An article I wrote for CIPR on local government and social media.

Looking at the use of social media in local government in the UK. Part one of a three-part series.

A new study looking at social media and local government is consistent with the findings of my CIPR research on the same topic.

Last week the Local Government Association published its list of banned words in an attempt to highlight the use of poor language by local authorities.

For PR students, and particularly those studying the CIPR Diploma, here’s another of my answers in the Critical Reasoning Test I did earlier this year.

Next month I’ll be running a workshop session at Northern Conference in Newcastle looking at podcasting in the public sector.

Newscounter is a new UK-based website that aims to offer a right to reply on controversial or one-sided stories in the media.

Today marks the start of what’s called the purdah period for communications for the UK local authority where I head up marketing and public relations.

I’ve had my own website at www.simonwakeman.com since 2001. Until January 2006 it featured basic information about me and not a lot else. Over the past twelve months that’s definitely changed.

I’m very excited as today’s a big day: we’re launching the first real podcast from a local authority in the UK.

Spotted a nice post on Twopointouch about measuring authority – using Technorati’s link data to categorise blogs into four categories (A to D) based on authority.

I’ve been following the outpouring of blog posts about “Wal-marting across America” with interest. Could this be another example of the blogosphere not checking its sources?

Sam Oakley has recently started a new PR blog and has blogged about public sector PR myths.

When I moved to a marketing and PR job in the public sector, colleagues at the time were surprised. The experience I’ve gained so far has been invaluable, and I’d go so far as to say I think every marketing or PR professional would benefit from spending some time working in the public sector.