The British Computer Society, the professional organisation
representing the country’s computer engineers, has appointed August.One
Communications to coordinate reputation management relating to Y2K
issues following a competitive pitch.
August.One’s campaign will involve both press and government relations,
designed with both the society’s internal audience of 35,000 members,
and its external audience, in mind.
John Fraser, head of public affairs at the agency said: ’We first need
to make sure the members are going out to opinion-formers and
commentators with the same message. If our members are speaking we want
them to say: ’This is what our trade body has done.’’
As the computing industry trade body, the BCS has been helping its
members in the fight against Y2K.
’Part of what we are doing is profile-raising for the BCS,’ Fraser
added.
This is the first time the BCS has used a PR agency. August.One has been
taken on for a minimum of three months and will report to Alida
Macchietto, the marketing director of BCS. The account will be run by
Sarah Howe, director of client services at August.One.