Rochester PR advises China Development Forum 2013

When the London School of Economics China Development Society (CDS) came to us to explain their China Development Forum 2013 – China in Transition – and to ask for some guidance, we said "yes". 

Founded in 2002, CDS’s mission is to promote understanding of China’s economic growth, political transitions as well as social changes. It is the society in LSE which organises regular events and offers comprehensive, in-depth analysis of China’s multi-faceted, ongoing transformation. 

In 2009, CDS launched its first China Development Forum which was the first London-based student-run forum on China.  It has since enjoyed phenomenal growth in terms of reputation and audience. The event brings together world-known economists, academics, politicians and professionals to comments on current affairs, analyse government policies and forecast the economic development in China. Previous speakers include Sarah Cook, Director of the UN Research Institute for Social Development, Jonathan Woetzel, Director in McKinsey & Company’s Greater China Office and Weiying Zhang, Professor of Economics and director of the Centre for Market and Network Economy of Peking University.

The China Development Forum 2013 will take place in New Academic Building, LSE, London on 26 January. It will focus on China’s  development  in the context of important changes in the Chinese political landscape after the once- in- a- decade power transfer in the 18th  National  Congress which took place in November 2012. It will discuss topics such as how the new leadership will address challenges confronting China, including rising social pressures; international diplomatic conflict;  and escalating geopolitical tension. Visit the website http://www.lsecds.org/forum/cdf2013/ for more information and to book your place.

Active advice for China and the UK

Today, I had the pleasure of seeing a great friend, Yintong Betser, launch the third edition of her two books Active Business Travel.  One, in English, is for UK businesses wanting to travel and do business in China.  The other, in Chinese, offers help and guidance to Chinese companies wanting to do business in the UK and has lots of practical advice.  There’s even guidance from a great PR consultancy (yes, of course it’s us) on page 142 and 143 of the Chinese edition on what to do for your business in terms of PR and marketing. 

The event was hosted by the  London Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Chinese Business Association (CBA) and China Telecom Europe.  Mr Ou, Managing Director of China Telecom Europe, officially launched the books and gave an overview of current Sino-British economic relations,  Peter Bishop, Deputy Chief Executive of the London Chamber of Commerce talked about Chinese businesses in London and Lord Clement-Jones who heads up DLA Piper's International Business Relations initiatives and is the London Office Managing Partner, provided his own insight on the China/UK relationship. 

Yintong is a fellow member of the China Advisers Network and also offers a range of Anglo Chinese gifts suitable for the business traveler check out her web page http://www.activeukchina.com/

Cocktails and canapés for Chinese friends

In conjunction with Chinese Enterprises Association in Britain (CEAB), we organised a pre-Christmas celebration for CEAB members, our Chinese friends and clients.

The event was held at our client, L’atelier des Chefs’ St Paul’s venue - after speeches from the Chairman of CEAB Simon Yang and our Managing Director Joanna, we started preparing our own food!

We wanted to create an event that would be different for our Chinese guests, so we had five chefs teaching us how to prepare a selection of different appetisers including a French, Italian, British or Spanish twist as well as a sushi station – all the guests received the recipes the next day, so that they could recreate them at home. The mixologist meanwhile hosted an enthusiastic crowd learning how to make two red Rochester cocktails – a clever mix of British and Asian ingredients such as lychees with strawberry liquor and rosemary infused vodka . And then on to dessert; everybody seemed to love profiteroles (in a choice of chocolate or caramel) and roast plums on brioche.   

One BBC Chinese journalist who attended the event emailed to say: 

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and all your team for a most enjoyable evening. I can assure you that everyone present had a whale of time!

The event was well organized in every possible way, welcoming, encouraging and uplifting, there was a feel good factor in the atmosphere.

You have been an example of top quality PR agency and PR People. I am sure your business will go from better to best. I appreciate your hard work and professionalism.” 

2012 has been a good year for Rochester’s China business – we assisted CNPIEC and GAPP with the 2012 London Book Fair China Market Focus programme, Honav with its celebration of its licence for Rio 2016 at Casa Brasil and SWS with its Sino-European Cross Border Business Seminar. We look forward to supporting more Chinese companies as they enter the UK market in 2013.

The British Cookery School Awards

 

Last night we attended the first ever British Cookery School Awards at The Vintners’ Company in the City with our client L’atelier des Chefs.

Following some networking over delicious canapés and Casillero del Diablo wines, we all settled into our seats downstairs for the main event of the evening – the announcement of the award winners.

The very first award went to L’atelier des Chefs’ David Viey, in the Best Unsung Hero category – obviously our diligence and talent in crafting the entry copy didn’t go unnoticed, just like David’s hard work behind the scenes in the kitchen!  We were also pleased to discover that we came in a close second place in the People’s Choice category, which was entirely voted by the public via email or Twitter.

All in all the evening, which was sponsored by Kenwood, Dr. Oetker, Barts spices and Pyrex (who all incidentally contributed to one of the best and biggest goody bags we’ve seen for a while) was a great success; offering opportunities to get to know others in the industry and get a feel for how other cookery schools operate throughout the country. Host Nigel Barden (BBC Radio 2 Drivetime, Reader's Digest and BBC London 94.9) was witty and charming, but what really struck us was how many small cookery schools are making a success of their businesses whilst supporting their localities in terms of both ingredients and communities.

We are sure that the 2013 British Cookery School Awards will be even bigger and better…      

"Joanna started working with Nando’s in 1999 when we had only 15 restaurants! Now we have to approach reputation management in a more grown up way, but wanting to remain down to earth and personable brand, it’s great to work with a team that knows Nando’s inside out.

Joanna has worked with us on various issues with calm professionalism, clear strategic advice and vitally a sense of humour just when it’s needed.  

An excellent choice for safeguarding your corporate reputation."

Keri Perkins, Head of PR, Nando's