Alex Harries's diary

Tomorrow afternoon, I'm hopping on to a flight to Ibiza for a couple of days of being "PR"'d by Making Waves, the PR company tasked with promoting the forthcoming Malibu Soundclash event at the Union on the 19th October.

The basic plan is to take a gaggle of student journalists over to the White Isle for a couple of nights. The first night is a mini (I think?) version of the Malibu Soundclash event, with us journos embarrassing ourselves on the decks doing some, err, "mixing" - followed by a responsible drinking lecture once we're all three sheets to the wind. After that, it's off to Café Mambo on the second night... I think that's something resembling the plan, anyway. Spice Girls anyone?

My job out there is to report back on how wonderful the night was, and to promise how wonderful the Malibu Soundclash event is going to be when it comes to Portsmouth.

The thing that's worrying me is that I don't do lying very well, so I can't exactly promise it'll be good. Disclaimer aside, I reckon it'll probably be a great time, with bells on, and going on last year's event, the Malibu Soundclash night at the Union should be awesome.

The whole principal of the PR industry is a bit of a strange concept to me; "surely, if a company's paying for me to go an lounge about on a hot, foreign island enjoying myself, there must be a catch or something questionable going on?" I've wondered out loud many times.

The reality here is that Malibu, being a heeyowge company, are very keen to see their University Soundclash tour promoted to within an inch of its life. The UK clubbing scene is cut-throat at the best of times, and Malibu simply don't want their night to sink into oblivion because the marketing (or the event) is half-arsed.

Ok, I can understand that.

This isn't the first time the Soundclash has come to Portsmouth, and last year saw former MAPO Fraggy being sent out to the White Isle for a 24 hour stint on the same PR tour. The Soundclash event was then held on a Wednesday night which, let's face it, needs no help to be a packed-out night; because it's being held on a Friday this year, it should be a great addition to the Union's Orange Fridays brand.

Here's the only thing that remains a bit of a worry for me: what I know about journalism could be written on the back of a postage stamp. With a blunt crayon. In a form of blind over-compensation, I've been out and bought myself a shiny new Red 'n Black notepad and a few biros (I lose or eat every pen I own eventually, so buying anything more expensive is just stupid), so at least I might look the part, even if I spend my time drawing doodles instead of writing journalist-y things. Wish me luck...!

One last thing: I've always wanted to go to Ibiza. Now I'm going, I'm hoping it won't be like meeting your hero and then realising (s)he has chronic dandruff, halitosis, and wears socks with sandals... You get the idea...

Anyway, I'll be back in a few days. While I'm gone, make sure the cat's fed & watered, and don't leave the gas on. If you don't hear from me by the weekend, I've either been refused entry ...

I've been speaking to the UPEL (Ents) and Malibu Soundclash bods today and it looks like the Union will once again be playing host to the Malibu Soundclash this autumn. Last year's event was a pretty special night, with some really good DJ talent showing off their skills, so I'm definitely looking forward to this year's event.

As part of the build-up to the event, Ents and Marketing Sabbs from across the country are being sent out to Ibiza for a couple of days PR-whoring in September, and I'm one of these lucky bods. I had wanted to be able to send one of our students out, but unfortunately I didn't have time (due to my exams and dissertation) to make sure it would be legal to send an unsuspecting Pompey student out of the country; next year, hopefully.

I'm really looking forward to going, of course - I've always wanted to go to Ibiza - and my last day on the island is my birthday, so I'm planning to have a good one (as much as I can since I'll technically be working... Ahem...). And, as a double bonus (for you readers), if I don't make it back to the UK, you get a shiny new Media & Publications Sabb to take my place! ;o)

I'll make sure we post more information on UPSU as the Malibu Soundclash event draws nearer, including some pretty cool-looking competition prizes. Watch this space for more information... ;o)