Katy Ryder

We’re finally able to share this exciting news - huge thank you to everyone who has supported us so far - from big organisations, to founders who gave up time to have a coffee with us over the last few years. Marketing Engine helps marketers prove what they do works. Not just the Google search ads at the last click, but the daily actions which drive success at each touchpoint from PR to brand to media buying. If you’ve ever struggled to tell the story of your marketing results despite having all the data and spending hours on the planning, this platform is for you. We’ve been there, and we’re looking for more people out there who feel like this to help us shape the roadmap for Marketing Engine. If you’re interested in testing the platform and being part of the campaign to put the trust back into marketing, DM me or Kieron Goldsborough 🤓 #martech #startup #marketing #teesvalley Business Tees Valley Tees Valley Combined Authority Innovation SuperNetwork Ignite Accelerator The Thinking Digital Conference Innovate UK Thank you Insider Media for the coverage.

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A report I need everyone in PR, Marketing & Communications to read is One Step Forward, Two Steps Black. This report was recently released by UK Black Comms Network (BCN), founded by Kamiqua Lake, to increase the number and seniority of Black professionals in the UK PR and communications industry, which straddles over to influencer marketing and the work we do at SevenSix Agency. The report reveals that over 68% of Black and Mixed-Black professionals have considered leaving the PR industry. Black talent don't plan to stay in the industry and this needs to change. Download the report using the link below to find out more on the stats revealed. https://lnkd.in/e7YkmGYa

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Likely we are all aware of the trend within PR for agencies pushing for more days in the office - this is something that, as a part of hiring industry, I can only advise against. I can appreciate that firms want to feel like they getting use out of the pricey London offices - but one of the top reasons why candidates reach out to me is a change to their working environment. The more flexible an agency the better quality of people they can hire - the majority of my placements this year have been with remote/flexible hybrid agencies. I personally benefit greatly from the flexibility in my current role, it inspires company loyalty, increases employee satisfaction and reduces burnout. (plus the more time with my cat the better!) #PRagencies #HealthcareComms #HealthcarePR

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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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We've taken part in the PR Week Pay Gap reports for the last two years. We're firmly of the belief that if you can't see a problem then you can't manage a problem and that gaps in pay are a challenge that we all need to face into, be aware of and address. The exercise has been immensely revealing - showing not just that we have parity across the agency, but also showing where the gaps are that we need to close and giving us some sense of where we need to do. We understand that it's tough to unearth underlying issues in our businesses but if we're going to deal with the challenges then exposing them to daylight is a step towards understanding and solutions. We also use this as an opportunity to talk to our team as a whole - presenting our numbers to everyone in detail ahead of publication - so that we can have an open discussion about what we're doing and how everyone can be involved. Anyway, we'd heartily commend this exercise to anyone out there in agency land who cares about the economics of diversity and inclusivity (and that should mean all of us) ... https://lnkd.in/eGx5sMrc

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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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A polite reminder to hard working and talented tech company press officers and their PR agencies. When a journalist posts a request on social media for case studies that usually means talking to the end customer, not your tech company/tech client. Because hearing how amazing your customers think you are, being vague about tangible benefits of your tech and skipping over inevitable problems isn't a news case study! It's marketing/PR. It doesn't tell a story and it isn't relatable. And it wastes time for companies and journalists. As a journalist, I'll sometimes interview the customer and their software supplier in the same article - word count permitting. Especially if the executive has interesting views. But the customer is the priority. Usually more newsworthy and of more interest to the reader. My advice: skip the intermediary and offer journalists access to your customers who have interesting stories to tell and are happy to talk. It shows you understand what reporters want and makes it more likely that you'll be quoted in other stories by the same title - raising your company's media profile.

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7 DAYS TO GO I can't believe there's just one week to go until my PR book launch. It feels like only a few weeks ago I was stressing about how I would pull together 40,000 words about my take on PR that anyone would want to read. 48,000 words later, I don't feel I said enough. I promised myself never again but I said that about childbirth and brought another two wonderful little people into the world so who knows :) If you've written a book, you'll know what a labour of love it is. Writing takes you to your edges. I'm sure mine were snatched in the process. For me this book is so much more than a guide - it’s a movement. A call to action. If you’re done with being the best-kept secret in your industry… if you’re ready to be seen, heard and celebrated for the work you this book is my aide to create your own visibility blueprint. Here's an insight into some of the topics covered: How to harness your story and create a personal brand that’s impossible to ignore. Proven PR strategies to build influence and authority (without losing your soul in the process). Insider secrets on getting media coverage, celebrity endorsements and brand collaborations. Advice on how to overcome the emotional challenges of visibility and navigate the spotlight with grace. Get on the waitlist to: Be one of the FIRST to grab a copy when it drops Get exclusive early access bonuses Step into 2025 with the confidence to take up space and get yourself and your work on the map It's your time to shine. Are you ready for your Renaissance? Join the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/eGbGH4ex

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Soho House & Co just raised membership to £175 a month. It got me thinking about how I’m going to invest in myself in 2025. The focus areas are accountability and levelling up 🔝 Here’s my list so far: 👉 An EA/VA/PA Help with managing my time and ensuring I stay on track (~£12,000/year) 👉 More weekly in-person meetings Making the most of my Soho House membership and staying connected. 👉 A triathlon coach (and cheeky summer Ironman entry) Investing in my health and discipline (~£200/month) 👉 Solo 'thinking' retreats (maybe Unplugged 🤷‍♂️) Two trips across the year to focus, reflect, and plan (~£1,000 each) 👉 Therapy Fortnightly sessions to keep myself mentally sharp and balanced (~£100/session) 👉 A growth mentor (wise owl) Outside perspective and guidance to keep my ventures scaling (~£200/session) 👉 A 'creator advisory board' Adding external expertise and accountability for the business (~ equity) 👉 A producer dedicated to my content output Editing, streamlining processes and ensuring distribution (~£1000/month) 👉 A wardrobe refresh The current situation is embarrassing and Mrs B says I must sort (~£3,000) 👉 Joining an online entrepreneurial creator community Must do more learning and networking with peers (~£100/month) Altogether, that’s maybe £30,000/year or ~£2,500/month. You could see these as costs - unnecessary and privileged. But I see them as strategic investments in myself — and valuable business expense especially as a solo founder. The business is bootstrapped and I'm the lowest paid employee. It's a motivating reward. And framed like that, it feels like a worthwhile programme. These investments aren’t just about improvement; they’re about ensuring I actually follow through. What are you investing in for yourself next year? Comment below 👇 OK bye. #accountability #sohohouse #worklifebalance #selflove

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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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The last 3 weeks of freelance hiring have stayed strong. Specifically within the creative industry in London. This month, 4 sectors that I have seen rise: These have been the roles that I have received from clients I work with. This may not be the market average, but this is purely my data. Here are this month's freelance trends (in no order): No. 1. UX/ UI Design = In Product Designers. Digital tools + apps are rising especially for fintech, health tech, and SaaS platforms. No. 2. UX Architects =  Rise of AI, AR and VR. Healthcare, finance, and government are investing heavily in digital transformation. No. 3. Service Design = This has seen consistent growth in public services, healthcare, and sustainable product design. No. 4. Digital Design = Growing strong in e-commerce, and mobile-first platforms. Every month these will fluctuate. I hope this gives some insight into the market. To help inform you on what is up and coming at present. ________ Are you a Head of Product Design? Want more clarity on 2025's forecast? DM and I will show you what next year looks like. _________

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Interesting to hear Clare Stafford and Natalie Jay talk about the #prmetrics that Holland & Barrett and Gousto use. Big focus on #shareofvoice and #brandawareness - but also recognition of the need to measure #impact on the bottom of the funnel as well as the top. At Metricomm we provide strategic insights that prove the impact and #attribution of #pr throughout the funnel - giving PR & Comms teams the evidence they need to report real business outcomes to the c-suite, whilst driving efficiency and effectiveness. #PR360

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Last week of freelancing before I start my first perm role since having kids. Super excited about my new job and new company (more about that later in the week) but also mixed feelings about leaving freelancing behind, as it’s given me the balance and flex I’ve needed whilst the kids were so little. It has its downsides too, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve really enjoyed consulting. My kids both started new schools this week, so there is a lot of chaos and emotion (and admin!) around that too. Luckily, my new employer is super flexible and respectful of family demands and I’m lucky to have a working arrangement that allows me to pick the kids up every day, ferry them to classes and activities, then help with homework and the evening carnage (I mean, routine). Nobody breathing down my neck, clocking me in and out of the office. Just trust and respect that I’ll deliver. That’s a refreshing feeling - I am also suspicious about whether the feeling will last because my previous global corporate roles were all-consuming and burnt me out. I’ve been thinking about whether I want the corporate handcuffs again. But the common denominator in all of this is actually me - I’m a workaholic and don’t do anything by halves. I thrive on absolutely smashing it. By over-delivering. I’m very driven. But having kids has made me realise that you can never get the juggle completely perfect - you can’t do it all so don’t have that as your goal. You just have to keep most of the plates spinning most of the time. Some plates will drop. Some you will deliberately smash and not bat an eyelid over the shards. But try not to break the plates that are important to you. They’re the ones you need to focus on the most. Soon, my client will be my employer. I’m going in-house to put all of the things I’ve advised them into action and practise what I’ve been preaching for the last 18 months… Wish me luck!

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The Comms Dart Podcast is out, and I'm interviewed by its host Stephen Davies. We cover: 💻 Changes in PR 📘 Global CommTech Report 📈 CommTerch trends 💷 Budget challenges 🤖 How comms is (or isn't) using AI 🗳️ Digital and comms in the UK election 💡 I am Stuart Bruce. I can help you: 🚀 Modernise your PR and comms 🤖 Use AI for PR and comms 🔥 Protect your reputation in a crisis 📈 Improve your insight and measure your comms 🔔 You can ring the bell on my profile to see more posts like this. #publicrelations #communications #pr #aiinpr

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As discussed during the PR Moment Agency Growth Summit last week, awards contribute to reputation and awareness which in turn are key drivers for your pipeline in 2025. So if you are looking to get a head start on your growth ambitions for the year ahead, now's the time to start capturing the great work your team and your agency have done for clients. Keep in mind that clients buy from agencies who do great work and who can demonstrate expertise in solving the problems they are facing. If that's not a reason to hit the PRmoment Awards 2025 early entry deadline of 13th December, I don't know what is!! #growth #agency #agencynewbusiness #PR #PRAgency

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Looks like the hottest new trend in social media since the migration over to BlueSky is to share a POV on the Jaguar rebrand. Since it has zero impact on me as a consumer, as I’m not looking to buy a car anytime soon, I’m looking at it strictly as a communications professional, and this is what I see… The old adage is to meet your customers where they are. That makes sense. Much of the backlash among those against the rebrand is that Jaguar has lost sight of its customer base - that customers are nowhere near where the company is with its new ad. Ok, but if what if they know something we don’t? Perhaps Jaguar is taking its customers on an experiential journey, and leading them to where the company wants them to be. What if they went into this rebrand knowing full well that, while their customers may not be there NOW, they’re going someplace else where their customers WILL be? Maybe Jaguar is leading customers to right where the company wants them to be. Non-traditional? Absolutely. Will it work? Maybe. But here’s an immutable truth: in a sea of absolute sameness, showing up differently will make you stand out. If someone is not going to buy a Jaguar now because of the new logo and ad, would another retread of a car commercial featuring beautiful models and a luxurious leather seat really have been the difference maker? Maybe. Personally, as a communications innovator, I’ll always tip my cap to anyone who tries something new. #Jaguar #Communications #Marketing #Branding

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Agency vs In-House. We hear this a lot from senior creatives considering a move In-house. It’s a tough call. There’s a big draw to both worlds. 💥 World-class (in-house teams) are emerging across Europe and the US—in both product and brand. They’re pushing creative boundaries, offering the freedom you’d expect at an agency, with the added bonus of long-term brand strategy and product influence. Plus the obvious… $￡. Agencies are still where some of the most beautiful, cutting-edge work happens. The variety, the pace, the constant push to break creative limits—why many stay agency-side. Working with top brands, keeping their portfolios fresh! Is the transition straightforward? Not entirely... – OPAL

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