Back from London.

While I'm still getting over my sinus infection, it didn't stop me from having the most incredible time visiting Weber Shandwick's London office. The city of London is as beautiful and charming as everyone told me it would be. I was able to spend some valuable site-seeing time seeing Trafalgar Square, Parliament and Picadilly Circus, among others. I have to admit, though, that I could probably spend an entire week at the British Museum and not be tired of it.

My time spent in the office was productive and educational. It was interesting to learn that no one publication really sets the national agenda (as the New York Times sets the national news agenda and the Wall Street Journal sets the business agenda here in the U.S.). Nearly ten major newspapers compete for influence in the UK, which is both a blessing and a curse for us PR folks.

I got a taste of the London media environment while doing some work for MasterCard, wine and spirits maker Pernod Ricard and the Save Darfur Coalition. The Corporate and Public Affairs groups at Weber are immensly talented, and it's no wonder the office has the prestige it has earned over the years. I'm definitley looking forward to a return trip as soon I can.

Heading across the pond.

Bags are finally packed and, if I can only get over my sinus infection, I'm ready to fly. I'm off to our office in the UK tomorrow in my first flight across the ocean. I'm doing a stint with our public affairs group and hopefully getting at glance at our corporate social responsibility practice. I'll try to write a post or two while I'm there to share my experience.