P R & m a r k e t i n g ad v ertising feature
Ian McKee AgencyUK 01225 429938 www.agencyuk.com
As an agency what sets you apart from the others? We’re an integrated marketing agency. So if your PR campaign needs stand-out creative, content, digital or advertising support, or whatever really, we can do all that. It’s a holistic approach – we don’t always start with the assumption that PR is the best or only way to reach your audience. We’ve also got loads of big brand experience in a relatively small team, meaning you get to work closely with senior people who are among the best in their discipline. What bespoke services do you offer clients? On the social media and PR team we offer everything from social media analysis, content planning and community management through to managing your influencer relations and press office. Which clients are you working with at the moment? We have a broad range of clients – consumer and B2B, everything from food and drink to insurance. In fact we just won PRMoment’s B2B Campaign of the Year Award for our work with health insurer Westfield Health. We also work with Welsh Lamb, Chang Beer, Wentworth Wooden Puzzles and Dr.Dünner.
Paul MacKenzieCummins ClearlyPR 0333 207 9477 www.clearlypr.co.uk
What sets you apart from other PR firms? We practice what we preach: We treat ClearlyPR as a client in itself and only provide services that we would be happy doing for ourselves. We’re also brilliant writers (hey, if you have a trumpet to blow...): PR today is less about getting stuff in the press and more about creating meaningful and relevant content – we’re storytellers more than anything else. Why should businesses use PR? Simply this: If you want to be seen, heard and read by the people you want to do business with, then you need to be doing PR. Competition between businesses is at its most intense for a decade, and those who shout the loudest (and in the right way) are the ones who will gain that allimportant competitive edge. What bespoke services do you offer clients? Every client has their own unique set of objectives and challenges to be overcome. Generally, we support them by producing regular content for their blog, managing their social media profiles, developing thought leadership content and of course ‘selling’ them into the media of most importance to their business.
108 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Madeleine Waters The Co Company 01225 807477 / 07778 702221 www.weareco.co.uk
What sets you apart? We are small and we like it that way! We offer big agency experience to food, drink and lifestyle brands in Bath and beyond. We keep our overheads low so clients pay for our expertise and not for our offices. How has PR changed since you’ve been working in the profession? The biggest change has been the proliferation of ways to speak to the consumer. Gone are the days when the only way to talk to your audience was via print and broadcast media. Social media has revolutionised the way brands communicate with their audiences. We love the possibilities it offers and believe everyone should include it in the marketing mix. What’s the most challenging brief you’ve had to date? To put Lebanon on the map as a serious wine producing country – not because the wines weren’t up to the job, but because of the amount of misconceptions people have about Lebanon. Challenging... but also one of the most fun projects we’ve worked on thanks to the people that we’ve met along the way. And it was effective – exports to the UK tripled as a result and the campaign won Generic Campaign of the Year at the IWC Awards.
Linda Todd Geometry 07753 962850 www.geometrypr.co.uk
What sets you apart? Our approach is about understanding the client’s business objectives and market. We get under the skin of the business, and then produce a strategy. Also, we are not a firm that has a typical agency hierarchy. We don’t have juniors and are all experienced consultants. How has PR changed since you’ve been working in the profession? When I started we posted press releases with transparencies to journalists or used fax to issue urgent news. Not all journalists had email so we made lots of phone calls. Technology has changed the way we communicate and there are so many different platforms to get your message out. However, I think there is still a need for good old fashioned contacts building. That should never change. What are the oddest things you’ve done in your job? Odd is subjective. We once took a journalist to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. Our client was re-waterproofing the roof so we had full access and a guided tour by the War Graves Commission. That was a truly moving and life-changing experience. Also, writing speeches and statements for celebrities is always a bit weird. What advice would you give to those starting out in PR? Appreciate that this is more than just understanding media. It’s about understanding business.