Press Release

Fundraising using social media Workshop organised by Arts & Business

Press Release by MEMO 12th November 2010
Arts & Business will be organising a workshop on fundraising using social media at Pegasus Theatre on Tuesday, 23rd November at 10 am to 4:30 pm. The workshop could not have been timelier, with looming government funding cuts, arts organisations need all the tools to make up for shortfalls from local and national governments.

The workshop will demonstrate how organisations can use social media, a low cost tool, to raise funds, their profile and ensure they do not miss out on this new and rapidly growing media form. Arts & Business will show participants how to use social media to target specific groups, showcase successful projects and provide one to one critique of current projects that participants are working on.

The workshop dovetails the recent report by Arts & Business, which looks at the implications of government funding cuts and opportunities for the arts. It noted that while business and private sponsorship are unlikely to fully make up for government funding cuts in the arts – estimates have ranged from 7 – 15% – there were many opportunities for funding which the report highlighted. While business transactions on the internet have skyrocketed, this trend has yet to be replicated in funding for the arts. Social media is perfectly placed to appeal to a group defined in the report as “mass affluent” that are drawn to the arts because of its creativity, entertainment value and social development. The mass affluent make up a high proportion of social media users and the workshop will show participants how to target and appeal to them for funding.

The first workshop is being held in Oxford largely because organisers believe it provides the perfect setting for the launch. While funding officers are the most direct beneficiaries of the workshop, top executives and marketing managers would benefit from it because the workshop will give them an insight into what will be a significant income stream and powerful marketing tool. Fundraising using social media can be a stand alone stream or can be integrated into the mix of fundraising activities.

Michael Blake, michael.blake@artsandbusiness.org.uk, Regional Manager of Arts & Business said “the exponential growth in social media over the last few years offers enormous opportunities for the arts in the face of large cuts in government funding, Arts & Business aim to work with the sector to explore this potential.” Howard Lake, expert trainer, who has managed an internet fundraising site for fifteen years said “the internet is a powerful fundraising tool that many arts organisations have yet to embrace or make full use of, in my one to one sessions, I intend to show participants how the internet can work for them.”

Notes for Editors:
Arts & Business, whose President is the Prince of Wales, was set up to nurture the relationship between the commercial and arts sectors. It provides tools for the arts sector to engage with individuals and business.

Contact: Media and Even Management Oxford (MEMO) has prepared this press release for Arts & Business Contact: boima@oxfordmemo.co.uk, www.oxfordmemo.co.uk Tel: 01865 790924

Press release June 2010

Media and Event Management Oxford (MEMO)

Media and Event Management Oxford, www.oxfordmemo.co.uk, goes live on Thursday, 3rd June 2010. The site offers a unique mix of services. MEMO offers a whole media or event management package or individual activities within a menu of services. The menu of individual services for media management include: media planning, press releases, media liaising (PR) advertorials, press launches and media coaching. Individual services in the event menu include: action plans, risk assessments, site management, mobilizing participants, marketing and media management, DJ services, conference organisation and conference reporting. MEMO is capitalizing on developments in the media and event management sectors.

We are offering media management services, a relatively new concept. Media management is a major development in PR as marketing evolved from merchandising 30 or 40 years ago. The public’s perception of events is through the prism of the media which is all pervasive, particularly with the internet. All developments in business, government and the charitable sector have a media dimension and MEMO intends to work with clients to use it to raise their profile and pursue their various objectives. MEMO will assist companies and organisations develop a coordinated and cohesive media policy whereby they set the media agenda rather than operating as passive participants in an environment where virtually all developments have a media focus.

In managing events MEMO takes a project management approach, this method, which is common practice in the engineering sector, is increasingly being adopted in event management. Every single activity in organising the event is accounted for in the action plan, backed by an issues log which pinpoints all issues that result in any departure from the action plan and procedures in resolving them. As project manager, MEMO will organise a joined-up event, maximizing synergies between production, participation, marketing and media management. This cohesive approach also results in significant cost savings. We have a combination of skills which means that the client has a one-stop-shop, a total package.

Boima Rogers, MD, has written for various publications and many of his articles are available on the internet including a report of an Oxford University conference, “Development policy in Africa: Public and Private Perspectives”, which 4,362 websites have cited and/or reproduced according to Google. Boima has organised groundbreaking events including the Winton carnival 2006, which was the biggest in the borough that year, a first time event. Subsequently, Boima initiated and organised the Bournemouth World Food and Music Festival 2008. Tony Ebong, the Production Director has a wealth of experience in managing civil engineering projects in this country and Hong Kong. Tony has a thorough grounding in risk assessment, site management and health and safety regulations. Sedia Rogers, the performing arts and social media manager, is studying dance at De Montfort University.

Contact details: boimarogers@oxfordmemo.co.uk; Tel:01865 790924

Black History Month 20th September 2010

October, Black History Month (BHM), will feature a wide range of activities in the county, including poetry readings, art exhibitions, workshops, plays, live music, dance, conferences, films, history sessions, photo competition and talks about the contributions made by people of African descent.

Oxford University’s Caribbean Week in Oxford starting on 27th September will dovetail into the beginning of the month’s events ending on 2nd October. This festival will look at how the region has been engaged in globalization from a political and cultural perspective, featuring conferences, art exhibitions, film screenings and musical performances. An exhibition will pay tribute to Oxfordshire’s women of African and African Caribbean heritage, featuring former TV presenter Beverley Anderson. Pitt Rivers will exhibit the travels and photography of Thesiger in Africa.

Film screenings include Chris Rock’s exploration of the wonders of African-American hairstyles, a documentary by 20 young people of Britain’s most successful women of change. Workshops include a day of Brazilian carnival arts and Black inventors night. Singer-Song writer and poet Khadijatou (K2) will work with budding lyricists and drummers to assist in her performance of her collection of poetry in landscape of rhythms. History sessions include a journey in central Africa in pre-colonial times and Franklin Smith will talk about slavery and abolition in the Caribbean and sign his books, Madness of Angels and Black Families. There will be lots of opportunities for revelers to boogie the night away in dances featuring African and Caribbean music.

The range of events and organizations involved show how BHM is making inroads in the social calendar of Oxfordshire. The event, which was started in the US by Dr Carter Woodson, reflected his indomitable determination to move away from the distortion and misinformation about the lives and history of people of African descent. He aimed to set the record straight and celebrate the achievements of people of African descent, a theme that has been taken up by the African Diaspora throughout the world. In 1926, when Dr Woodson founded Negro History Week, his race had extremely limited opportunities in politics, sports, the arts and sciences. While the initial aim had strong political undertones, as legislation has eliminated most overt forms of discrimination, the event has become more of a cultural landmark. Indeed BHM and astute commercial operators have made the world so much richer by promoting cultural activities of people of African descent. Through their efforts “race music” as music by Black musicians was called, has evolved into Jazz, Blues, Soul, R&B and Rap, entered the US mainstream, and is now enjoyed by people all over the world. And, the African Diaspora in the Caribbean and South America gave the world Reggae, Salsa, Tango etc.

Junie of Ackhi who has compiled the list of events and is liaising with organisers said “while BHM will highlight the contributions of people of African decent in the arts, sports, science, politics etc, it is very inclusive and people from all backgrounds should have a great time at events during October”

Notes for editors:
In the US, it was largely the landmark civil rights legislation of 1964, 46 years ago, that opened all opportunities that whites had always enjoyed to African Americans, 10% of the nearly 500 years that they had lived in that country. The UK, which has one of the best records in Europe in terms of legislation and enforcement of equal opportunities for ethnic minorities, enacted similar legislation subsequently. There are records of Africans in Britain stretching back to the Roman occupation.

Contact Details:
The programme has been compiled by African & African-Caribbean Kultural Heritage Initiative (ACKHI) and can be contacted at:
Email:ackhi03@gmail.com, Website: www.ackhi.org

Media and Event Management Oxford (MEMO), the media consultant for BHM prepared this press release from information provided by ACKHI and can be contacted at: Email: boima@oxfordmemo.co.uk, Tel: 01865 790924

Press Release September 2010

Volunteering opportunities for life: training & work experience
Community Development Network will be organising a workshop, with presentations on volunteering and training opportunities by speakers from the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) and Community Glue. The event, which will be held on Wednesday, 15th September 2010, at the Old Music Hall on Cowley Road, starting at 3 pm, will also feature an all day art exhibition, community market and live music. Organisers have arranged for entry through G&D’s Cafe as well.

Glynis Newton, Principal Trainer and Stephen Pryor from CAB, will kick start the workshop with a presentation on their training programme for advisors. Training is tailored to individual needs and can be accessed through distance learning. It includes interviewing techniques, giving information and practical help in the various areas such as debt, employment etc. Advisors come from all walks of life and efforts are made to get a diverse group to reflect the variety of issues from clients, who come from all sections of the community. Lindsay Watts, Volunteer Centre Manager at OCVA, will talk about volunteering opportunities, how volunteering can help in moving towards goals, with OCVA playing the role of an exchange, helping volunteers get in touch with organisations and assisting the latter with their recruitment, training, management and retention of volunteers. OCVA’s training programme includes Community Voluntary Qualifications as well as accredited training in management skills for committee members and various other participants in the voluntary sector. Jon Hyslop, Director of Community Glue, will look at the development of advocacy, how it empowers clients with health and social problems and sets into motion checks, balances and remedial actions. Jon will explore training opportunities in advocacy.

The workshop could not have been timelier. As the recession bites, throwing people out of work, it is changing the dynamics under which the three organisations operate. Between 2007/08 and 2008/09 the number of enquiries at OCVA by people offering voluntary services increased by a hundred and fifty percent. CAB figures show a 29% increase in debt queries in 2008/9 compared to the previous year and a similar increase for the first half of 2009/10. Both CAB and OCVA offer volunteering roles and training which enable people retain or develop skills that they can transfer into paid employment. Alison Baxter, Chief Executive of OCVA said “in these tough economic conditions the voluntary sector provides opportunities for people to help their communities and themselves.”

The event will provide an outlet for local artists exhibiting paintings and crafts and music by Sekuru Mherembi of Yotinhira Arts playing marimba and offering coaching lessons on traditional Zimbabwean music. Residents are also being offered the chance to sell items in the garden, an opportunity for local households to earn something in these trying times. This combination of advice and practical support is the hallmark of Community Development Network, formed to initiate, develop and promote community projects.

Give as a volunteer and Gain lifetime skills. G&G

Note for Editors: Community Development Network (CDN) is organising this workshop as part of an ESF funded skills diversification project focusing on targeted support for eligible participants. Programmes include development of skills such as: IT; business development; language, communication and presentation and; personal development planning

Media and Event Management Oxford (MEMO) has prepared this press release in its role as media consultant for CDN.

Contact details:
CDN: Tel: 01865 403276; Email: cdn@zivanai.org
Media enquiries: boima@oxfordmemo.co.uk Tel: 01865 790924

African Music Bonanza – 3rd July

African Music BonanzaMedia and Event Management Oxford (MEMO) will be bringing a taste of Africa to Oxford, with a music bonanza on Saturday, 3rd July at The Regal on Cowley Road. The event scheduled for 10:15 pm to 3 am, will be a music jamboree covering the whole continent and is in line with the plan by Cowley Road Carnival organisers to make the event a two day community party. MEMO’s DJ, Bibok will blast out an explosion of the rich and diverse musical forms from the continent.

Bibok will entertain the audience with music which originated from courts of the ancient Mande Empire of West Africa. Music of artists from that region, including those by Baaba Maal, Youssou N’Dour and many other stars will thrill the crowd with their hauntingly refreshing tunes. Bibok’s repertoire will include high energy and intoxicating highlife music from Ghana, sometimes referred to as palm wine music, after that potent brew. Other tunes will include vibrant Juju music a “fusion of Yoruba drumming with pop instrumentation”, powerfully rendered by Sunny Ade and a host of other stars from Nigeria. The Sokous, sensual and melancholy, will draw the audience deep into the Congo basin. Bibok will play old favourites like Franco, Dr Nico and OK Jazz as well as new stars like Kanda Bongo Man, BoPol Mansiamina and many more. The evening will feature Moma, from Cape Verde, a tribute to the marriage of Africa, Brazil and Portugal, deeply embedded in the culture and racial mix of those islands. Bibok will play tunes by the likes of Cesaria Evora whose ballads about love, lust, patriotism and mourning will mesmerize the crowd. Music from southern and eastern Africa will also entertain the crowd, with tunes from the Bundu Boys, Oliver Mtukudzi, Louis Mlango and various other artists.

African music bonanza will bring the continent into Oxford like never before. It will add a new dimension to the Cowley Road carnival in the new format, a weekend party. While new to many people in Oxford, African music has a ready audience in people of African decent as well as many others who have had a taste of African music from travelling to the continent. Boima Rogers of MEMO said “London recently had the Benin Bronze on display, Oxford is having the African music show, once you’ve had a taste of exciting music from the continent you will never get enough of it”.

Note for editors: Bibok has been a DJ for fifteen years, this much sought after DJ has played his explosive mixture of African music all over Europe, the USA, Africa and the Middle East. African Music Bonanza is not part of the Cowley Road carnival but we will be seeking links with the organisers to ensure a higher African profile in the event.

Contact details: boima@oxfordmemo.co.uk Tel: 01865 790924

Press release June 2010

Media and Event Management Oxford (MEMO)

Media and Event Management Oxford, www.oxfordmemo.co.uk, goes live on Thursday, 3rd June 2010. The site offers a unique mix of services. MEMO offers a whole media or event management package or individual activities within a menu of services. The menu of individual services for media management include: media planning, press releases, media liaising (PR) advertorials, press launches and media coaching. Individual services in the event menu include: action plans, risk assessments, site management, mobilizing participants, marketing and media management, DJ services, conference organisation and conference reporting. MEMO is capitalizing on developments in the media and event management sectors.

We are offering media management services, a relatively new concept. Media management is a major development in PR as marketing evolved from merchandising 30 or 40 years ago. The public’s perception of events is through the prism of the media which is all pervasive, particularly with the internet. All developments in business, government and the charitable sector have a media dimension and MEMO intends to work with clients to use it to raise their profile and pursue their various objectives. MEMO will assist companies and organisations develop a coordinated and cohesive media policy whereby they set the media agenda rather than operating as passive participants in an environment where virtually all developments have a media focus.

In managing events MEMO takes a project management approach, this method, which is common practice in the engineering sector, is increasingly being adopted in event management. Every single activity in organising the event is accounted for in the action plan, backed by an issues log which pinpoints all issues that result in any departure from the action plan and procedures in resolving them. As project manager, MEMO will organise a joined-up event, maximizing synergies between production, participation, marketing and media management. This cohesive approach also results in significant cost savings. We have a combination of skills which means that the client has a one-stop-shop, a total package.

Boima Rogers, MD, has written for various publications and many of his articles are available on the internet including a report of an Oxford University conference, “Development policy in Africa: Public and Private Perspectives”, which 4,362 websites have cited and/or reproduced according to Google. Boima has organised groundbreaking events including the Winton carnival 2006, which was the biggest in the borough that year, a first time event. Subsequently, Boima initiated and organised the Bournemouth World Food and Music Festival 2008. Tony Ebong, the Production Director has a wealth of experience in managing civil engineering projects in this country and Hong Kong. Tony has a thorough grounding in risk assessment, site management and health and safety regulations. Sedia Rogers, the performing arts and social media manager, is studying dance at De Montfort University.

Contact details: boimarogers@oxfordmemo.co.uk; Tel:01865 790924

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