Today in partnership with Media Trust we announce the launch of ‘Charity Voice 2012.’ This is a new award recognising the most talented spokespeople in the not-for-profit sector.

Through our work with Media Trust Porter Novelli has provided media training to charity spokespeople for a number of years. Nominees for the new award will be selected during monthly training sessions at our in-house facility, Studio 31.

The Charity Voice 2012 award comes at a crucial time for spokespeople from charities and the public sector whose words and opinions can make all the difference in shifting ideas and prompting action in a complex media landscape. Effective sharing of non-profit work that encourages others to engage with communities and social causes hits the right notes with commentators looking for ways to bring ‘the big society’ to life.

Neil Bayley, PN’s Corporate practice lead, said: “People working in the third sector often have a passion for their cause, which means that they have immense potential as spokespeople. It is always a pleasure for us working with them to help hone their skills and succeed in media interview scenarios. I am pleased that we can formally recognise their ability through this new award scheme.”

Caroline Diehl Chief Executive, Media Trust said: “Training like the courses we run with Porter Novelli are invaluable to help a charity raise its visibility, get its message across and its voice heard, successfully. Today this is more important than ever.”

The winner, who will be announced in May 2012, will be interviewed on the Guardian Voluntary Sector Network and receive a free training session for six people at their charity. Porter Novelli and Media Trust will provide representatives for the judging panel which will also include David Mills Editor of Guardian Voluntary Sector Network, and Editor of Third Sector, Stephen Cook. Watch this space to find out more.

In today’s uncertain global economic and social environment, brands have to perform as strong business assets. Interbrand’s Top 100 Best Global Brands report reveals the truly innovative brands that are responding to the needs of their people, their consumers, and the world beyond.

Porter Novelli was appointed in London and New York by Interbrand to provide the PR support for the global launch of the 12th annual Best Global Brands report, helping to position it as the definitive guide to the world’s leading brands.

Best Global Brands is based on rigorous analytics and Interbrand’s unique valuation methodology that takes into account financial performance, role of brand and brand strength. It is ISO certificated and the global authority on the measure of brand value.

Porter Novelli London and New York coordinated an extensive media outreach programme based on materials, messages and angles that were tailored to appeal to audiences both in the UK and US. This week, the teams generated some fantastic results with the global exclusive going to AP in the US and coverage also appearing in the Wall Street Journal. In the UK, Interviews and coverage were secured for Interbrand London’s CEO Graham Hales on BBC News, BBC World News and Bloomberg TV as well as extensive print coverage in the Times and the Sun.

You can read more on the following sites:
Telegraph.co.uk
Guardian.co.uk
Times online
FT.com
Sun online

Have you been Trunking yet? Don’t be the last.

This week Porter Novelli London are getting well and truly behind David Walliam’s brave charity challenge for Sport Relief by encouraging nationwide #Trunking. David is swimming 140 miles of the Thames in just eight days, and our client – BT – is helping cheer him on by collecting the best pictures together in a gallery of Trunking fame on Facebook.

In the spirit of the great traditions of planking and the slightly more disturbing horsemanning, trunking requires participants to strike a swimming pose (goggles, flippers and other swimming paraphernalia entirely optional) and share a picture online.

Why trunk? Every Trunk is a cheer for David… Since he began his goliath 140mile swim, he has already suffered the early onset of hyperthermia and an upset stomach from swallowing Thames River water, the poor love.

So please let’s show him we appreciate his efforts by #Trunking, spreading the word, and donating to Sport Relief. This is the first of three Sport Relief challenges, for which BT is hoping to raise £1 million. Every penny raised by the public will be spent by Comic Relief to help people living incredibly tough lives, both at home in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries.

Here are my favourite Trunking pictures from the week so far – can you do better?

• Send your Trunking pictures to trunking@btinternet.com
• Tweet using the #Trunking hashtag
• Check out the gallery on Facebook
• Donate to Sport Relief