7,000-word research document for the "Shine a Light on Opportunity" campaign

Richard Wilson made this Freedom of Information request to Durand Academy

Waiting for an internal review by Durand Academy of their handling of this request.

From: Richard Wilson

22 June 2011

Dear Sir or Madam,

Under the Freedom of Information Act I seek the following
information:

*A copy of the 7,000-word research document produced by the company
Political Lobbying and Media Relations, as part of the “Shine a
Light on Opportunity” lobbying campaign, which was commissioned by
Durand in support of its successful bid for additional government
funding.

The document is referred to in PLMR’s submission to the Cannes
Lions International Festival of Creativity, and is described in
that submission in the following terms:

“Target Audiences were media and Government. For research, a 7,000
word document examining every single aspect of the campaign was
produced.”

I look forward to receiving your response promptly or at the latest
within the 20 working days required by law.

Yours faithfully,

Richard Wilson

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Richard Wilson left an annotation (21 July 2011)

Following response received by email on 19th July 2011

Dear Richard,

With regard to your request below, this information is not held by Durand Academy. To add clarity, The Cannes Lions were entered by PLMR independently and the document you refer to is their award submission. I hope that is helpful.

For further info, Friday is the last day of term for staff (22nd July) with everyone returning on Monday 5th September, before children come back on the 7th - so apologies in advance if there is any delay in getting back to you to help with your requests over the summer break.

With best wishes,

Alyson

[ENDS]

The same day I then sent this reply, requesting an internal review:

Dear Alyson,

Many thanks for your message. I'm surprised that Durand does not have this information and was wondering if there might have been a misunderstanding? The 7,000-word document is described in PLMR's submission to the Cannes Lions (http://www.canneslions.com/work/pr/entry...) in the context of the "brief from the client", ie:

Describe the brief from the client: - For the school's achievements and ambitions to be disseminated to millions of British people via regional and national media coverage. - To secure the explicit support of the British Government and all political parties via visits to the school, mentions in speeches and positive mentions in Parliament. - To secure within two years a multi-million pound commitment to help Durand build a boarding school in the UK countryside - changing at a stroke the life chances of thousands of children. - Target Audiences were media and Government. For research, a 7,000 word document examining every single aspect of the campaign was produced.

The account appears to suggest that this 7,000-word document was prepared for the client, at an early stage, in response to the brief given, and that its purpose was to detail and outline PLMR's campaign strategy. It would, as I understand it, be somewhat unusual for a client who has commissioned a PR/lobbying campaign not to be supplied with a copy of the campaign strategy.

Could I therefor ask for an internal review, under the terms of the FOI act, to doublecheck that this information really is not held anywhere within Durand?

As always, your help in this matter is very much appreciated.

Best regards,

Richard Wilson

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