Blogs

With programme viewers having many more options now to avoid ad breaks on TV, eg recording programmes then skipping through the adverts as well as dashing out to make a cup of tea, one emerging piece of technology recently reported by Michael Millar, BBC News is that TV and film editors are considering post production digital product placement.

Of course product placement isn’t new as any Bond movie goer will have witnessed when Heineken stole a march over vodka martini in Skyfall, but what is new is that editors can drop in whatever they like, as and when they like, in the post...

One question we are always asked here at Astley Media HQ is ‘How do I write a press release?’ It can be a daunting task and often it’s best left to the professionals but follow our simple 8-point guide and you won’t go far wrong:

1) Be honest with yourself about whether whatever it is you want to write about is interesting enough. That may sound obvious but a lot of press releases fall at the first hurdle because they are boring or are nothing more than a plug for a business or product. Use the ‘pub test’. If someone told you what you are planning to put in your release, would it...

What’s not to love about a cheerful fellow who arrives with chocolate heralding the arrival of spring after a long cold winter? Whether or not you celebrate Easter, there is some fundamental wisdom that everyone can learn from the Easter Bunny.

Much like the leadership lessons from Santa Claus that I wrote about a few years ago, these iconic characters espouse many of the values and virtues so many of us share. And although they are associated with religious holidays, their messages cross multiple faiths.

A friend sent a list of lessons we might take away from the floppy-...

Being at the very well attended and totally indulgent Venus Awards Nomination Launch Event this week, hosted by Tara Howard, Founder, and Celia Delaney, Speaking Success, created to recognise Local Business Women http://devon.venusawards.co.uk/ , we were spoilt for choice – massage, mini cup cakes or Choccie Bar? Although we strenuously resisted it, we were drawn to the free samples of delightful handmade chocolates courtesy of chocolatier Katie Jones and her company Choccie Bar. With beautiful hand crafted chocolate stirrers, heart-shaped lollipops and stunningly decorated Easter eggs, it...