As part of the countdown to the PR Prom (Quick! Buy yours here!) we’re conducting interviews with the good and the great of the PR industry. In other words, our sponsors.

Next up is Dan Purvis from Meltwater Group, who offer solutions for social media monitoring and engagement, media database, PR distribution and Search Engine Marketing.

We really do appreciate the support that the PR Prom sponsors are giving, so make sure you check out their service now!

What is your role at Meltwater Group?

Director, PR. Essentially, I head up our global PR initiatives – we currently have PR agencies representing us across seven countries. Our PR objectives are about balancing the need for sustainable, impactful PR campaigns that incorporate social and digital media in the mix…and of course ensuring that game-changing PR strategies are aligned to commercial goals and objectives.

Can you tell us more about Meltwater’s products and services?

We were founded in 2001 by 2 men with just $15,000 and a coffee machine in a small shack in Oslo, Norway. Just 10 yrs later, we became a global $100m business, with 57 offices across 27 countries, employing 900+ employees who service around 20,000 clients across the world.

We started off as an online media monitoring company, which is still our bread’n’butter through our flagship solution, Meltwater News – a sophisticated online news monitoring tool that provides a deep-dive analysis of this coverage.

We have evolved our product portfolio considerably since then and now offer an expanding suite of digital intelligence and marketing solutions. For example, Meltwater Buzz is a social media monitoring, analysis and engagement tool – on behalf of our clients, we monitor over 200 million online sources – from microblogs like Twitter, to social networks like Facebook, to the myriad of forums and message boards, and millions of blogs and video sites.

Why did you get involved with the PR Prom?

First and foremost – it’s a great cause and we’re an admirer of the work done by Bright One. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to mingle with like-minded folk and have a good time while we’re at it!

What are you most looking forward to at The PR Prom?

Helping raise awareness of a great cause is the best thing about this.

If you could request one song to be played at The PR Prom, what would it be?

Now that’s the question…! “Passion”, by Militant. If you are able to find this Caribbean soca classic to play on the night, then I’ll buy the DJ a drink or five!!!

Have you been to a prom before? Or any prom-related anecdotes to share?

From my school days, yes. I guess I have a few, but which ones I talk about very much depends on the audience!

As part of the countdown to the PR Prom (Quick! Buy yours here!) we’re conducting interviews with the good and the great of the PR industry. In other words, our sponsors.

Next up is Daryl Willcox from DWPub, who provide services for journalists and PRs - including FeaturesExec, ResponseSource, SourceWire, SourceThatJob.

We really do appreciate the support that the PR Prom sponsors are giving, so make sure you check out their service now!

What is your role at DWPub?

I’m the founder and chairman. Which means I kind of get in everyone’s way when I feel like it! I mostly get involved in strategy and marketing and advise on product development. I also act as a kind of figurehead for the business, social media is very useful for this - saves me going to endless conferences!

Can you tell us more about DWPub’s products and services?

DWPub’s services have been developed to help public relations and media professionals connect, collaborate and tell stories more effectively. Today over 2,500 companies invest in the DWPub Media Suite, including 120 of the top 150 UK PR companies. 

Services in the DWPub Media Suite include the FeaturesExec Media Database, the ResponseSource Enquiry Service, SourceWire News Distribution and the JournalistDirectory Media Database.

Why did you get involved with The PR Prom?

Two reasons. One - it’s a great idea. Two - it’s a good cause. Oh, and it’s put together by some great people.

What are you most looking forward to at The PR Prom?

The bar.

If you could request one song to be played at The PR Prom, what would it be?

That’s a difficult one. I guess you should have a lot of Abba for some reason but for me it would have to be something like This Charming Man by The Smiths, that would take me back to my school-leaver days.

Have you been to a prom before? Or any prom-related anecdotes to share?

I think I went to my sixth-form ball but for some inexplicable reason the memory escapes me.

As part of the countdown to the PR Prom (Wait… you haven’t got your ticket yet? Quick! Buy it here!) we’re conducting interviews with the good and the great of the PR industry. In other words, our sponsors.

First up is Adam Parker from RealWire, the award-winning online press release distribution service.

We really do appreciate the support that the PR Prom sponsors are giving, so make sure you check out their service now!

What is your role at RealWire?

I’m chief executive and as well as having overall responsibility for the business, I am mainly focussed on marketing and product development.

Can you tell us more about RealWire’s products and services?

RealWire is an award-winning online press release distribution service with over 10 years of expertise and we are first choice for many of the UK’s top digital PR and internet marketing professionals. We’ve been the UK’s leading innovator in press release distribution, introducing a Social Media News Release option in 2007 and our patent pending targeting system, PRFilter, in 2010.

Why did you get involved with The PR Prom?

First and foremost because I recognise the value Bright One can bring to charities. I am treasurer of a small charity in the North East that works with young and adult carers and as such I am acutely aware that small third sector organisations struggle to fund a budget for expert communications advice. At the same time my experience of working in the PR sector means I know the powerful impact good public relations can have.

What are you most looking forward to at The PR Prom?

Catching up with people. Living in Newcastle means I tend to stay in touch with most people remotely, but there’s no replacement for a good natter over a beer.

If you could request one song to be played at The PR Prom, what would it be?

I’m in great danger of showing my age here. There was a track called “Shall We Take a Trip” by a little known band called Northside that was a guaranteed floor filler when I was at university in the early 90’s. At the more cheesy end of the dance floor taste spectrum I’ve always had a soft spot for “Don’t Stop Movin’” by S Club 7 because it seemed to be playing everywhere around the time I got married.

Have you been to a prom before? Or any prom-related anecdotes to share?

We didn’t have “proms” as such at school or university. Was it Friends that really introduced the term widely in the UK? We did have school discos which were the usual sad affairs of the boys mainly hanging around in groups while the girls danced around handbags.

At university we had end of term balls, but unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I’m afraid my memories of those are extremely clouded by time and other influences!

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, Adam, and can’t wait to see you at the PR Prom!

Just a bit of Friday Fun for all you PR Prom enthusiasts.

And if you haven’t already… break open the Google Juice, go viral, and get your tickets to The PR Prom!

It is now official that Cinderella will not attend the season’s hottest event, the PR Prom, due to breaking her leg in a freak fall, involving a single, heeled shoe and some stairs.

As this temporarily scuppers her ‘happy ever after’, we, at PR Prom Towers, decided that the Princess should not miss out on all the fun so have created the tag #PRPromCinders in order that she might keep abreast of the latest build-up buzz and hear what is going on throughout the night of decadent glamour.

So, if you’re whispering about what/who you might be wearing, who is going with whom or even what you plan to include in your speech, should you win the Prom King or Queen crown, then be sure to let Cinders in on the gossip.

Remember, it’s for the great cause that is Bright One, so if you haven’t bought your tickets yet, you can grab them here.

And if you know somebody who might like to go but appears to have missed the memo, send them to @PRProm or #PRPromCinders and between us we will point them in the right direction.

Now, off with you to seek out those all-important Fairy Godmothers/Godfathers, footmen and coaches don’t grow from mice and pumpkins you know.

Cinders is counting on you.

Now, we’ve had lots of enquiries about just what the dress code is for the PR Prom (get your tickets here!). There’s the fabulous promo shots that the extremely talented Jon Cartwright took, but what if you need more guidance?

Rather than give you a boring explanation of what exactly Black Tie, Smart Casual or Dress To Impress *actually* means, we’re going to visually illustrate some ideas of what to wear.

(Hmm, perhaps should have setup a Pinterest profile for the PR Prom.. 

Oh wait! Someone did: http://pinterest.com/redahaq/frocks-for-wadds-for-prprom/

Thanks Reda and can’t wait to see Wadds in those outfits!)

So, here we go with some classic prom looks for ladies and gents:

The High School Musical Look

The LBD

The Disney Princess (try not to make the skirt too puffy - otherwise you risk venturing into “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding” territory)

And for him:

Suited N’ Booted (moody stare optional…)

The Dandy (like the comic, except geekier)

The James Bond

And we’ve also had a few words advice from our Twitter community (follow along @prprom).

This from @sabrinajohnson:

@PRProm @JazCummins @LucyJayne80 @laurabailey… and shoes? Are these too ridiculous for a shoe blogger (in tech PR)? yfrog.com/h495dhrj

— Sabrina Johnson (@sabrinajohnson) January 18, 2012

And this from @laurabailey:

@PRProm don’t be “that girl” i.e. this isn’t a strip joint.

— Laura Bailey (@laurabailey)

January 31, 2012

You’ve been warned friends…

And if you’re unsure, just tweet your outfit to @prprom and we’ll let you know if it’s a thumbs up or time to change your outfit.

Looking forward to seeing all of your fabulous get ups!

(P.S. Got your ticket yet? No? Then get it here)

One of the things about The PR Prom that is getting us all excited is the rather special performance by She Makes War, the solo project of Laura Kidd.
 
Laura is a self-described “multi-instrumentalist vocal chameleon, filmmaker and video director, photographer, blogger, sometime session musician and strident purveyor of grungey dystopian gloom-pop.”

Awesome.
 
She Makes War’s debut album “Disarm” was released in September 2010 (buy it here) and preceded by two singles - “Let This Be” and “I Am”. The album was accompanied by four quirky handmade music videos directed/executive produced and edited by Kidd, starring a host of characters from zombie clowns to sleepy lions to intrepid penguins.

But there’s more! 

You can pre-order the new album “Little Battles” right now and find out more about She Makes War over on their site.

Want to know what to expect from She Makes War on the night? Watch the video for “Slow Puncture” below:

To bring the magic of the PR Prom to life, we’re delighted to introduce Sam Cookney, otherwise know as @sam_cookney.

Sam has kindly agreed to perform a mix of close-up, walkaround magic, card tricks, with a possibility of mind reading after a pint or 2.

Sam hails from the showbiz capital of Europe, Blackpool, and has been performing magic since the tender age of 12. Since moving to London, via Spanish magic in Barcelona, he has enjoyed two TV appearances and been resident magician at club night Lost Dawn for the past 2 years. 

You can find Sam on Twitter at @Sam_Cookney, so look out for his magical exploits on the night.

Oh, and ABRACADABRA!!

(Get your tickets for the PR Prom now)

Shoreditch Town Hall was placed on English Heritage’s ‘Buildings At Risk’ register in 1996. As a result of widespread community concern, the London Borough of Hackney organised a community planning weekend to discuss the future of the building.

Following the creation of a steering group, Shoreditch Town Hall Trust was subsequently formed in 1998 with a mission to restore Shoreditch Town Hall for the benefit of the local and wider communities. In 2002, the Council granted the Trust a 99 year lease of the building.

Since re-opening seven years ago, under the leadership of an independent Trust, Shoreditch Town Hall has established itself as the vibrant cultural and events venue in the heart of Shoreditch.

From star-studded galas and internationally acclaimed art exhibitions to location film shoots and functions, the Town Hall is home to an exciting year round programme - and The PR Prom is delighted to be taking place there.

As you can see from the photo, Shoreditch Town Hall is a majestic looking building and inside does not disappointment. 

 What better way to spend an evening than in a splendid, ornate building?

And getting your ticket for the PR Prom will let you do that, so make sure you get your ticket now!

The PR Prom takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to the traditional American prom, but there are some parts of it that we’re keen to keep faithful to.

One such tradition is the PR Prom King and Queen, who are nominated by their classmates before the prom with an announcement of the winners on the night.

Well, we’re giving you - lucky PR Prom attendees - the chance to recreate this experience and nominate your very own PR Prom King and Queen.

There’s even a “Person Most Likely To…” category - in the style of a high school yearbook - if you want to nominate someone for a different reason.

It’s easy to nominate. Just click on one of the three links below and you’ll be able to customise your nomination on Twitter. We’ll be tracking tweets and note down all nominations.

Nominate your #prpromqueen
Nominate your #prpromking
Nominate your Most Likely to…

So what are you waiting for? Get nominating now!

Here’s just some of the nominations received so far:

Voting @annieinthebush for #prpromqueen @PRProm

— Dan French (@danielfrench)

January 5, 2012

I nominate Heather Baker for #prpromqueen at the @prprom from @toplinefounder

— Charlotte Ward (@Charloot)

January 5, 2012

I nominate @prgeek for #prpromking at the @prprom

— Kate Matlock (@katematlock)

January 5, 2012