Congratulations are in order!

The very nature of public relations often calls for us to look for the silver lining. In the spirit of this approach, we'd like to celebrate some small businesses that are doing well, despite the tough economic climate. Sure, we're well aware that the country is enduring a recession. And yes, we also appreciate the ramifications that this situation has had on thousands of New Zealanders, and don't for one second wish to be flippant about this. But, we believe, now, more than ever, it's important to congratulate some of the people and businesses who are bucking the trend, are growing from strength-to-strength and will hopefully become well-known and loved Kiwi brands.

Blunt Umbrellas www.bluntumbrellas.com is a great example of our number 8 wire attitude. Inspired by the idea to take a traditional design and make it better, this product is receiving some great publicity and is no doubt destined to win some design awards. In the food arena, Tasty Pots is a delicious and nourishing new meal solution that has been hugely well received by our media delivering unprecedented coverage for a pr shop foodie client. Perhaps it's the heart-warming lunches, courtesy of Tasty Pots that has inspired us into action! Kidzspace www.kidzspace.co.nz is another example of a small business that is spreading its branches. This fabulous children's furniture business has just opened a second store in Takapuna on the strength of demand from parents on the North Shore.

These young businesses are launching and indeed flourishing in spite of current conditions, and we believe the reason for this is three-fold. Firstly, each business focuses on delivering exceptional service and top quality products, something that consumers insist on when cash is tight. Secondly, they each have people at the helm who are believe so strongly in what they are doing that they won't take no for an answer. They are committed and determined to succeed, and so they shall. Lastly, they appreciate the benefit of putting a spotlight on their product or service to generate some positive, well-placed media exposure. Now don't take this as a shameless piece of self-promotion. It's not (ok, so maybe just a little bit). But it's a simple fact that when times are tough, people are going to be more careful about how they part with their cash. Not only will they insist on top quality and expect great service, but also the real secret is letting them know about your product and convincing them that they need it, through the power of an editorial endorsement. That's the beauty of PR. And the best bit? It's considerably more credible and affordable then advertising, so the businesses can feel more comfortable and confident when parting with their cash too.

the pr shop is proud to announce the launch of a delicious new Twinings tea especially created to get New Zealand off to a great start every morning.

Inspired by the magic of birdsong in the bush as day breaks, Twinings New Zealand Breakfast Tea is now available in-store nationwide. It is the creation of Nelson local Andrew Fenemor who won the Twinings New Zealand Breakfast Tea Challenge in April.

The competition -- a world-first for Twinings -- challenged people to create a blend of tea that captured the essence of New Zealand. Around 250 people submitted entries using the Twinings range as a base, which then went to a judging panel that included Stephen Twining, 10th generation of the Twinings family, New Zealand Master Tea Taster and Blender Matt Greenwood, Paul Henry, Kate Hawkesby, Celia Harvey and Dr Laurence Eyres.

Fenemor’s flavoursome blend came out on top with judges describing it as “brilliantly unique.” In May, Fenemor travelled to London where he met with Stephen Twining and the Twinings Tea Masters who helped him fine-tune his blend. The result is a full-bodied, satisfying blend with generous malty flavours.

To help with the launch of this exciting new tea we handled the pr for the sneak preview supermarket samplings held by Stephen Twining, this included getting Auckland City Mayor John Banks along to help serve tea! We also arranged a morning tea party at the British High Commission in Wellington.

We were lucky enough to try the tea as soon as the ship docked in the country - you should have seen us swear the couriers to secrecy... Now it's your turn to try it - let us know what you think!

I am a fan of all things homemade. This was not always the case, maybe because until the age of ten I was forced to wear homemade outfits by my mother with a tag proudly announcing it was “Homemade with LOVE”. A sure sign for bullying!

But these days’ arts, crafts are not only for your Grandma! Everything homemade is cool – particularly as mass produced items get looked down upon due to a perceived lack of individuality. I was recently in my element at The Auckland Arts and Crafts Fair -a true representation of all the talent we have locally. Gummy Bear pendants, old-fashioned plates with quotes painted on them, candles in teacups, handmade postcards were just some of the goodies on display. I walked away with a handmade journal, postcards and a nifty Alice in Wonderland bookmark.

Craft has also found a home online! The handmade markets are open 24/7.
Some of my favourite websites to find these unique goodies online include:
www.etsy.com
www.madeit.com.au

Luckily for me, I get to promote the Craft & Quilt Fair which will be in Hamilton on 10-12th September and Christchurch 17-19th September. The fair has over 50 exhibitions containing all things crafty including quilting! Quilting has definitely come back into fashion, but isn’t a talent I have mastered yet. Seeing images of the quilts that will be on display makes me realise just how talented these women – young and old - are and I’ll be sure to give it a go over the next few weeks!

Achieving TV News

When you have been in PR as long as we have it is nice to remind yourself of the buzz of achieving great coverage for a client. We were lucky to have one such experience on TV One news – a quirky angle, a snappy product design and a bloody good sell in and we had a story to make us proud. It just so happened we were all TV side watching it as a team, which made the success that much sweeter – the link is here for you to enjoy http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/revolutionary-umbrella-deemed-unbreakable-3625030

Real Food - Literally

After many years specialising in food and drink PR I have witnessed a lot of food trends that have come and gone – organics, anti-carbs, gluten free and low glyceamic and FINALLY, a food trend is appearing that I can feel passionate about. Real food. Food that is served with honesty and integrity. Food that is not purported to make you thin, smarter or shave hours off your day, but food that is made with natural ingredients no added anything and tastes just like nana used to make. Homemade tasting food is what we need to be craving and while there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to spend concocting delicious recipes in the kitchen I applaud all those manufacturers who are creating incredible food that not only make my life easier but my food tasty and appetising (and allow me – on rare occasions – to pass it off as my own). Kohu Road, Tasty Pots, Country Culinaire – you know who you are – take a bow and may many more enter the fray as they’ll be on my shopping list.

Fiji Baby!

I just returned from a 10 day break in Fiji and apart from the enlightenment of staying still and filling my days with sun, sea, books and beer, I was thoroughly inspired by the latest on-pack promotion gracing the shelves of New World supermarket in Rakiraki (not related to our own version).

Practical, risky and honest - made me think about all the trouble marketing managers go to developing on-pack promotions that whet the appetites of the technologically savvy primary household shopper, Mwah - just give em a tool and strap it to the side! Priceless. I bought three.

Five years of business

Well the pr shop has made it through a recession and had a coming of age on Sunday 4th July. Our 5th birthday celebrations were insular (well it was the weekend) and involved a wicked combination of champagne, cocktails, tequila, karaoke, an ejection from a bar and a few hangovers the next day. The shop is officially feeling a year older and ready to kick some PR butt over the next 5 years. It’s definitely a rollercoaster running a business, but a rollercoaster Sal and I are happy to be on.