Author Archives: Stonborough

About Stonborough

John Stonborough specialises in media relations, providing an authoritative and discreet media management service to corporate and private clients world-wide. He also broadcasts, lectures and writes about handling the hostile media and media regulation. He is known for observing "An interview is no time for an original thought." He is the great-nephew of the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. His working career began as a London policeman and then as a reporter for the Daily Mail, BBC Radio 4, Thames Television and Channel 4 TV. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. He is married and lives in London, England. www.stonborough.com

Air Supremacy Interactive Media Training

A new business is born: Air Supremacy Interaction – interactive media training. (I’ve nicknamed it – Remote Refutation Management) – more later.  (www.superinteraction.tv)

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Grüezi mitenand!

@AirSupremo: Hello ZRH! Not just 1 but 2 mega Swiss media training clients nxt week.   #PR  #AirSupremacy rocks.

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Tweet tweet

gr8 Media Training 4 #Spider-PR (London). gd Job Air Supremacy! www.airsupremacy.co.uk

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500+ connections

Spent the last week, soliciting LinkedIn contacts to reach this milestone achievement “500+ connections” – now I can relax, safe in the knowledge that I am umbilically invisibly eternally conjoined with strangers. The world is a safer place as of 7am … Continue reading

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Please Sign Now

My God-daughter Domenica Lawson has a severe permanent learning disability. I would like to help her and thousands like her by asking you to sign this e-petition. You may know somebody with a child like Domenica so please pass the message … Continue reading

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Nuts and Bolts: 9 Basic Questions to ask a Reporter.

With everyone obsessed with Virtual Media, it’s easy to forget the basic questions when you get a call from a live flesh-eating journalist. 1. What’s Your Name/Contact details? 2. Can You Tell Me More About The Story You’re Working On? 3. Are You … Continue reading

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The Battle of Hatchfield Farm is won.

The Battle of Hatchfield Farm in Newmarket is over. Rachel Hood and her fellow campaigners have won. Lord (Teddy) Derby’s appeal was rejected by the Planning Inspector Ian McPherson and ratified by the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.

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Syria: media coverage

Just been reading some stuff on line about whether our coverage of Syria is ‘balanced’ or not. Having worked as a reporter in Beirut, albeit years ago, I wonder if I can venture a view. All our western media can … Continue reading

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Lovin’ it

Busy Busy since Jan 1st – working with Halfords, Barclays, B&Q and Superdrug .

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Just Common Sense?

They are debating on one of the PR Forums whether PR isn’t ‘just common sense’. The implication being that it’s not a proper profession, anybody can do it. I beg to differ. A public relations professional has a proper understanding … Continue reading

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But not YOUR opinion..

I have a TV/internet account with Optimum Cablevision (NYSE: CVC), who emailed me to take part in a customer satisfaction survey. Question 1 – Are you in PR or Advertising?  But when I clicked Yes – this is what I got: Thank … Continue reading

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Thanksgiving Message

To my many American Friends. If further proof is needed of the extreme age and provenance of wireless technology; it’s a 17th Century British invention.  I am reliably informed that we sent it over on the first pilgrim ships. Mayflower is an … Continue reading

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The Tatler and Bikestander

With the racing world livid about Lord (Teddy) Derby’s plan to concrete over a chunk of Newmarket, Sir Michael Stoute (the Queen’s Trainer), Sir Henry Cecil and the legendary commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan are hosting a fund-raising dinner for 250 at the Newmarket … Continue reading

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RIM Shot

 

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Rick Perry Fluffs It.

Rick Perry fluffs it Check out this clip of Rick Perry forgetting his key message due to classic MBS (marshmallow brain syndrome). I suspect it spells the end of his shot at the Presidency. (wouldn’t have happened if he were … Continue reading

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Today’s joke

“In English,” said the linguistics’ professor, “a double negative forms a positive. However, a double positive never forms a negative.” “Yeah, right.” said a voice.

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MediaCityUK: Investigations and Secret Recording Guidance

The Beeb has revised its Editorial Policy on Investigations and on Secret Recording for programme makers planning: larger-scale investigations to reveal serious anti-social behaviour or crime, with a significant element of undercover work, and secret recording, central to the evidence-gathering. The revision … Continue reading

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beyond Calais

Overheard at the Lutea investment seminar today. Two really old blokes, who didn’t know each other, got chatting during the coffee break. One said to the other: “The trouble with the Greeks,” he said, ” is they don’t know the meaning … Continue reading

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And me

Spotted this tweet just now “Anti #NPPF lobby now includes Melanie Phillips, Morning Star, George Monbiot, WI, NT, CPRE, Mail, Telegraph. Strange bedfellows. SWP next?” @colinwile Jonathon Porritt, has written a sarky but funny open letter to benighted Greg Clarke, Minister … Continue reading

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What’s this Contributor business?

Some people have asked why you need to get confirmation in writing that you are a ‘contributor’. (See Tip 2 below) You can read my blog post, http://www.airsupremacy.co.uk/blog/2010/09/01/229/ for the long version but in brief Ofcom ruled last year (to … Continue reading

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My 22 Tips for handling unwelcome TV Crews

Avoid a confrontation, with cameras around. It makes great TV. Get confirmation in writing that you are a ‘contributor’ (ask me why this is so important) They will not concede editorial control, but find out as much as you can. … Continue reading

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I am definitely going

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM; DEAD OR ALIVE? Date: Wednesday September 21st 6.00pm for 6.30pm With Murdoch on his knees, MPs’ expenses, Wikileaks, phone hacking and Tomlinson; investigative journalism seems to be going through a purple patch. Is it really alive or is … Continue reading

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Is it really a fake?

Such a sad picture of Steve Jobs in the paper today. Is it a fake, the internet is abuzz? Really shocking if it is. As my wife Jane says, “the man is a genius,  just when you think you’ve got everything … Continue reading

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Catboat: Its not a message, it’s a warning from 1880!

              I happened across this brilliantly ’funny’ account of sailing the classic New England Catboat, in the New York Times May 25th 1880! The message comes down the years loud and clear; this pussy cat will bite … Continue reading

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Ben’s Briefs: All the Holidaying News-Junky Needs

Dawn is breaking over Bellport Bay, here on Long Island. Every cloud has a silvery lining, quite literally and its very beautiful. Yesterday’s rain seems to have blown through. They certainly do plenty of weather here. Another bucolic day ahead, … Continue reading

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“Talk to me Verizon” and they did! Finally.

Verizon Wireless, in the shape of lovely Customer Relations Specialist and part time goddess in human form, Veronica Murietta of Southern California, capitulated (I told them they would) and have settled with me. I wonder what made them change their mind? Was it … Continue reading

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Not a glimmer on my Verizon

Just wondering how many Verizon puns there are, sadly there aren’t that many. I am working on ‘Verizontal’ like horizontal but have not found a use for it yet. Any ideas? Had a good response to my last post, it seems I … Continue reading

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A speck on the Verizon

Be very careful before entering into a Verizon Wireless mobile phone contract. Make sure they can provide a viable signal first. There is none here at my house on Long Island. Now they are trying to charge me a $350 … Continue reading

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French Farce. Broadcast Regulator’s hilarious ‘Canute’ ban of the T and FB words!

Communiqués de presse Renvoi sur les pages des réseaux sociaux : le CSA publie la lettre envoyée aux chaînes http://www.csa.fr/multi/index.php?l=uk Date de publication sur le site : 6 juin 2011 Afin de dissiper les malentendus, le Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel … Continue reading

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Primark Stitched Up By Panorama says BBC Trust

For immediate release 16/06/11 Trust finds it ‘more likely than not’ that certain footage in Panorama programme on Primark was not authentic The BBC Trust’s Editorial Standards Committee (ESC) has found that a Panorama programme ‘Primark: On the Rack’, broadcast … Continue reading

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Press Notice – Rachel Hood Chair of Save Historic Newmarket says cost of Derby Appeal shocking.

Press Release SHNAG (Save Historic Newmarket Action Group) May 31 2011 Chair of Save Historic Newmarket and President Elect of the Racehorse Owners Association, calls on Lord Derby to STOP STOP STOP his Planning Appeal. • It’s the Derby on Saturday … Continue reading

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Forgetful, Who? Me?

I have just done an on-line Alzheimer test- – give it a try www.foodforthebrain.org and click on Cognitive Function Test. I am happy to report I have a very low risk of going gaga just yet. I have just done an … Continue reading

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Russia: The Wild East BBC R4

Are you enjoying Martin Sixsmith’s extraordinary polemic Russia: The Wild East, a thousand years of Russia’s history? It’s on BBC Radio 4, every weekday afternoon for five weeks. We are about three weeks in now and approaching 1917. It is a remarkable journalistic tour de … Continue reading

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NO

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SM & Unintended Consequences

I spotted this on the LinkedIn Crisis Communication forum (re Using Social Media in a Crisis) by Bob Wade ex COI (lightly edited) …. The University of East London and several other universities have been given permission to run a ‘Twitter Farm’ in … Continue reading

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Victory on the Newmarket Battlefield

Stunning High Court victory for Newmarket residents. Forest Heath Council and Lord Derby’s plan to concrete Newmarket greenfield legally flawed http://bbc.in/eEzS05

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Social Media Tools

Dr Claire Wardle To get the best out of Social Media Tools quickly, this is a must : BBC College of Journalism tutor Dr Claire Wardle guides you through some of the major social media tools. http://bbc.in/9mDtKa Claire Wardle is a … Continue reading

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Just Jammin’

Jammy new client – Tiptree Jams http://bit.ly/fFM48n – maybe they’ll pay me in scones, clotted cream and Little Scarlet. Come to think of it, I could get everyone to pay ‘in kind’. Fiat –  a 500 TwinAir, Waitrose - ban my wife … Continue reading

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Ofcom’s new Broadcasting Code out today

Ofcom’s new Broadcasting Code takes effect today. It sets rules for TV and radio broadcasts, and replaces the previous version. The full Code and Guidance Notes can be found here: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code/

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Very Mature Student

Just when many men my age are Grandads, I am to be an Undergrad Dad doing English Language (Linguistics) and Communication at Kings College, London University for the next three years.

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Co-operating Fully

The deputy headmaster of Wellington College told The Times (10/2/2011) “ The college immediately informed the police and social services that the allegation had been made and have been co-operating fully throughout their enquiry”.  I suspect he may not have … Continue reading

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Know your Onions? – It’s Sergiev Posad.

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Looting Cairo Museum

Dr Zahi Hawass Egypt’s Antiquities Chief writes about looting and vandalism at the Cairo Museum http://bit.ly/igXca1 Due to the news and internet black out, he sent this out by fax. The Situation in Egyptian Antiquities Today On Friday, January 28, 2011, … Continue reading

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None too smart

That 43 page UBS Dress Code; When good intentions go hilariously awry. See the Wall Street Journal & everywhere else .

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‘Greedy Teddy Derby – an awful man’

Reputation In Shreds   The Earl and Countess of Derby You have to wonder how much more reputation shredding ‘Greedy Teddy’ Derby is prepared to take before he gets the message and gives up his plan to concrete over a Newmarket green … Continue reading

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My News Picture of the Year 2010

‘Is that the exit Gillian?’  Gillian Browned-Off shows Gordon Duffer the way out (PA pictures)

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Ofcom shows us How to Complain about a Radio or TV prog

  Dear Mr Ofcom, I wish to make a complaint. Never have I been so shocked and disgusted as when I switched on my YouTube this morning. If I had known that such shoddy rubbish was to be screened in this country, I would have emigrated … Continue reading

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First 10 CV’s Considered

I need a part-time Researcher/Assistant PR, ideally SW6 area. Hours to suit a parent. First ten CV’s considered. john [@] stonborough.com

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Editors kill the myth (but not very convincingly)

The Editor’s Code which covers accuracy, will be changed (amendment in italics): Clause 1ii says – A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion once recognised must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and – where appropriate – an apology published. In … Continue reading

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