Two big events in March

Graham writes.....Recognition's team organised two major events to promote the North East economy in March.

On March 20th we organised for NOF Energy, the UK business support organisation for oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewables sectors, to host a significant information and networking reception at the House of Commons with Energi Coast and Subsea North East.

The event was held on the prestigious Terrace Pavilion at the Palace of Westminster and provided a platform for the North East of England’s offshore renewables and subsea sectors to emphasise its capabilities, future objectives and international reach.

The reception also included representatives from the two North East Local Enterprise Partnerships, which are prioritising development of this sector through the creation of new Centres for Offshore Renewable Engineering (CORE).

Energi Coast is North East England’s renewables group which is made up of a group of 22 companies. Those businesses have invested almost £400 million to help accomplish the region’s ambition to become a global hub for offshore renewable energy solutions.

Subsea North East is the North of England’s advocacy group for the subsea sector. The subsea industry in the North East is made up of 50 companies, employing 10,000 staff with a combined turnover of £1billion.

The next day we organised for Tees Valley Unlimited (TVU) to host an economic briefing and budget event at which business leaders from the region heard firsthand from nationally-renowned commentator David Smith, Economics Editor of The Sunday Times.

Guests at Budget Live! listened to Mr Smith’s expert view on UK plc’s performance and its future prospects while TVU presented on Tees Valley’s changing economy.

Chancellor George Osborne’s Spring Budget was then broadcast live to the audience of Tees Valley influential decision-makers and business leaders.

Important work and the events were atteneded by hundreds of people.

Recognition PR recruits for paid internship scheme

Recognition Marketing and PR has launched a new paid internship programme and has recruited its first candidate: Daniel List (pictured)

The paid internship will begin in March this year and will run for three months. Daniel will support the two teams that make up Recognition PR, the consumer team and the business-to-business team. Daily tasks will include client research, event organisation, updating clients’ websites and writing press releases.

Recognition Marketing and PR was one of the first businesses to sign up to the Northern Echo’s Foundation for Jobs programme and is committed to supporting young individuals who want to embark on a career in marketing and public relations. Recognition PR has recently employed two young individuals in full time paid jobs who were struggling to gain experience within this sector.

Dozens of candidates applied from all over the UK and Daniel was appointed after a full selection day in which eight finalists were given a range of tests, exercises and interviews. He is a student at Teesside University and stands a chance of a full time job if all goes well in the business and with his internship.

Graham Robb, Senior Partner at Recognition PR, said: “The Northern Echo’s Foundation for Jobs scheme is fantastic. Recognition PR is demonstrating its support for the scheme by recruiting talent local youngster Daniel List. He is the third young person who we have employed since November 2011.”

Graham added: “It’s disappointing that many firms are using interns in the North East, but not paying them. By paying interns a modest sum you can give them a real taste of the cut and thrust of life in the workplace. I am proud that Recognition is setting a positive example.”

Recognition is one of the North East’s largest PR firms, representing high-profile clients including The Bannatyne Group, The Priory Group, Wensleydale Creamery and Black Sheep Brewery. The firm also operates a video and audio production arm, producing web videos and web TV programmes from its studios in Darlington.

Good News Bad News

Graham writes....No day at Recognition is ever the same. Today we were very busy promoting good news and reacting to bad news. First the good news. Lots our our clients had good things to say. Vertu Motors had excellent results in the motor retail sector; Wilkinson Maintenance had great results and planned an expansion in the property maintenance sector; new clients in the offshore sector announced expansion;clients in the healthcare sector introduced services....all these and more can be seen on our twitter feed @Recognition1st.

One great story was the launch of a new beer by Black Sheep Brewery called All Creatures. Actor Christopher Timothy, who played the famous vet in the TV series All Creatures Great and Small, launched the limited edition beer and as part of the Brewery’s 20th anniversary celebrations, five pence from each pint of 'All Creatures' sold will be donated to Herriot Hospice Homecare, which is also celebrating its 20th year in 2012. (see video)

Then the bad news; the terribly sad death of PC David Rathband. Our client Duncan Bannatyne was the key sponsor of David Rathband's charity activity and had become a good friend. He was appalled that, at the time of David being shot by the evil Roal Moat, Twitter users were siding with Moat and portraying him as an anti-hero. Duncan was adamant that he would support David and was one of his most vocal backers. Today he took to the airwaves to express his sympathy and we arranged dozens of interviews. You can here one of the interviews here: