It’s Showtime!

Now we’re properly into March its feeling more like Spring (intermittently between flurries of wintery snow that is!) and in the world of technology PR our thoughts are turning to this year’s trade show and events season and the best ways for our clients to make maximum impact on their markets. As much a part of the PR and Marketing campaign as press releases and case studies, trade shows give your business the chance to meet potential clients in the flesh, to talk directly about your products and services and to sell the personality and integrity of your business using the expertise of your team. Drawing visitors to your stand with well-targeted, highly relevant PR is much more effective in attracting potential clients and the type of visitors you want as opposed to simply relying upon gimmicks, which may superficially appeal to a broader audience, but not necessarily the ones you might like! Big upcoming events for MCC International and our clients include the British APCO (Knowledge Exchange for Public Safety Communications) at Manchester Central, 16^th-17^th April, INFOSEC Europe at Earls Court, 24^th-26^th April and IFSEC 2012 at the Birmingham NEC 14^th-17^th May

This week has seen coverage of the TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) Festival in California, which is worth checking out not such much for the technology but more as an insight into the direction technology business leaders see it moving. We were particularly interested by Sherry Turkle’s stance that new technology and communication channels do not necessarily mean we are truly connecting with other people or organisations – a positive message that making communication more personal (such as attending trade shows for example!) is far more effective than simply dipping a toe in every communications medium and hoping to reach the right contacts.

With the Olympics looming this year, BBC Technology News has covered a new kind of speed record – that of a four-legged robot dubbed ‘Cheetah’. Achieving a somewhat slower pace of 18 mph than its feline counterpart (64mph has been recorded in short bursts apparently), or indeed the likes of sprinting superstar Usain Bolt, this robot doesn’t really conjure images of Robert Patrick’s T1000 sprinting after Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2. However, when you consider this robot was developed without the aid of thousands of years or evolution (or Hollywood CGI), its starts to look more impressive. It also highlights the media and public interest in technology firsts and the kudos that having a World Record still holds (as well as a great PR opportunity) - which has to be admired!