UK – 18 October 2017

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Today’s Media Updates covers moves and changes at UK titles including The Scottish Sun, Daily Express, HELLO and Drapers. 

News & Politics

  • Craig Jackson has been appointed news editor at The Scottish Sun. Craig was previously news editor at the Sunday Post.
  • Adam Miller has been promoted to TV editor at the Daily Express Online. Adam was previously senior TV reporter at the site.

Lifestyle

  • Elle Sixsmith has been appointed beauty writer across HELLO Fashion Monthly and Hello Fashion. Elle was previously a beauty assistant at Marie Claire.
  • Colm Ahern has been promoted to deputy editor at VIDEOGAMER.com. Colm was previously content editor at the site.

Business 

  • Incisive Media has moved to a new office at New London House at 172 Drury Lane, close to both Holborn and Covent Garden tube stations. This follows a management buyout in April this year. The company has also refreshed its logo and corporate design.
  • Alice Sholl has been appointed senior reporter at Drapers.

 

The Vuelio Media Database lists thousands of journalists, bloggers, publications and media outlets. Learn more about the database.

Bianca Derhy

Blogger Spotlight: Bianca Derhy, Bibi Goes Chic

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Bianca Derhy is the international digital influencer behind Bibi Goes Chic. Covering a range of topics from fashion to travel, Bianca has a significant social media presence and is a rising Instagram star. We spoke to Bianca about her blog, making it big on Instagram and working with a network of PRs around the world.

How would you describe your blog?
My blog is a combination of what I love most: fashion, beauty, travel and luxury lifestyle. Specialising in the best of both, premium luxury and high-street fashion, Bibi Goes Chic aims to inspire women to style fashion-forward looks for different occasions through a combination of personal fashion posts, product reviews and trend tips – with professional photography to accompany each story.

What took your Instagram account to the next level in terms of followers?
Back in 2014, when I started blogging, growing on Instagram was definitely easier as public accounts gained more visibility. I think what worked best for me, and what continued to do so, was when I would get reposted on a popular accounts’ page. For example, if I would wear an outfit from Missguided and tag them, that picture could get shared on their page, driving a couple of hundred or even thousands over to mine. I definitely think interacting and collaborating with others on Instagram is a tool that works!

Bianca DerhyWhat advice would you give someone trying to make it big on Instagram?
I think nowadays, with Instagram’s algorithm having affected a lot of us in terms of reach and growth, big numbers isn’t everything. Rather, focus on creating amazing quality content, interacting with your followers, using the Stories and Live feature to get more personal, and the rest will follow!

How do your other social channels work with Instagram and your blog?
My main social media is definitely Instagram at the moment, as it serves as the main storyteller where I keep my viewers most up to date about what goes on in my life. I do love to blog when I feel like I have a lot to say about a particular topic, and feel like my readers would enjoy that depth a bit more. I’ve recently started YouTube where I film more about my university studies, lookbook and style tips, vlogs etc, so my readers can get to know me better.

What’s your favourite topic to blog about?
At the moment I’m loving writing about travel, as it’s been a passion of mine since I was young. I’m so grateful for each opportunity that comes my way, and having the ability to travel, see the world and immerse myself in a new culture is certainly an unforgettable feeling! I hope to capture that sensation as much as possible in my content on social media and my blog.

Who takes your pictures and what’s your process uploading content?
It definitely varies – if I’m collaborating with a brand or writing a blog post I would work with a photographer, yet I mostly use my iPhone 7 Plus for shooting daily content on the go (the quality is certainly up there and it’s the easiest tool we have!).

My process when it comes to shooting and uploading content is always to first brainstorm for new and exciting ideas I can share with my readers, whether that be for a blog post, Instagram photo or YouTube video. Once the content is created, I will use several editing tools such as Lightroom, and plan a schedule for when each post should go live. However, I always keep my content current and so most of what I post will have been shot that same week so my readers are most up to date!

What’s the next big trend going to be for influencers?
That’s a tough one! Instagram has just launched a polling tool, where viewers on Insta Stories can click which option they prefer between two things (say, do you prefer this Valentino bag or this Chanel clutch?) and see voting results live. I think surveys and testing is huge for both brands and influencers, and can help get a better insight into what our readers want to see from us in order to create more tailored experiences.

How do you like to work with PRs?
I love working with PRs and have a global network with them so that whenever I’m traveling, I’m still able to attend events and work with international brands. They also have loads of connections already built within the industry, and serve as a great introduction should you want to build a relationship with someone. Networking is definitely key!

What one thing should PRs know about you?
I would introduce myself as an international digital influencer, having grown up in the fashion capital of Paris and now living in another major fashion city, London. I’m also very passionate about what I do, and certainly motivated!

What other blogs do you read or vlogs do you watch?
I love to read, and am a big fan of popular blogs such as Chiara Ferragni (now turned into an e-commerce/digital magazine), but I am loving YouTube and regularly watch Kane and Pia, Jon Olsson and Clothes Encounters to name a few.

P.S. I also recently started a YouTube channel as well!

Bianca and her blog feature on the market-leading Vuelio Influencer Database along with thousands of other bloggers, influencers and journalists.

Aurelie Four

Blogger Spotlight: Aurélie Four, Marcel Le Corgi

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Marcel Le Corgi is the fluffy Pembroke Welsh Corgi that features on the eponymous blog written by Aurélie Four. Recently ranked in the top 10 UK pet blogs, we caught with Aurélie to talk about Marcel’s fame, favourite pet products and working directly with brands.

How would you describe your blog?
Our blog is all about sharing what we love (and sharing the love), Marcel and having him as part of our family, travelling (which we do with him when reasonable), good food and nice things… in a fun and pawsitive tone which reflects what Marcel is and what he has brought to our lives.

Why did you start your blog?
A friend of ours suggested I did. We were enjoying running Marcel’s social media so much and his audience loves the travelling and London life part! It can be a struggle to find information on dog-friendly things and posts on social media only stay visible for a few hours, so I thought why not use and share all the pictures I would never have released otherwise, and the information I gather whilst researching trips, food (etc) on a blog where they can be found more easily!

Marcel

What’s it like having a famous pet?
Fun! We get to do so many amazing things and go to places where I never thought he’d be able to go! We’re now used to him being recognized in the streets, but the first few times it was very overwhelming (for us; he loves the attention). We get a lot of love and it’s great being able to share it with charities.

Having people leap in front of us to take photos without asking makes me understand why some human celebrities ‘snap’ – just ask and I will happily make him pose! There is an element of responsibility too – I want to make sure people understand what having a dog means and always make sure people do not get a corgi pup because ‘Marcel’s pictures are so cute’. We also make sure we are not encouraging anything that might impact all other dogs and owners, for example, picturing him on seats on public transport, in uncomfortable situations, taking him to places where he is nervous or endorsing a product we would not use.

Registered trademarkHow does Marcel cope with the pressure?
He does not, because I make sure that he never gets pressured to do anything. Photo sessions are kept fun, short, and rewards are key. We ask for regular breaks when filming/shooting and I have cut short or refused jobs when I knew he would not be comfortable or has had enough. At the end of the day, he is a dog and I fully intend to allow him to enjoy being a dog. As for the attention, he loves it and again I just remove him from the situation if it ever gets too much.

What’s your favourite pet product?
We’re lucky enough to get many amazing products to try, including prototypes, so picking one is impossible. His travel essentials are DogRobes drying coats (which doubled as a life-saving cooling coat when we were stuck with extreme temperatures during our summer road trip), Hindquarters leads and dog beds (practical yet super stylish), Hownd’s on the go wipes, Hiro+Wolf’s hands-free lead when I’m on my own with Marcel and the Fish4Dogs squid and salmon treats.

What’s your favourite post?
I only post about things we love (I have a policy to forget about things I would not recommend and always disclose those paid or where we received a free product to feature – I think we owe that to our amazing audience) so all of them really, the travel ones especially.

How do you like to work with PRs?
I like to work directly rather than with too many people in between, where communication can get lost. Being honest (both ways) and knowing exactly what is expected and agreeing on that before any campaign or shoot is key. I also like to feel like we and our work are respected, be it the dog’s welfare, our time, or my photography.

What one thing should PRs know about you?
We’re a team that comprises of an adorable and super friendly, well-trained and camera-ready dog, a semi-pro photographer and pet industry specialist, and a Michelin-star-trained chef. We won’t compromise Marcel’s welfare for anything. Working with us will mean we bring our fun, positivity and experience to selected brands or campaigns we will be dedicated to.

What’s a memorable campaign you’ve worked on?
There are many but this year’s highlights were helping raise awareness for the amazing work of volunteers at the Therapaws programme (by visiting a hospital’s dementia ward with Marcel for Alzheimer’s month – we ourselves regularly visit hospitals as volunteers), and Marcel being invited to the Chelsea Flower Show by RHS (a first for a dog and a dream come true for me) – his photo [above] ended up on the front page of The Times!

What other blogs do you read?
Most of the other blogs I read are fellow dog-friendly travel and lifestyle blogs (mostly UK or France based) or human travel and food blogs.

 

Aurélie Four and Marcel Le Corgi feature on the market-leading Vuelio Influencer Database along with thousands of other bloggers, influencers and journalists.

Jeremy Vine presenter

Crimewatch axed after 33 years

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One of the UK’s longest continuously airing programmes has been cancelled by the BBC. The announcement was originally reported by the Sun, which claims BBC bosses want to ‘spend more on dramas’.

Crimewatch is currently hosted by Jeremy Vine and Tina Deheley, who took over in September 2016. The companion daytime programme Crimewatch Roadshow will continue to air, and will actually increase its number of episodes.

The BBC said: ‘We believe the successful Crimewatch Roadshow format in daytime is the best fit for the brand going forward and we will increase the number of episodes to make two series a year’.

The show has a history of helping in famous cases, including the murders of James Bulger and the schoolgirl Sarah Payne. It also featured the murder of Jill Dando, who co-presented Crimewatch until her death in 1999.

While the Sun has claimed the move will anger police, the show’s dwindling ratings have somewhat diminished its function as a ‘public service’ for solving crimes.

Nick Ross, who was a presenter from Crimewatch’s launch in 1984 until 2007, told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme: ‘If you get 15 million people watching a programme and you have an appeal, the chance of finding somebody, that one witness who saw something they had no idea was connected with the crime… they can ring in.

‘Once your audience starts plummeting, you go back to two million, one million, your chances of finding that person are so remote.’

On Twitter, Crimewatch’s demise has upset and amused fans alike:

Do you think Crimewatch was more than its ratings? Or do you think it had lost its crime-solving powers? Let us know in the comments below.

UK – 17 October 2017

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Media-Updates-New-Featured

Today’s Media Updates covers moves and changes at UK titles including the James Harding, Glamour, Question Time, Healthy.

News & Politics

  • James Harding, director of News and Current Affairs at the BBC, will stand down at the beginning of the new year. James is leaving the BBC to set up his own news media venture.
  • Hilary O’Neill has been appointed editor of BBC One’s Question Time. She has worked in senior editorial positions at the BBC for 20 years, most recently as deputy editor of the BBC News at Six and Ten bulletins. Hilary will take up her new role in coming weeks and will be based in Mentorn Scotland’s Glasgow office.

Lifestyle

  • Glamour magazine has announced a new ‘digital first’ strategy that will see it’s monthly print edition become biannual. The final monthly issue of Glamour will be December’s.
  • Hattie Parish has been appointed lifestyle writer at Healthy, the magazine for Holland & Barrett. Hattie was previously editorial assistant at WI Life.

Business 

  • Katie McQuater has been appointed deputy editor across Research Live and IMPACT. Katie was previously magazine editor at The Drum.

 

The Vuelio Media Database lists thousands of journalists, bloggers, publications and media outlets. Get the database here.

Prime minister

Energy Price Caps: Is Theresa May a Marxist?

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The Conservative Government has published proposals for a bill to allow a cap on energy tariffs, which it previously described as ‘Marxist’.

The proposals followed on from Theresa May’s announcement of a cap on energy prices in her speech to the Conservative Party Conference, and the inclusion of the policy in the party’s manifesto at the general election earlier this year.

Proponents of the measure say that it will prevent overcharging of vulnerable consumers and that the current system loads the dice against new entrants to the industry, limiting competition. Over two decades after energy privatisation, 80% of customers are still with one of the ‘big six’ firms and many challenger firms believe that a price cap will increase competition in the market.

Opponents warn that the proposal could lead to vulnerable customers paying more, and that competition in the sector is already working.

A time traveller from 2015, when Ed Miliband’s proposals for an energy price cap were being derided by Tory politicians as ‘Marxist’, ‘Wonga-like’ and ‘extremely dangerous’ would be startled to see a Conservative Government proposing something similar.

So, how did we get here?

Those of us monitoring politics have noticed a shift in the political mood as a campaign inside and outside Parliament gathered pace. Its figurehead has been the Conservative MP John Penrose, who has made frequent media appearances promoting the idea, sponsored a debate in the House of Commons, and on the very evening that Parliament was dissolved in May was addressing the All-Party Parliamentary Group on energy costs. Other innovations included a website showing how much people in each constituency were overpaying, produced by one of the industry’s challenger firms.

Together, these elements formed a successful campaign which brought this issue firmly onto the political agenda and into Government policy, and MPs have signed-up to the cause in ever-increasing numbers.

Vuelio attended a Conservative Party Conference fringe event, the day before May’s conference speech, at which Penrose revealed that 212 MPs had signed a letter supporting the cap – an increase of 20 in just a week. He also paid tribute to the work of the campaigning organisation 38 Degrees, whose petition had helped to put pressure on MPs.

However, the final form of the bill is still up for grabs. In his statement, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Greg Clark told the House of Commons that the draft bill was to be scrutinised by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee. That committee has already organised a session in which it will take evidence from energy firms, Ofgem, and an expert on economic regulation.

As currently written, the bill leaves many of the precise details to Ofgem, so interested parties will also need to keep a very close eye on their thoughts. Already there are signs of conflict: Labour are claiming that the bill is ‘inadequate’, whilst the Lib Dem MP and former Energy and Climate Change Secretary Sir Ed Davey is arguing that the measure will damage competition and increase prices for vulnerable consumers.

Even Penrose has concerns about the form of the cap: he has been arguing for a relative price cap, not an absolute one. In layman’s terms, this means that the Government would limit the difference between a company’s highest and lowest tariffs, rather than setting a maximum price. Those affected by the proposed cap will need to monitor the progress of the bill through Parliament very closely.

If you would like to know more about political monitoring and the services Vuelio offers, get in touch.

JustinRoiland on twitter

When isn’t bad PR, bad PR? When it’s Szechuan sauce

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McDonald’s made headline news last week because of a cult cartoon’s obsession with a promotional dipping sauce that was last seen in 1998. But was the lack of Szechuan sauce really a PR disaster? Or was it a stroke of genius worthy of Rick Sanchez Dimension C-137 himself?

*Warning: this post contains references to Rick and Morty – wubalubadubdub*

McDonald’s originally launched the Szechuan sauce for the release of Disney’s Mulan, but season three of Rick and Morty drew a new focus to the ‘delicious sauce’. Rick claimed: ‘it’s what it’s all about’ and he doesn’t care if it takes nine more series to get it back.

Fans were quick to pick up the campaign on social media and this was enough for McDonald’s to leap onto the good PR opportunity, gifting the show’s creator a giant container of the sauce.

Obviously, this fuelled the fanbase’s desire for what was effectively teriyaki and ketchup mixed together (let’s put that to one side). Keeping its PR cool, McDonald’s was coy, announcing a limited-edition release of the sauce for one day only.

Fans went mad for it, camping outside McDonald’s restaurant locations and travelling hundreds of miles to get a taste. And what happened? McDonald’s didn’t supply enough – some locations had none and many more had a measly 20 samples.

Who the squanch believes this was anything but a carefully choreographed strategy? Are we really expected to think THE fast-food giant couldn’t organise enough sauce deliveries?

The ‘disaster’ hit headline news around the world, as people were left disappointed by not having enough of a McDonald’s product. How would you feel if your product or service was in the news because people couldn’t get enough of it? Probably pretty good.

And what did McDonald’s do next?

That’s right, as an ‘apology’ it’s making the sauce more widely available so fans can get it everywhere. Bravo McDonald’s, bravo.

So how can you Get Schwifty like McDonald’s? Follow these simple rules:

  1. Track mentions of your brand on and offline – if McDonald’s hadn’t been aware of Rick and Morty’s fandom’s desire for Szechuan sauce, this would have been dead in the water. Make sure you have the best monitoring available so you don’t miss a single opportunity.
  2. Don’t be afraid to engage with your audience – speaking to fans and responding to their demands is one of the main purposes of social media for brands; get stuck in and have fun with it.
  3. Approach the right influencers first – McDonald’s sent the product to Justin Roiland, co-creator of the show and voice of leading characters Rick and Morty. Don’t know who your influencers are? Get a database that does the work for you.
  4. You’re allowed to have ‘bad press’ – McDonald’s aced this situation by undersupplying the promotional product. There’s very few ways this could have backfired – if no one had claimed the sauce then it wouldn’t have mattered. You shouldn’t be worried about your fans wanting more, this gives you all the power. And if the media thinks you’ve made a mistake? Ride it out, all the press does is make you seem more desirable.
  5. Give the people what they want – McDonald’s has now made moves to make the sauce available for everyone. If it had remained elusive, they could have pushed fans away. It moved quickly to ‘rectify’ the ‘mistake’ giving the fans their pay off.

No one wants to be a PR Morty, and McDonald’s has shown how easy it is to be a PR Rick. What did you think of McDonald’s stunt? Let us know in the comments below:

UK – 16 October 2017

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Today’s Media Updates covers moves and changes at UK titles including the Mail on Sunday, the Sunday Times, Research Live and IMPACT.

News & Politics

  • Jamie Nimmo has been appointed City correspondent at the Mail on Sunday. Jamie was previously a business reporter at the London Evening Standard.
  • Ruth Emery has returned from maternity leave to resume her role as deputy money editor at the Sunday Times.

Lifestyle

  • Akilah Russell has been appointed digital TV and news journalist at OK! Online. Akilah was previously a video journalist and entertainment reporter at the MailOnline.

Business 

  • Katie McQuater has been appointed deputy editor across Research Live and IMPACT. Katie was previously magazine editor at The Drum.

 

The Vuelio Media Database lists thousands of journalists, bloggers, publications and media outlets. Find out more about the database here.

Blogger Spotlight: Mark Sanders, Adventures of Monty Dogge

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Monty is a large white-and-black Newfoundland dog which has inspired his owner Mark Sanders to start a blog and Facebook fan page written from the perspective of Monty Dogge. This year Monty and Mark even released their own children’s book based on his adventures, entitled I’m Not a Pandacow. Recently featured in our first Top 10 Pet Blog ranking, we spoke to Mark about the blog, how Monty Dogge literally stops traffic and some of the campaigns that they have worked on so far. 

 

How would you describe your blog? 
Life According to Monty Dogge is a light-hearted look at life through the eyes of a huge Newfoundland dog. He shares his insight and wisdom on things such as ‘hoomans’ and how odd they can be, and other dog breeds, particularly ‘Cockeyed Spangles’ who he has to share a home with. He also enjoys interviewing famous people and asking them the questions others may fear to raise. He is a keen poet (he is in fact the self-styled poet, Newfiette) and regularly shares his prose with his admiring public. 

 

Why did you start your blog? 
The blog was started originally because Monty was such a difficult puppy that it was felt he needed another way to express himself rather than trying to eat the postman or chew through walls. That is all behind him now and he is a pillar of the community, as a mascot for the charity Shoulder to Soldier – having helped raise over £30,000 for the Poppy appeal over recent years, as well as his other charity work and his visits to schools and nursing homes. 

 

What’s it like having a famous pet? 
I am known as Monty’s dad and I regularly have to stop so that people can say hello. Most of our post is addressed to Monty Dogge and photographers constantly want to move me out of the picture… Despite this I’m not bitter… honestly! 

 

How does your Monty cope with the pressure? 
Monty takes everything in his massive stride. He blogs live from Crufts every year and meets literally hundreds of people, but nothing fazes him. He can sleep through a school assembly and recently, at Edinburgh fringe, all of the performers sat down as everyone was crowding around Monty. He just turns to face the cameras and when he’s had enough, he has a nap. 

 

What’s your favourite pet product? 
His favourite pet product has to be Angell Petco fish treats. Monty won’t do so much as shake a paw but if you have one of these in your hand, well… he’s like puppy in your hands. 

 

What’s your favourite post? 
We have so many favourite posts, but one I particularly remember is when Monty stopped the traffic in York City Centre, as one by one twenty Japanese tourists posed with Monty, while the other 19 took photos – from the middle of the main road in the city centre! 

 

How do you like to work with PRs? 
Monty loves working with anyone that makes him more famous. He likes everyone, especially if they have treats. 

 

What one thing should PRs know about you? 
PRs should know that Monty can be a bit of a diva sometimes and if things are taking too long he will sleep, anywhere and anytime. 

 

What’s a memorable campaign you’ve worked on?  
Our first children’s book, I’m not a Pandacow, has been very memorable as we had the opportunity to travel the country. However, according to Monty Dogge, Crufts is always special. 

 

What other blogs do you read?  
I like idreambooks and often dig into that when I have time. 

 

Mark and Monty Dogge feature on the market-leading Vuelio Influencer Database along with thousands of other bloggers, influencers and journalists.

UK – 13 October 2017

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Today’s Media Updates covers moves and changes at UK titles including Mail on Sunday, Glamour, Time Inc and TheBusinessDesk.com.

News & Politics

  • Eve Simmons has been appointed health reporter at the Mail on Sunday. Eve was previously a digital production editor at The Sun. Eve will remain co-editor of the blog NOT PLANT BASED.
  • The Birmingham Mail, Birmingham Post and Sunday Mercury are set to move back to Birmingham City Centre. Currently located at Fort Dunlop, the titles are due to relocate to Embassy House on Church Street by the end of the year.

Lifestyle

  • Jo Elvin has decided to stand down from her role as editor in chief at Glamour. This follows the recent announcement that Glamour is to adopt a ‘digital first’ strategy and become a biannual publication.
  • Charlotte Moore, editor-in-chief of InStyle UK, is expanding her role to become digital content director across Time Inc. Alongside her role at InStyle, Charlotte will work with Trish Halpin, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire, to continue the editorial development of marieclaire.co.uk. In addition, Holly Rains has been promoted to digital editor of marieclaire.co.uk. Holly joined the team as deputy digital editor in May 2016.

Business 

  • Helen Carter has been appointed North West editor at TheBusinessDesk.com. Helen has most recently been a BBC journalist at North West Tonight and BBC News Online. Previously, she covered the north for the Guardian for 12 years.

The Vuelio Media Database lists thousands of journalists, bloggers, publications and media outlets. Find out more about our media database here.

Blogger Spotlight: Marc-Andre Runcie-Unger, Katzenworld

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Katzenworld is a Top 10 Pet Blog which is written by a group of international friends who all share a love of cats. As well as being a source of adorable cat pictures, humorous stories and mishaps, the blog is home to interesting content including research, news from around the world and product reviews (reviewed by the cats themselves) for your feline friends. We spoke to one of the blogs writers Marc-Andre about what it’s like to run a pet blog, why they decided to start it and the campaigns that they’ve worked on. 

 

How would you describe your blog?
Katzenworld is all about being a fun and informative place that promotes all things cats. Our goal is to unite the cat-loving audience of the world to come together and share their stories with each other, while promoting important cat welfare topics. 

Why did you start your blog?
It all started over a board game one evening at my place back in 2014. My partner Iain and I had just adopted two shelter cats (Oliver & Nubia) from the Celia Hammond Trust, and as Yuki was already looking after her own cats, the evening soon turned into a great discussion about cats. Back then there weren’t many community-focused online publications so a plan was developed to change all that! 

Many readers wonder where our name came from. Well, I’m German, and Katzen means Cats, so in English the blog means “Cats World” though many people think it means Cat Zen World! 

What’s it like having famous pets?
It’s fun! We are always amazed at how many people know the stories of Oliver & Nubia and we’ve even met some people at events that have named their own cats after ours.

 

How do your pets cope with the pressure?
Very well. Nubia thrives on her many photo shoot moments and knows exactly how to pose for the camera whenever we need her for an event post or a product review! 

What’s your favourite pet product?
Ah that is a difficult one as there are so many great products out there! I’d say we’d have to pick a few here.  

For pet food, our favourite product has to be Almo Nature, as their food addresses the carnivore needs of our pets – plus the brand has a great ethos on animal welfare (both pets and wildlife alike). 

For cat toys, it’s the 4cats catnip and Valerian Toys, as not only are they hand-finished in Germany and use a secret organic catnip mix that works on more cats than others, but they too have a great brand ethos and support local and international cat charity projects. 
Lastly, we think that the Kiki cat cave is one of the most unique cat caves we’ve ever trialled that not only fits perfectly into a stylish home, but also addresses the specific needs of cats at the same time. 

What’s your favourite post?
Our favourite post was the collaboration with International Cat Care on where to stroke a cat. This was a fun research study and taught us and our readers alike much about cats! The post was read by more than 100,000 people in a single month across our blog and news apps, so we think our audience may agree on our choice here.

Oliver-and-Nubia

How do you like to work with PRs?

For us it’s all about working as partners! We ideally like to work with PRs that understand what we are about and work for or on behalf of a brand that’s looking for a long-term brand partnership. Of course, we are open to short term campaigns as well, but we do thrive on the long-term work. 

What one thing should PRs know about you?
The blogger team and I run the blog as a hobby to bring the best in cat news and cat products to our audience. For us, the well-being of our feline companions and their wild cousins is the most important aspect of what we try to promote and achieve through our blog. 

What’s the most memorable campaign you’ve worked on?
I think the most memorable campaign has to have been our work with the Ebony Horse Trust and James Bowen to help raise awareness and funds for the charity. It was great to help them spread the word, find additional collaboration partners for them to increase their fund raising and of course to meet James and Bob “backstage”. 

What other blogs do you read?
My favourite blogs out of the list of blogs I follow are: Cat Wisdom 101, Cat Chat with Caren and Cody, I Have Cat, The Conscious Cat and LoveMeow. 

 

Marc-Andre Runcie-Unger and Katzenworld feature on the market-leading Vuelio Influencer Database along with thousands of other bloggers, influencers and journalists.

the rise of the parenting blogs

The rise of the parenting blogs

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Vuelio’s UK Bloggers Survey revealed there’s been a steep rise in parenting bloggers, the category now making up 29% of all bloggers in the UK. This is a marked rise from 2016, when only 16% of parenting bloggers were focused on parenting.

So what’s going on?

One possiblity is that a lot of the new parenting bloggers were already established in other fields and have since had children – shifting their focus to parenting. We know from the study that 43% of bloggers are aged between 25-34 and in the UK the average age of having your first child is 30.4 years.

Bloggers are also mostly female (78%) and many parenting blogs are started during materntity leave to find a new community of understanding people online that can share day-to-day struggles. It’s not just for mums, dads also find comfort in a community and the knowledge they’re not alone.

For many, finding the community but not the right answers is a big impetus to start a parenting blog. Elliott Rae, founder and editor-in-chief of MusicFootballFatherhood.com (MFF) said: ‘I started MFF when my daughter was three months old, on New Year’s Day in 2016. I had loads of questions about fatherhood and wanted to hear about others’ experiences.

‘There was nowhere online that I felt I could read or discuss all the questions I had, so I started MFF to provide that space.’

Jo Middleton, author of top parenting blog Slummy Single Mummy, joined Vuelio for a webinar discussing the Survey results, and she believes that a visible group of successful parenting bloggers are encouraging a new generation to start. As a new mother on maternity leave, seeing bloggers can be sent products and paid to write reviews is an attractive proposition.

Jo has seen a rise in the professional blogger, those who start blogs with the intention of making it commercial from the beginning. This is also reflected in the Survey results, which reveal there has been in a rise in both those making money from their blogs and those intending to in future.

Sometimes a clever solution to a parenting problem can encourage bloggers to start. Jo Addison, who writes Kiddieholidays, said: ‘I’d recently had a baby and struggled to find somewhere to go on holiday which was suitable for babies. I was looking for somewhere that had loads of baby equipment, lots to do in the local area for young children and didn’t cost a fortune, but I couldn’t find many places. Then I had the idea about Kiddieholidays.

‘I want the site to match up amazing baby and toddler friendly destinations and accommodation with parents who are looking for ideas about where to go.’

One of the biggest reasons we’re told parenting bloggers start is they want a way to document their child or children growing up. Tim Liew, who writes Slouching Towards Thatcham, is a typical of this, he said: ‘So much of the early years of parenthood focuses on the big ‘firsts’: first word, first step, first day at school and so on. I also wanted to document all the little moments and observations that otherwise get lost in the mists of time. Bearing in mind this was back in 2008, it didn’t really occur to me at the time that parent blogging or dad blogging could become a ‘thing’. Now, it definitely is!’

Whether this rise in parenting bloggers will continue is difficult to predict, especially when considering the growing number of lifestyle bloggers and the popularity of ‘alternative sharing platforms’ like YouTube and Instagram. Either way, the Vuelio Bloggers Survey in 2018 will reveal all the answers.

UK – 12 October 2017

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Today’s Media Updates covers moves and changes at titles including Bloomberg News, Woman and Home, Stellar Magazine and Investment Adviser.

News & Politics

  • Laura Benitez has been appointed leveraged finance reporter at Bloomberg News. Laura was previously a corporate bonds reporter at International Financing Review.

Lifestyle

  • Miranda McMinn has been appointed executive editor at Woman and Home. Miranda was previously deputy editor at Marie Claire.
  • Victoria Stokes has been appointed deputy editor at Stellar Magazine. Currently digital editor at the title, she takes up her new role on 23rd October.

Business 

  • The Financial Times has announced that Investment Adviser has closed after 22 years. Former editor Dan Jones remains as editor of Money Management, while former news editor at IA David Baxter is now special projects editor at the title.

The Vuelio Media Database lists thousands of journalists, bloggers, publications and media outlets. Interested in finding out more?

Storytelling with Vuelio Canvas – WEBINAR

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Looking for a creative way to tell a story? 

Whether you’re helping your team make sense of ongoing news, pitching a client, or reporting on a campaign or an event, curating content from a range of channels is a daily chore for most.

Visualising and presenting this data can be a daunting task, but we have just the tool to help you nail yours!

Join us on 24 October 2017 at 11am to learn how you can bring your presentations to life with Vuelio Canvas. Impress your boss, co-workers and clients by transforming your data and content into engaging stories. We will show you how you can bring together individual elements from millions of media sources, be it news stories, social media activity, charts, PDFs, video or audio files into beautiful presentations made in seconds.

Stop wasting time on old fashioned spreadsheets and emails and transform the way you present your PR. Save your spot for our next webinar now! Even if you can’t make the live broadcast, we’ll send you a recording after it airs.

Webinar: Storytelling with Vuelio Canvas
Date: Tuesday 24 October 2017 
Time: 11:00 am BST
 

 

 

UK – 11 October 2017

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Today’s Media Updates covers moves and changes at titles including HELLO!, Press Association Ireland, Men’s Health and Conference & Incentive Travel.

News & Politics

  • Brian Hutton has left his role as deputy news editor at the Press Association Ireland. Brian has been with the news service for 11 years.

Lifestyle

  • Laura Sutcliffe has been appointed online fashion and beauty writer at HELLO! Laura was previously senior style writer at Bella.
  • Scarlett Wrench has been appointed features editor at Men’s Health. Scarlett was previously production editor at the title.

Business

  • Andrew McCorkell has been appointed associate editor at Conference & Incentive Travel.

The Vuelio Media Database lists thousands of journalists, bloggers, publications and media outlets. Build strong relationships with the press, with our media database.

UK – 10 October 2017

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Today’s Media Updates covers moves and changes at UK titles including BBC News Online, the Bath Chronicle, Harper’s Bazaar and Place North West. 

News & Politics

  • Alex Taylor has been appointed journalist at BBC News Online. Alex was previously a weekend entertainment reporter at International Business Times.
  • Gavin Thompson has been appointed editor at the Bath Chronicle. Gavin retains his role as editor at the Western Daily Press. Former Bath Chronicle editor Rachael Sugden is now senior editor across the Gloucestershire Echo, Gloucester Citizen and GloucestershireLive.co.uk. Jenny Eastwood, who was editor at the Gloucester Citizen, is now digital editor at GloucestershireLive.co.uk.

Lifestyle

  • Laura Morrissey has been appointed bookings assistant across Harper’s Bazaar and Town & Country.

Business

  • Charlie Schouten has been appointed senior reporter at Place North West. Charlie was previously Northern correspondent and data editor at Construction News.

The Vuelio Media Database lists thousands of journalists, bloggers, publications and media outlets. Find out how we can help your media relations.

UK – 9 October 2017

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Today’s Media Updates covers moves and changes at UK titles including Cambridge News, HELLO!, Gym Owner Monthly and DARE.

News & Politics

  • Katy Hallam has been appointed homepages editor at the Cambridge News.

Lifestyle

  • Charlotte Jolly has been promoted to beauty director at HELLO! in addition to her role at HELLO! Fashion Monthly.
  • Chloe Alexandrou has been appointed beauty assistant at DARE.

Business

  • Nicky Sefke has been appointed editor at Gym Owner Monthly.

The Vuelio Media Database lists thousands of journalists, bloggers, publications and media outlets. Interested in learning more about our database? 

UK – 6 October 2017

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Today’s Media Updates covers moves and changes at UK titles including The Bishop’s Stortford Independent, Sunday Business Post, Football London and OTC bulletin.

News & Politics

  • Iliffe Media has launched a new title for Bishop’s Stortford. The Bishop’s Stortford Independent, a paid for weekly, will be available from the 4th October. The newspaper will be edited by Paul Winspear, a former editor of the Herts & Essex Observer. He will supported by Sinead Corr as news editor and Cat Barkley as reporter.
  • Jack Horgan-Jones has been appointed chief reporter at the Sunday Business Post. Jack was previously business correspondent at the title.

Lifestyle

  • Greg Johnson has been appointed editor in chief at Football London. Greg replaces founding editor Tom Marshall-Bailey who has now become Trinity Mirror’s audience engagement editor (sport).

Business

  • Rachael Walker has been appointed assistant editor at OTC bulletin.

The Vuelio Media Database lists thousands of journalists, bloggers, publications and media outlets. Click here to find out how the database can help you.

PLMR’s Joe Mitton gives his rundown of the Tory Conference and the PM’s keynote speech

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Vuelio Political Services teamed up with integrated communications agency PLMR to bring you the top news and analysis from the Conservative Party Conference 2017.

Read what Joe Mitton, Senior Consultant at PLMR, thought were the key takeaways from what was an eventful Conference.

The Conservative Party Conference in Manchester this week (1-4 October) sought to heal the divisions of the disappointing general election result for the Party, and to articulate an optimistic alternative to the unexpectedly popular vision of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party.  For a party in government, it is a somewhat strange position to be in; having to construct an alternative to the Opposition’s narrative.

Many speakers, including the Chancellor Philip Hammond, focussed on the need to promote once again the benefits of a free market economy.  Hammond reminded the party faithful that most of the electorate is too young to remember the economic difficulties of the 1970s.  Other MPs made passionate cases for market-led economic growth, so it was interesting that the final speech of the conference by the Prime Minister revived her plan for a retail energy price cap.

Prime Minister’s Speech: Social mobility and the ‘British Dream’

Theresa May addressed the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester today (4 October).  While much of the more frothy commentary will focus on the croaky delivery and the rather pointless interrupting prankster, we thought it more useful to look at the policy content and the vision that the Prime Minister articulated.

May repeatedly referenced “the British Dream” – a “dream that life should be better for the next generation”.  This appears to be partly a call for social mobility, and partly an affirmation of progressive, ongoing economic growth and personal attainment.

It remains to be seen whether this vision will have much traction with voters, especially the young, who face daunting house prices and virtually non-existent real wage growth. With only passing mention to Jeremy Corbyn, the central theme in May’s speech of a “British Dream” seems designed to provide an optimistic counter-narrative to the bold promises with which Corbyn’s Labour has successfully attracted new voters.  Which of these visions prevails may well be the defining political question of the next five years in British politics.

In an effort to bring a sense of authenticity and conviction to her vision, Ms May somewhat uncharacteristically spoke about her own family background and her grandmother’s job as a domestic servant.  She also spoke of her own health issues and treatment by the NHS.  May emphasised social justice and recognised, in several anecdotes and points, that she understands that minority ethnic communities still face significant inequalities.  She said that she got into politics to address precisely these kinds of injustices.

The main new policy announcement was that the government would seek to cap household energy bills – which came as a surprise to many at the Conference who had assumed that that policy had been quietly shelved after the last general election. Energy companies came in for some quite sharp criticism in Ms May’s speech, and it seems now likely that an energy price cap of some kind will indeed be introduced this parliament, with the Opposition very unlikely to block such a popular move.

The Prime Minister also announced £2 billion more for new social housing.  This, alongside earlier announcements of a university tuition fee freeze and £10 billion in additional Help to Buy funding, is part of a broader pitch by the Conservatives’ to address the issues facing ordinary working people.

The test will be whether Ms May’s vision resonates with the public as authentic, deliverable and inspiring, or whether public life and media commentary continues to focus merely on stunts, gaffes and personality cults.

ABOUT PLMR

Founded in 2006, PLMR is a fully integrated communications agency with offices in London, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Cambridge. They work across all sectors, from transport and technology to education and energy, expertly offering a suite of key communications services: public affairs, PR, crisis management, media training, digital, film and design, planning communications and campaigns.

UK – 5 October 2017

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Today’s Media Updates covers moves and changes at UK titles including the BBC, Wired, PC Gamer and Portfolio Adviser. 

News & Politics

  • There have been a couple of new appointments at the BBC. Fergal Keane has now been appointed Africa editor while Anne Soy has been appointed senior Africa correspondent.
  • Max Bower has been appointed reporter at Reuters, covering European leveraged loans at the Loan Pricing Corp unit. Previously Max was a leveraged loans reporter at GlobalCapital.

Lifestyle

  • Matt Reynolds has been appointed technology reporter at Wired. Matt was previously a technology reporter at the New Scientist.
  • Philippa Warr has been appointed as deputy editor at PC Gamer.

Business

  • Sonia Rach has been appointed reporter at Portfolio Adviser. Sonia was previously editor of WorkLife at Perkbox.

The Vuelio Media Database lists thousands of journalists, bloggers, publications and media outlets. For more information about the database, click here.