Author: Lindsey Davies

More insight into Open…

Posted on September 3, 2013 by

Here is the second post in our ‘learn more about the Open Comms team’ series. Following the post yesterday focusing on Tarina, see the same questions asked of our recently appointed Account Manager, Naomi Stafford:

How would you describe yourself in three words

Curious, reliable and organised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you most enjoy about working in PR

Securing fantastic results for clients! There’s no greater feeling then seeing a great piece of coverage and knowing that you played a part in making it happen.

 

What is your favourite book

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, a powerful book that had me riveted from the very first page to the last.

 

What did you want to be when you grew up

I’ve always had a passion for writing. I became a bookworm as soon as I could pick up a book, so as I grew up, I knew that I wanted to enter into a creative industry where I could use the written word. PR allows me to do just that!

 

What do you find most challenging about working in PR

In PR you have to juggle a lot of tasks, switching from one account to another throughout the day. This can play havoc with your mind sometimes!

 

If you could be anything else, what would it be (career wise)

I like nature and the great outdoors, so if I had to do anything else career wise, it would involve these two things. Ellie Harrison from Countryfile always gives me job envy!

 

If you had a super power what would it be

To turn back time, as there’s just never enough hours in the day.

 

What is your guilty secret (food / TV programmes)

I’m not sure whether I should admit this, but I quite enjoy watching Peter Andre My Life. It provides a great insight into someone who lives their life in the public domain and as I love learning about people, I find the programme hard to resist when it comes onto the television.

 

What are you most proud of 

Securing my role at Open Communications.  PR is a notoriously difficult industry to crack, so I was delighted when my hard work and passion paid off.

 

Which account would you most like to work on if you could choose

I have a real sweet tooth, so an account involving chocolate would be ideal. Although I’m not sure how good this would be for my waist line!

 

Educating Yorkshire, a good move or a PR disaster?

Posted on September 3, 2013 by

Education is a strange sector, not least because the launch of Academies has seen schools and colleges run more like businesses than the traditional classrooms that many of us remember. This in turn has seen many establishments get the numbers right but miss a fundamental point – if they are to run like a business then they need to communicate and as such need a strategy in place to do so effectively with all stakeholders.

As a business model, schools and colleges have a wealth of people that it is imperative that they communicate with, yet many still rely on the ‘letter home’ or email to parents in order to ‘tick a box’. Many have struggled since the introduction of Freedom of Information requests (FOI), which mean that journalists can gain access to data and develop stories that once would have been unfathomable.

The problem with those who work in education is that they don’t see the value in PR. They believe that they can carry on regardless as long as the league tables and Ofsted announcements give them glowing recommendations, the problem is that this, in my opinion, draws these organisations into a false sense of security.

Educating Yorkshire is surely a great example. There is no doubt that it is going to make great viewing and following the first series, Educating Essex, which made the principal and vice principal local celebrities, it will gain the headlines – however I can’t help thinking that after simply watching the adverts I would rather home school than send my child to this Academy.

So why choose to put your Academy forward for a programme like this? The coverage has to be balanced and with a series like this it is most certainly warts (or shaved eyebrows) and all! What would possess a head master who is clearly very proud of his achievements and the local area that he grew up in, stand up to be metaphorically shot at?

Lack of advice is the first thing. I can’t imagine that any PR agency in the land with half an ounce of common sense would put their client forward for this show. Children are unpredictable, staff are under pressure and the very nature of more than 30 hormone induced teenagers in a room together has disaster written all over it!

I could be proven wrong of course and this Academy could be inundated with people hoping to attend with parents leaping for joy that little Jonny and Susie have featured on the television as a result of a playground scrap or because they haven’t handed their homework in, but I doubt it very much.

I think it’s about time that schools, colleges and Academies started to take the role of communications seriously. As the very nature of the industry they work in becomes more competitive, they need to address the balance and start to promote what they offer and what makes them different.  It’s all very well saying that you run an Academy, college or school like a business but this has to be taken literally in every sense, which includes getting your communications in order.

As an agency that has worked with one of the leading Academy Trusts in the country, we know exactly what these organisations are faced with from parents, governors, the local community and the media and it isn’t an easy task to manage, but it is essential that it is handled with care.

For those who get it right they can expect to see headlines with glowing reports but those that get it wrong need to be prepared. It’s no good ringing a lawyer when things go wrong and the headlines aren’t as glowing as you would expect – you need a PR professional and someone who can put together a strategy that will reassess the balance.

As for Educating Yorkshire, only time will tell but I think this is one decision or ‘claim to fame’ that the headmaster of this particular Academy will regret.

An insight into the team at Open Comms

Posted on September 2, 2013 by

Right, so we always say that we aren’t your typical PR agency and we also advise that brands consider injecting some personality into their comms – after all it’s the one thing that can’t be replicated by competitors. We therefore felt it would be a good idea to follow our own advice.

We asked our new(ish) recruit Tarina some questions to give you a little insight into what makes her tick. We will update tomorrow with the same questions from Naomi, our most recent team member – so make sure you come back to hear more from the team here at Open.

How would you describe yourself in three words

Ughh, I’ve never been good at answering this question, but going on what I’ve been told by family and friends, I suppose it’d be; mellow, sarcastic and fun-loving

What do you most enjoy about working in PR

So far the best thing about it for me has been the variety of tasks that we all have set each day of the week, we were laughing in the office a couple of days ago about how one minute you’ll be finding a lively venue for a kids event, and the next you could be writing a serious article about Chlamydia. It definitely hasn’t been boring.

What is your favourite book

I personally don’t really like reading, I’ve always preferred to listen to music, and I could sit doing nothing for days if I had music to listen to. I’ve grown up going to gigs and festivals as often as possible, and reading was never “my thing” but just recently I’ve downloaded one of these kindle fandangles and I’m currently reading ‘The Rum Diary’

What did you want to be when you grew up

I have no idea. I have a vague memory of imagining myself getting out of a fancy car with a briefcase and some perfect heels. But I don’t suppose that’s an uncommon dream. At one point I wanted to be an architect, but when I realised maths wasn’t my strong point, that hope went out the window.

The most important goal to me is a promise I made to myself at the age of about 10, to visit every continent at least once before I die. So far I’ve managed about 5%.

…one day.

What do you find most challenging about working in PR

I sometimes find it hard to get through the monotonous parts, the reports and basic bits of research, because I’m constantly eager to get on with the fun bits, but if it wasn’t for the research, the fun parts would pretty much be a massive flop, so you’ve just got to keep yourself motivated with the thoughts of that end product I suppose, and once you get there you’ve totally forgotten about it.

If you could be anything else, what would it be (career wise)

A makeup artist. For the last few years I’ve really loved makeup, I’ve spent hours watching tutorials and playing with new products and I do get told a lot that I’m good at creating looks and suiting styles to different people. Before I started in PR I was aiming towards a professional makeup qualification in the hopes of becoming self employed. I think I’ll still end up doing it at some point in my own time, maybe not to earn any money, just because I enjoy it.

If you had a super power what would it be

I would read peoples minds. I think it’d be possible to do anything if you could read minds (well….except fly……but there’s planes for that), and you’d know who exactly was worth your time.

What is your guilty secret (food / TV programmes)

Jeremy Kyle!  I’m sorry to say I miss it so much now I’m here full time, me and my closest friend Danielle are always getting laughed at because we’ll sit and text eachother about the people on it….while were both watching it, and we’ve applied for tickets to sit in the audience. It’s fairly embarrassing, but hey ho!

What are you most proud of

I was just about to say “the fact I haven’t eaten any chocolate today”, until I realised I’ve just finished off a Boost bar.

Which account would you most like to work on if you could choose

There are so many.

As you’ll probably see in one of my other Blogs, I’d love to work with a charity that provides support and developments for developing countries. I have so many ideas for these types of campaigns and I think it would be amazingly rewarding to see I had contributed to changing peoples lives.

Next up would probably be something along the lines of music events, promotions or venues. I was really hoping to get into events management at one stage in my life, and I love that PR gives the opportunity to attend some of the events that you help put together. Being in a venue with a crowd of other people all feeling good vibes from music is just about the best place in the world, and I’d be ever grateful if I had the chance to introduce people to that.

I’d also love to be a part in some makeup campaigns or promotions. My favourite brand is Urban Decay; I love everything about it and have too many times raided my purse to get my hands on products they make. So I suppose they’d be another dream account.

Every business has ‘the’ secret ingredient

Posted on August 28, 2013 by

The difference between one brand and another is often down to the simplest of things but in turn this can and has taken a business from being mediocre to massive!

I have been reading lots of articles about brands recently; their campaigns, new advertising creative, plans for the run up to the Christmas period, new seasonal products… and it strikes me that whatever they are launching and whatever new message they are conveying they are all trying to achieve the same objective.

It doesn’t matter which agency you choose to work with, there is little doubt that creativity and relationship is often at the heart of that decision, but the truth is that a brand already has the magic ingredient that is required to encourage a consumer to purchase one product above another.

All an agency really has to do is find that hidden ingredient and bring it to life. They have to develop a campaign that can cross all mediums and reach all touch points – they have to put this gem at the heart of the business, to ensure that it is always a fundamental starting point for any campaign, at any time of the brands life cycle.

This nugget is often the one thing that is overlooked by so many agencies; those that are too busy striving to win the next award to look closely enough at their clients business to really see what is staring them in the face. They truly believe that if they work against this ‘thing’ they can push forward some pretty pictures or quirky concept that will in turn generate greater revenues in a shorter time frame.

What they fail to recognise is that by using the obvious – this thing that is right in front of them – they can build longer term campaigns that will evolve year on year, which in turn will lead to a more successful and profitable business and therefore bigger plans and better budgets for all agencies involved.

It’s often the simplest of things that people miss and this is in everyday life, as well as business. We all strive to own a big house and live a Beckham-esque existence when actually if we were honest, all many of us would like is to be happy with our lot, even if that means a one bedroomed cottage in the Yorkshire Dales (ok that may just be me!).

So what is this one thing, this nugget, the missing piece of the jigsaw – it’s personality. Don’t tut or roll your eyes, think about it. Most successful brands are built upon the personality of the founding member, partnership or team. Their belief in their product and the values that they have attributed to that business (plus the bloody, sweat and tears that often goes into turning an idea into a reality) are what breaths the life into the brand and gives it longevity.

It doesn’t matter what creative campaign, stunt, advertising or PR activity they plan throughout the year, the foundations of that business should always be the same – built on personality, which become the values of that company. The best businesses are those that do this and do it well. Next time you think about a brand, think about the story that goes behind it; where did it come from, who founded it and how did it go from good to great? I bet that in many instances it’s the story, which is based on the personality of the founders or adopters who were able to breath that life into it, that gives you the affinity you have with the business and its products.

Naomi supports growth at Open Comms

Posted on August 23, 2013 by

We have some exciting news to share with you all – here at Open Communications, the straight talking PR agency based at Nostell Priory Estate Yard, we have strengthened our growing team with the appointment of Naomi Stafford as PR Account Manager.

With experience as a journalist having written articles, blogs and press features for some of the UK’s leading consumer magazines, as well as managing accounts at a previous agency, Naomi is already proving herself to be an asset to the team.

Taking responsibility for the development of press office schedules, creative plans, campaigns and social media strategies, Naomi will be a key point of contact and will help us to meet with the objectives of our ever expanding client base.

When asked about her appointment Naomi said: “I’m delighted to be a part of a growing agency. Having built up my experience within journalism and PR, I’m now eager to develop my skills even further, working across a broad range of accounts.  Since joining Open Comms I’ve been made to feel like one of the team and I very much look forward to working more closely with an extensive and increasing list of clients in the near future.”

As Naomi has already proven herself to be an asset to the Open team, we know that she will be welcomed by our clients and we are looking forward to sharing her skills, ideas and enthusiasm with the current brands we work with, as well as prospects, over the coming months. Please do say hello if you are passing, tweeting, phoning or just generally getting in touch.

It’s strawberry blonde!

Posted on August 13, 2013 by

 

Marchers on Ginger Pride Walk

Ok, so you’ve heard it all before but really, my hair is strawberry blonde. In the summer it goes blonde and in the winter it takes on a definite turn for the red, or ginger if you prefer but by balance that still means that for most of the year it is ‘strawberry blonde’.

I’ve never really bothered about it to be honest, preferring to go ‘au natural’ as opposed to dying it and have cousins who have the most amazing red hair. I also have friends who are proud to sport a full mop of ginger loveliness, which if rumour be true is proposed will be a thing of the past in years to come.

I know that some people think that to have ginger hair would be a nightmare but I’ve never found it to be a problem and if anything it is more a source of conversation than anything else. I don’t find it offensive and have never been insulted or bullied – other than by my brother but he doesn’t count and has a ginger beard anyway so could never be considered ‘gingerist’!

Understand therefore my excitement when at the weekend, while catching up on the news, I found an article which appeared on the BBC website in honour of the first Ginger Pride event – yes indeed people, a mass onslaught of ginger ninjas pacing the streets of Scotland to share in their love of their hair colour!  AMAZING.

Now I’m not going to be taking to the streets anytime soon, or joining any mass collaboration of ginger activists, but I thought this was a fantastic way to get a point across – some people really are ginger and proud.

The only thing that was missing was the opportunity for brands to jump on the back of it. Surely there was a ginger beer or ale that could have benefitted from an association? Simple, but fun. I think this should become an annual event with more celebrities involved and a ‘cutest ginger baby’ competition. You can just see the pictures!

Twitter would be a great avenue for this to encourage the campaign to go global, all you would need is a creative hashtag and the world would be your ginger coloured oyster. I can’t wait to see what happens next year, but then as a strawberry blonde perhaps it’s nothing to do with me?

 

If you’re happy and you know it

Posted on August 12, 2013 by

 

 

We have all heard comments like ‘money doesn’t make you happy’ and ‘it’s the little things in life’ but the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) has gone one step further, they have actually completed a study that has found that happiness and its affects can be defined by a scale.

 

Following a piece in the Metro last week, the study has found that it isn’t happiness per se that makes us, erm, happy, it’s the meaningful elements of that feeling that will determine how long it lasts and therefore how significant it is.

 

Putting this in to context it makes sense. When you enjoy a glass of wine in a beer garden with friends you would say that you were happy but once removed from that setting the feeling doesn’t last. In contrast if you spend a day working in the garden (if that’s what you enjoy) then you may be shattered when you finish but the long-term happiness you will feel as a result of that effort outweighs that of the previous example.

 

According to this study we are all trying harder to be happier but again this can be counter-productive. Forced happiness is not real or true happiness and so if we try and create a feeling based on effort the results are likely to be misleading and disappointing.

 

Some people will read this and think that I’m absolutely crackers – so hold on to your hats people – but I really enjoy work. Strange I know but it’s true. Running a business is not easy and it comes with a big basket full of tears and tantrums but just like encouraging a disruptive toddler to behave, if you nurture what you do and really love it then you will see the benefits in the end.

 

We work hard at Open Comms and the last five years have come with their fair share of difficulties and challenges but looking back and taking the time to reflect makes me smile. We have come a long way and with changes ahead there are certainly exciting times that we are looking forward to embracing.

 

We have just changed the format of the office to allow us to expand. Watching things take shape and investing in our long term future and that of our team makes me happy – not for a short time but that warmth in your tummy kind of feeling and so I can relate to the study by UCLA and I agree – if it’s worth the effort you will get the reward.

Reputation is our biggest asset, how have we got it so wrong?

Posted on August 2, 2013 by

 

 

 

There is absolutely no doubt that the PR industry has a less than positive reputation – but the irony is that we are tasked with managing the reputation of the brands that we work with, so how has it come to the point where we are unable to create positive associations for our specialism?

 

Personally I think the problems are deep routed and come from times gone by. Long gone are the days of lazy lunches, wining and dining and partying until dawn to roll into the office, totter on Prada heels and ‘fanny about with the press releases’.

 

PR is a specialism and like a naughty toddler the industry has had to grow up. During difficult times clients are looking at budgets, they are considering their spend and they are evaluating what investments are delivering a return. It’s common knowledge that marketing is always one of the first costs to be cut at times of austerity and we have all had to sit up and defend our position around the boardroom table.

 

There was an article on the BBC Website recently which made for uncomfortable reading but I hate to admit it did have a lot of truth behind it. What I find most interesting is the comments that are below the article which are a startling example of the job that we have to do to give the industry the credibility that I believe it now deserves.

 

When asked what I do for a living I often have to explain the role of PR in business and how the techniques that we use are invaluable to brands. Many people look at me with cynicism at best and repulsion at worst – what they don’t realise is that we don’t sit at a desk drafting articles and lunching. What we do is plan and manage the communications strategy for our clients to ensure that we meet with their objectives and support sales.

 

We work with print press, online media, bloggers, stakeholders, employees and partners – it’s certainly not a case of drafting a story and sending it to a database of journalists who may or may not choose to use it.

 

I would like to think that in the defence of PR things have changed quite considerably over recent years. I’m not suggesting that every agency is ethical, moral or even does the job well but there are those of us who are fighting our corner and showing just what PR can deliver.

 

And if you don’t believe me then take some wisdom from the BBC. Even if this article is somewhat dismissive of the PR stunt many of the leading businesses in the world have used PR techniques to create an impression, perception and reputation that in turn has resulted in a multi-million pound bank balance; Virgin and Innocent Drinks are just two fantastic examples.

 

So before you decide that the last thing you need is ‘Patsy’ tottering around your office and re-charging the costs for lunch at the Ivy, take a look at those who are doing the job and doing it well. You just might find the agency that you are looking for – the one that can add value to your reputation and your bottom line.

 

PR ACCOUNT MANAGER

Posted on July 26, 2013 by

It’s exciting times here at Open Communications. As a result of a number of recent account wins we are once again we are looking to extend our team with the appointment of a PR Account Manager. 

 

Ideally we are looking for a Senior Account Executive who is looking to take the next step in their career. Any candidate would need to be hard working, organised, ambitious and genuinely passionate about PR with a proven track record for securing results. 

 

This is a real opportunity for someone who wants to progress, learn, develop and become a part of a successful and growing agency.

 

We are a B2B and B2C agency with a full range of clients working across a variety of sectors. Brands we work with include Pom-Bear snacks, HARIBO, The Ridings Shopping Centre, Media Displays and Paragon UK.

 

If you think that you have what it takes, or you know someone who does, then please send your CV to Emma or Lindsey at emma.lupton@opencomms.co.uk / lindsey.davies@opencomms.co.uk.

 

 

 


Open expands with new appointment

Posted on July 17, 2013 by

 

Open Communications, the straight talking PR agency based at Nostell Priory Estate Yard, has expanded its team with the appointment of Tarina Wild, as PR Account Administrator.

 

Following a series of account wins and extended contracts the agency has found it necessary to expand the team in order to drive new business, while also maintaining the level of activity that it is involved with for leading brands including HARIBO, Intersnack and Pom-Bear.

 

Tarina comments: “I’m really excited to be a part of the team at Open Communications.  I’ve always been interested in event planning, and as PR gives the opportunity to do this, I’ll be able to put some of my ideas into practice.  Since starting at Open I’ve felt really comfortable around everyone at the agency and I can’t wait to meet the clients and get to know their brands and businesses better.”

 

Director at Open Communications, Lindsey Davies comments: “Tarina is an excellent addition to our growing team. She brings with her a wealth of enthusiasm, drive, creativity and commitment, which we feel are essential qualities when you work in a fast-paced PR and communications agency. We know that she will be an asset to Open and the clients that we work with.”