Wednesday July 15: Play the fame game for Proud of Pubs
Everyone knows someone, who knows someone who's famous. Don't they?
With the number of celebrities now involved in the trade from celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsey to our own brewing partner Neil Morrissey, you may even be famous yourself!
Whether you like it or not, celebrities are at the forefront of popular culture in the early 21st century - and if you're willing to play the fame game and make full use of celebrities to help raise the profile of your pub, it's another reason why you could end up a winner.
These are among the reasons why, on the third day of activity in Proud of Pubs Week, we are urging you to ramp up the celebrity connection, get a star into your pub, pin a Proud of Pubs badge on them and raise the PR profile of your business.
Backing the message
The value of PR and celebrity is king, and it has been a factor in Proud of Pubs since The Publican launched the campaign four years ago.
Celebrities ranging from Johnny Vaughan and Boris Johnson to Graeme Le Saux and Lawrence Dallaglio have all been pictured behind the Proud of Pubs message.
Just last week even tennis hero Tim Henman was pictured sporting a Proud of Pubs badge at Wimbledon (see news story page four)!
Celebrities have helped us raise the profile of the campaign - and they will help raise your own profile with potential customers and with your local media if you can get them involved in your pub.
PR expert Sarah McGhie, who has worked for publicity guru-to-the-stars Mark Borkowski as well as Charles Wells Pub Company, has been working with The Publican on Proud of Pubs Week this year.
She says: "The most cost effective way to promote your pub in times of a credit crunch is without doubt harnessing the power of PR - by engaging and using your local media.
"Use Proud of Pubs as a starting point to get to know them better and commit to speaking to them throughout the year. You will be amazed at the returns you can get from doing something as simple as picking up the phone and telling them about you."
And the celebrity connection will really make a difference, she says.
"The Publican is currently on a hunt for celebrity shots - it's a kind of pin the tail on the donkey but with a Proud of Pubs badge and a famous person. These sorts of photos are LOVED by local media. If you have a celebrity who drinks in your local, ask them kindly if they will support our campaign.
"They may not want to and you have to respect their response, but if they do, take a photo of them with a badge, ask them why they are proud of their local and send in the shot and the quote to us. We can use the shot in The Publican and either I can send it out to your local press or help you too."
If you want help on getting started email Sarah at sarahm@thepublican.com - and maybe she can help!
