The motor writing world seems to be constantly in turmoil with changes to staff, contracts and commissions, new projects and publications, and the whirlwind of social media blows across the industry.
But it has been very satisfying to see a rise in applications for membership of thewesterngroup.
At the AGM we made it easier to join and we have over the last couple of years seen fewer print writers but a rise in those who work for on-line publications.
Social media is often considered not serious writing and when it’s stand alone that is possibly the case to the majority of the public and even more old-school scribblers. However, when social media is an adjunct to actually getting words on paper or websites it is really little more than an advertising medium and should be pointing back to in print or on-line main articles.
Traditional media is seriously struggling to keep on the right road while on-line snippets spin across mobiles and computer screens with scant regard for content in many cases because there is very limited space to display anything.
I am really glad that traditional media is surviving if evolving, that quality websites do exist to cover the industry, products and people and also that many of our working members are doing just that, working.
One member has seen the focus of his work change into a niche area but that’s not to be decried and instead celebrated because it shows there are still openings to be explored and probably still more will appear out of the blue.
That’s why its very good to see applications for group membership rising and so long as they pass our genuine qualification threshold they will be able to join what many consider the best regional and professional group in the country.
You can meet thewesterngroup if you are attending our annual PR Driving Day – DD2019 – on 5 June at Castle Combe, where there will be a familiar feast of fun and fine cars, with food for thought and body as well.
One who will be missing from the event is Rodney Gooch, for so many years a strong group supporter and for many “the face” of Castle Combe and who died last month. As a group we hope in future to mark his passing and extend our condolences to his wife and family.
Robin is the longest serving chairman of The Western Group. He's been vice chairman or chairman for over ten years and oversees the annual Western Group PR Driving Day each summer assisted by the group committee and supported by group members.
He contributes to a number of outlets in Wales and the UK, including the Driving Force editorial syndication agency feeding the biggest regional news and feature publishers in Britain.
Robin specialises in the Welsh automotive sector and motor related businesses with interests in Wales and publishes WheelsWithinWales.uk which covers news, features, trade and motor sport in Wales.
