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Email: info@sscom-group.com

Non-profit making Leics Publicist’s group’s filming plans in disarray after being refused filming permission, for Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations, for on-going multi-cultural documentary

Founder set to hit the streets of Leics this weekend, to gain support for campaign from the public (and hopes for same feedback from Edinburgh locals) in a race against time, after recent local newspaper article sparks controversy over planned ticket give-away, after organisers for event refuse meeting:

A Leics based voluntary PR agency, the SSCOM GROUP-(Simon Shiekh Communications Group)’s on-going filming for a documentary (since August 2006) looking at multi-culturalism between Leics & Edinburgh, now says it’s plans are in dis-array.

Controversy has sparked over a recent newspaper article inviting an Edinburgh local to win a ticket for the forthcoming Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party/Concert in the Gardens. This stemmed from the group’s possible Media Accreditation from the publicity agency over-seeing the event. The offer stemmed after a meeting between the Founder of the Group and the agency/third party was refused whilst visiting Edinburgh recently. However, the group acknowledges that a ticket wasn’t allowed to be given away, but it would’ve bought one for the winner instead.

“It seems that some who we contact about this are mis-understanding the situation, or are simply not interested in finding out the facts as to what we’re doing and so on. Had the organisers of this Hogmanay Celebrations bothered to be interested in meeting whilst I was up there, then we would have come to an understanding hopefully and seen the logic of what we, at SSCOM GROUP are trying to achieve”, says Ayaz Sheikh, Founder/MD of the Group.

I was surprised to receive a call from the PR person at Edinburgh City Council, after he was informed about the article. The article didn’t reveal any of our contact details; as a result, we’ve not had a single enquiry about the ticket give-away. I was going to give my bought ticket away as I believed at the time that SSCOM GROUP were to achieve eventual Media Accreditation. We have now been informed that unfortunately due to the breach of ticket regulations incurred by our competition for a Concert in the Gardens ticket and the newspaper article featured, they are unable to offer us any form of media accreditation for this year's celebrations. We’re not really bothered about the Media Accreditation; we’re naturally disappointed that we weren’t listened to, diplomatically and can’t film the celebrations. It’s a crucial incorporation to our project, having to miss events, earlier in the year due to a recent death in my family. As a result, we missed out on filming the return of the Leicester Caribbean Carnival, and a second stint at the Edinburgh Mela, plus the end of festival fireworks, the latter of which I was in negotiations with”, added Mr.Sheikh.

Ayaz plans to hit the streets of Leicester on Saturday 22nd December & again on Christmas Eve (before continuing on 27th December if necessary), to seek support from Leicester Christmas shoppers and says he hopes to interview on film, those backing support for the campaign.

"We acknowledged from a representative of the organisers that we were unable to film the Concert in the Gardens, and Leics band, Kasabian. However, I’m disappointed that it has come to this; we’re to reveal the final stages of the project in forthcoming press conferences in the two cities, where we hope to host alongside our existing contacts, some of whom have already contributed to the project by film interviews. These include MSPs, local MPs and other local figures, even representatives from the local police force. We are now seeking local public backing before New Year’s Eve, to help put pressure on these organisers to relent and allow us to film for non-profit means. It will help us to show (esp the people of Leics who dream to come to Edinburgh but can’t afford it) that people from all walks of life can understand and form useful friendships and so on. We believe that what we’re working on achieving is “a real first for two British cities-ever!”-and our “People’s Publicist” service will promise to deliver-putting people first! We’d be most grateful for as much support as possible; if we can achieve at least 80 per cent backing, then it’ll help us to create a new product which promises to be riveting viewing in the end”, added Ayaz.

There's more surprises to come as the group goes into 2008 with Leics & Edinburgh. It’s looking to cement itself as a unique PR agency that is not financially motivated, but to put people first. It is also hoped that the film documentary will help to forge a unique link between Edinburgh & Leics like it's never been seen before. The link to Edinburgh is from a pen-friendship there since 1999.

“I go to Edinburgh on Saturday 29th December and return back home on New Year’s Day. I’d hate to come back from an elusive trip, disappointed. I may just lose interest in Edinburgh after all this time, which will be a great shame”, said Ayaz.

 
Anyone wishing to support the campaign for the group to be allowed to film on New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh can contact on: 07817 057078, e-mail: info@sscom-group.com or log on to: www.sscom-group.com by Saturday 29th December.

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