Top lineup of speakers for PR Success Strategies Conference

A panel of journalists will also help delegates better understand the best-practices in media relations and what really works for journalists (and what doesn't). The PR Success Strategies conference takes place on 20 November at The Forum, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.

Here is the line-up of speakers:

	- Eric Edelstein, director at Springleap.com, will give an introduction to the day with a talk on the power of PR for business. Edelstein founded incuBeta.com, Clicks2Customers.com, TrafficSynergy.com, Mobile-QandA.com and many other well known Internet companies.
	- Les Aupiais is the editor of Private Edition and a communication specialist. She has been a presenter and producer of M-Net's Carte Blanche and consulting editor of Top Billing. She trains blue chip companies in media and communications and runs classes to develop feature writing skills. Using her experience with radio, TV and magazine publishing, Aupiais will teach delegates how to “think like a journalist” and explain how best to navigate the editorial decision processes in each of these mediums.
	- De Waal Steyn, publishing editor of Die Burger will join Aupiais in the “How to think like a journalist” session by explaining the processes and opportunities between the print and multimedia online newsrooms. He has been part of the newspaper's multimedia team since its inception and his main task now is driving convergence between the traditional print newsroom and new media platforms.
	- The practical “Mapping your message” workshop will be facilitated by Robynn Burls, founder and co-owner of Encyclomedia, the media database research service. Burls will help delegates define their core message and, using the knowledge accumulated from years of research with journalists, she will help delegates find the best angles to get their messages across, plus practical pitching tips to ensure press releases actually get read.
	- Sarah Rice, Managing Director and founder of Sentient Communications, will show delegates the various methods of distributing their message, while giving top tips on creating a highly effective press release.
	- Rob Stokes, CEO of Quirk eMarketing, is an internet addict, serial entrepreneur and author of “eMarketing: The essential guide to online marketing“. Stokes will cover the concepts, tools and ideas around webPR and online reputation management.
	- Beverley Merriman is an entrepreneur, project manager, active blogger and social media strategist. With a talk entitled “Shoot the puppy”, she will give valuable, practical advice on using social networking to expand your exposure and build relationships.
	- Catherine Lückhoff, founder of MANGO-OMC, will join Merriman and provide case studies of how social media was used to create exposure for the recent Rocking the Daisies music festival.

Conference details:
20 November 2008
The Forum, Victoria & Alfred Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
08:30 - 17:00 (registration at 08:00)
Early bird special: R2500 before 3 November (R2750 thereafter)
For more details or to register please visit: http://www.encyclomedia.co.za/events/

Register now to take advantage of the early bird special, limited seats available.