Tag: marketing

Why Having a Crisis Plan Makes All the Difference

Posted on December 8, 2025 by Open Communications

An image of a magnifying glass hovering over the word crisis in a dictionary.

At Open Communications, we know that crises don’t wait for the right moment. They show up uninvited – whether it’s a PR blip, social media backlash or an operational hiccup that catches you off guard.

The truth is, how you respond in those first few hours can set the tone for everything that follows. Having a plan doesn’t just save time, it gives your business the best chance of coming through calmy, clearly and with your reputation intact.

If you’ve ever wondered what a crisis plan actually involves, why your business needs one and how to make it actually useful, here’s our no-nonsense response.

What is a crisis plan?

Think of it as your safety net. A crisis plan is more than a document gathering dust on a shelf – it’s a practical guide designed to help your team act quickly, consistently and confidently when things don’t go quite to plan.

It gives structure to what can otherwise feel like chaos. Instead of second-guessing who to call or what to say, your team already knows the process, the messaging and the next steps.

A good crisis plan usually covers:

Who needs to be informed and how.
What your key messages should be.
How to manage communications across social media, press and internal teams.
Steps to minimise reputational, operational or financial damage.

At its heart, a crisis plan is about keeping your business steady, your people supported and your reputation protected when the pressure is on.

Why does it matter?

Crises happen.

And when they do, the stakes are high. You can’t always control the situation, but you can control your message and how you respond.

The difference between businesses that recover well and those that don’t often comes down to speed and clarity. Those who are prepared can get the right message out quickly, reassure stakeholders and avoid making the situation worse. Those who aren’t prepared often end up scrambling, sending mixed messages or staying silent for too long.

A crisis plan doesn’t make problems disappear, but it gives you confidence to respond decisively, clarity on who says what and when, and protection for your business and your people.

Essentially, it’s your roadmap to keep everyone moving in the same direction, even when the situation is unpredictable.

What goes into a good crisis plan?

Creating a good crisis plan isn’t just about writing down a few bullet points. It’s about thinking ahead and planning for every scenario you can possibly imagine.

Key elements include:

Clear roles and responsibilities – who speaks to the media, who manages social channels and who handles internal communications.
Prepared messaging – statements that reflect your brand voice and values.
Communication channels – from press releases to social updates and internal emails.
Escalation procedures – know what requires senior input and what can be handled immediately.
Training and rehearsals – because a plan is only as good as your team’s ability to use it.

Why we help clients with crisis planning

Because we’ve seen the difference it makes.

A team with a plan doesn’t panic. They don’t stumble over words, and they don’t let small problems spiral into big ones. Instead, they stay calm, keep control and protect the business they’ve worked hard to build.

We also appreciate that not every business has the time or experience to build a plan from scratch. That’s where we step in – creating tailored plans and embedding processes that feel natural for your team, so that when the time comes, you know exactly what to do.

Why not just do it yourself?

You could, of course, pull together a contact list and a few instructions. But a truly effective plan is more than just ticking boxes.

It means anticipating scenarios you might not think of, understanding how the media reacts, aligning messaging with your brand and making sure your team knows what is expected of them under pressure. Without that experience, it is easy to overlook risks, create conflicting messages, or put out responses that don’t land well.

Thay’s why working with specialists gives you peace of mind. You know your plan is practical, tested and ready to work when it’s needed most.

Our approach at Open Comms

We keep things simple, practical and actionable. No jargon, no overcomplicated processes. Just clear guidance that helps you and your team feel prepared and not panicked.

We’ll work with you to create a plan tailored to your business, run through scenarios and make sure everyone understands their role. That way, if the unexpected does happen, you can handle it with confidence.

At Open Comms, we don’t do panic. We do preparation, strategy and straightforward guidance that ensures your business can handle a crisis with confidence.

Empowered Marketing Webinar: Resilience in the Boardroom With Sonya Braddock

Posted on December 8, 2025 by Open Communications

An image of a laptop with the webinar taking place on it.

Written by Laura Wood.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the first Empowered Marketing webinar titled “Resilience in the Boardroom: Thriving Under Pressure” led by mental fitness coach and MindFit project founder, Sonya Braddock.

It was an inspiring session, full of practical advice on how to manage stress and build resilience – both in professional and personal situations.

Here, I will take a look at what I took away from the session.

What is resilience, really?

Sonya kicked things off by exploring the fundamentals of resilience.

She asked attendees for their thoughts and explained that while she uses the term “boardroom”, resilience applies far beyond corporate life – from job interviews and first days at work to personal life challenges like dates or day-to-day situations.

A key insight was how our brains often overreact to emotions, anxieties or stresses. This reaction comes from the brain’s alarm system, named the ‘amygdala’. When triggered by feelings of fear, nervousness or worry, our amygdala can hijack our response.

The good news? We can train it to respond calmly and pragmatically rather reacting emotionally.

Spotting stress patterns

A key part of the session was around recognising stress patterns.

Sonya highlighted three common behaviours we all feel or experience throughout our lifetime:

Overthinking – worrying about a situation before it happens.
Minimising – convincing yourself you’re not good enough.
Perfectionism – the need to make sure everything is flawless.

Understanding these patterns is the first step to managing them. Once you notice them, you can start to take action.

Tools to reset your brain

Following this, Sonya shared practical exercises to train your brain, starting with box breathing.

The process is simple:

Inhale for four counts
Hold for four counts
Exhale for four counts
Hold for four counts
And repeat…

Even a minute of this technique can help “reset” your remind.

However, when time is short, she suggested some micro-resets: moving your body, shaking off tension, or just taking a mindful pause. A mindful pause is all about observing your thoughts without judgement, recognising them as ideas and not facts, watching them just float by in your mind.

Reframing and the power of awareness

Reframing was another focus of the session.

By noticing a stress pattern and consciously choosing how to respond, we can turn potentially negative situations into positive, manageable experiences. Awareness, Sonya explained, isn’t a weakness – it’s a choice.

Following this, she explained that confidence and resilience work hand in hand. Confidence helps us move forward, where resilience allows us to bounce back when challenges arise. One way to aid this transition is by building a “brag bank”, where you jot down achievements, no matter how big or small, to reinforce self-belief and remind ourselves of our capabilities.

Practical strategies: before, during and after

Another powerful tool that Sonya highlighted was how to prepare for and recover from stressful “boardroom” moments:

Before: Use power postures, mantras and visualisations to prime yourself.
During: Take slow, intentional breaths and jot down short encouraging phrases like “you can do this.”
After: Engage in release rituals such as walks or stretching, reflect on successes and areas for improvement, and note down gratitude’s.

The session ended with a guided visualisation that she involved the whole group with: she asked all attendees to close their eyes and imagine themselves standing tall on the edge of a cliff while a storm approaches. From there, she asked us to visualise ourselves remaining steadfast as the storm passed, and watch how we walk away feeling more resilient, confident and strong.

A truly powerful yet calming tool.

Key quotes that stuck

Sonya’s passion shone through by her use of quotes, which she may not have realised would have an impact on someone, but they are the main things I scribbled down as affirmations to myself.

Here is a selection of the ones I noted:

“The power is in noticing and doing something about it.”
“Choose how you want to show up.”
“Put trust in your capability.”
“Boundaries aren’t weakness, they’re leadership.”
“Confidence is built on action.”
“Remember, the storm doesn’t define you. The way you bounce back afterwards does.”

Key takeaways

Here are main takeaways I took from the session:

You can train your amygdala to respond calmly under stress.
Stress patterns appear as overthinking, minimising or perfectionism.
Use resets – like breathing exercises or mindful pauses – to regain control.
A ‘brag bank’ reinforces confidence and resilience.
Emotions are information, reflecting on them creates space to respond wisely.

Attending the webinar was a powerful reminder that resilience is a skill we can develop with intention, practice and awareness. Small, consistent actions and conscious reflection can help us thrive under pressure, no matter the “boardroom” we’re facing.

What is Content Marketing and Why Does It Matter?

Posted on November 11, 2025 by Open Communications

A close-up shot of a laptop and a person's hands typing on the keyboard, used to describe content marketing.

At Open Communications, we don’t just churn out words and hope they stick. We create the right content, for the right audience, in the right places, and we make sure it does the heavy lifting for your brand.

If you’ve ever wondered exactly what “content marketing” means, why businesses invest in it, and what it could do for you, here’s our straight-talking approach.

What is content marketing?

Think of content marketing as the long game in your communications strategy.

It’s not about shouting “buy now” at anyone who will listen. It’s about building a genuine, lasting relationship with your audience so that when they need what you offer, you’re the first name they think of.

It involves creating and sharing press releases, videos, social posts, podcasts and other materials that:

Build trust in your brand.
Show your expertise.
Keep your audience engaged.

The overarching goal? To encourage action – whether that’s making a purchase, sending an enquiry or simply seeing you as a go-to source for insight and information.

The key thing to remember is this: it’s not about filling space online. It’s to make your audience want to hear from you, while also keeping them coming back for more.

Why does this matter?

Today’s audiences are savvy. They can spot a hard sell from a mile away, and most will scroll right past it. Content marketing works because it focuses on value first and sales second.

That value might come in the form of a blog that answers a question they’ve been Googling, a social post that makes them nod in agreement, or a video that explains something complex in a few simple steps. Sometimes it’s a podcast that offers a fresh perspective from someone they respect.

By consistently sharing helpful, relevant and more importantly, engaging content, you’re doing more than just selling. You’re building credibility, showing you understand your audience’s world, and proving that you have the expertise to help them. Over time, this positions you as a trusted source – and trust is the foundation of every successful customer relationship.

What does it include?

When we work with clients on content marketing, we don’t just start typing. Every piece of content has a clear role in a wider plan.

That means considering elements such as:

Keywords – so your content gets seen by the right people at the right time.
Messaging – keeping your key points clear, consistent and memorable.
Tone of voice – so your brand personality comes through across every channel.
Call to action (CTA) – guiding your audience on what to do next without being pushy.
Positioning statements – making it clear where you sit in the market and what sets you apart.
Talent – sharing insight and experiences from the team through thought leadership articles and comment pieces.
Evidence of expertise – case studies, statistics, and examples that strengthen your authority.
Third-party contributions – trusted voices that boost your credibility even further.

It’s a joined-up process. Whether we’re writing thought leadership articles, case studies, or social campaigns, every piece of content reinforces your brand and moves your audience one step closer to you.

Why we offer it

The reason is simple: it works.

A strong content marketing strategy delivers value in a way that a one-off sales pitch can’t. It builds relationships, it gives people reasons to trust you, and it helps them remember your name.

We also know that not every business has the time or headspace to keep content fresh, relevant and effective. That’s where we come in. We work as an extension of your team, getting under the skin of your brand, so every piece feels genuine and on point.

As an agency that specialises in PR, social media and multi-media content, we make sure your message doesn’t live in isolation. Instead, it’s part of an approach, a complementary set of tactics that promotes your business, giving you consistency and impact across every channel.

Why not just write it yourself?

After all, anyone can put pen to paper.

But… producing effective content is about more than just writing well. It’s about knowing what will resonate with your audience, structuring it so it’s easy to read or watch, and optimising it for search without losing its human touch.

It’s also about maintaining consistency across multiple channels and formats, making sure your tone, messaging and quality don’t slip. And crucially, it’s about tracking what’s working and adjusting your plan accordingly – something that doesn’t happen overnight and takes time and a strategic eye.

When you work with professionals, you’re not just outsourcing the writing. You’re bringing in the experience, perspective and know-how to make your content work harder, and freeing yourself up to focus on running your business.

Our approach at Open Comms

Let’s be honest – content marketing can sometimes feel like a lot of noise.

That’s where we come in.

We cut through the jargon and focus on creating content that actually makes a difference for you and your business. For some clients, that’s blog posts that keep them front of mind. For others, it’s social media content that sparks conversation, thought leadership that positions them as experts or multimedia pieces that stop the scroll.

We don’t do “one size fits all”. Every client is different, so every strategy is tailored. But what is the same is that we get to know your business inside and out – your challenges, your goals and your audiences – so we can create content that genuinely connects.

The bottom line

Content marketing isn’t about filling space or ticking boxes. It’s about making meaningful connections, showing off your expertise and building trust over time.

Done well, it can:

Attract new customers.
Strengthen relationships with existing ones.
Position you as a leader in your field.
Support your wider marketing and PR activity.
Secure sales.

What’s more, PR and marketing will deliver results you can actually measure, helping your business grow over the long term.

Let’s talk content

If you’re curious about how content marketing could work for your business, we’d love to chat. We’ll put the kettle on (biscuits are on us!) and talk through how we can help you connect with your audience, share your story and deliver results.

At Open Comms, we don’t do air kissing, but we do offer straight talking, creative thinking and a content marketing strategy that works as hard as you do.

Get in touch with us today.

THE MANY WAYS CASE STUDIES CAN BENEFIT BUSINESS

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Open Communications

Although a successful PR strategy is made up of many different strands of activity, they must all seamlessly come together to use effective communications to meet with the wider objectives of a business.

Whether its increasing brand awareness, educating the market on a product or launching a new service, no two PR strategies will ever be the same. Not least because the public’s expectations continually evolve.

This has been most evident throughout the past year. Amid the devastation that we have all experienced, this pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated the digital revolution across the globe. By becoming a more tech-centric society, the landscape for business is undergoing a complete transformation.

Therefore, the need for concise and clear communications has never been as sought after. But as entire industries and working practices continue to change, it is important for businesses to update and archive any achievements and milestones they have reached. These are best communicated when presented as case studies.

How case studies impact a PR strategy

Although there can be a lot of time spent gathering information and insight, case studies enable businesses to showcase the work that has been carried out, the type of clients they work with and more importantly, what they are capable of delivering.

Without a doubt, they have an integral part to play within a PR strategy. Once complete, a case study can act as a marketing tool that can be used to generate new business enquiries and to educate and inform certain sectors of an organisation’s expertise within that market.

Case studies have many benefits. Not only can they act as an active record or timeline of key internal milestones, but can also highlight how significant growth targets have been achieved and clearly demonstrate how existing clients are benefiting from using a specific service or product.

They also offer businesses accountability. By sharing case studies on social media channels, on a website or via the press, businesses are providing evidence that can be used to substantiate any claims made in advertising.

With that said, the output of any case study can also be maximised if it focuses on what’s relevant and topical within a specific industry or the wider marketplace. This will ensure that, when published, it already resonates with the intended target audience.

The contents of a case study

We now operate in a data-driven world. With new technology and innovative developments changing the way we live and work. Data analysis is becoming the driving force behind decision marking within businesses at practically every level.

This is where the full potential of case studies as reliable and effective resources can be fully realised.

By showing specific metrics, whether it’s an increase in profits, meeting quarterly growth targets or expanding workforce, this set of data can help promote the effectiveness of specific products and services to prospective clients.

To further enhance a business’ successes and achievements, let the clients they already work with speak about their own experiences. Testimonials not only give further credibility to a case study, but also strengthen the overall perception of a business by having an external voice speak so positively.

Sharing success

Some companies believe that sharing case studies will provide competitors with too much information. This is very unlikely. Competing businesses are already targeting your clients, so enhancing the relationship that you have through case studies is actually a positive.

It shows that the work that was completed is endorsed by that business and that you are a reputable supplier that delivers results. Furthermore, it shows other potential customers in the same market what they are missing.

Far be it that a case study will deter a customer from contacting you, it will do the exact opposite. Using this information to support sales will redirect the resource and time taken to compiling these examples to where it matters most, converting leads.

There is nothing wrong with sharing success, both internally and with an external audience, and case studies are a great way to do just that.

If you would like to discuss the benefits of case studies for your business, get in touch with our team here. Alternatively, give us a call on 01924 862477 – we’d love to hear from you!

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING A BUDGET

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Open Communications

The true potential of a strategic PR programme can be transformational, but only if the target audience is communicated with in a way that will resonate.

In this digital age, there are numerous ways that organisations can engage with customers, so knowing which approach will work best is critical. With so many options to choose from, it is equally as important to allocate an appropriate budget.

Setting the programme of activity

At Open Comms we collaborate with our clients to understand their business and industry, whilst also showcasing how our PR expertise can help them achieve their goals and ambitions. Whether we are supporting a client launch a new service or product, increasing their brand awareness or creating new marketing material, our role is to ensure that the relevant messaging reaches the right audience.

In order to create the right programme of activity for each brand, we need to identify the most relevant channels for each brand. We then allocate a certain amount of time to manage each. This then gives us an indication of the resource that will be needed to deliver results.

The recommendations we then make should be reflective of the client’s proposed budget.

A targeted approach

As there are many strands to a bespoke PR strategy, it is important to access industry insight to analyse and establish whether we are better targeting vertical or horizontal markets. This will then determine the most effective way to secure coverage in relevant media.

Although the securing of earned news coverage, whether it’s through print or online, still remains an extremely successful approach to get in front of the largest audience possible, every PR campaign should allocate time to owned content too.

This again will impact the budget and will require the client to understand that a balance of earned and owned media will deliver the best return on investment over time.

Working in this way will help an organisation to create personality which reinforces the distinction between themselves and competitors. If managed correctly, with the right thought given to key messages, it will also attract and engage with the intended audiences.

Putting theory into practice

We have recently completed work for one of our clients that specialises in managing critical communications for some of the largest utility providers in the UK.

As they operate in an increasingly competitive sector, we were briefed with promoting a particular service which would ultimately help them to reinforce their market leading position.

We initially created a strategic plan to showcase how our support would help increase the awareness of the company as a whole and also the service it was wanting to promote. As with all successful PR campaigns, we targeted the media first through industry-led comment pieces, which positioned the client as an expert in this field. Furthermore, this also showcased their ability to roll out this service in practice.

Not only that, but we also uploaded the content to the client’s website and also across social channels to extend audience reach.

Following on from our initial market research, we realised that there was a strong opportunity to connect with existing customers and potential new business leads by drafting an original piece of marketing material.

Given the objectives, the most effective way to do this was through video marketing.

In order to make this happen, we demonstrated to the client the long-term benefits of this approach, as well as the costs. Afterall, the ROI is essential to any piece of business activity.

Delivering results on a budget

Needless to say, we got the greenlight.

Calling upon our expertise, the Open Comms team transformed the client’s service offering into a visually dynamic and engaging video.

This was then shared across all of the client’s social media channels, implemented into their marketing packages, sent to new prospects and shown to existing customers.

Within a few weeks after posting, the video had been viewed more than 800 times on LinkedIn alone, with followers increasing shortly thereafter.

Not only did this approach help enhance our client’s audience reach, but it also improved their perception within the marketplace. Because we were able to demonstrate the impact of budgeting for bespoke digital assets, our client has now shown a commitment to adapt and evolve as their industry does.

This will achieve two objectives; to reinforce a sense of satisfaction and trust among current customers and acquire new leads.

If you would like to know more about Open Comms and the services we offer, why not give us a call on 01924 862477 or contact us here.

UTILISING PR PROPERLY AMID THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Open Communications

As the UK embarks on another spell of lockdown, we are now seeing signs of progress in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. Although the future has never been more uncertain, these unprecedented times have guaranteed that the drastic changes to our daily lives will be ongoing for the foreseeable future.

The strict, but necessary, guidelines implemented by the Government in early March have caused widespread disruption; not just to our personal lives, but also to our professional lives as well. As society has been forced to adjust and adapt in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, the country has experienced a seismic economic shift that will be felt for many more months, if not years.

There has never been such a time where critical information has played a pivotal role. Customers, clients, business partners and employees alike must all be made aware of any changes that could have a significant impact on their lives.

Like so many other sectors, the PR industry has been forced to change rapidly to navigate through this ongoing pandemic. With that being said, it is at times of crisis that we realise just how valuable and critical communications can be.

As such, we believe that the implementation of a robust communications strategy can significantly help companies during this unprecedented period. We have listed our three top tips of delivering impactful PR amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

1. Take the opportunity to approach press and media outlets

During the nationwide lockdown, more eyes than ever will be searching for news and updates online. In response to this increase in online traffic, publications will be in need of as much content as possible to keep their readers engaged and interested.

Brands must take advantage of this opportunity by being proactive and calling on press contracts to find out just what sort of content is desired at this time. This will then enable them to tailor copy to the specific requests of each journalist and hopefully increase their chances of securing media coverage.

2. Don’t hide away from Covid-19

The ongoing pandemic has changed the way consumers shop, employees work and how services are delivered. Ignoring these changes could have a detrimental effect on companies and the relationship they have with clients and customers.

Communicating openly and honestly can be an effective way of creating trust and forming stronger relationships with the relevant people. A brand or company seen at the forefront of this crisis, whether its posting daily updates on websites, social media or in the press, can instill a sense of reliability and responsibility within the marketplace.

With that being said, businesses must recognise the difference between selling and informing. Communicating critical information isn’t an excuse to try to sell a product, so don’t fall in the trap of using it as a promotion tool. This will be received negatively and cause further damage to a brand.

3. Customer and client engagement

As life has taken a somewhat slower pace for some over recent months, it has provided these companies with an opportunity to reflect and reevaluate the way they operate. Part of this reflection could be focused on collating data regarding the experience customers and clients have when using a company’s services.

Crucially, this will help organisations to better understand how the current situation is impacting on their target markets whilst also providing them with a further opportunity to engage with their customer base.
An effective way to collate this information could be by using social media tools; whether it’s creating polls for followers to engage with or by posting questions for which the answer could be determined by retweeting or liking.

This will enable companies to communicate consistently on their own platforms, while also helping to garner more followers and potentially new business.

Although we don’t know when normalcy will return, we do know that we must remain resilient and willing to evolve to accommodate the current climate. Despite these challenging times, businesses need to keep an optimistic approach whilst continuing to deliver for their clients and customers.

Recognising the value of positive communications will not only support businesses throughout this pandemic, but organisations in all sectors across the wider economy.

LEVERAGING BRAND PERSONALITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Posted on April 23, 2020 by Open Communications

Brands and businesses often misjudge social media and the way it should be utilised. In the midst of polishing and refining a picture perfect online presence, brands can sometimes lose sight of what makes them different.

Every brand has its own story waiting to be shared online.

Social media simply acts as the medium which assists with a brands storytelling process and through this helps express its unique personality. This is not as simple as plastering a logo or copying and pasting the same 30 character long bio across all social channels.

Consumers nowadays crave authentic interaction and exciting content. Which is why injecting personality into every aspect of a brands social media presence is so important.

It’s what makes you and your content stand out.

Establishing a brand personality online can seem daunting at first, especially if social media is an entirely new territory for your business, so here’s a few tips to help get you started-

Focus on the brand, not the product –

Websites are for selling products. Social media is where you tell people about who you are, what you do and how you came about. Consumers want to know more about the brands they buy from and social media is the easiest way to share this information.

Bespoke interactions –

Avoid sounding scripted or generic and take a more personalised approach when engaging with people. This is a simple, yet effective way to take ownership of how your brand is perceived online.

Explore trending topics –

Social media is constantly evolving and trends change at the speed of light. Some of which you may not even know about. This is where google alerts come in very handy. Set up google alerts of key words that are relevant to your brand, so that you never miss an opportunity to reap the benefits of a trending topic!

Develop a social media handbook –

A social media handbook plays a vital role in sustaining a brands online presence, but unfortunately is often overlooked. Essentially, a social media handbook should outline your brands personality traits. It might also include a list of words or phrases that your brand should use or maybe topics that your brand should ‘watch out’ for. Either way, this handbook should act as a bible for you or your team to follow and will help to create relevant content for social media that is consistent with your brand and its personality.

Gone are the days when a product was enough to attract consumers. Now, brand personality is the driving force behind capturing the attention of audiences. For more tips on how to tell your brands story, read Lindsey’s blog here.

If you are wanting to explore social media or PR further, please do give us a call or email.

WHERE DID GIRL POWER REALLY COME FROM?

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Lindsey Davies

I tell you what I want, what I really, really want, I would like people to stop right now, thank you very much… and think for a moment.

Think about the young women with their lives ahead of them who joined the Army, RAF or Navy to show their support during the World Wars and whom fought just as ferociously to save lives and give us our freedom.

Think of the female machine operators that worked in an ammunition factory and were caught up in an explosion that killed their colleagues and wounded many more, yet they returned to work the same day (this happened in East Leeds and the ladies are referred to as the Barnbow Lasses).

Think of the nurses that over the years have helped the wounded, identified and developed some of the life-changing medical principles, techniques and drugs that we still administer today.

Think of the Suffragettes and the movement that they made happen – some losing their lives in the process – that would allow women to vote, which in turn would change attitudes and lives all over the world, forever.

Source: To Those Changing Human Health, Johnson & Johnson

Then, stop and think, was Girl Power really the brainchild of the management team behind a 90’s all-female girl pop band? I’m not convinced.

Far be it from me to discard the impact that the Spice Girls had on young women in the 90’s, after all, I will hold my hands up and say that I was one of them. I loved singing to their music and knowing that I could relate to the lyrics, but I have to be honest, I never felt that it was life changing.

As a result of the Spice Girls I never felt that I could achieve more or become more. I didn’t have the urge after listening to Spice Up Your Life to travel the world or following a dance around the kitchen to Who Do You Think You Are to start a business, it just didn’t impact on me in that way.

The point is that the Spice Girls are a manufactured group that were purposely created to resonate with an audience; young women.

While the concept was new, creating five ‘characters’ that provided an appeal that was more personal than had ever been explored previously, behind the ‘marketing’ (and multi-million-pound budget) they were simply a group of girls who were forced to live and work together after taking part in a reality TV show.

While there is no doubt that Scary, Sporty, Baby, Ginger and Posh did their bit for Girl Power and continue to hit the headlines across the globe, I feel it is hugely important that we don’t forget to look back and recognise those that made it possible for this pop phenomenon to become what they are today – multimillionaire business women.

I’m not one to take to the soap box about women in business and I don’t feel the need to now. I was taught from a very young age that if you work hard and put your mind to it, you can become anything you want to. Alternatively, if you don’t, you won’t.

I now realise of course that this isn’t possible for everyone (although it should be) and that it was a simple way to look at things, but the principle remains the same.

I’d like to see young women want to join the forces, want to become nurses, want to create a movement that will evoke world-wide change for the better and simply be the best they can be. With a recent survey suggesting that 75% of young people aspire to be YouTubers, perhaps it’s time we took greater influence from the Girl Power that delivered real results and that keep on giving today!

Ends

THE POWER OF PERSONALITY

Posted on August 2, 2018 by Lindsey Davies

Long has it been said that people buy people but actually the same can be said for brands. What I mean is that increasingly consumers are looking for brands that align with their values and their personalities and therefore the more a business can create a product, campaign or company with character the better.

Starting with marketing materials

The way that marketing literate is designed impacts on whether someone will pick up the piece in the first place and the way it is written will determine if someone will read it. The tone of voice will then either appeal to someone and make them receptive to the message or not.

This is then often followed up by a call, an email or a meeting, all providing a further insight into the personality of a business. This is where people come in and why it’s important that those you employ believe in your product or service in the same way that you do.

As a PR agency working with many different brands across a range of sectors, we always make it clear to our clients that we have to understand and buy into whatever it is they are offering in the same way that they do.

We are essentially an extension of our clients’ marketing and sales functions and there is nothing worse than listening to someone drone on knowing that they are either reading from a script or don’t really care about the company they represent.

Then there is social media to consider in this mix and that can be a whole new headache. Sharing the same content across all platforms is a classic way to fall at the first hurdle. Think about it, each channel has been created to differ from each other and even if they target the same audience, the functionality they offer can bring a range of benefits to a business, if they are used correctly.

The harsh reality is that some channels don’t work for business. It doesn’t matter how long you spend on them or what budget you assign, they just won’t engage with the people you want to communicate with, so don’t use them. Simple. Put your efforts into something that will deliver a return on investment.

The truth is that marketing isn’t brain surgery. Fundamentally, any marketing campaign, whatever channel you use is about creating an affinity between product and person. It’s a complex tapestry of ‘touch points’ and many have their part to play but there are only so many hours in a day.

A planned launch

The reality in business is that when a company launches they often have the luxury of time. They are able to take a step back and to think carefully about their marketing which includes design, message and preferred channel. Then, when they become more established, all that goes out of the window.

They no longer have time for the ‘fun stuff’ it’s all about keeping machines running, staying on top of suppliers, invoicing at the end of the month, managing staff and of course nurturing and growing the customers base – but the relationship no longer becomes a focus.

What a huge mistake!

It’s like making friends with someone and taking the time and effort to become BFF before then turning your back and walking away – because you’re just too busy – but then expecting them to be there when you need them.

They may be. But when it comes to loyalty and brands, you have to remember, for the benefit of this analogy, there is a pub full of friends just waiting to take your place and that’s why it’s so important for businesses to put marketing – in all its forms – firmly on the agenda.

It has always baffled me that when times are tough – or as has appeared to be the case over the last 18 months turbulent – the first budgets that people pull are those that have been allocated to marketing.

I appreciate that factories need to keep running, staff need to be paid and that keeping the metaphorical plates spinning is a priority, but that doesn’t mean you should stop communicating and take your eye off what is arguably the biggest asset a business has: its reputation.

There are few things more exciting than seeing the launch programmes from a new start-up, particularly those that come from former entrepreneurs that have made the mistakes only to come out of the other end stronger and more determined than ever.

Putting marketing front and centre

What is most interesting is that many – or I’d even go as far as to say most – of these businesses put marketing front and centre. Yes, they may be clever with their budgets, but communication and a strong launch campaign with sustainable messaging and a longer term plan is never far from their boardroom table.

For all those businesses out there that are looking for the winning formula – those that are looking for the one thing that they feel is missing – I can almost guarantee it goes back to personality because a company with no character is like a shop window with no display.

In a time when high streets have never struggled so much, yet start-ups that are eager to please are on the rise, it’s imperative that businesses think carefully about their budgets, where they are putting their cash and what they are getting in return.

Marketing will deliver if managed well and whether you choose to appoint in-house or to work with an agency, a good solid campaign that you can get excited about and that delivers against objectives will make all of the difference.

Create your character, underpin it with the values of your business, inject some personality and start to engage with people. You’ll be surprised at what can be achieved when you think like a start-up and go back to basics.

This Girl Can – and the campaign does

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Lindsey Davies

I sweat, I pant, I run – I don’t look good but it makes me feel great.

Keeping it simple

I’ve followed the Sport England, This Girl Can, campaign since it launched and have been impressed by its simplicity from the start. The first thing they did right was to recognise that branding has a place but not all over everything.

Living in a world where we are constantly targeted by marketing messages people have become increasingly cynical, and when something is overtly branded we know to be aware that we are being ‘sold at’.

Unfortunately, this can be a difficult lesson to learn and many companies feel that they are missing a trick if they don’t have their brand on show, all of the time. The truth is that more often than not, less is more.

Don’t ask too much

Consumers have never been more intrinsically linked to the tricks of the trade and they are aware of the power that they have to influence a brand by advocacy or to crucify it through controversy.

Social media is a fantastic communication tool, we have never been able to share messages so quickly or with such a vast audience, but with it comes some pitfalls too.

The hurdles often become apparent when agencies try to be too clever. They expect too much from the consumer and in a culture where we click to purchase or swipe to like there is simply no way that the volume of people required to impress a client will engage.

What This Girl Can have done is simply ask that people share their image – if they want to. And that is the point. They aren’t suggesting you will get anything in return, they aren’t selling anything to you, per se, but they are changing behaviour and asking that if you want to you can get involved.

Keeping it real

There’s absolutely nothing new in creating campaigns that focus on real people. It’s been done before and it will be done again, it’s a good idea and it works. However, with this campaign, it takes keeping it real to a whole new level.

The idea that people would share their pictures when they know they don’t look their best and in many instances far from it would never be an objective that you would choose when developing a marketing campaign, but it’s worked.

There is something almost akin to a ‘sisterhood’ which has gained momentum through this campaign and what has made it stand out for me is that it hasn’t felt forced. It’s been very organic in the way it has picked up pace.

The tone of voice and messages have been perfect too. It hasn’t, like many sports-related campaigns, being about pushing yourself to the limit, setting goals or even encouraging you to try the latest exercise or equipment – it has been about being you; doing what you do; being proud of your efforts and knowing that if you don’t want to, you don’t have to. It makes it hard for you not to endorse it.

Being all things to all people

Many brands want to target a mass market, it’s a numbers game. They want to communicate with everyone and to use one message to do that. If you work in marketing you will know that getting this right is like finding a goose that lays golden eggs – it’s rare!

Not only does mass market require mass budgets (and admittedly you could argue £8m is a pretty good start) but it also needs to be so effective that everyone sees it, gets it, acts on it and shares it. This Girl Can does exactly that. It cleverly features a variety of women that most people can relate to. Some people may say that it ticks boxes – and perhaps that is true – but it’s worked.

The most recent TV advert has extended the audience from 14 – 40 to 14 – 60 year olds. Very few agencies would ever take a brief that suggested you target 14-60 year old women, cross demographic and geography, with a single campaign.

Keeping momentum

The typical problem with sports-related marketing is keeping the momentum. Something may work but once it’s done you can’t really repeat it without it becoming… well, repetitive, which in turn makes it boring.

The scheduling and roll out of This Girl Can has captured attention time and time again. The subtle shift in focus from advertising to activism was inspired. The process was so simple; use advertising and PR (along with an £8m budget) to capture the hearts and minds of women throughout the country, ask them to join in, give them the tools to get involved, create a community, leave them to it. Clearly, I’ve over simplified that, but it’s not far from what’s happened.

Don’t over commercialise

This goes back to selling at people. It’s not only consumers that don’t like this approach, when something is too commercial it makes it almost impossible to share with the media. That’s what advertising is for.

All you have to do is search the news pages online to see just how much coverage has been achieved with This Girl Can across national, regional and broadcast media along with more blogs than I care to mention – this one included!

Any agency would be popping corks if they could do the same and replicate these results every time they worked with a client – we’d also be retiring and moving to the Bahamas.

The tools

I mention above about giving people the tools to get involved and the This Girl Can app is so simple it takes around a minute to create your own poster, which you can then conveniently share across all of your social channels. Et voila you’re part of the community and before you know it you’re sharing their message and endorsing the brand.

It’s very, very rare that I get sucked into any marketing tactics but I’ve got to hold my hands up – I’m in. I have my own poster and I’m secretly quite proud of the fact that I can share it. I feel like I’m doing my bit. I’m part of a community of women who are content with getting active in their own way, at their own pace and in their own time.

What makes this message even more compelling is that it speaks to me; I can genuinely agree and associate directly with the philosophy of this campaign. I’ve just start to run (jog would probably be more fitting) and although I’m never going to be any kind of athlete, nor do I want to be, I’m enjoying it because I’m doing it my way.

My only suggestion and something that I found quite frustrating is that the headlines you can use are all formatted – so although there are a few to choose from they aren’t ‘yours’. I would have liked to have been given the option to add my own, but that’s just me.

Campaign of the decade

Working in marketing can be and often is tough. PR is just one facet of this but you have so many people to keep happy and it’s a balancing act. We often associate it to spinning plates. Not everything always goes as you want it to. It can be about test and measure.

When the consumer says no, and people simply refuse to engage with a campaign, we have to review the tactics we’ve used and take a long hard look at what went wrong. In doing this it also gives us the opportunity to review other brand activities – those that we feel have got it right.

Like many people in our industry, I call upon a few campaigns that over the years have got it right and I can say without any hesitation that This Girl Can will be going to the top of that list. I genuinely believe that it is the best campaign we have seen in the last decade and coming from someone who is typically difficult to please that’s saying something.

This campaign can and it has!