http://www.fifthring.com Fifth Ring Latest News en-gb © 2009 Fifth Ring. All rights reserved Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:43:28 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:43:28 http://www.fifthring.com/images/fifthring/fifthring_logo.jpg http://www.fifthring.com
The HIMA Americas campaign used a mix of traditional and non-traditional public relations tactics, including whitepapers, telemarketing, press releases and case studies, to successfully drive sales leads and identify prospects in a business-to-business environment.

HIMA America’s is part of Germany-based HIMA Group and is the global leader in safety-related process automation.

The Integrated Marketing award recognises a project that employs the creative and effective integration and leadership of public relations strategies and tactics.

Fifth Ring’s business development director, Ian Ord, who is responsible for the Houston office said: “It’s wonderful to see our work recognised and receiving this prestigious gold award is true testament to the team’s hard work and dedication. To be award winners in less than two years since our launch in Houston is a huge achievement.

“To have our expertise recognised by the PRSA is fantastic and illustrates that our aim to increase the value of our clients business is paying dividends for our client and ourselves.”

Fifth Ring, which now employs 80 people across the United Kingdom, United States and Middle East, offers a full range of corporate communications services. The company provides a global communications strategy combined with local delivery in the key energy capitals of the world, thereby supporting the ambition of its clients to grow internationally.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=55 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:43:28
The guys tackled the inaugural MOG-JOG (Mull of Galloway to John O’Groats) cycle challenge in aid of UCAN and the charity looks set to smash its £30,0000 target from the event.

Beginning at Mull of Galloway (MOG) at the most southerly tip of Scotland on Friday (June 4) and ending at John O’Groats (JOG) on June 8, the ride represented a daunting daily tally of over 100-miles in the saddle and took in some of the nation’s most spectacular – and hilly – countryside. In addition to the hours spent in the saddle the cyclists had to cope with the vagaries of the Scottish summer – single figure temperatures and rain and wind, for three of the four days.

UCAN is dedicated to raising awareness of urological cancers, and improving support and quality of life for people and families who are affected. The four main urological cancers include kidney, bladder, testicular and prostate cancers. Urological cancers account for 1-in-3 of all cancers in men and 1-in-5 of all cancers in men and women.

Ian has good reason to support the charity. In 1989, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Thanks to an early diagnosis and swift treatment, he made a full recovery. As a result, he is passionate about getting across the message to men in particular, that seeking medical advice at an early stage can literally make the difference between life and death.

“Thanks to the expert medical advice and care I received I have had 7,500 extra days of life. Taking part in the UCAN cycle challenge is a small price to pay to give something back to a charity which does so much to raise awareness of urological cancers.”

The MOG-JOG began with a 13-mile warm up from Mull of Galloway to Sandend on Friday evening. The next day, the guys and around 20 people who signed up for the challenge, tackled an average of 105 miles per day in four stages. The route stuck largely to minor roads, many included in the national cycle network.

Phil said: “It was an incredible trip, the miles ticked, the weather was foul but we have a real sense of achievement. To have raised so much money for UCAN is just fantastic. We have been astounded by people’s generosity and support. It was a tremendous effort from all those involved and represented a real physical challenge.”

Ian added: “We won’t tire of repeating of saying ‘thank you’, for the tremendous support. It kept us going during the tougher times of the trip.”

Friday saw the cyclists complete an easy 16 miles from Mull of Galloway to Sandhead after a team photo at the picturesque lighthouse on the southerly tip of Scotland.

Stage Two from Sandhead to Lanark was completed in bright, warm sunshine with a favourable wind. Before the team arrived in Lanark, tired but exhilarated and enjoyed a well-earned cold beer.

Sunday was Lanark to Pitlochry and 115 miles in the cold and mist. The journey through Livingston was grim, more stop-start cycling due to complicated routing and horrible rain. Chris had the inspired idea of stopping off at a petrol station and bought some gaffer tape to wrap round Ian’s broken finger to keep it safe. Everyone was glad to arrive in Pitlochry for a shower and dry clothes

Monday was Pitlochry to Evanton and another 100 plus miles. The bikes were taking a battering and needed some maintenance before setting off on the next stage. The Drumochter Pass heralded black clouds and the heavens opened and it was several hours in the rain before the guys regrouped for the final slog to Evanton near Dingwall.

Tuesday was Evanton to John O’Groats and the 106 miles began with a photocall for the P&J and with the rain letting up the pace was steady. As the day went on a headwind got up and it was back to slogging into the rain and fog. Ian’s knee had gone, but there was no way he was contemplating giving in as John O’Groats became more than just a name on a roadsign.



Ian: “It was a hard five days and we are delighted to have received such a large sum of money this worthy cause. I would like to credit everyone involved, as there has been a great spirit among the team, despite the horrible weather.”

For Chris Clark, of John Clark Motor Group in Aberdeen, the trip also has relevance as his grandmother has recently been diagnosed with a urological cancer.

Details of the MOG-JOG route:

June 5 - Stage one: Sandhead to Lanark, through the scenic and hilly Galloway countryside. This stage covers the South of Scotland in a day, travelling from Dumfries and Galloway into Lanarkshire (which has more hills than you might think). Travelling mostly on unclassified roads heading north east from the starting point.

June 6 - Stage two: Lanark to Pitlochry. Day two passes through West Lothian before crossing the Forth Road Bridge into Fife and on in to Perthshire and the final stop at Pitlochry in the heart of Scotland and the halfway point on the journey.

June 7 - Stage three: Pitlochry to Evanton north of Inverness. Most of the day follows the National Cycle Route 7, with long stretches alongside the busy A9, except on the old road which runs parallel and performs the role of extra wide bike path. The drop down to Inverness leads us over the Kessock Bridge to finish at the village of Evanton.

June 8 - Stage four: Evanton to John O’Groats: The home stretch leading through Alness and Tain heads north to Golspie and Brora. There’s a late sting in the tale at Helmsdale where the Berridale Braes provide the last and possibly the toughest test. The guys will be hoping for a tail wind for the final few miles run in to John O'Groats.

For more information on UCAN, which was set up in 2005 and offers support for patients and their families through the UCAN Care Centre at Ward 44 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, visit ]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=54 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:43:28
UAE based Lamprell has won a $129 million newbuild windmill installation vessel contract from UK wind installation specialists Seajacks. The contract is for design, construction and delivery of a Gusto MSC NG-5500 design self-elevating and self-propelled offshore wind turbine installation vessel, to be named Seajacks Zaratan and will be delivered in 2012.

KUWAIT

Kuwait National Oil Company has awarded Italy’s Saipem a contract for US$900m for an engineering, procurement and construction contract for its new booster station. The station is made up of three high and low pressure gas trains. Once built the trains will produce 234 million cubic feet per day of dry gas and 69,000 barrels per day of condensate.

SAUDI ARABIA

Luksa, a joint venture between Russia’s Lukoil and state oil giant Saudi Aramco, has relinquished 90 percent of a gas exploration block in Saudi Arabia. Luksar relinquished most of the 29,900 sq km area in Saudi’s Empty Quarter last October and has decided to go ahead with the second phase.

Saudi Arabia will store 3.8 million barrels of crude oil in Japan, helping the Pacific nation stock up its reserves while giving the top oil exported better access to Asian markets.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=47 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:43:28
The award was presented at an event for UAE Government officials, dignitaries and VIPs, to launch the new brand identity, and publish the vision, mission and values of the Ajman Culture and Media Departmentat the Kempinksi Hotel in Ajman.

Annette Fernandes, Fifth Ring’s group operations director who oversaw the entire project, commented: “In a very short period of time we have been able to establish a strong commercial relationship with the department, created a strong and vibrant identity and launched it to their key stakeholders. This has only been achievable through genuine teamwork and mutual respect between our two organisations.

“What made this project standout is that every single element of the work carried out was done simultaneously in Arabic and English, from initial research, every interview and resulting messaging. We had teams thinking from left to right, and teams thinking from right to left. I know I speak for everyone at Fifth Ring when I say this has gone beyond simply delivering on the project to something that we will all hold special for years to come.”

The Culture and Media Department is the first department within the Government of Ajman to undertake such an in-depth analysis of their stakeholders and market positioning. As a result, the department is now empowered with the knowledge and vision to develop and strengthen their offering in terms of culture, tourism and mediain the emirate as well as reinforcing their image locally, regionally and internationally.

Faisal Al Nuaimi, Deputy General Manager of the Ajman Culture and Media Department said, “Although our corporate identity has never been absent, we felt the department needed to refocus and reposition itself within the community. We approached Fifth Ring, due to their reputation for delivering world-class branding, and after 3 months of in-depth research and analysis they helped us develop a new identity with a clear and compelling 2 year vision.

Fifth Ring have been working with brands and clients across governmental, energy and consumer sectors, in the UAE, Europe and the US since 1991.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=53 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:43:28
Ian will be joined by cycling close friend Chris Clark and Phil Allan, who also works at Fifth Ring in Aberdeen. The intrepid trio aim to raise £10,000 for Aberdeen-based UCAN, which is dedicated to raising awareness of urological cancers, and improving support and quality of life for people and families who are affected. The four main urological cancers include kidney, bladder, testicular and prostate cancers. Urological cancers account for 1-in-3 of all cancers in men and 1-in-5 of all cancers in men and women.

Ian has good reason to support the charity. In 1989, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Thanks to an early diagnosis and swift treatment, he made a full recovery. As a result, he is passionate about getting across the message to men in particular, that seeking medical advice at an early stage, can literally make the difference between life and death.

“Thanks to the expert medical advice and care I received I have had 7,500 extra days of life. Taking part in the UCAN cycle challenge, which is likely to be four days of discomfort, is a small price to pay to give something back to a charity which does so much to raise awareness of urological cancers.”

Around 20 people have signed up for the tough cycling challenge and with four weeks to go until they set off, training is well underway. Ian and Chris have received a training plan from Ewan Murray, development officer with Scottish Cycling, who has kindly given his time to getting the chaps in shape. Phil’s an experienced racing cyclist and will ensure the team sticks to schedule.

The MOG-JOG begins with a 13-mile warm up from Mull of Galloway to Sandend on Friday evening. The next day, the guys will tackle an average of 105 miles per day in four stages. The route sticks largely to minor roads, many included in the national cycle network.

Ian said: “My interest in cycling came about through my admiration for Lance Armstrong, the seven times Tour de France winner, whose incredible come back from testicular cancer to become the greatest Tour rider of all time, was a huge inspiration. I was lucky enough to ride up the mythical Alpe D’Huez climb in France last year and realised how demanding the sport is. The combination of doing a Scotland-end-to-end challenge and raising money and awareness for UCAN was too good a challenge to miss.”

For Chris Clark, of John Clark Motor Group in Aberdeen, the trip also has relevance as his grandmother has recently been diagnosed with a urological cancer.

The Fifth Ring team have created a Just Giving website for anyone wishing to make a donation www.justgiving.com/fifthring-mogjog and have created a web page on the Fifth Ring website where they will chart their progress prior to and during the event at www.ucanmogjog.com


Details of the MOG-JOG route are:

June 5 - Stage one: Sandend to Lanark, through the scenic and hilly Galloway countryside. This stage covers the South of Scotland in a day, travelling from Dumfries and Galloway into Lanarkshire (which has more hills than you might think). Travelling mostly on unclassified roads heading north east from the starting point.

June 6 - Stage two: Lanark to Pitlochry. Day two passes through West Lothian before crossing the Forth Road Bridge into Fife and on in to Perthshire and the final stop at Pitlochry in the heart of Scotland and the halfway point on the journey.

June 7 - Stage three: Pitlochry to Evanton north of Inverness. Most of the day follows the National Cycle Route 7, with long stretches alongside the busy A9, except on the old road which runs parallel and performs the role of extra wide bike path. The drop down to Inverness leads us over the Kessock Bridge to finish at the village of Evanton.

June 8 - Stage four: Evanton to John O’Groats: The home stretch leading through Alness and Tain heads north to Golspie and Brora. There’s a late sting in the tale at Helmsdale where the Berridale Braes provide the last and possibly the toughest test. The guys will be hoping for a tail wind for the final few miles run in to John O’Groats.

For more information on UCAN, which was set up in 2005 and offers support for patients and their families through the UCAN Care Centre at Ward 44 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, visit www.ucanhelp.org.uk]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=52 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:43:28
The US presence has had a positive impact on the company’s UK and Middle East offices allowing the company, which now employs 80 people across the regions, to offer a full range of corporate communications services through a global strategy with local delivery, creating a sound platform for growth.

Fifth Ring’s business development director, Ian Ord, said: “Many of our new business wins have been as a direct result of the international offering we can deliver to our clients and it is fantastic for growing the business further. In an era of unprecedented turmoil in the world economy it is greatly encouraging to have had a successful first year in Houston. This has been achieved thanks to a great deal of hard work from our teams in Houston and our other UK and Middle East offices.

“When Fifth Ring set out to establish our offices in the world’s main energy centres our focus was on expanding market share in the energy sector and increasingly businesses are channelling their corporate communications challenges to us because they recognise the benefits of an international strategy, but at the same time the need to deliver powerful - and localised - marketing communications message.”

Following the successful launch of Fifth Ring’s Insider’s Guide to Houston for OTC last year, the company is producing an updated online guide using its knowledge of the city.

The guide, which received around 1,400 website hits surrounding the week of OTC 2009, will provide the hundreds of north-east delegates with the inside track on dozens of the best venues to go for food, drinks and shopping in the United States oil capital, which welcomes thousands of visitors to the world’s leading oil and technology exhibition from 3-6 May.

Fifth Ring’s guide is specific to the areas that are easily accessible to delegates and lists attractions fitting in with their hectic schedules during OTC. The new guide has received further improvements based on the feedback from last year’s visitors, which has lead to new categories, including Cheap Eats, Golf Courses, Cultural Events & Shows and Greater Houston Attractions.

It has been written with support from Aberdeen’s Munro’s Travel Group, which organises the travel arrangements for almost 400 delegates attending the exhibition from the north-east of Scotland and from the Aberdeen Press and Journal newspaper.

Mr Ord said: “I am delighted with the positive response we received last year for both the OTC Houston and Offshore Europe Aberdeen Guides. The guide provides the full skinny, as they say in Texas, on the best restaurants, bars, entertainment, sights and shopping, all recommended by native Houstonians.

“This year’s interactive map is specifically created to give visitors to OTC a comprehensive guide, based on the recommendations from the people who know the city best. OTC is a truly international event and we have clients attending from the north-east of Scotland, but also Scandinavia, Europe and the Middle East, many of whom are attending the conference for the first time.”

The website can be found at www.otcinsidersguide.com]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=50 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:43:28
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President & Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, SMEM will celebrate its fifth event, having grown year on year since its inception in 2003.

To honour the strong relationship between Europe and the Middle East the Forum will be hosted by EMEC and its members specifically to discuss European technical expertise. Topics to be covered include ‘Power & Propulsion’, ‘Electronics’, ‘Safety’ and ‘Green Technology’ and will be presented by a range of high-level speakers from the maritime industry. Confirmed speakers to date include Jaakko Eskola, president of EMEC and group vice president of Wartsila Ship Power; Lars Munch Antonsen, general manager, group marketing & CRM of Aalborg Industries; Kjeld Aabo, director of promotion, marine low speed at MAN Diesel SE; Roger Harfouch, Sales Director, Vizada and Philip Padfield, CEO, Eniram.

Chris Hayman, managing director of Seatrade, said: “We wanted to provide a technical forum, aside from the broad commercial conference, for marine engineers to have the opportunity to discuss the latest technologies from the ship building, conversion and repair industry. EMEC is an important industry body and we will be working closely with them to ensure that participants have access to the most up to date engineering news and a close look at European technology and advancements and further strengthen the relationship between these two regions.”

Jaakko Eskola, president of EMEC, said: “This Forum comes at an ideal time as the industry is recovering from a turbulent year and finally has the opportunity to look forward. Collaboration between Europe and the Middle East has always been strong and the EMEC will be presenting a series of seminars by experts from across Europe, who will cover a range of important topics and share in-depth European technical expertise.”

The Technology Forum: Europe in the Middle East will run within the new Technical Seminar Theatre, with free attendance for exhibitors and visitors. The new addition will run alongside the three day paid for SMEM Conference, which will cover high-level industry topics, including ‘Middle East Voice in World Shipping’, ‘Middle East Money and Ships’, ‘Offshore’ and ‘Ports & Terminals’.

SMEM will take place from 26-28 October at Dubai World Trade Centre. SMEM is sponsored by: ABS, BP Marine, DNV, DP World, Drydocks World, Lloyds Register, SAIFEE, Topaz Energy & Marine and Tufton Oceanic. For further information or to register for the event, please visit www.seatrade-middleeast.com.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=49 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:43:28 http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=48 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:43:28
It is in countries where such legislation does not exist that understanding of the importance of QHSE is low. Aggreko is currently trying to recruit trained QHSE managers native to the country that it is working in to better understand the culture of health and safety management and the ways in which we can work to heighten the standards and ensure application is consistent and correct

What challenges do you face in implementing a QHSE policy?

In the Middle East, and significantly the United Arab Emirates, one of the many challenges facing QHSE teams is the significant mix of nationalities, which can make communicating key QHSE policies even more difficult. Although some countries, including the UK and the UAE, have already implemented legislation to ensure that a minimum standard of health and safety must be followed, this is not true in many regions. Because of the varying standards of QHSE worldwide, companies must ensure that their own QHSE systems are communicated clearly to all employees, a task which involves a thorough educational process.

What systems do you have in place?

Key messages must be conveyed and vital procedures must be followed and understood no matter where in the world they are being implemented. One of our tools is an online portal, QHSE Share Point, is one of the simplest ways in which Aggreko communicates its QHSE policies. The intranet facility is a bank of all the company’s ISO and OHSAS certifications as well as Aggreko policies that must be adhered to. A translation strategy is now being put into place so that all materials are available in English, Chinese, French, Spanish and Portuguese, with further languages being added as needed.

We have a formal induction process is an essential part of this, helping any new employees to understand the procedures and also the reasons why they are so important from the very beginning of their career with the company. Following this induction, workers are provided with a gradual introduction to hazardous situations, which helps them to ensure that precautions and QHSE actions become a regular part of the working day.

Another one of our successful initiative that has been put into place is to have all necessary hazard warning signs on site in the dialect of that location, whether Hindi, Arabic or Mandarin, to ensure that workers are aware of the most important health and safety procedures that they must abide by. Further to this, Aggreko is using more pictorially based signs to convey warning signs on site, and has launched ‘Safety For Life’, which is a collection of eight cartoon based posters which explain hazardous situations through imagery to help get the message across quickly and effectively.

How do you ensure your initiatives are implemented and upheld?

We take our QHSE policies very seriously and make this very transparent to all our employees and clients. We ensure that before any project goes ahead the system is already an integral part of all planning and procedures. We conduct a risk assessment of all activities at two points before any work begins, with a Pre Tender QHSE Review and then a Post Contract QHSE Review, which takes place before mobilisation. A Compliance Review is then conducted following the commissioning of the project and then again every six months for its duration. These reviews are carried out by a professional QHSE auditor with further monitoring performed by a member of Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), also at six-month intervals.

Such reviews are then presented to the company’s senior management who act on any discrepancies. In fact, QHSE is regarded so highly by our management team that the managing director has a note of the most dangerous hazards on any project site, so when visiting these sites he can ensure that all measures are correctly in place to reduce the possibility of any accidents occurring.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=45 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:43:28
In its UK offices, new business value exceeded £700,000, much of it achieved with new clients including prestigious organisations operating internationally and regionally including oil majors and leading international service companies including GE Oil and Gas and Tendeka.

The company’s Dubai office achieved significant new business worth more than £200,000 in the oil and gas and consumer sectors. Fashion firm Landmark International has taken on Fifth Ring to promote its fashion brands New Look, Reiss, Koton and Aftershock in the Middle East and North Africa. Fifth Ring in Dubai also secured a six-figure contract with dmg world media for three of the Middle East’s largest trade exhibitions INDEX, The Big 5 and The Office Exhibition.

Fifth Ring, which has been operating in the Middle East since 2004, specialises within the energy, property and construction, education, leisure and professional services sectors, and have been working with dmg on two of its international energy exhibitions: ADIPEC and Gastech, since 2008.

Fifth Ring’s Houston operation, which enjoyed its first full year in business in 2009 has already generated almost £400,000 since opening in August 2008 and has seen the company win significant business with US clients including a major international exploration and production company, GE Oil and Gas and Expro.

Fifth Ring’s business development director, Ian Ord, said: “Many of our new business wins have been as a direct result of the international offering we can deliver to our clients. In an era of unprecedented turmoil in the world economy it is greatly encouraging to have secured an impressive level of new business. This has been won thanks to a great deal of hard work from our teams around the world and augurs well for the business in 2010.

“When Fifth Ring set out to establish our offices in the world’s main energy centres our focus was on increasing market share in the energy sector and increasingly businesses are channelling their corporate communications challenges to us because they recognise the benefits of the integrated approach in different geographies.”

Fifth Ring, which now employs 70 people, works with clients to develop and execute impactful strategic campaigns to maximise a company’s brand, regionally and internationally.]]> http://www.fifthring.com/pressoffice/latestnews/index.xhtml?NewsClientId=46 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:43:28