------------------------------------------------------- MARCH 8, 2004 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Birmingham Post http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk (abbreviated link text) Forums to put spotlight on PR (Excerpts) Larger companies will increasingly have their wider social responsibilities put under the spotlight, warns a leading PR expert. Good public relations has an increasing role when it comes to improving business practice, Colin Farrington, director general of the Institute of Public Relations, told a CBI forum on PR and communications last week. .... "The CBI tells me this will be the first of a number of forums along theses lines so that people can appreciate how important their corporate reputation is." Birmingham Press Club's first celebrity guest luncheon featuring a rock star is fast becoming its first rock concert. The club already has Yes keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman headlining its celebrity luncheon event on March 12, but now another top rock star has been added to the bill, former Strawbs frontman Dave Cousins. He will make a special guest appearance at the event, which will see Rick Wakeman talking about his career as a musician and entertaining guests on the piano. Wakeman, who studied at the Royal College of Music before becoming a professional musician, played with folk rock group The Strawbs in 1971, just before joining Yes. Andrew Sparrow, chairman of Birmingham Press Club, said: "Securing Rick Wakeman as our first celebrity speaker of 2004 - and our first ever rock star - has created a huge amount of interest. "The special guest appearance by Dave Cousins will add to the novelty of this event, which we are hoping will be a sell-out." Guests at the event, which is being sponsored by Abbey, will be invited to bid for a rare vintage 1961 Chateau Lafite Rothschild wine, which has been donated by a representative of international women's business group Lady Ambassadors. Proceeds from the sale go to the Acorns Children's Hospice. Ian Gardner, regional manager of sponsor Abbey's business banking, said: "We are delighted to be supporting such a tremendous event, which promises to be great fun." Tickets for the event are priced at £25 for members and £30 for non-members. They are available from Fay Goodman, of Goodmedia, on 0121 693 9390. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com