily Mail’s website. It carried quotes, which it claimed came from the news publisher’s ‘SEO Director’ Jesus Mendez. But had Mr Mendez really said what the website was claiming he had? Did anyone check? As SearchEngineLand stated in its article, ‘that’s according to a post in the Google Search Console Product Forms from a user claiming Read more…

By Colin Kelly, ago

SmartPhone Video Production, Start Your Own Podcast workshops in Glasgow.

The summer months represent an ideal opportunity to learn some new skills. This summer, Comsteria is running one workshop which will transform the way you create video content for your business and another which will help you launch your own podcast. Both take place in our office in Glasgow city centre, near the bottom of Bothwell Street, a 2 minute walk from Central Station. Emma Baker will run the Smartphone Video Production course and Colin Read more…

By Colin Kelly, ago

It’s Time To Start Respecting (And Paying) Teenagers

Tik Tok is the latest social media platform attracting serious hype and keeping teenagers amused for hours. I’ve been spending some time getting to grips with it for our new Social Media Investigations service. If you want to know more about how Tik Tok works, this video explains what it’s capable of and how to get started and this one from the BBC discusses the privacy concerns which every parent should know about.  With such Read more…

By Colin Kelly, ago
John Myers Leadership Lessons

Leadership Lessons From John Myers

John Myers was a great guy, a brilliant broadcaster and an inspirational leader. I thoroughly enjoyed working for him during my time at Real Radio in Scotland. John passed away on Saturday and is being very fondly remembered by those who knew him best. My thoughts and condolences are with them all. For me, John represented a great deal of what I’d consider a great leader. He shared many of his views on life, work Read more…

By Colin Kelly, ago