Event: Public Relations Conference, Brisbane Australia

Frocomm's 4th Annual PR & New Media Conference 2009 will open it doors in Brisbane in early June. The two major streams are themed around "Welcome to the New World Of Communications" and "How the new media revolution is changing communications".

Here's a taste of some of the speakers presenting:

Sandi Logan, National Communications, Manager, Department of Immigration
The opportunities for public relations practitioners to deliver their messages are so much broader than ever before: reality TV series, internal IPTV broadcasts, web and social media platforms are just a few of the new world of communications options available: how should PR professionals approach these opportunities, prove their value to their organisation and prove a measurable return on investment?

Brian Giesen, Digital Specialist, Ogilvy 360 Digital Influence
Brian was recently head of digital at Ogilvys Washington USA office. He's relocating to Australia. Brian will discuss the Lessons from the US and Queensland digital elections.

Ross McSwain, Director Media and Communications, Queensland Corrective Services
Ross will be on the panel discussing issues management and crisis communications

Josh Deckard, former Press Office staff to George W Bush, Managing a hostile media environment
Lessons from the front line: Josh Deckard has served as President of Forward Thinking Strategies since March of 2008. Prior to founding Forward Thinking strategies, Deckard was the Assistant Press Secretary to President George W. Bush at The White House. He was the longest serving member of the Press Office staff, spanning from 2002-2007. During his time at The White House, Deckard oversaw White House media operations, including major international summits, addresses to the nation, as well as nationally televised press conferences at The White House, Camp David, and abroad.

Luke Worth, Director of Change, Capital & Coast District Health Board, Wellington, New Zealand
Healthy Communication: why are the media and Opposition political parties so keen to label communicators as Spin Doctors? What can we as communicators do to prove our value.

When: Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd JUNE 2009
When: The Stamford Plaza, Brisbane, Queensland
Price: $995 (+gst)
More info: www.frocomm.com.au

Media monitoring

Slice of Life: Jessica Ford of Fordcomm

So what kind of people use Slice Media? Introducing Jessica Ford, Media Monitoring Manager at Fordcomm.

Fordcomm is a medium sized communication and PR consultancy in Newcastle, NSW, specialising in reputation management and development communication for clients in the coal industry, bulk logistics, aluminium production and property development. The consultancy has ten employees and over 15 clients.

In February Jessica decided to review their media monitoring services, and that’s when she discovered Slice. “We chose Slice Media over another media monitoring services because it’s easy to use and it gives us control over what is tracked and for how long. It’s really handy being able to choose your own keywords for the different tracking folders,” Jessica said.

Jessica sets up different tracking folder for each of their clients, enabling them to manage a range of clients and issues simply. “We use Slice to track articles that specifically refer to clients and topical issues relevant to their industries,” Jessica said.

And being all online and digital delivers a raft of benefits for Jessica – no more towers of papers, piles of magazines or wasted time flicking pages. “Slice is also cheaper, faster and more convenient than just relying on subscriptions to newspapers and other publications through the mail. Digital delivery of the articles allows for more efficient management of clippings for our clients,” she said.

Track the media, monitor the message

Web 2.0... what the?

Described as 'Web 2.0 in just under 5 minutes', this fantastic video is a beautiful piece of digital communication.

Video director Professor Mike Wesch of Kansas State University states that:

'My videos explore mediated culture, seeking to merge the ideas of Media Ecology and Cultural Anthropology.'

Heavy sounding stuff. But if you're wondering what web 2.0 is all about, this video is a great introduction as it's both entertaining and informative. It's 'meta web 2.0' - using web 2.0 tools to education about web 2.0. Very cool Prof. Wesch.

This video works not only as an educational tool, it is also an awesome viral marketing piece. Hey we posted it didn't we?! Enjoy.



Track the media, monitor the message

Small business, big opportunity

Sensis' Small Business, Big Opportunity marketing and advertising guide is a free book jammed packed with advice and tips for small business operators. Order your free copy at smallbusiness.sensis.com.au.

Once you've got your name in lights (or in print or on the airwaves as it were!), make sure your Slice tracking folders are setup to track your media coverage.

Happy Slicing! http://www.slicemedia.com.au/

Farewell Brendan, Hello Kevin

Many of you many have had the pleasure of speaking with our lovely Irish telephone consultant Brendan McGreevy. With a tear in our eye, we waved him goodbye as he set off to return to the Emerald Isle, and start up a new publishing empire. We wish you all the best Brendan.

In his place we welcome Kevin Passmore to the team. Kevin has just returned from teaching in China for 6 months and is currently breaking in his new headset. When Kevin’s not brushing up on his Boolean or training for the Oxfam 100km trailwalk, he’s on the phone spreading the Slice gospel and answering your questions.

Happy Slicing. slicemedia.com.au

What? 110 new titles?!

Slice just got a whole lot busier today, with the addition of more than 110 Australian lifestyle magazines added to our tracking list. Slice will now be carving its way through publications such as Australian Mother & Baby, Australian Medicine, Big Issue Australia, city Child publications, Fashion Journal, Life etc., jmag, Instyle, SA Life, TV Hits, Voyeur and Wheels to name few. Hmmm, we may have to increase Slice’s daily carb intake to keep up... they will of course be all low GI.

Happy Slicing. www.slicemedia.com.au

Media Release: Slice launches to the Australian market

Media tracking by the Slice

Tracking the media became a whole lot more accessible today with the launch of SLICE - Australia’s first low cost, web-based media tracking service slicemedia.com.au.

As part of the growing stable of digital assets developed by Media Monitors, CEO John Croll said “Slice fills the gap for small to medium business in need of a low cost media tracking service. Slice represents a great opportunity for SMEs with simple tracking needs, who may otherwise be excluded from the market.”

Slice is simple, accurate and economical. Mr Croll explains, “Subscribers simply log-on, enter their keywords and tracking criteria, and Slice goes straight to work for them.”

Slice continuously tracks an extensive range of Australian and New Zealand press, television and radio media. News items are matched to subscriber criteria and these ‘slices’ are digitally delivered straight into the subscriber’s online account.

As Mr Croll explains, “Subscribers are in complete control - they can change their tracking criteria at any time online to make their coverage as specific or general as they like.”

Slice is geared specifically for Australian businesses. “Unlike other online providers, we track Australian press AND broadcast, and provide the information in a useful format that can be organised according to the individual’s specific requirements” added Mr Croll.

Regional businesses, boutique PR agencies, charities and independent operators will now be able to get online and track the issues that matter to them. Organisations with single issues, or who are event-driven will also benefit from the Slice solution.

Slice is now live and accessible at http://www.slicemedia.com.au/. Take a tour here.

Media Monitors is a world leader in media information services and the leading media monitoring group in Australia and New Zealand. A unique amalgamation of many specialist and respected companies, Media Monitors has grown rapidly over the years by exceeding the needs of customers, by developing new markets and by providing the most comprehensive range of products and services in the coverage of public information.

For further information contact
John Croll, Chief Executive Officer,
Phone 0418-418-433
john.croll@mediamonitors.com.au

Tracking the media, monitoring the message