Did the Western Group Driving Day trigger the continuing fine summer weather?
I doubt we can claim that although Alyson Marlow did such an excellent job of organising it and it would be typical of her if she had sorted the weather out too.
We knew attendance would be affected by the Moving Motor Show at Goodwood the following day. Even so it was unfortunate that so many familiar faces were missing as a result. That does not appear to have dented the enjoyment of those who could be there and it was one of the most relaxed Driving Days I can remember.
That might be partly due to the key distribution system that Alison Hill and her team at ID PR brought along and we hope to repeat the experience in 2015. A triumph of Alison/Alysons! Thanks to the Vauxhall PR team for sponsoring the ID PR help. More thanks too for Steve Kitson and his team at Kia with an excellent event the day before and good luck to Rosie Puxley in her last year at university – you’ll be back.
Shortly after our Driving Day I attended the annual MIPAA/AMWG meeting and we had a useful discussion on a wide range of subjects. It’s a fast changing world in PR and journalism and that was very much reflected in the discussion. Unfortunately there were a number of press offices that were not represented on the day, which may have been a reflection of how difficult it is to find time to accommodate such meetings. Social media was much discussed and how both we, the journalists, and the press offices try to accommodate this growing aspect of our work.
Thanks again to Andrew and Katherine for taking on the task of arranging our Christmas Dinner this year and finding yet another interesting venue in Holbrook House. JLR has expressed a willingness to support the event and we are currently in discussions about how that might materialise. Thanks to JLR in advance for what’s to come.
Speaking of event support, our AGM will be on us before we know it. Mitsubishi has again offered to support it, so this is a good opportunity to welcome Stewart McKee back to motor industry PR. He hasn’t really been away and I spoke to him a year or two back when he was looking after some of the new technologies that will be around the corner for the industry before long.
The summer break also gives group members some time to reflect on who might stand as secretary when Glen, who has done a very good job, stands down at the AGM. It’s not such an onerous task as some might think and I know there are group members who could do it very easily and very well and who have enormously benefitted from group membership over the years and know the ropes.
Enjoy the summer and, Alyson, please fix the weather for the next month or so.
John Kendall | Chairman WGMW
