Ellee Seymour

It’s very rewarding when after issuing a press release for a client, the editors from two Cambridge glossy magazines call almost immediately asking for higher resolution pics to be sent.

The pic in question was Xanthe (left) taken by Pali Rao (right), one of two stunning shots which won him high commendation from the prestigious International Photography Awards.

Pali was naturally proud of this recognition for the second year running and wanted some Cambridge PR, he asked me to promote him locally and in national photographic journals, including Professional Photographer and Professional Photographer.

A good story sells itself, and I knew Pali would hit the headlines with his winning creativity, though it makes a considerable difference if a press release is presented professionally. I’m speaking from experience as I have worked in newsrooms and seen how many dull and uninspired press releases end up in the bin.

I overcame a new challenge this week - issuing a press release to national educational and sports correspondents in Germany on behalf of Felsted School, Essex. The school’s hockey team is shortly heading there on tour - with a one of their pupils and team members who is a German international player. I subscribe to a top media database that lists every publication in the world and was able to access these valuable media contacts.

I always feel it is a false economy when companies cut back on PR to save a pound - that’s surely when they need it most of all!

For anyone interested in photography, Pali used a Nikon D2X with tungsten lighting to achieve this winning effect. I think it’s smoulderingly fabulous.

Last night I was told how Bulgaria and Romania can offer great business opportunities for the UK, and I met some traders who have already established contacts there.

The question that was repeatedly asked was why is our Government keen to push trade links with India and China, but not doing the same for our European neighbours - western and eastern?

India and China might be great for the larger businesses, but what about the SMEs? Good point.

Just in case you do plan to trade with Bulgaria, here are some valuable tips from, Zircon who have prepared the rough Business Guide to help steer you through.

• Shaking the head means “yes”, while nodding means “no”. Very important MEPs remember this during debates.
• They will only take calls on mobile phones, they live, breathe and die their mobile phones.
• The men have big egos and big bellies - avoid massaging the wrong one!
• They are addicted chain smokers and often take a ciggie break half-way through a meal.
• The average monthly salary is £100; this is the only declared salary, the rest is paid in cash
• Education is valued more highly than houses, cars or business success. All children are expected to get a university degree and a Masters. We could learn lots from this ethos.

It seems this new land of milk and honey has areas of natural outstanding beauty and stunning archaeological sites and could become the next destination for medical tourism too, specialising in dentistry and plastic surgery. They are also big on organic produce; 40% of their trade is in agriculture, largely organic due to being behind the times. If you buy an organic cucumber from Sainsbury’s, the chances are it came from Bulgaria! This should help meet our growing demand.

Despite these countries having to be reined in to meet EU standards, the message was not to be deterred by perceptions and prejudice. Anyway, we have a few bad apples in the UK too.

I like the fact that these countries appear “wild and untamed”, it would be boring if we were all alike, very civilised and, er English. And, of course, they like us too…