News

News from Oxford's Firebird Public Relations

A Year to Remember?

Firebird PR takes a look back at some of the highlights of 2012.

As another year draws to a close and we look forward to the festive celebrations with friends and family, the team at Firebird can look back with some considerable pride and satisfaction at another action-packed 12 months of life in the PR fast lane!

Firebird PR takes a look back at some of the highlights of 2012

Firebird PR is shortlisted in the 2012 CIPR PRide Awards

Firebird named in not-for-profit campaign category

For the second year running, Firebird PR has been shortlisted in the CIPR PRide Awards, the only awards scheme which showcases the best PR work being carried out across the UK regions and nations. We were chosen for our outstanding not-for-profit campaign, Hedgehog Street. The category is set to be hotly contested, with five companies shortlisted.

Commenting on the PRide nomination, Jane Bevan, Firebird’s Director said: "Business is pretty tough during this time of recession, so reaching the shortlist is a wonderful reflection of all the hard work we do on behalf of our clients. I am delighted that our efforts have been judged to be amongst the best in the region."

Firebird PR is shortlisted in the 2012 CIPR PRide Awards

The Orchestra of St John’s has appointed Firebird as its retained agency

Firebird has been briefed to promote the classical music orchestra

For more than forty years, Artistic Director John Lubbock and the exceptional musicians of The Orchestra of St John's – OSJ – have been making the emotion, drama and culture of live classical music accessible to people of all ages and from all walks of life.

This ethos has underpinned the OSJ's vast breadth of activity, from spellbinding concerts all over the UK, to recording award-winning rock albums, to offstage community projects Music for Autism, Moving Music and Music of Life.

OSJ performing at the Ashmolean Museum (David Smith)

An Intern's View of Working at a PR Agency

Graduate Katrina Baillie-Smith shares her experience of interning at Firebird PR

This summer, Firebird PR took on another intern, Katrina Baillie-Smith, and in this article she shares her thoughts about her experience of working in a PR agency.

I’ve gone through several “dream” careers since my childhood, ranging from becoming an archaeologist or a Formula 1 driver, to a journalist and a buyer. After completing my English degree in Manchester, I became interested in buying and applied to study for a Masters in Strategic Fashion Buying. During my masters, I studied a marketing module and I realised that I found PEST and SWOT analysis far more interesting than bartering for 50 cents off a t-shirt’s cost price.

Intern Katrina Baillie-Smith

Firebird PR wins competitive Wellcome Trust pitch

Firebird PR to support London 2012-inspired science experience

Firebird PR has been commissioned to deliver a regional PR campaign for the Wellcome Trust's In the Zone touring interactive science experience.

Inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in 2012 the Wellcome Trust is supporting activities to engage the public with the science of how their mind and body work during sport, exercise and rest. This includes leading a major UK-wide initiative - In the Zone - which incorporates: free experiment kits for every UK school; a family exhibition touring open-air venues and festivals across all four nations; an In the Zone pop-up touring London 2012-themed community events; and Science Junkie: In the Zone, a live show with demonstrations and audience participation touring schools and festivals around the UK.

School pupils race to find out about their bodies at the Wellcome Trust's new In the Zone exhibit at the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham.

Frozen Planet lecture raises funds for polar conservation

Firebird PR stages public talk by BBC Executive Producer Alastair Fothergill on the making of epic wildlife series

Firebird PR has been working alongside the South Georgia Heritage Trust's Fundraising Director to help support fundraising activity for the charity. As part of their role, Firebird recently organised a ticketed public lecture by Alastair Fothergill, Honorary President of the South Georgia Heritage Trust and Executive Producer of The Blue Planet and Planet Earth series, as well as a VIP reception for major donors before the talk.

Icy South Georgia

Pitt Rivers Museum commissions audience research from Firebird PR

Firebird explores visitor behaviour at Oxford University's ethnographic museum

The Pitt Rivers Museum appointed Firebird PR to conduct visitor audience research, particularly amongst non-traditional visitors. The Museum wanted to further understand specific market segments from their overall visitor profile, and use this research to inform their long-term vision to refresh the display and interpertation of its world-famous anthropological collections.

Acholi lyre, Pitt Rivers Museum

Director of Firebird receives prestigious accolade

Jane Bevan becomes a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society

It was a proud moment for Firebird Managing Director Jane Bevan on being recently elected as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. The RGS is recognised as a leading world centre for geographical learning dedicated to the challenges facing society and the environment. Founded in 1830, it is one of the country's most active learned societies, supporting geographical research, education, fieldwork and expeditions.

Firebird MD Jane Bevan in Sweden

Industry recognition for Firebird at the annual CIPR PRide Awards

Firebird named as finalists for Outstanding Small Consultancy in 2011

The Firebird team were delighted to reach the finals of the 2011 CIPR PRide Awards. These annual awards organised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations recognise excellence in PR and communications across the UK. Firebird was nominated from a field of over 1,000 entries in the Thames and Chiltern region as one of three agencies competing for one of the top awards as Outstanding Small Consultancy.

The Firebird team at the CIPR PRide Awards 2011

Firebird PR is shortlisted in the 2011 CIPR PRide Awards!

Firebird named in Outstanding Small Consultancy category

The CIPR PRide Awards is the only awards scheme which showcases the best PR work being carried out across the UK regions and nations. It is highly competitive, with in excess of 1,000 entries to this year's awards. The judging process is also very rigorous, with a national panel of industry experts assessing the shortlisted entries and choosing the winners.

2011 CIPR PRide Awards

Client account: the People's Trust for Endangered Species

An intern's view of working with a Firebird client.

Firebird PR has taken on a summer intern from the University of Northampton, Amy Montague, and in this article she articulates her time working with Firebird for the People's Trust for Endangered Species - one of their retained clients.

The One Show crew films for Hedgehog Street

Firebird intern attends first press conference

Student Amy reveals her thoughts about the experience.

An intern working at Firebird Public Relations attended her first press conference at the Academy of Medical Sciences to launch a report on Animals Containing Human Material. In this article, Amy Montague, a second year student studying Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Northampton, gives her thoughts and insights into her overall experience of her first press conference publicised by Firebird PR.

The Academy of Medical Sciences report on Animals Containing Human Material

What is it like to be an intern at Firebird?

Undergraduate Amy writes about her work placement at Firebird.

Amy Montague, a second year student studying Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Northampton, is an intern working at Firebird Public Relations for nine weeks. In this article, she articulates her thoughts and opinions into her overall experience of working at Firebird PR.

Amy on location with The One Show

Firebird PR delivers communication skills training courses

Firebird PR recently delivered a series of skills development courses on effective communications for staff and volunteers from museums, galleries and heritage attractions in the South East.

Building on Firebird's extensive experience as an agency specialising in communications as well as the museum sector, these courses provide the knowledge and skills needed to plan and deliver effective communications and advocacy activities to a range of audiences.

The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum

Firebird supports endangered seabird project

The South Georgia Heritage Trust appointed Firebird to develop and implement a PR action plan around the start of the world's largest rat eradication project.

In March, the South Georgia Heritage Trust embarked on the first phase of a seven-year project to eradicate invasive rats from the entire sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia.

South Georgia Pintail

First ever survey of England's traditional orchards from the air

Firebird PR brokers launch of PTES report on BBC One's Countryfile

Anita Burrough, Orchards Officer at the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), recently took to the air with the crew and presenter Julia Bradbury of BBC One's Countryfile programme to film a feature on the remaining traditional orchards of England.

A traditional English orchard

Firebird PR wins Science Oxford capital build brief

Firebird PR has been commissioned to develop a long-term communications strategy around Science Oxford's plans to create a new £30million world-class cultural centre for science and enterprise in the very heart of Oxford.

The centre, to be designed by internationally renowned architects Foster + Partners, will be a vibrant space, bringing together people, ideas and innovation.

Location map for Science Oxfords new £30million cultural centre

Designation Development Fund Evaluation

Following an open tender, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) has appointed Firebird PR to evaluate the Designation Development Fund for Libraries and Archives.

The Designation Scheme identifies and celebrates the pre-eminent collections of national and international importance held in England's non-national museums, libraries and archives.

John Rylands Library

Communicate 2010 Connecting with Nature

Firebird re-connects with nature at annual conservation conference

In November members of the Firebird team attended Communicate 2010 an annual conference, organised by The Bristol Natural History Consortium a partnership made up of the Avon Wildlife Trust, BBC Natural History Unit, Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Environment Agency, Natural England, University of Bristol, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and Wildscreen and supported by Defra.

Connecting with Nature

Oscar the Bionic Cat

Firebird PR publicises a world-first in veterinary surgery: a cat who has successfully given two prosthetic implants in a single operation

Cats have nine lives so they say, but few felines can have had a luckier escape from the jaws of death than Oscar, whose rear paws were chopped off by a combine harvester while he was basking in the sunshine, only to have them replaced through a bioengineering miracle, performed by one of the country's leading neuro-orthopaedic veterinary surgeons.

Villains, Victors and Victims: The Great Invasions of Britain

Firebird PR promotes special edition of UK wildlife review focusing on invasive species.

Alien invaders are usually the subject of sci-fi or horror movies, but this year they are the focus of a special edition of the People's Trust for Endangered Species' assessment of the challenges facing Britain's wildlife.

The grey squirrel - one of British wildlife's alien invaders

Pets for Life

Firebird PR provides media relations for the Society for Companion Animal Studies.

Here at Firebird PR we have two four-legged recruits: veteran bearded collie Brewster and fledgling rescue pup Finnbar. While they don't earn a paycheck, in many ways they do help contribute to the psychological and physical well-being of staff.

More help for our four-legged friends

PR for pets

Specialist veterinary practice Fitzpatrick Referrals have appointed Firebird PR to provide strategic communications advice.

Fitzpatrick Referrals

Effective media skills training

Firebird PR recently delivered two complementary skills development courses for staff at wildlife conservation charity the People's Trust for Endangered Species: Introduction to the media and Advanced interview skills.

Set for Britain

Firebird PR is pleased to announce that three of Diamond's scientists were invited to participate in the Set for Britain national competition at the House of Commons. Julia Parker, Claire Pizzey and Jennifer Hiller will each be presenting their ground-breaking research to Members of both Houses of Parliament.

Investing in strategic leadership: Institute of Leadership and Management training

Firebird PR Managing Director, Jane Bevan, recently participated in a Level 7 Award training course in Strategic Leadership - one of the highest-level qualifications open to managers today. Run by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), it consisted of five day-long workshops over a three month period.