Chris Dunne

Time, please Government statistics show that on average 50 pubs a month in England and Wales closed their doors for the final time in the first half of 2024. Pubs have a long and storied history in the UK, stretching back over a thousand years. They are a central part of British culture and identity. Their origins can be traced to Roman taverns and Anglo-Saxon alehouses, where locals would gather to drink ale and cider. By the Middle Ages, these establishments had evolved into inns and public houses, where travellers would rest and refresh themselves. Over time, pubs became a cornerstone of community life, serving not just as places to drink but as venues for socialising, exchanging news and conducting business. As Britain industrialised, the number of pubs grew, particularly in urban areas where they became a focal point for working-class social life. Local pubs became part of the fabric of communities, often tied to specific trades, sports clubs or even political movements. The pint is as much a part of British pub culture as the pub itself. A pint has been a legally defined unit of measure since 1698. It is though much more than a unit of measure. There’s something distinctly British about ordering "a pint"—it’s not just about the volume, it’s the ritual of sharing a drink. The glass itself - sturdy yet simple - is there to be held, clinked and refilled. A pint is part of what makes a pub a pub. While many countries serve beer in smaller or varied sizes, the British pint (568 ml) is a symbol of consistency and tradition. Its continued use underscores the enduring appeal of pub culture and the importance of preserving age-old customs in a rapidly changing world. Pubs and pints remain a defining part of British identity. Even in an age of global chains, homogenised high streets and modern bars, the traditional pub—with its wooden interiors, cosy corners, and familiar faces—remains a beloved British institution. And though pubs are closing at an alarming rate, it’s too soon to call last orders.

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Exhibitions and conferences... something we are all accustomed to attending in our roles within the energy sector and most likely do with our eyes closed. But is your company's brand up to scratch and is your messaging aligned with your company objectives and vision? Gastech, OTC, Global Offshore Wind, ONS, ADIPEC, Subsea Expo and Offshore Europe, to name a few. We have orchestrated media opportunities all over the globe for clients and my biggest piece of advice is to not leave it too late. Working with the ThinkPR (Scotland) Ltd team as an extension of your mar/comms team helps embed Think into your business; understanding your goals, helping navigate the world of media, building trust with your team, working with management on personal branding and ultimately alleviating the stress and panic that can come with media interviews. Drop me a message if you want to know more or how ThinkPR can work with your business to elevate your brand. #PR #Marketing #BrandMessaging #PersonalBrand

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Good morning today spent with one of our clients at 44 Communications Ltd talking through the results of recent research into one of their core channels. In the past (read: pre-covid) we used to run semi-regular Focus Groups to find out what employees were interested in for the channel. Whilst they were valuable, they took a lot of time to organise and pulled hard-pressed workers off the job for an extended period of time. Not easy to do when there are deadlines and priorities competing for attention. So, this time we worked with the client on a programme of 'Speed focus groups' - fast conversations with employees asking a set of questions and quickly exploring themes. No more than a few minutes of time but some great insights and ideas raised. Added to survey results, these give some flavour and life to the numbers, helping us work with the client to frame an action plan. It's not the first time we've done these. It can be hard getting opinions from front line workers whose priority is service delivery on tight schedules and with limited resources. So, it's important we take time to design measurement approaches that fit their world rather than demand they fit into ours. Just goes to show, research and insight can be done even when operating circumstances may make it seem difficult. It's always worth asking the question "what do you think about...". #internalcommunications #research #engagement #measurement #channels

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As ever an insightful article in The Media Leader regarding the GB News and Ofcom situation from Ray Snoddy There is a possibility that GB News are actively undermining the right wing vote by adding to the split between the Conservatives and Reform, thus helping Labour. The presence on GB News of Nigel Farage, a vocal critic of the Conservatives, will reinforce this rift. If so, the losses that Ray refers to in the article will have been even less well-spent.

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Did you know that OOH has an online sales multiplier of 1.7, meaning for every £3 spent in store due to OOH, £2 is spent online! Brilliant 'Clicks and Mortar' webinar yesterday from GroupM hosted by Tom Jameson and in partnership with Cebr, Clear Channel UK, Global and JCDecaux, unveiling new research showing how OOH drives ecommerce spending plus a deep dive into key categories. As the latest AA/WARC figures show, last year only three channels grew and these included Online and OOH, showing that the two-screen future of Online and OOH has arrived. This webinar is a must-see. #insight #OOH #DOOH

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There's a new advertising campaign from Barclays UK that has caught my attention. You can watch it here https://lnkd.in/eHTawgnG. It is built on a very simple to understand insight from a report by The Money Advice Service that states "our relationship with money is formed from the age of 7." One of the reasons this resonated with me is that if this is the case when it comes to things like bank accounts and pocket money then it stands to reason that it will apply to charity and philanthropy too. But, at the moment, we don't look to embed these values in children from a young age. As a trustee of First Give it is something that we discuss a lot. What is the best way to ensure that giving to charity is not seen as exceptional or a one-off? How do we make sure that charity is not just "what rich people do" but is accessible to everyone? And how do we get people understanding that the £94bn that charities in the UK spent in the past 12 months isn't just a 'nice-to-have' but is essential in keeping hospitals, the arts, in fact civil society as a whole, afloat. (To give it context, Income Tax raised £277bn over the same period. Make no mistake, the third sector is of huge significance.) And yet, 'giving' is not ingrained in us as children. The First Give programme has impacted on over 200,000 Year 8 pupils in hundreds of schools across the UK. But we know that one intervention is not enough - and Year 8 might also be too late a starting point. Why's this so important? A functioning democracy that is diverse and inclusive cannot be fully funded by the State. The truth is, it never was. Our hospitals, galleries, schools etc have long been funded by philanthropy. Our challenge is to create the next generation of givers. To do that we'll need to start them young... #charity #philanthropy #ad #giving #creative #thirdsector Creative & Commercial

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Something you might not know about Mischief: we have access to all of MHP Group's behavioural science insight and expertise. Our work may be a little bit naughty, but at least its backed by science 😈 #strategy #prstrategy #behaviouralscience

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A lot has changed at Glastonbury Festival since the first time I attended in 1999 - some terrifying 25 years ago 😱 Whilst brands do now have a presence at the festival (notably this year Vodafone, Chilly’s, Co-op and Naked Sprout) the organisers commendably continue to put its charity partners centre stage on site. Of the big three - Greenpeace, Oxfam, WaterAid - it was The Greenpeace Field that stood out for me this year. A real masterclass in how to do brand experience right at an existing event... 📍 LOCATION: A huge footprint in a prime position at the festival. Prominent, welcoming, accessible (and arguably consistently busier than Vodafone’s charging station) at a high footfall event perfect for reaching a captive target audience. 📸 UGC: Some of the most content-worthy builds the festival has to offer; hard to imagine just how many of the 210k+ ticket holders took a photo or posted a TikTok of the 22-metre-tall Rave Tree complete with “Jungle is Massive” message emblazoned above a suspended DJ booth.    👋 ENGAGEMENT: Well-versed volunteers (aka well-trained Brand Ambassadors) with a clear objective and consumer-friendly way to sign up new members. 🎸 ENTERTAINMENT: A stage with a curated, diverse line-up boasting some of the most talked about performances from over the weekend (see Lambrini Girls, Nabihah Iqbal, Cosmo Sheldrake, Frank Turner, Jayda G). 🕰️ DWELL TIME: The Greenpeace Bar, a walk-through sculptural installation and shaded seating spots - all encouraged extended visits to the area. 🌳 SUSTAINABILITY: A sustainable approach to their build - it’s obvious that consideration had been taken from the materials used, to the annual re-use of the core set dressing components and the inclusion of a plant-based stall. 🏃‍♀️ ADDED VALUE & REACH: Playing host & starting line to the Ravers 2 Racers 5km fun run around the festival site, a skate vert ramp and a giant drop slide for the kids - all ensured there really was something for everyone + further visibility & opportunity for both data & content capture. In summary, the value exchange and engagement Greenpeace offered its potential new members at the festival made their mission clear, their experience contextually relevant, memorable & measurable and their brand presence completely unmissable 👏 Regardless of whether festivalgoers signed up on the day or chose to support the cause once they’d returned home from their stay in Somerset, I can’t help but think Greenpeace must have had a win at Glastonbury again this year ✅ --- PrettyGreen

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It’s with gratitude to all our clients and the team at Nexus that we’ve been listed as one of the top 150 consumer PR agencies by PRWeek UK Since taking the helm of the business in 2018 we’ve seen Covid, the passing of our founder and personally I’ve survived a close call with the afterlife. If there’s anything I’ve learned over the past five years…. 1. Leadership is an honour and a privilege. We might not always get it right but being resolute to serving clients and colleagues is essential. 2. Resiliance will ebb and flow but at the core of this trait is having colleagues who can support, when perhaps you’re on an ebb. 3. Original thinking must be pursued even if it doesn’t always manifest - you must stick to how you do business and your philosophy on what drives true growth for clients. (Oh what we would have done with PG Tips £12m 😜) 4. The lasting impact you leave is what matters. Busineses change but brands can last forever if there is a clear reason to be relevant. Congratulations to the other agencies who are listed, and particularly broadcast specialist Broadcast Revolution - Phil Caplin has done a remarkable job since founding the business. #PRagency #PRweek #foodanddrink #creativeagency

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Really proud of this PR activation. Great brand awareness but more importantly it actually makes a real difference: https://lnkd.in/egAKM_r3

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Analysing 1st party data is crucial for both finding addressable audiences and analysing campaign performance. Being accredited by the DMA gives us and our clients confidence that we are fully compliant with UK GDPR rules, the ASAs code of advertising practice and the advertising CAP code.

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At AFFINITY Group, our new Growth Accelerator positioning isn’t just about driving business success — it’s about sparking a broader conversation at the highest levels. By aligning the vision of CEOs and CMOs, we’re empowering leaders to implement changes that deliver measurable impact and sustainable growth. Ready to see the difference this approach can make for your business? Let’s talk. Have a read of our chat with Mediaweek Australia:  https://lnkd.in/g4vT3Up3 #GrowthAccelerator #PotentialRealised #AFFINITY 

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Not everyone likes to hear this I know but standardisation and getting the fundamentals right are key to the success of retail media. Let’s work together as an industry to make this happen

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In the business of advertising and media we don't have production lines, we don't make consumer products and we don't have stock. Our most valuable asset is our people (or Drummers) and the brilliance that they bring to DRUM on a daily basis. Our business is dynamic, fast paced, and ever changing which is why it is paramount that we prioritise and look after Drummers mental health and wellbeing at all times. That's why I'm delighted that we have signed up to and been awarded the IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising) People First Promise badge of honour demonstrateing our duty of care to employee mental health and wellbeing in three areas - Empower, Support and Prevent. Drummers always put in a shift and we owe it to them to keep their wellbeing front of mind at all times. Read more below... #mentalhealth #wellbeing #responsibleemployer #culture #inclusion #respect #advertising #advertising #peoplefirst

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In the words of Steven Bartlett 🙌 "If you don't care about the tiny details, you'll produce bad work because good work is the culmination of hundreds of tiny details" This theme ran through our 'Brilliant Basics' workshops at Punch Creative. In the workshops, our wonderful Head of Operations Charlotte Holgate and I went through key working practices and processes that ensure our foundations are strong 💪 How did we make the workshops memorable? We embraced our inner children using LEGO to help the team understand how... 👌 We invest effort into building client relationships 👀 We pay attention to detail and ensure the basics are brilliant 💎 We don't compromise on quality 🏋‍♂️ We gain clients' confidence and trust The teams excelled at the task! ✏ The creative team didn't start until they fully understood the brief 💻 The web team optimised user experience and functionality ⌛ Client services ensured the project was delivered on time 🎯 Marketing and comms thought carefully about their target audience. Who's build is the best? comment below 👇 with the emoji of your favourite, best team wins a prize: 🔥 Creative team 🛩️ Web team 🤖 Client services team 🚗 Marketing & comms team #Lego #Workshop #BrilliantBasics #AgencyLife #TeamBuilding

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With yesterday being the last day of the daily print edition of the Evening Standard as it moves to a new weekly circulation, today’s (Fri 20 Sept) B2B Comms Breakdown live topic that Stacey Meadwell and I are discussing seems very, very timely.  We’re looking at the changing landscape for B2B content marketers with the lines between earned and paid channels becoming increasingly blurred. How effectively are you using paid, earned, owned and shared channels to get your company’s voice and brand in front of a bigger or more targeted audience? Are there more opportunities that you could be exploring as the mix is changing? The questions we’ll be covering are: • Have magazines had their day (earned media)? • What other avenues are open for getting more traction for your content (shared & paid media)? • Are you using your own channels effectively (owned media) See you at 1230. RSVP via the link in comments. #Marketing #BuiltEnvironment #Architects #Property

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A few days ago, I published the post below here on LinkedIn and on other social networks about my blog being in Vuelio's listing of the Top 10 UK PR blogs 2024. Some nice reactions here (thanks!) and there. On LinkedIn, though, within a few hours, I'd received email pitches and DMs from people wanting me to publish guest posts, with the promise that they'd promote the posts and "amplify my SEO presence," to quote one. All in exchange for "just a few carefully selected links," to quote another. It’s clear that LinkedIn is fast becoming a breeding ground for inauthentic, spammy, approaches. But the real question is: How do we maintain trust and authenticity in a space that’s increasingly being exploited?

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Welcome to “In My Humble Opinion”, a podcast collaboration between The Marketing Society and Publicis Groupe UK agencies that creates a space for marketing leaders to discuss their opinions on topics affecting our industry which they think about but may not always say out loud. You will hear industry leaders and experts talk about their views and opinions on deliberately provocative subjects such as the impact of technology on brands and consumers, the future of our industry, the generational divides, diversity and inclusion and more. This is Episode 1 - ‘In My Humble Opinion...nobody ever got fired for buying the safest brands.’, a deep dive into the often-overlooked importance of brand in B2B marketing and purchasing decisions. We're joined by Billy Hamilton-Stent, Chief Strategy Officer at Publicis Pro, and special guests Mimi Turner and Jann Martin Schwarz from Marketplace Innovation at LinkedIn Marketing Services. What do we cover? 💡The challenges of measuring brand impact in B2B marketing 💡The need for a more holistic approach to B2B marketing strategies Whether you're a B2B marketer, sales professional, or business leader, this episode offers valuable insights into the power of brand in driving B2B growth and success. Enjoy! https://lnkd.in/eZGG_Rxc #B2BMarketing #IMHOPodcast

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Take a look at this Mobsta Ltd - Certified B Corp® webinar featuring Samira Brophy of Ipsos on a wide-ranging panel discussion on sustainability in the media industry. How do you keep sustainability on the agenda while distractions like AI come and go? View the full webinar or further snapshots on Vimeo here: https://vimeo.com/mobsta #Media #ESG #Sustainability #Creatives #AI #Webinars

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