"MCC International's account team quickly grasped the complexities of our products and developed a rapid understanding of both the technical and business issues that would be of interest to the IT media. By going that extra mile to fully understand our products and company, MCC have achieved terrific results."
Sharon White,
Public Relations Manager
Platform.
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 News
ramsac a finalist for Toast of Surrey business award
Hopes for ‘Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year’ category win ramsac, a leading IT solutions consultancy has reached the final stages of the Toast of Surrey Awards 2012, in the category of ‘Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year’. With a record number of entries for 2012, the annual awards celebrate the success of local businesses and recognise their contribution to the economy, community and prosperity of Surrey. As the winner of last year’s ‘Company of the Year’ award, ramsac this year wanted to highlight its commitment to and the benefits from, running a dedicated in-house apprenticeship scheme which nurtures upcoming IT talent and offers an excellent alternative to further education.
Posted by: Simon Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818976599373454005noreply@blogger.com
(2012-01-23T11:07:00.000Z)
Back to University
Yesterday, I was lucky to be invited back to my old stomping ground at Southampton Solent University to take part in a Meet the Alumni session, with current students studying on the Public Relations and Communications BA course. The session’s aim was to introduce to the students the kind of work they can do once the course has been completed and the pros and cons of working in an in-house, or agency situation.
The session was a real eye opener; it showed me just how far the course itself had developed since I graduated in 2009 and how the university and lecturers are working hard preparing students for the world of work. Units such as negotiation and live client campaigns are featured and concentrated on more heavily to allow students to explore what will be expected of them.
The experience of meeting the students and explaining to them what it is like working as a PRO was really valuable, it makes you realise how much practising PR changes your perception of the job and how PR skills are extremely transferrable. After explaining how PR can be used for pretty much anything from a person, a company or a product I tackled the main concern that the students had, which was in-house or agency. Now this is a long serving question and can only really be answered by trying it out for yourself, but I gave the pros and cons as follows:
In-house:
• Focussed on one company
• Know the subject inside out
• Work in a small communications team/often alone
• Typically 9-5 hours
• Long term campaigns
• Slightly better pay
• Reporting is often frequent
Agency:
• Varied work with several clients
• A knowledge of many topics and enhance the ability to learn quickly the information you need
• Work with other PR professionals and can draw on their knowledge and experience
• May be required to work longer hours if a deadline is approaching
• Short term campaigns
• Stable pay often bonuses
• Your client is not sitting next to you so you can prepare and schedule meetings to ensure you are not distracted or unprepared
Explaining to them that whatever path is chosen they still get to use the same PR skill set hadn’t seemed to occur to them, but I was extraordinarily impressed with the amount of experience in the workplace they were trying to obtain to boost their CVs. There will definitely be some brilliant PROs graduating this year!
Posted by: Sarah Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915359229501265173noreply@blogger.com
(2012-01-13T16:01:00.003Z)
ramsac teaches schools how to balance IT services costs
IT expert demonstrates how to improve services and save costs at BETT 2012, Olympia 11th-14th January 2012, stand K2
ramsac, a leading IT solutions consultancy, will be demonstrating its ‘menu’ of education IT support services at BETT 2012 (the largest education technology exhibition in the world), which is being held at Olympia in London, from 11th to 14th January 2012. Appearing on Stand K2, ramsac will show how schools can stretch their budgets and make the most of their resources.
Posted by: Simon Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818976599373454005noreply@blogger.com
(2012-01-09T16:56:00.001Z)
UKTI Looking for Technology Product Video ahead of Olympic Games
Do you have video of your technology that the UKTI can use to play at overseas events at British Embassies and High Commissions to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games next year?
UKTI is producing a film to showcase a number of UK companies active in the sports industry, prior to 2012 Olympics. If you have video footage of your technology and wish to be considered please contact Martin Kemp at the NanoKTN ASAP at: martin.kemp@nanoktn.com
At the NanoKTN's Nano4Sport event on 21 September, Neil Semple from UKTI referred to the UKTI Innovation Showcase film that they plan to produce by March 2012 to play at overseas events at British Embassies and High Commissions to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games.
UKTI have now been asked by the producers of the showcase to provide film footage of UK capability and products that has to meet the following criteria:
1. Is it a genuinely innovation product, service, process or technology that is accepted by markets, governments and society and does it generally signify a substantial positive change?
2. What is the human face of the story? Has the innovation changed lives? One of the key aims of the showcase is to reflect how British innovations have changed the lives of people not only in the UK but around the world.
3. Will there be restrictions in accessing footage?
4. How likely is it that there will be good quality footage available to illustrate the innovation in question?
The proposed duration of the Innovation Showcase is 6-7 minutes inclusive of an introduction and a conclusion. Therefore, each sector will have approximately 30 seconds of screen time, albeit this duration is multiplied by a total of six individual video screens. They will use specifically composed music to help develop pace and emotion throughout the six to seven minutes duration.
If this opportunity is of interest, please contact Martin Kemp at the NanoKTN.
Posted by: Alison Garveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024961841887664820noreply@blogger.com
(2011-11-03T13:15:00.005Z)
TDSi expands in Nigeria with partner Rapid Vigil Security Company Limited
Poole UK, 31th October 2011 – TDSi, a global leader in access control systems for all sizes of businesses and organisations, today announces Rapid Vigil Security Company Limited of Nigeria has become a partner. The partnership gives TDSi a greater sales reach in the West African market, whilst giving Rapid Vigil Security Company Limited full access to the company’s high quality products and top-tier support services.
Posted by: Simon Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818976599373454005noreply@blogger.com
(2011-10-31T11:49:00.000Z)
Solent’s Collaborate2Innovate 2011 Now Sold Out
Event to build Profitable Partnerships for Organisations in Solent Region
The organisers of Collaborate2Innovate (C2I) 2011 have now closed the event registration after over 500 people registered for this year’s C2I event on Tuesday 1st November 2011, in response to overwhelming interest from local businesses wanting to attend the Solent region’s major collaboration and innovation event.
For further information on C2I please visit www.collaborate2innovate2011.co.uk or contact C2I's press office on c2ipr@mccint.com
Posted by: Sarah Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915359229501265173noreply@blogger.com
(2011-10-26T12:17:00.002+01:00)
TDSi launches new version of MICROgarde access control product software
MICROgarde Version 2.31 software makes installation easier with controller detection and additional language support
Poole, 25th October 2011 – TDSi, a global leader in access control systems for all sizes of businesses and organisations has launched an updated version (Version 2.31) of its MICROgarde entry-level networkable access control product software. The new version makes installation of the system even easier.
Posted by: Simon Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818976599373454005noreply@blogger.com
(2011-10-25T15:32:00.003+01:00)
dhc Launches iConnekt XL Software For Improved Integration Between Access Dimensions and Microsoft Excel
Accountancy and finance teams to benefit from faster and more in-depth reporting
dhc, a provider of integrated software solutions, today announces the launch of iConnekt XL. The tool has been developed by dhc to significantly improve the integration between Microsoft Excel and the financial software, Access Dimensions. Using iConnekt XL, accountancy and finance teams benefit from more control and better quality analysis, reporting and presentation of financial information. In addition the tool provides enhanced financial planning, budgeting and forecasting capabilities.
For further information on dhc and dhc's new iConnekt XL software please contact dhc's press office on dhcpr@mccint.com.
Posted by: Sarah Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915359229501265173noreply@blogger.com
(2011-10-19T16:38:00.002+01:00)
TDSi Appoints IP Video Surveillance Specialist, Customer Care Advisor and Pre-Sales Support to Global UK Head Office
Poole, 28th September 2011 – TDSi, a global leader in access control systems for all sizes of businesses and organisations has recruited three new members to its UK team. Rob Clark joins as Business Development Manager for the company’s VUgarde IP video surveillance solution, Francesca Wilkey is appointed to the role of Customer Care Advisor, supporting TDSi’s partners, resellers and end-users, and Gregg Little has joined in the role of Pre-sales Support.
Posted by: Simon Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818976599373454005noreply@blogger.com
(2011-09-29T17:32:00.000+01:00)
Multitone Launches i–Page Mobile Messaging and Fault Monitoring System
New Communication System For SMEs Improves Efficiency and Effectiveness of Staff Co-ordination and Incident Response
Multitone Electronics Plc, specialists in wireless communication, today launches i-Page, a cost effective and versatile messaging system. It enables small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to instantly, discreetly and securely communicate with staff via pagers, from any networked PC on their premises. i–Page can also be integrated with business equipment to provide a fault monitoring system, that upon detection automatically alerts staff to take appropriate action.
For further information on the i-Page and Multitone, please contact Multitone's press office on sarah.murray@mccint.com.
Posted by: Sarah Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915359229501265173noreply@blogger.com
(2011-09-26T12:31:00.002+01:00)
Information Security Solutions Europe 2011 to Focus on Trusting The Cloud, Mobile Security and e-Identity Management
22nd and 23rd November 2011, Clarion Congress Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
EEMA, the European association for e-identity and security today announces that ISSE 2011 (Information Security Solutions Europe) will take place in Prague on 22nd and 23rd November 2011. Owned by EEMA, ISSE 2011 is the only independent, interdisciplinary IT security conference and exhibition in Europe. The 13th annual ISSE will be hosted this year by the Czech Chamber of Commerce and Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic and is supported by the European Commission, ENISA and TeleTrust.
For further information on ISSE 2011 and to register for the conference as a member of the media please contact ISSE's press office on issepr@mccint.com
Posted by: Sarah Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915359229501265173noreply@blogger.com
(2011-09-26T11:08:00.004+01:00)
Variety is the spice of the PR life
The first week at our new office has been a hugely enjoyable and productive one. We have had the pleasure of meeting many new people, who are working on some very exciting ventures, and the team here at MCC International have already begun seeking out the best places for lunch. What’s more we have found the cheapest petrol station for miles around!
However, every once in a while it is great to get away from the desk, so yesterday a couple of the team met with another company on the Southampton Science Park, whilst I was excited to be heading out to The London Stock Exchange, a great venue for an event, that is somewhat overshadowed the neighbouring, St Paul’s Cathedral. The seminar was being hosted by NICE Systems and co-branded by the excellent security website Info4Security and was titled ‘From the front door to the trading floor’, focusing on the hot topic of security and financial crime.
Today I was back in the office and as always Friday has a habit of being one busiest days of the week. But, powering up my laptop this morning and being greeted by a clients face on the front page of one of their top tier publications was a fantastic way to start things off. This morning was spent working on a few articles that will be going online and in print in the next few weeks, then just after lunch (a sandwich at the desk rather than lavish long lunches people think us PR’s have every day) another client decided to dropp by to say hello and provided a welcome break from the screen. As the afternoon pushes on we are busy arranging media attendance for a big event that will take place in London later this month, as well as hosting a Pan European PR call.
It is weeks such as this that make me realise how lucky I am to be working in PR.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Graham
Posted by: MCC Internationalnoreply@blogger.com
(2011-09-09T17:19:00.000+01:00)
A new home for MCC International
 This is the first blog posting from the exciting new home of MCC International at the Southampton Science Park, a 45-acre development on the historic Chilworth Estate. As well as being a nature conservation area, the park is home to more than 60 leading-edge technology companies including University spin-outs and international household names in pharmaceuticals, software design, satellite broadcasting and mobile telecommunications. We are looking forward to sharing our 24 years experience in science and technology PR with many of them.
To get in contact with the team, you can now reach us at our new address:
MCC International Southampton Science Park,
2 Venture Road,
Chilworth,
Southampton,
Hampshire SO16 7NP
We also have a new telephone number: 02380 111 977.
MCC International is just an hour from London and a mile from the M3, so we are easy to find and all of the team is looking forward to welcoming many of you to our new office in the coming weeks and months.
Graham Thatcher
Posted by: MCC Internationalnoreply@blogger.com
(2011-09-05T17:29:00.000+01:00)
NanoKTN and JEMI UK to Host Seminar at NANO Live UK
NanoKTN and JEMI UK to Host Seminar at NANO Live UK
Identifying Key Advances in MEMS & NANO Processes, 27th September 2011, Birmingham NEC
The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN), one of the UK’s primary knowledge-based networks for Micro and Nanotechnologies, is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a seminar session at NANO Live 2011, in partnership with JEMI UK. The session will feature top speakers showcasing the latest advances in MEMS & NANO processes for Electronics, Industrial & Biomed Applications.
NANO Live UK 2011, hosted at the Birmingham NEC from 27 – 29 September will focus on the exciting and emerging area of nanotechnology, which promises ‘more for less’. It offers ways to create smaller, cheaper, lighter and faster devices that can do more, more intelligently and, use less raw materials and consume less energy. It is the next step from micro manufacturing and as it becomes commercially viable, NANO Live will showcase this cutting edge technology. The three-day event will offer a unique opportunity to showcase and share the ideas, knowledge and contacts that will drive the full commercial potential of this exciting and ground-breaking technology sector.
Posted by: Alison Garveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024961841887664820noreply@blogger.com
(2011-09-05T11:20:00.002+01:00)
NanoKTN and IoN Confirm Success of UK Nanotechnology Mission to America
The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN), one of the UK’s primary knowledge-based networks for Micro and Nanotechnologies, and the Institute of Nanotechnology (IoN), a professional membership organisation for the nanotechnology industry, are pleased to announce the success of the 2010 International NanoMicroClub (INMC) NanoMission to America. The mission, supported by Technology Strategy Board funding, was established to support UK nanotechnology SMEs in international business development.
The US is the largest market for biopharma, both in terms of the number of companies that the UK could partner with but also with regards to market size. In 2008 alone, the US has spent $2.3trillion on healthcare. To ensure the UK took advantage of the business potential in the US, the INMC organised a mission in September 2010, to BioPharm America™ and to visit various companies in Boston.
The UK mission team comprised BHR Group, Point-2-Point Genomics, Nanomerics, Conformetrix and EuropaRx. During the mission, they met with a number of organisations from Boston and the surrounding area, leading to five NDAs being signed. Despite business development being a long process, a number of potential opportunities for business and funding are already being explored, and the feedback from the mission delegates has been very positive.
Posted by: Alex Kenchingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03465084239396705039noreply@blogger.com
(2011-08-22T11:00:00.003+01:00)
NanoKTN to Look at Impact of Nanomaterials on Man and the Environment
14th September, 2011 – Begbroke Science Park, Yarnton, Oxford
The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN), one of the UK’s primary knowledge-based networks for Micro and Nanotechnologies, is pleased to announce an event to review the possible effects of nanomaterials on man and the environment. The one-day seminar will examine the complex issues surrounding recent advances in the measurement and characterisation of nanomaterials throughout the whole product cycle.
By hosting this event, the NanoKTN aims to bring experts in standards, occupational health, toxicity and ecotoxicity, together with equipment producers and providers of analytical facilities. Networking sessions will provide a forum where experts can discuss the advances and issues in this field, meet and explore business and research opportunities with others, and evaluate testing methods and manufacturing processes. There will also be an opportunity for delegates to see first-hand the capabilities of new technologies in the nanoscale world through a stimulating and exciting exhibition.
Posted by: Alex Kenchingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03465084239396705039noreply@blogger.com
(2011-08-15T10:37:00.000+01:00)
Cutting costs in IT Security is a bad policy
By Robert May, Managing Director of ramsac (www.ramsac.com) Business IT security is a perennially favourite topic of discussion. From SMEs to multi-national corporations (and even in government circles), the security of IT systems is much discussed and yet there is a feeling that maybe it is not always given the consideration it deserves. At a recent conference, CompTIA CEO Todd Thibodeaux suggested that it would be sensible to allocate 10% of a company’s IT budget to providing security, and yet the evidence suggests that in reality this is often not the case. For example, a Gartner survey recently found that the industry average spend on IT security is only about five percent. Perhaps even more startling is a report by the Ponemon Institute, Cenzic and Barracuda Networks which found that 88% of companies surveyed indicate they spend more on coffee than they do on securing Web applications!
Posted by: Simon Hewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03818976599373454005noreply@blogger.com
(2011-08-09T16:20:00.000+01:00)
NanoKTN and IoN secure £100K for UK Nanotechnology SMEs at recent Japanese Mission
The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN), one of the UK’s primary knowledge-based networks for Micro and Nanotechnologies, and the Institute of Nanotechnology (IoN), a professional membership organisation for the nanotechnology industry, are pleased to announce that the International NanoMicroClub (INMC) NanoMission to Japan has so far secured new contracts and sales worth £100K for attending UK SMEs.
The mission, supported by the Technology Strategy Board funding, was established to help raise the profile of UK nanotechnology and give UK nanotechnology SMEs the opportunity to drive international business development. The UK mission team comprised BHR Group, Bio Nano Consulting Ltd, Promethean Particles, Mantis Deposition, Mode Diagnostics Ltd, Izon Scientific Ltd, Nanoco, Engrid Consulting, and Oxford Advanced Surfaces.
Posted by: Alex Kenchingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03465084239396705039noreply@blogger.com
(2011-08-08T12:08:00.001+01:00)
NanoKTN Helps UK Nanotechnology SME Grow To Industry Leader
The NanoKTN is pleased to announce that on-going support from its staff and events has helped a UK SME to secure business leads and forge relationships with key collaborative partners. As a result, scientific engineering company Plarion has grown to become a leading manufacturer in its field.
When UK-based Plasmon went into administration in 2008, a team of engineers with years of experience in the field established Plarion, which recently announced the development of its Discipher diagnostic solution. The low-cost, walkaway system is based on a DVD drive and DVD discs with microfluidic channels for rapid biochemical analysis. The on-board reagent storage and sample preparation, along with automated analysis software, offers significant time advantage through minimal user interaction, allowing a large number of tests to be done at the same time.
Plarion’s Systems Development Manager Jackie Cole has been directly involved with the NanoKTN since the company’s launch in 2009, attending events as an exhibitor, delegate and presenter. Actively engaging as a member of the NanoKTN has provided Plarion with vital intelligence about R&D facilities and services available in the UK, as well as providing opportunities to identify possible collaborative partners with specific expertise.
Posted by: Alex Kenchingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03465084239396705039noreply@blogger.com
(2011-08-02T10:52:00.001+01:00)
Two steps forward and a quick look back
It has been a busy week of looking forward here at MCC International with a big new client win that we cannot wait to start working with bright and early on Monday morning and securing a regular monthly column for one of our clients in their key publication. In other news, we have been busy putting together a very exciting new business proposal for a really interesting technology, so all fingers are tightly crossed for the go ahead soon.
On Tuesday, Agency Director, Graham Thatcher, attended his first (well first official!) CIPR committee meeting in Southampton and was delighted to hear that the Wessex region certainly has a thriving PR community. The CIPR is putting on a lot of events between now and the end of the year that will be ‘must attends’ for PR professional is the area.
Whilst some of us have been looking forward, others have been taking a peek in to MCC’s past, recalling our launch of Segway in to the UK market way back in 2005. In fact, they have been dusting off the two-wheeled transporter that many visitors to Winchester House have admired in our reception, with Simon modelling it for our Twitter profile, take a look at: www.twitter.com/mcc_int.
Posted by: MCC Internationalnoreply@blogger.com
(2011-07-29T11:36:00.000+01:00)
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