Celebrating 23 years of helping our clients grow their businesses

PRIME MINISTER David Cameron is at war with supermarkets over cut-price booze deals that are turning town centres into the “Wild West”.

According to the Daily Mail, Cameron says high-street deals are now so low that a pint is less than 50p. Cheap alcohol fuels a “pre-load” mentality where drinkers get drunk before going out, he adds.

So how do government and drinks industries work together? Initiatives of the drinks industry to sell and market alcohol responsibly include:

Are high street booze deals the only cause of "Wild West" town centres?

➢    The Portman Group [www.portmangroup.com]

“We work with drinks producers to raise standards of alcohol marketing.  We challenge companies to be socially responsible and inspire them to achieve best practice.”

➢     DrinkAware

Drinkaware provides consumers with the facts about alcohol to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness of alcohol and affect positive change.

[www.drinkaware.co.uk]

➢    The Responsible Drinks Retailing Awards

Launched by Off Licence News in 2003, the Responsible Drinks Retailing Awards and Conference have become established as one of the most credible initiatives for the drinks industry.

This year’s conference and awards will be taking place on Wednesday 10th November at The Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London.

[www.responsibledrinksretailing.co.uk]

Responsible winners in 2009
Pub Company: JD Wetherspoon
Pub: The Globe Inn, Chichester, West Sussex
Independent Retailer: TheDrinkShop.com
Supermarket chain: Asda

THE CAVENDISH LONDON hotel is holding a free hog roast on Sat 4th September to celebrate the Jermyn Street party.

“The Art of Being British” is the first street party to be held by the Crown Estate and the Jermyn Street Association – they have teamed to celebrate the area’s quintessentially British traditions.

Home to London’s most historic shirtmakers, bootmakers and quaint foodstores, Jermyn Street has always retained flair and elegance.

And it’s the perfect place for you to experience “Britishness” in every sense.

Beau Brummell set the elegant style of Jermyn Street that's lived on since the 18th century

• Beau Brummell was the 18th century “dandy” – an elegant English gentleman – who would strut down Jermyn Street and parade his shirts, boots and suits for all to admire
• Exquisite London food emporiums Fortnum & Mason and Paxton & Whitfield have also catered for classic British tastes since the 18th century
• The Cavendish London was made famous in 1902 when it was taken over by the celebrity “Queen of Cooks” of her time, Rosa Lewis. She served up classic British menus to royal and high-powered guests including Sir Winston Churchill’s family, Edward VII and wealthy trade merchants

About The Art of Being British street party

Time: 12pm-5pm
Where? Jermyn St, behind Fortnum & Mason’s in Piccadilly
Food at The Cavendish London hotel: Hog roast outside [free]; afternoon tea and summer menu inside at Petrichor.

Facebook.com/The-Cavendish-London
Twitter: @cavendish_hotel

Jermyn Street will be traffic-free and open to the public, so you can stroll around enjoying exquisite British cheeses by Paxton & Whitfield, a tea-tasting session with world-renowned experts from Fortnum & Mason, and live music performed by the Royal Academy of Music.

Jermyn Street will also host a catwalk, where many of the local clothing stores will showcase their sense of style and craftsmanship.

There will be a puppet show and an area dedicated to the art of storytelling, a sports car display and a fantastic selection of cafés, bars and restaurants. These include Franco’s, Getti, Green’s, Quaglino’s, and of course, Petrichor at The Cavendish London, where you can indulge yourself in our summer menus or a traditional afternoon tea with a modern twist in a great atmosphere.

The Cavendish London is on Facebook or Twitter and will run regular updates of The Art of Being British party.

Or, book a room and experience the quintessentially British treatment at The Cavendish London! www.thecavendishlondon.com
Call +44 (0)20 7930 2111 for reservations or for more information

More info and map

Notes to editors:
The hotel was named The Cavendish in 1836 and the lease was taken over in 1902 by celebrity chef of her time Rosa Lewis. It is rumoured Edward VII helped her with the initial £5,000 investment.

Rosa was renowned in London and Paris for her exemplary hospitality and quality British food, and this lives on at the award-winning 4-star hotel today.

An independent 230-bedroom hotel, The Cavendish London has a contemporary British style and is within a few minutes’ walk of the UK’s top tourist attractions such as Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Palace.

The popular tourist and London business hotel is also close to designer shopping in Mayfair and the West End.
•    Gold awarded by Green Tourism London for sustainability
•    Holds an AA rosette for its modern British restaurant Petrichor
•    Gold winner of Visit London 2009 for Outstanding Service
•    91% rating on TripAdvisor.com

The Cavendish London’s vision:
To be the best four-star hotel in central London with special people creating special experiences.

The hotel exceeds guests’ expectations, creating memorable experiences day in and day out – The Cavendish London is in TripAdvisor’s top 50 list of 1,058 London hotel reviews.

More information on the party: http://www.jermynstreet.net/jermynstreet/news

Facebook.com/The-Cavendish-London
Twitter: @cavendish_hotel

WILLIAM MURRAY COMMUNICATIONS has been appointed by the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) UK & Ireland to handle its PR and communications.

The marketing and communications specialists will raise awareness of the FCSI in the hospitality industry and communicate the benefits and value the society can add to businesses.

“Part of a worldwide group of foodservice consultants, our members hold a wealth of expert foodservice information, solutions and advice,” says Jonathan Doughty, FCSI UK & Ireland chairman.

“We have the knowledge to solve challenges with innovative, commercial and sustainable solutions and we can help with everything from foodservice strategy and kitchen design to hygiene and contract tendering.

“William Murray Communications has been tasked to raise the profile of the society, demonstrating how we help our members and the wider sector.”

Anita Woods, managing director at William Murray Communications, adds: “The FCSI is passionate about sharing their knowledge. At a time when businesses are having to work smarter to stay ahead of the competition, we are excited to be working with the FCSI. Their know-how and expertise, if communicated and shared, will have a huge impact on the industry.”

For more information on the FCSI and how it can add value to your business, call 01483 761122, or for media information contact Fiona Hamilton or Charlotte Davies at William Murray Communications on 0208 256 1360.

Press Information
For media enquiries please contact:
Fiona Hamilton / Charlotte Davies
William Murray Communications
020 8256 1360
fiona@williammurray.co.uk / charlotte@williammurray.co.uk

London, Aug 2, 2010:

THE CAVENDISH LONDON has invested in social media network training for its hotel staff with the help of William Murray Communications.

The Piccadilly hotel was made famous in 1902 when it was taken over by Rosa Lewis – the chef for Winston Churchill’s family. It has now embraced Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to create communities around its historic brand. It will also use social media to drive direct room bookings online.

The Cavendish London, located opposite Fortnum & Mason on Jermyn Street, called in William Murray to help it engage more effectively with customers, to create more online buzz for the brand and increase traffic to www.thecavendishlondon.com.

William Murray, an award-winning communications agency for food, drink and hospitality, is to implement a three-step social media strategy, which includes a social media workshop to guide staff through online tools, social media etiquette and effective content writing.

The London-based agency, founded 23 years ago, will take over traditional PR and communications for The Cavendish London with immediate effect.

Notes to editors:
The hotel was named The Cavendish in 1836 and the lease was taken over in 1902 by celebrity chef of her time Rosa Lewis. It is rumoured Edward VII helped her with the initial £5,000 investment.

Rosa was renowned in London and Paris for her exemplary hospitality and quality British food, and this lives on at the award-winning 4-star hotel today.

An independent 230-bedroom hotel, The Cavendish London has a contemporary British style and is within a few minutes’ walk of the UK’s top tourist attractions, such as Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus and Buckingham Palace.

The popular tourist and London business hotel is also close to designer shopping in Mayfair and the West End.
• Gold awarded by Green Tourism London for sustainability
• Holds an AA rosette for its modern British restaurant Petrichor
• Gold winner of Visit London 2009 for Outstanding Service
• 91% rating on TripAdvisor.com

The Cavendish London’s vision:
To be the best four-star hotel in central London with special people creating special experiences.

The hotel exceeds guests’ expectations, creating memorable experiences day in and day out – The Cavendish London is in TripAdvisor’s top 50 list of 1,058 London hotel reviews.

Facebook link: http://bit.ly/d17R20
Twitter: @cavendish_hotel

BRITS are set to be hit by a price hike in bread, biscuits and pasta  – the highest monthly increase in 37 years.

The worst droughts for 130 years in Russia, one of the biggest producers of wheat, have stemmed a surge in global grain prices of up to 50%.

Wheat crops on fire in Voronezh, south of Moscow, Russia

Neil Saunders, consulting director at retail analysts Verdict, said: “With wheat prices so elevated, suppliers and retailers will have to pass across costs to the consumer, and it’s not just in bread”

The price of a tipple of wheat-based drinks, such as beer and spirits, could also rise.

The news follows stats by the Office of National Statistics which says last year food prices in the UK were 8.9% up in 2009.

IF YOU’RE not a sponsor of 2012 then mind how you market your products at the Games

The London 2012 Organising Committee has warned UK companies, who are not sponsors of the London Olympics, that associating their brands with the Games could result in court action.

Firms cashing in with marketing jargon related to the London Olympics or Paralympics – in ads and press releases – also face paying out hefty compensation for breaching the rules. (more…)

WILLIAM MURRAY, the No1 PR and communications agency for foodservice and hospitality, has launched three fast-track steps for businesses to embrace social media. The three stages form a social media strategy to position your company for growth.

Used on their own, each step targets different areas of your online strategy – without duplicating the work of your marketing or web team.

What are William Murray’s new services and how will they grow my online business?

1.    The online report
This bespoke report is for companies keen to engage with potential customers on social media sites but need help defining the right audiences. Extensive, behind-the-scenes research identifies these target groups for you and recommends the key messages you should be communicating about your brand.

2.    The social media workshop
This half-day workshop helps your staff communicate commercially on social media sites. We’ll devise guidelines to avoid staff damaging your brand while helping them stay true to the chatty spirit of Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

This hands-on, practical social media course will give your staff the tips and tools to attract new business. Potential new customers will be directed to your website and not to a competitor or third party. We work with your web team to optimise social media.

3.    The engagement plan
This monthly strategy will target and engage with your potential customers on social media sites. It includes a combination of SEO (Google AdWords where necessary), relevant blogs for your industry, hands-on social media and contact with online influencers. Other elements include:
•    Reporting the changes to your search engine rankings
•    Writing and syndicating news and blogs to press distribution services
•    Creating quality links to your website to increase your Google presence.

To discuss how social media helps business, and other online marketing queries, please call Bernadette Costello, digital & social media director at William Murray, on +44 20 8256 1360.

Or email: bernadette@williammurray.co.uk
LinkedIn: Bernadette Costello

“The biggest challenges facing businesses are being found in search engines by the right target audiences – but then working out what to say to their customers,” said Bernadette Costello, digital and social media director at William Murray.

“Companies are under increasing pressure to make their marketing budgets work harder – social media is a cost-effective way of doing this. William Murray’s three new steps will identify where your target groups are talking about your brand. We also work flexibly with your team to reposition your business for growth.”

Then come and work with William Murray and you’ll be rubbing shoulders with the crème-de-la-crème of chefs.

An award-winning PR and communications agency, William Murray runs trade and consumer campaigns across all media platforms. We’ve worked with Hell’s Kitchen stars including Marco Pierre White and Jean-Christophe Novelli, as well as chefs Michel Roux Junior and Glynn Purnell.

Work with masterchefs like Jean-Christophe Novelli

We are now looking for a senior account manager with an eye for detail, ideas by the dozen and a passion for food, drink and hospitality.

You’ll work on a range of major accounts for print, trade, consumer, TV and social media. In return for your previous experience as a PR account manager, we promise you a fast-track career progression in a top 100 agency.

Interested?
Persuasive?
Great writing skills?
Organised?
And above all, fun to work with?
Then we’d like to hear from you.

To apply for the role of senior account manager at William Murray:
Please send us an email telling us your proudest PR achievement to date, along with your CV and salary expectations to Judith Williamson: Judith@williammurray.co.uk
For further questions call +44 (0)20 8256 1360.

William Murray location
William Murray’s office is in East Croydon -  just 15 minutes from Victoria and London Bridge and with some of the best shopping facilities in the South East.

Package
We offer a competitive salary, on-going training and flexible benefits.

I can’t imagine why businesses haven’t already considered this, or already put the practice into action, but a recent article The Publican has reported that a recruitment consultancy is advising businesses to consider introducing flexible working hours during the World Cup to avoid staff taking sickies.

In the economic climate we’re in today, I wouldn’t think that anyone would run the risk of taking a sickie to watch the football as no job is seen as secure, however this can only do the employer good as it’s offering the option for their staff that do want to watch the football the opportunity to do so whilst not having to worry about taking holiday to cover the time off.

According to the latest issue of the Morning Advertiser top chef Marco Pierre White is planning to open 14 Wheeler’s pubs in a joint venture with independent pub company Powder Train, following the re-opening of an East Sussex pub this week.  The Chequers has benefited from an extensive £150,000 refurbishment to enhance its 18th century character. The pub has previously traded mostly on wet sales but is now set to become a food destination with an exciting new menu. Sounds like it could be a great new place to try for William Murray’s Diva’s Who Dine!