Liverpool, Capital Of Culture for 2008

Liverpool: European Capital of Culture!

Posted by Stephen

I have been thinking a lot about my dissertation recently and I hope to highlight the importance of ensuring that a city is portrayed in a positive light. However, this research does not relate directly to Public Relations, and so it is arguable that there is a gap in research in order to investigate the ways in which PR strategies are initiated, developed and then implemented to an attempt to steer away any criticism.

This concept can be directly related to Liverpool as it was initially on a crest of a wave when it beat Newcastle to the title against all expectations, but within months the cracks in the Public Relations strategies began to demonstrate and element of uncertainty. For example: Plans for a futuristic building by Will Alsop, on the Mersey riverbank were dropped when the financial structure proved untenable. In addition, in June 2006, the Australian cabaret singer and festival director Robyn Archer, who had been hired on a six-figure salary, abruptly left her post and returned to Melbourne, having hardly been seen in the city.

Source : PR Through A Scouser’s Eyes
Author : : Lizzy
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Bricking Up The Mersey

Posted by Stephen

So it seems I’m writing about coming back to Liverpool again. Alex and I have just come back from three weeks around Italy, Corfu and a day in Albania. Always leaving, always returning.

You most likely haven’t heard it yet, but Ringo Starr has just written a song about leaving Liverpool for his new album. Interestingly, his album is entitled “8″ and seems to correlate to the Liverpool 08 European capital of culture events. However, he claims they are totally unrelated and somewhat ironically, due to his performance of this song at the opening ceremonies, Liverpudlians feel that Ringo is no longer “related” to their home town. The chorus goes, “Liverpool I left you, but I did not let you down”, but with too much emphasis on the leaving part for Liverpool’s liking. Anyhow, the scouse people are a very proud breed and you mustn’t place it in the shadow, no matter how much the locals berate it for all its faults. (”What the hell are you doing in Liverpool Lad, its shite over ‘ere?”, they say me when I tell them where I’m from).

Source : Du Grand Duc aux Bisons
Author : Le Grand Duc
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Small “c” capital of culture

Posted by Stephen

I was in Liverpool yesterday, since I like to go over now and then. It’s more of a building site than ever, which surprised me - presumably this year of culture didn’t stop the buildings that are going on. But you come out of the grubby-as-ever Lime Street and don’t really feel that you’re in a city where anything particular is going on, despite the billboards proclaiming it everywhere. Presumably later in the year all of this will change, but for now, a tourist would be disappointed I think. My favourite second hand bookshop, next to the station, is no more - it hung on grimly, longer than I expected - but now its gone, so Liverpool 1 Culture 0 on that count. However, things looked up when I got to the Tate, always a favourite gallery space, where they’ve had their most prominent rehang in years. Their exhibition of 20th century art is divided into the figurative and abstract over two floors, but in each case the theme weakens as you get towards the present day.

Source : Art of Fiction
Author : Bournemouth Runner
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A Liver Bird Sang!

Posted by Stephen

On behalf of the writers and cast of A Liver Bird Sang! I want to draw your attention to a new musical show being premièred at The Picket, Jordan Street, Liverpool L1 OBW from Tuesday 1st to Saturday 5th April.This remarkable new show, written specially for Liverpool 08, is an outstanding example of how the European Capital of Culture concept has inspired Liverpudlians and drawn out exceptionally creative talents which might otherwise have remained totally undiscovered.A Liver Bird Sang! is a story about modern life and love set in Liverpool’s clubland. It has been written by a very gifted Liverpudlian musician, Geoff Lavelle, and librettist/lyricist extraordinaire John Dixon, a veterinary scientist from Liverpool University. The cast, a mixture of professional and semi-professional singers, actors and musicians, are all from in or around Liverpool. Everyone involved has given their time and their not inconsiderable skills freely because of their enthusiam for and belief in this project. Its European dimension is its music, which is based entirely on the works of Schubert.

Source : Louise Baldock
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Author : Louse Baldock

11-11 Productions

Dissertation, Dissertation, Dissertation!

Posted by Stephen

As you are aware, I have decided upon researching Liverpool’s Capital of Culture 08 and have collated a rather extensive list of contacts who could be potential interviewees.The trouble is, I am yet to find out exactly what I want to ask! After meeting with my tutor several days ago, I realised that the role of PR in Liverpool’s Capital of Culture is quite a diverse topic! Subsequently, I have been advised to narrow my ideas and focus upon one particular element. Here is a list of variables that I have jotted down, with an explanation of my afterthought!

Source : Liz’s Blog
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Author : Liz