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While digital platforms play a far greater part in how we communicate these days, traditional media channels (you know, newspapers, radio, TV…) continue to have an important role.

They are influential and are a key channel to help connect with those important to us all.

Understanding what they want as well as how and when information should be presented to them is very important if a media relations campaign is to be delivered successfully. This is often missed by those not experienced in working with the media.

The fast pace of news gathering also means being ready and available to respond to media requests or to react to opportunities that present themselves.

But ‘traditional’ media is also digital! Just about every outlet also has an online presence and the demand for good quality, engaging content is often higher than the print version. Image galleries, video and interactive media may not work in print but they do online.

Social media is at the heart of most people’s lives these days.

We keep in touch with friends, consume news, share images, follow people with interesting (mostly…) things to say and regularly find out things we didn’t know (or maybe didn’t want to know in the first place!).

What it certainly does is play an increasing role in how we talk to each other.

But successful social media doesn’t happen by accident. Having a plan, with relevant content, is what helps make social channels most effective.

Every organisation has different needs based on their own strategic objectives. Identifying those needs, what messages you want to convey and who you are communicating with, coupled with relevant and engaging content, will be at the heart of a successful campaign or communications plan.

The digital world has opened up even more ways of reaching stakeholders.

There are now a huge number of platforms, both external and internal, that provide opportunities to deliver engaging content to different audiences.

In the dim and distant past the focus would more often have been on producing single use content (in many cases called ‘the press release’) but nowadays it’s about using information creatively, in multiple ways and across multiple platforms.

Stakeholders are looking for a regular flow of information, and with digital that content can be delivered in numerous forms.  Words, images, video and interactive media can all be used to tell an organisation’s story.

Digital channels are also very often now the first point of contact with an organisation’s stakeholders. Visits to digital channels at any point in the day, from any place and using various devices is now the norm.

Video is arguably the prime content for social media channels and plays an important role in other digital communication.

It allows us to take customers to places they wouldn’t normally see, it lets audiences hear from people they wouldn’t normally get access to and it helps tell the stories that are important to us. It also gets people talking and is perfect sharing material, if done well.

Technology lets us create video content quickly and effectively. In the past it was the sole domain of those with the largest of budgets but is now achievable for everyone.

Using video in a planned and professional way will have a significant impact on campaigns and communications programmes.

And no, it’s not all about a clip of a cat playing a piano…

Good images are essential. We’ve said it since day one.

We encourage every client (and even those that aren’t) to invest in good photography because it does make a difference.

Strong photography is multi-use. Mainstream media like it, social media likes it, websites love it and let’s be honest, when it’s good you like it too. Pictures tell a story, just as words do, and in some cases they tell a story when words can’t.

Quality images enhance your brand and they reflect well on your organisation. The flipside is average or poor images, and we know what we think when we see others using them.

Our roster of highly experienced photographers can secure the images that will help you tell your story to the world.

Fortunately crises are rare occurrences but when they do happen they can have a devastating impact on your business or organisation.

It’s widely accepted that a reputation that has been earned over many years can be lost in a matter of minutes if something goes badly wrong.

Of course, the definition of a crisis will be different for every organisation but the constant in all crisis management is making sure planning for such a scenario is as robust as possible.

We can help assess how your business would respond in a crisis and advise on the most effective strategy to communicate with your stakeholders.

Knowing what makes a story, how a story is developed and how the media works are key to appreciating the needs of a journalist.

Having that understanding allows you to work more effectively with them.

Our specialist media trainers advise and coach individuals in effective media communications skills including interview techniques and exercises using TV and radio equipment to add reality to the situation.

Awards, fundraising dinners, conferences and big product launches are just a handful of situations where a seasoned event manager will make life much easier.

Efficient delegate registration and management, large scale catering and intimate knowledge of venues come naturally to skilled event management companies.

We have close working relationships with experts in this field and can ensure that your event management and communications programme work seamlessly together.

We’re content people. Yes, that means we’re happy, but we’re also creators of content that fits perfectly with websites.

We like design but we’re not designers. We know those who are and they’re exceptional at what they do.

Perhaps it’s a brand new website? Or maybe it’s a refresh and you’re adding new content to help tell your story even more effectively than before? We can help out with the design (through our expert pals) and we can, of course, help out with what goes into it.

The digital world allows for very targeted and strategic relationships to be developed over time.

These relationships bring mutual benefits to you, to the influencers you work with and to the audiences that have an interest in what you do and say. Working closely to establish long term associations and understanding of each other can have significant impact on your brand and your stakeholders.

Remember, influencers are people and not large organisations. They tend to be very focussed and expert on specific subjects: fashion, food, transport, architecture, sport, music, interior design, make-up, travel. The list goes on…

Our experience in understanding content demands and managing the outcomes from them helps everyone involved achieve their goals.

Public relations plays a key role in helping communicate with those who have an influence on an organisation’s success.

These days, with so many different platforms now available to tell stories and share information, we help clients do just that.

As well as the myriad ways of reaching people, there are countless things you can show and tell them. Finding the content that does that, and making the most from it, is what we do.