Business Diary: March 26

DIARY is always impressed by Yorkshire-based public relations practitioners who make their voices heard on a national scale.
Crypt Factor, Rachel Phipps, Leanne Bayston, Emma Stanham, Gina Reay and Samara Bott.Crypt Factor, Rachel Phipps, Leanne Bayston, Emma Stanham, Gina Reay and Samara Bott.
Crypt Factor, Rachel Phipps, Leanne Bayston, Emma Stanham, Gina Reay and Samara Bott.

Di Burton, managing director of Harrogate-based Cicada Communications, is one of the most influential practitioners in the UK PR industry, according to the latest edition of PRWeek’s ‘Power Book’.

She is just one of two PR professionals from Yorkshire to make it into the Power Book 2013 – the other being Richard Taylor, director of corporate affairs and communications at Bradford-based supermarket chain Morrisons.

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The Power Book 2013 lists 200 people from the UK PR industry who are said to be ‘driving, shaping and developing this vibrant industry’.

Ms Burton, who launched Cicada in 1987, said: “To make it into the Power Book 2013 and be listed alongside some of the most respected names in the industry is a great achieve- ment.

“And to be listed in the Power Book four years in a row is very satisfying.”

No prizes for guessing who originated this story.

Food for thought

THERE was plenty to whet your appetite at a recent food and drink conference in Bradford.

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Not only did the audience get a taste of potential export markets from around the world, but they also had the chance to sample an array of tasty food produced in and around the Yorkshire area.

The one-day Best of British conference, organised by UK Trade & Investment together with the newly launched Yorkshire Asian Business Association, sought to encourage more local food and drink producers to take their products global.

Mark Robson, UKTI regional director, said the quality of food and drink made in Yorkshire “sets us apart from the rest”.

He said: “From pies, beers and cheeses through to curry sauces and fresh and frozen ready meals, we are home to products that are the envy of the world.”

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And the proof was in the pudding with foods such as Raja’s samosas, cakes from Exquisite Handmade Cakes, curries from Aagrah, sausages from British Premium Sausages and snacks from My Lahore going down a treat among delegates.

Some added spice

DIARY will look at press releases from Turn Key in a whole new light after the sight of the team performing as the Spice Girls at Thursday’s Crypt Factor.

The Leeds-based marketing agency fielded an act for the fundraising singing competition featuring Samara ‘Scary’ Bott, Gina ‘Posh’ Reay, Emma ‘Ginger’ Stanham, Leanne ‘Baby’ Bayston and Rachel ‘Sporty’ Phipps.

The band, Spice Aloud, became the seven-year-old event’s first girl band with their daring version of Wannabe.

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Ms Stanham said: “We enjoyed it. All the rehearsing paid off.”

“The Crypt Factor offered a great opportunity to support an important Leeds-based charity in a unique way.

“Not only were we able to demonstrate Turn Key’s creative flair and team spirit but it was also a great team-bonding exercise – particularly the late night rehearsals complete with pizza.”

Despite efforts to persuade Diary into voting for them, your correspondent chose instead to back Dawn Allen, the ultimate winner.

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Crypt Factor raised more than £50,000 for the LionHeart and St George’s Crypt charities.

A bitter taste

DIARY enjoyed the hospitality at Elland Road during Crypt Factor but wondered why this most iconic of Yorkshire institutions only seemed to have Boddingtons bitter at the bar.

We know Manchester has been in the football ascendancy for more than two decades now, but selling Manchester beer in this den of Leeds really is capitulation of the worst order.

Now for the serious message: Yorkshire is home to some of the best bitters in the world.

Diary believes the region should start promoting them properly.