tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348158710451926195.post8969104322443077705..comments2008-12-10T12:47:58.818-08:00Comments on Christopher Dickens: Do the Birmingham Mail view Bill and others as brands?Chris Dickenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02135584704788999246noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348158710451926195.post-51085488380767075572008-12-10T12:47:00.000-08:002008-12-10T12:47:00.000-08:00Bill, Colin, thanks for your kind words.Really int...Bill, Colin, thanks for your kind words.<BR/><BR/>Really interesting to read your recollection of how things played out. It caused a big stir at the time!<BR/><BR/>All the best,<BR/>Chris.Chris Dickenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02135584704788999246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348158710451926195.post-60812612551855790582008-12-08T12:08:00.000-08:002008-12-08T12:08:00.000-08:00Chris,Interesting piece; It's nice to see I have a...Chris,<BR/>Interesting piece; It's nice to see I have at least one reader on the course!<BR/>I can confirm that Bill went through a very difficult period but the support of the editor, and his own determination, saw him through. And, suffice to say, he was entirely correct in his reporting and stance.<BR/>Recently, in a company briefing, we were actually told by an invited expert on the internet and new media that reporters as 'brands' - especially football reporters like myself, Bill and Rick - were actually more important than the newspaper itself because of the identification factor and readership following. Blogging is an important part of strenthening that bond.<BR/>Regards<BR/>Colin TattumAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06768551196619968346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348158710451926195.post-2895991196067111882008-12-08T06:37:00.000-08:002008-12-08T06:37:00.000-08:00Christopher,An old friend of mine, now a newspaper...Christopher,<BR/><BR/>An old friend of mine, now a newspaper editor, stumbled across your post and forwarded it to me. It makes for fascinating reading.<BR/>The early summer of 2006 sure was an interesting time, both for me personally and for the football club.<BR/>I remember being on a coach going to a wedding when the whole thing kicked off.<BR/>David O'Leary had blamed me, as you say, for all Villa's ills on a Friday before an away game at Arsenal.<BR/>Sky rang me wanting to do an interview, and did so at the register office which just happened to be driveable from the Villa training ground.<BR/>On the Saturday the Villa manager repeated his outburst after a 5-0 thrashing at Arsenal.<BR/>Anyway, good look with the course and thanks for taking an interest.<BR/><BR/>Bill HowellBill Howellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06577984814260692562noreply@blogger.com