Motor show organisers hire extra PR specialists

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has appointed

a range of PR specialists to work alongside retained agency Charles

Barker to handle communications for this year’s British International

Motor Show at Birmingham’s NEC.

The SMMT, which has a total PR budget of pounds 500,000 for the show,

has appointed specialists in radio and television and website

communications for the first time. Following its work for the London

Motor Show, the London Bureau has been appointed to develop a broadcast

PR campaign for the Birmingham event, The Broadcasting Company will

develop a radio PR campaign and marketing agency INM will develop web

facilities.

Activity will begin prior to the show, which takes place in October and

November, in an attempt to raise its profile and increase

attendance.

At the event itself Two-Ten Communications will run the press centre and

Charles Barker will develop a daily newspaper for exhibitors and their

staff.

The show, which is held at the NEC every two years, attracted 630,000

people in 1996. Roger King, acting chief executive of the SMMT, said:

’This is the first time we’ve used specialists. Previously we’ve tended

to do it all ourselves but this year’s event will be bigger than

ever.’

The SMMT’s in-house team is headed by Al Clarke, head of communications,

who reports to King. Media relations manager Richard Barnett reports to

Clarke. The Birmingham show is set to be the largest, taking place

across 13 halls. King added: ’Some aspects of media relations have

started but we expect to begin generating coverage in September.’