Official opening and welcome address

1. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONTHE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
SPOKESPERSON’S SERVICESPOKESPERSON’S SERVICE
Mark EnglishMark English
Spokesperson for Research,Spokesperson for Research,
Innovation and ScienceInnovation and Science

2. Mission of the SPP (Service du porte-Mission of the SPP (Service du porte-
parole/Spokesperson’s Service)parole/Spokesperson’s Service)
 Achieve better media coverage of the European Commission andAchieve better media coverage of the European Commission and
the EUthe EU
 Present a coherent press linePresent a coherent press line
 Produce accurate and timely information toProduce accurate and timely information to
 the press corps accredited to the EU institutions - notablythe press corps accredited to the EU institutions - notably
through daily press briefingthrough daily press briefing
 national, regional and local press – notably throughnational, regional and local press – notably through
cooperation with the Commission’s Offices in Member Statescooperation with the Commission’s Offices in Member States
 Set record straight in case of incorrect reporting.Set record straight in case of incorrect reporting.

3. PeoplePeople
 Team of 35 Spokespersons organised around theTeam of 35 Spokespersons organised around the
Commission Spokesperson (Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen)Commission Spokesperson (Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen)
 23 Press Officers23 Press Officers
 In total, around 90 people (including Press OfficersIn total, around 90 people (including Press Officers
and Secretaries)and Secretaries)
 Entire Commission has fewer spokespeople/pressEntire Commission has fewer spokespeople/press
officers than a government department in a largeofficers than a government department in a large
Member StateMember State

4. Main clients - Brussels Press CorpsMain clients - Brussels Press Corps
 About 1000 journalists accredited to the European institutionsAbout 1000 journalists accredited to the European institutions
 (Commission Representation offices in Member States cater for(Commission Representation offices in Member States cater for
national journalists in their own language – links and contacts vianational journalists in their own language – links and contacts via
http://ec.europa.eu/represent_en.htmhttp://ec.europa.eu/represent_en.htm ))
 Challenge for Commission in catering Brussels Press Corps (“BrusselsChallenge for Commission in catering Brussels Press Corps (“Brussels
Beltway”) and the national/regional press (more focused on “people”Beltway”) and the national/regional press (more focused on “people”
stories and the national/regional angle)….stories and the national/regional angle)….
 But also plenty of overlap, eBut also plenty of overlap, e.g: on the Treaty of Lisbon, climate change,.g: on the Treaty of Lisbon, climate change,
energy, consumer storiesenergy, consumer stories..

5. Communication toolsCommunication tools
 12h00 briefing daily - watch live on Europe by Satellite (EbS) -12h00 briefing daily - watch live on Europe by Satellite (EbS) -
direct link :direct link :
http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/ebs/schedule.cfmhttp://ec.europa.eu/avservices/ebs/schedule.cfm
 Commissioners’ Press Conferences (also on EbS)Commissioners’ Press Conferences (also on EbS)
 Technical BriefingsTechnical Briefings
 Written press releases and background memosWritten press releases and background memos
 Speeches/articles by CommissionersSpeeches/articles by Commissioners
 Virtual news room atVirtual news room at
http://europa.eu/press_room/index_en.htmhttp://europa.eu/press_room/index_en.htm includingincluding
searchable press release archive (RAPID), Top News (upcomingsearchable press release archive (RAPID), Top News (upcoming
main announcements), electronic press packs, photo libraries…main announcements), electronic press packs, photo libraries…

6. Working with other parts ofWorking with other parts of
Commission’s CommunicationCommission’s Communication
DepartmentDepartment
 CCommission offices in Member States – 10h00 videolinkommission offices in Member States – 10h00 videolink
meeting + cooperation throughout the daymeeting + cooperation throughout the day
 Europa website (improved, news-focused Commission homeEuropa website (improved, news-focused Commission home
page + President’s and Commissioners’ web site)page + President’s and Commissioners’ web site)
 Eurobarometer – public opinion surveysEurobarometer – public opinion surveys
http://europa.eu/index_en.htmhttp://europa.eu/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htmhttp://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/presidenthttp://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president//

7. Specific nature of media work onSpecific nature of media work on
research and innovationresearch and innovation
 Need to “bridge a gapNeed to “bridge a gap
 Generally limited interest from “political” BrusselsGenerally limited interest from “political” Brussels
press corpspress corps
 But large number of “human interest” storiesBut large number of “human interest” stories
attractive to the publicattractive to the public
 And more “scientific stories of interest to specialistAnd more “scientific stories of interest to specialist
press not represented in Brusselspress not represented in Brussels
 Direct mailings to journalists in Member StatesDirect mailings to journalists in Member States
 News alerts on DG Research websiteNews alerts on DG Research website

8. What Máire Geoghegan-QuinnWhat Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
wants to dowants to do
 More proactive approachMore proactive approach
 Focus on results, not “inputs”Focus on results, not “inputs”
 The “grand challenges”: focus resources andThe “grand challenges”: focus resources and
communication on climate change, energy, foodcommunication on climate change, energy, food
security, health, ageing populationsecurity, health, ageing population
 More targeted – e.g. we are building up mailingMore targeted – e.g. we are building up mailing
listslists
 Your suggestionsYour suggestions