Symon Hill works professionally to train Christian and campaigning groups in media relations, building on my PR experience with a number of organisations.  

He spent three years overseeing media relations for the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), including dealing with the media when CAAT took the government to court over Saudi arms deals. 

However, he is particularly experienced in working with small-scale and grassroots groups, having conducted PR for organisations including the Fellowship of Reconciliation, Conscience, the University of London Union and the Churches' Campaign for Awareness of Depression (CCAD).  Symon is also a freelance writer, having written comment pieces for the Sunday Herald, Daily Mail and Morning Star, as well as regular articles for the Guardian website and more specialist publications.

What would Jesus spin? 

A chance to explore PR, media work and 'spindoctoring' from a Christian perspective. 

Churches and Christian groups are often frustrated when the media appear uninterested in their views or their work.  Some are hampered by a lack of training and others have ethical concerns about the nature of PR. 

There are particular problems for Christians working at the grassroots - churches aiming for local press, small campaigning groups working on peace, poverty or politics and Christian charities operating at local level.  This session is aimed at the many people in these situations.

Symon will take a look at "grassroots PR" - the empowering idea that media engagement is for everyone.  A consideration of Jesus' own communication will allow us to consider how Christians can engage in PR in an ethical way.