Ali Maynard James

💡 Did you download our latest 2024 Most Attractive Employers student survey in the UK report?? The survey provides insights into student preferences across various industries, highlighting the importance of employer branding and communication when attracting top talent. We also reveal emerging trends and the companies considered most attractive by future talent, offering valuable data for refining employer branding strategies. 📊 Not on the rankings list? Don't worry! With data from over 32,000 UK respondents, we can offer tailored industry and audience trends to refine your employer branding strategy. Gain invaluable insights into your target audience's preferences and stay ahead with key competitive analysis. You can download the report for free here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e9Tb-h2r #EmployerRankings #TalentInsights #FutureOfWork Universum

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Managing a crisis is no easy task. Learn more in our latest WellRed post by Daniel Ahern #Crisis #PR #CrisisPR #PublicRelations #Management #Reputation #Communicaitons The Pollack Group

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70% of the PR sector got a pay rise in the last year. This is down from 79% in the previous year. A survey of over 400 UK in-house and agency corporate communications professionals from The Works, found that 82% of in-house and 76% of agency employees were “feeling OK to very happy” with their pay. This is an increase of 4% and 13% respectively, on the previous year. The Works said this highlighted how a soft market and companies tightening their comms budgets had “taken their toll” on the industry as the reason for the drop in pay rises. It’s really interesting to see the comparison between in-house and agency professionals salaries, bonuses and pay rises.

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Focussed pitching over the last few weeks, grounded by solid PR strategy has secured some terrific coverage for Shine PR clients across a range of top tier media outlets, with some big exclusives, interviews and features secured for Q4. If you’re looking to: 🚀 Raise your brand profile ✨ Improve your brand image ⚡️ Connect with your target audiences 🎙️ Manage your reputation 💥 Stand out from the competition 📰 Generate positive publicity Then drop us a line: [email protected] #PRScotland #TravelPR #HospitalityPR #FoodAndDrinkPR #PRCoverage #ClientCoverage #CoverageWins #MediaCoverage #PressCoverage

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Is your PR agency's climate policy a turn off for top-talent? In 2024, our PR salary guide showed that 60% of the PR industry care if their agency works with a fossil fuel giant, Havas were stripped of their B Corp status because of their work with Shell and the UN Secretary general called for creative agencies to stop greenwashing. Based on these points alone, having no climate policy (let alone working with fossil fuel giants) is affecting your talent attraction. Check out my article on CIPR Influence to gain tips on how to boost your talent retention (and attraction) with a climate positive policy. https://lnkd.in/ewFJ2GwH

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Do you realise that you’re sat on PR content? Content that will get you into the media- so you can reach more people and build your credibility and visibility through being elevated and celebrated. So often in business we just get on with what we think is normal. Book launches, event planning, thought leadership - we often forget to capitalize on it. The media can amplify your message, it can shine a light on your work, it creates a new level of energy around you when you step into celebration mode What are you doing in your business that you should be celebrating?? I’ll bet there’s something!!!

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Have you ever looked at my profile and wondered just what it is that Skout does? This is a great overview from our MD, Rob Skinner that sets out who we are, what we do and our areas of expertise. If any of this resonates with you, feel free to drop me a message and we can arrange a quick catch up to chat about how we can help you reach your strategic marketing goals. #b2bpr #b2bpragency

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Fascinating - and sad - to see the results of this survey on #MentalHealth in the #PR industry. TL;DR it's not good. Remember folks - reaching out for help is a sign of strength. There are some amazing counsellors out there who can help. In the UK, have a look at listings on BACP to find someone who meets your needs: https://lnkd.in/ersgqdDE Yes, PR and #Communications are stressful. It comes with the job and, sometimes, is the frisson of excitement that brings us to the laptop each day. But that frisson needs to be well managed. Think of it like physical fitness - many of us try to eat well, go for a walk (if not the gym) and do other things to keep us physically OK. Mental health should be no different. Supportive practices, friends and finding the right professional for a tune-up shouldn't be anything uncommon. In fact, I'd argue that these should be regular occurances to stay on top of things, before things get on top of us (which is often the only time people seek out support). Look after yourselves, people, please! https://lnkd.in/ehDwuZrW

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Can you, or should you engage in PR if you don't have regular news to put out? We speak to quite a few companies who quite understandably* think there isn't much point in doing PR if they don't have 'hard news'. They're often talking about funding, or the lack of recent news on that front. Or they might have great partnerships they want to shout about but these are under NDA or aren’t able to be publicly shared for other reasons. Yes, the tech and business media can seem fixated on covering funding and other markers of growth and success like big deals or impressive awards. Yet lots of our clients get regular PR coverage - sometimes 8 or 10 pieces per month, without ‘new news’. They might have instead: 🗞 A company growth, or ‘pivot story’ 🗞 A founder ‘hero story’ 🗞 Industry insight, from their sales team perhaps 🗞 Proprietary data which points to a trend 🗞 A new product, or a move into a new area which points to a trend 🗞 Staff stories - apprenticeships or longstanding members 🗞 Opinion - a new take, a strong view, an honest admission… *they should come to us for a strategy session where our team of PRs and ex journalists can take 2 hours to brainstorm and unearth stories & angles ⭐ #PR #news #marketing #techpr

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Who would you like to hear from when it comes to how they’re engaging with youth audiences? What brands, organisations or agencies are crushing it and who would you love to hear more from in terms of their approach? I’ve got some pre podcast conversations getting booked in with possible guests for Season 5 of the Hear It Podcast - who else should I be speaking to?? Comment or msg me some of your go-to’s.

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PR Week asked me to provide an instant reaction to today's UK budget announcement. Here it is. Link to the PR Week story in the first comment. Labour has said from the beginning that they wanted to prioritise serious policy-making and responsible governing. But since taking office, their communications approach has made their policy workings appear chaotic. As a result, this budget has been a particularly gruesome exercise in public sausage-making. Having finally reached the formal red box moment, the resulting sausage looks edible, and even enticing. Delivered with confidence, the Chancellor found means to invest in key areas of the UK economy, provided funding to stabilise the NHS, and support substantial capital initiatives. Still, much of the burden of rising taxes falls on business. Increased employer NI and a significant increase to minimum wage will make it harder for businesses to expand payrolls. She’s been careful to reassure gilt markets, and the price of UK government debt dropped substantially during her speech, although it has ticked upwards this afternoon. Follow-on analysis will focus on whether Labour over-egged its doom and gloom messaging in the run-up and whether the economic strategy goes far enough. But considered in the round, the Chancellor’s proposals read as reasonable and responsible given the UK’s fiscal realities. She has also projected a greater degree of certainty and predictability. And with global upheaval and unpredictability sure to surge following next week’s U.S. election, this budget might help position the UK as a bastion of relative calm and normality in a messy geopolitical landscape.

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This article in PRWeek UK Evie Barrett is a great leveller for leaders in our sector. NoTurningBack2020 has been championing and educating 18-25 year olds about the many and varied career paths in PR, Communications and Marketing since 2016. Our Early Careers Outreach programme is delivered by young people working across Comms & Marketing in our sector. They speak at 6th form colleges, Academies and non Russell Group universities across the UK. Their key messages are beautifully voiced in this piece by some of PR Week's 30 under 30. 1. Shine a light on the many and varied careers in our sector "I would love for people to have a deeper understanding of what it means to work in the industry,” said Natalie Phillips Marks and Spencer. Amy Moore account director, influence, Weber Shandwick “When I was at school, I didn’t even consider PR as a job option.” 2. You don't need a degree to get on 'Degrees should no longer be a barrier to entry, argues Lucy Somers, group deputy director of digital PLMR, who reflects on starting her own career and not wishing to go to university, but struggling to find comms apprenticeships. 3. The sector needs more cultural competence Tani Fatuga, Hard Numbers 📈 “It’s crucial for PR and comms professionals to develop a deeper understanding of different cultures and communities if we want to effectively communicate campaigns to a diverse target audience. 4. The sector needs more socio economic diversity Méganne Tillay account manager Byfield: “I think there is a systemic issue around privilege in relation to socioeconomic diversity in some elements of the comms industry, particularly at the larger agencies and in the City [of London]. Get in touch with NTB2020 Ambassador Early Careers Outreach team to find out what you can do to help change the face of the marketing communications sector for good. [email protected] Sarah Bishop Adrian St Clair Walcott powered by f1 Recruitment Limited Brands with Values James Hewes Avril Lee https://lnkd.in/eqhhXmGE

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Last week (well - the week before - I've been on holiday!) I had the pleasure of presenting at Campaign Live, discussing all things Ad Amplification. It's traditional in PR circles to roll your eyes VERY HARD when you get asked the question 'Can you PR this ad?', but there are ways to make it fly. And sing. And sometimes, even do a little fandango. The short story* is: - Give us as much time as humanly possible (glitter is good.... diamonds are better!) - Include PR in any and all talent agreements - Let PR broaden the story and build on the campaign messaging - And let US tell YOU what is newsworthy.... we're the experts and we know what will land. Hit me up if you want to know more. I rather like making diamonds! Thanks to Haymarket Media Group, Campaign UK, Beau Jackson and the forever unstoppable 72Point (...*as if I ever tell a short story...!)

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Focusing on creating inclusive working cultures will allow for a reframing of the conversation around diversity, which unfortunately has been brandished of late. You can watch my talk on how News UK work to reduce bias in media and the workplace through a framework called THINK TWICE, available in full on Creative Equals Youtube now, link in the comments ⬇ #thinktwice #unconciousbias #inclusivecultures

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It's a little later than usual, thanks to half term, but if you're looking for reactive PR inspo, great events to get involved with or need to update your internal comms calendar then look no further... 🗳 The upcoming election holds opportunities across sectors. If you have something to say and you're willing to be bold, then there are lots of ways to engage local, trade and national press with a reaction or opinion on a policy promise. 🏳️‍🌈 Pride Month, June: It should go without saying that changing everything to rainbow colours is not really supporting the LGBTQ+ community. If in doubt, ask those within your organisation that your words will impact, who can give you a sense check. 🍖 National BBQ Week, 1-9 June 🧀 National Cheese Day, 4 June 🌍 Earth Day, 5 June 🚲 Bike Week, 10-16 June 🤖 London Tech Week, 10-14 June 👨🏼 Father's Day, 16 June 🕌 Eid-ul-Adha, 16-18 June ⛺ World Refugee Week, 17-23 June 🎶 World Music Day, 21 June 👖 Wrong Trousers Day, 28 June - a special local mention for the Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal, raising much-needed money for the Bristol Children's Hospital and Neonatal Intensive Care unit. 👩🏼‍🔧 Women in Engineering Day, 23 June If you're planning a fun story, pithy comment or great internal initiative to align to an upcoming day, it can be a quick win but it is also competitive out there. So, be clear, concise and always authentic for your comms to have value.

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🎉 FREEBIE FRIDAY 🎉 Are you a tech trailblazer 🔥 or a digital dinosaur? 🦕 We've just released our new scorecard to help growing tech companies better understand the PR strategies they need to boost their visibility, credibility and influence in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Just answer 12 short questions and receive your score instantly on three core elements: ➡ Content Creation ➡ Online Reputation ➡ Thought-Leadership What's more, after you complete the scorecard you'll receive a special bonus; our Ultimate Tech PR Checklist! Check it out here ⤵ https://lnkd.in/eyPJFUzz #techpr #pragency #b2bpr #publicity #publicrelations #freebiefriday #prtips #prpro #pradvice #scorecard #techtrailblazers

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The problem with PR people is that we're never going to tell you if business is a bit sh*t. Most marketing industry reporting I read on new business paints a rosy picture of a moment in time - because of course we're all going to be vocal when we've just won a new client! 📣 So I always look forward to the annual jfdi and Opinium New Business Barometer released at the start of each year because it cuts through the PR spin and presents real insights into what's really going on. The reality is that New Business is TOUGH so I know the people behind the report are keen to get as many agencies as possible involved in the study to ensure insights are maximised 📈 The survey covers a broad cross section of agencies so if you've not completed it before please do! I'm certain it will be relevant, it takes less than 10 mins and then you'll get access to the report and an invitation to hear the results being presented once it's launched in the New Year. https://lnkd.in/ddzifteE Lydia Smith Camilla Honey Mark Clark Anna Day

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