Interested in Talking to the Media? Here is a Pre-Christmas Event You Should Consider

UK – The rush to convert journalism to multi-media sources at rock bottom prices continues unabated and it seems the freight and logistics press is yet another casualty in the race to the basement when we look at standards in the press. Traditional copy writers who know their stuff have fled to the Public Relations sector as experts, sadly lacking both hard copy and online outlets in which to practice.

For many years, the Handy Shipping Guide has enjoyed attending the media parties organised by the Seahorse Club, a long-standing, informal, friendly and effective business networking group that tries to foster relationships between journalists and those involved in communications, PR, and marketing linked to cargo transport and international trade.

That bright, shiny, all singing and dancing website the IT department built (or farmed out) may be wonderful but without the trade press how are you going to tell anyone about what is on offer? Without those industry publications, of which there are less every year, your stories and achievements will vanish in the slew of Twitter, Facebook and various other platforms so clogged with miscellaneous information they become meaningless.

Whilst the future of a reliable shipping and forwarding press has still to be decided, the spirit of the Seahorse Club post pandemic lives on, and one of its stalwart members is organising a festive media party for freight, transport and shipping journalists, and the PR representatives and marketing people that work with them.

It will take place on December 21st in the warming surrounds of a traditional London journalists and shipping industry pub, the Globe in Moorgate, close to Liverpool Street and just a mile from Fleet Street. Starting at 19:00 the event has already attracted some sponsors including the award-winning shipping company AAL Shipping (AAL); much appreciated forwarding representative group, the British International Freight Association (BIFA); as well as leading 3PL, OIA Global.

We hear however that there has been a good response to the initial invitation, with 20 journalists from across all modes already signing up, including Air Cargo News, Journal of Commerce, Freight Business Journal, Tradewinds, World Cargo News, HLPFI, The Loadstar and Breakbulk magazine, as well as around 20 PR/marketing types. So hurry if you fancy a unique chance to speak to the right people in convivial surroundings when, as journalists generally will, they are ensuring they enjoy the evening to the full.

Spaces are limited to 100 guests and will be allocated on a first come, first served, basis, so if you fancy a bit of festive networking, but have not been invited, please contact Ian Matheson at Impress Communications asap. Call him on 07894 406762, or send an email via ian@impresscommunications.org

From personal experience we cannot think of a more cost effective way of networking* with so many relevant contacts in one place at one time. Equally, if you are interested in joining the list of sponsors, we're sure that you would be warmly welcomed, and receive plenty of PR exposure, before, during and after the event. Any profits from the event, as well as the proceeds of a raffle on the evening, will be donated to Transaid, which has had long term support from the Seahorse Club.

*This statement presumes you don’t buy a round for the gannets who pose as writers.

Photo: The Globe near London Wall.