I’m keeping it local today, with three PR stories we’ve come across recently; two of which we wrote…

PR coverage can be priceless and, in the first example, we read about a man from Barrow in June’s edition of ‘The Director’; the magazine for members of the Institute of Directors.  Maurice Flitcroft is from Barrow in Furness and a book has just been released telling his story.  ‘The Phantom of the Open’ is about Maurice; a 46-year old crane driver from Barrow who, having never played a round of golf before, wangled his way into the 1976 Open championship.  He was banned for life, but that didn’t stop him continuing to enter championships under pseudonyms and using disguises.  Now that is a great story.  And one you want to tell again.

Celebrity is always popular; especially in rural areas. And a couple of weeks ago, we were lucky enough to have Nigel Botterill visit the area and speak.  (He came to Barrow in fact, so maybe Maurice was in the audience.)  His tips made a great business story, as you’ll see if you follow this link to the story in the Evening Mail…http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/one-in-a-million-1.732971?referrerPath=home The interviews with local business owners, added by their own reporter,  really brought it to life too.

The other example I wanted to share is a real ‘picture story’.  You need the images to make it come alive.  This is the story of a local photographer who was asked to recreate a portrait that was 145 years old.  It was an image of the original Chairman of James Cropper Plc retiring.  His great, great grandson is now retiring after 39 years with the company and they wanted a matching image to hang in their Head Office. What do you think..?

James Cropper photographed by Graham Edwards