Thea Cole

Did you know national print titles reach up to 13.6 million people per day, with online readership even higher? Securing national coverage is one of the most influential ways to get your brand message recognised and is the bread and butter of PR. In our latest blog we look at top property supplements in the UK press and share tips on grabbing national journalists' attention. To read more, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eHZtRg8V #nationalpress #coverage #propertypr #pr #newhomes

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📰 The Future of News: A Two-Tier Media Landscape? A stark warning from parliament.uk: without action, we risk a fractured news ecosystem, with informed citizens on one side and disengaged communities on the other. 💡 “Having informed citizens with a shared understanding of facts isn’t guaranteed—and may not endure.” The UK’s media has defied the odds these past 15 years, with exciting new formats and diverse perspectives. But it’s not all good news… 📉💔 🔎 Trust in journalism is falling 🙈 News avoidance is rising 💸 Revenue streams are drying up 🤖 And AI? It’s shaking up EVERYTHING The risk? A “two-tier” system where some stay informed while others fall into news deserts or questionable online sources. So, what’s next? Tax breaks for local news 🏡, smarter AI policies 🤝, and more innovation💡 could help us steer away from the cliff edge. We are doing our bit at Contribly by trying to innovate the audience engagement side of the news, by getting real people’s voices included and heard in a safe way that social media doesn’t provide. The aim is to build trust and relevance! Let’s keep the news serving everyone, not just the privileged few. 🌍💪 What’s your take on this? Let’s chat! 👇🗣️ https://lnkd.in/enjesFrY

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Transform your ideas into a fully funded deal. 🤝 suzanne alizart, Creative Business Affairs Consultant, will host an insightful masterclass tomorrow for our Autumn Cohort on our Create Growth Programme, which examines all aspects of business affairs for the creative industry.  Matching the right money to the right idea is key to success, so knowing what different types of funding mean for your concept is essential to striking the right deal.  Discover more about this session, link in the comments. #Funding #CreativeFunding #FundingSupport #GrowthProgramme #CreativeEast

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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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We speak to By The Network about how its global collective of independent agencies are taking on the scale of the big network model by prioritising creativity above all else https://ow.ly/R4en50SHbrA

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Preparing to rename your B2B brand to drive enduring value creation? Hear from our UK-based naming expert James McCarthy on the five factors to consider as you get started. Developing a compelling B2B brand name is one exhaustive (but exciting) process. Thinking about the five factors can help you set internal expectations for the journey—and ensure your new name speaks to the best of who you’re becoming. Read about renaming your B2B brand successfully here: https://lnkd.in/ew7qW3aA #B2B #B2Bbranding #B2Bbrandnames

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As the UK prepares for the general election on July 4th, we, as B2B PR and marketing professionals, must prepare for any changes a new government may bring. 🗳️ From economic policies and regulatory changes to sustainable and ethical practices, our latest blog explores the potential changes and benefits the upcoming election could usher in for B2B PR and marketing. Continue reading here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eNuiu8PZ #UKElection #B2BPR #Marketing

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Having read this…   BBC News - More people turning away from news (https://lnkd.in/eHsxdvqV) …it's clear that people are choosing to avoid the news and from feeling overwhelmed or fatigued with the news cycle.   If the news broadcasters choose not to change the emphasis of the content they'd like us to consume, we can choose for ourselves.   Along with choosing to avoid the negative, why not choose to actively seek out the positive. I find it energising and creatively inspiring to hear about good people and groundbreaking projects. Wondering where to start?   Choose…   Positive journalism Positive.news Goodgoodgood.co   Positive individuals David Heiatt - The Chicken Shed Chronicles is my favourite weekly newsletter https://lnkd.in/eQiMursA Per Hakansson - Love the simple mantra of fewer better things https://lnkd.in/eSEe8Jjc Positive organisations Nesta - An innovation agency for social good https://www.nesta.org.uk/ Poscasts The Hidden 20% - Inspirational people who think differently https://lnkd.in/emQeQ5sf At work Make a point of celebrating good news, innovation, breakthroughs, hurdling hurdles and achieving good things. https://lnkd.in/gPKGmJJz   Curating a more positive news feed has had a direct impact on my mood and my approach to life and work. Why not track your mood and give it a go (https://moodapp.io/). It's not always easy but it is a choice.   Enjoy your day   #positivenews #choosegood

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Big business and the illusion of people power https://lnkd.in/eZwCVuDQ 'Surface power has become the perfect distraction' Ben Kay looks at the advertising industry and wider business, and argues that, in recent years, the reality is that it's all about making people think they have power while ensuring they have less. #advertising #marketing #power #people #media

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A Sign of the Times: Is this the Death of Daily/All Print Media? I ran a publication printed on recycled paper because I LOVE THE FEEL of turning a page BUT DOES THAT MEAN IT'S RIGHT? I then went on to launch Impact A.M. so I feel informed enough to ask this question Publishing is a small industry - disappointing for readers and the team at Evening Standard whom I have no doubt will have made every effort to keep it going - looking forward to reading a new successful weekly. It's hard not to see the Evening Standard's move as part of a larger trend – are we witnessing the end of daily broadsheets altogether? With City AM's fresh funding and new game plan, I sincerely hope this marks the beginning of a new chapter that positions us as a dominant force in the market. Reflecting on my time with Lawson Muncaster, which was one of the most career-defining periods, I believe City AM remains one of the premier brands across the Square Mile and the City. The Future is Digital – or Is It? There’s no denying the shift towards digital consumption, where morning news updates come straight to our phones with a simple tap. However, this raises a critical question: can print media still be viable in an ESG-conscious world? Can it remain authentic, competitive, and sustainable? Gihan Hyde and Julia Streets would love your thoughts on this along with Nim Haas Tracy W. Dr Jane Thomason and Amy Lewin who has pioneered Sifted into being one of my go-to publications for research and updates, last but by no means least the grafter,mover, shaker and hustler that is my new/old boss David Johnson as we will be shortly announcing a new exciting move with me rejoining the Maddyness UK team with official maddyness.fr email it is all very exciting. Innovative Distribution: A Strategic Advantage City AM’s 00's distribution model, reminiscent of my father’s pioneering days from Greenshield to being a founding team member of Argos, utilises a network of dedicated but skilled distributors. This old-school approach ensures cost-effective and efficient delivery, highlighting how print media can adapt and thrive even in challenging times. Amid rising paper and distribution costs, our industry faces significant hurdles. Balancing Tradition and Innovation As we navigate these changes, it’s crucial to strike the balance between embracing digital transformation and maintaining sustainable print practices. City AM's unique model proves that print media can still play a vital role if managed innovatively and sustainably. #Publishing #ESG #PrintMedia #DigitalTransformation #Sustainability #Innovation

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Did you know that we are made up of journalists and creatives from the UK's national media? ✨ Working globally, we come together and lend our storytelling expertise to our clients in the tech sector. ✨ We uncover and tell the stories that will resonate most with customers. ✨ The content we create has a purpose. It solves problems and creates value. If you're a scale-up, looking to expand into new territories, we can do this for you too. Looking for a content partner? 👉 [email protected] #SaaSMarketing #TechMarketing #Contentmarketing #ContentStrategy #ScaleUp #ITServices #TechSector #TechProductMarketing

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I love our commissioned thought leadership reports because they go beyond just delivering insights – they offer a fresh perspective that sparks action. Each report is tailor-made, deeply researched, and crafted to not only engage but also position our clients as leaders in their industry. It’s the perfect blend of strategic insight and creative content that drives real results and future-proof strategies for our partners. Feel free to explore some of our reports via the post below- you'll find valuable insights and plenty of inspiration to spark fresh ideas. 😉 #ThoughtLeadership #StrategicInsights #Innovation #IndustryTrends #BusinessGrowth #FutureFocused #CreativeStrategy #Inspiration

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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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🗳️ Do your spokespeople need support preparing for media interviews ahead of the UK General Election on 4th July? Our expert media trainers can help! If your organisation wants to make its voice heard in the lead up to the vote, we offer practical workshops to help you confidently communicate your organisation’s message to the media 🎥 . Our expert trainers will teach you how to handle media interviews with confidence and get your message across. You’ll learn how to craft snappy sound bites for radio, TV and print interviews, and get one-on-one advice and coaching to hone your interview technique and tackle journalist’s difficult questions. Here’s what our client Adam Leaver from the Audit Reform Lab had to say after we put him through his paces on camera: “I feel a lot more confident speaking on camera after di:ga's media training. I can now make the most of every media opportunity to get my message across and handle those tricky questions that every spokesperson dreads!” 📩 Get in touch with us via [email protected] or message us on LinkedIn to find out more. #mediatraining #media #comms4good #advocacy #campaigns #climateaction #humanrights #internationaldevelopment #ukgeneralelection

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As its #independenceday today we thought it would be timely to share our MD Sam Smith's op-ed for Creative Review on why we're entering the era of independent agencies. "We’re an industry in constant change. Right now, that change is polarising. At one end we have the networks consolidating, acquiring, merging and investing. At the other, we have the independents forming, diversifying, partnering and innovating. While to many major global brands, networks provide the ultimate one-stop-shop to service billion-dollar budgets, I’ve increasingly found clients of ambitious brands pivoting towards the allure of a little bit of indie magic." Read here to see how that indie magic comes to life: https://lnkd.in/e7Jv6qBn #oped #independentagency #creativeagency

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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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Campaigns like the one we recently ran for supply teaching agency TeachingTomorrow take time to evidence, validate and distribute. Achieving coverage from top UK news sites in targeted local areas makes it all worthwhile ☺️ We worked alongside our SEO partners Eighty Eight Digital for this Digital PR project, and here’s a little background... Judith Spear and Alex Harper used Google search data to highlight the shift in 'teacher resignation dates' and 'teaching jobs' searches over the last 10 years. With teaching staff able to wait until May to submit a resignation for the current academic year, the data indicated that schools could face multiple teaching vacancies with no new recruits to fill them 🙄 A very topical story which Jude was able to back up with UK Government stats and expert commentary from local headteachers. She also included comments from Teaching Tomorrow's co-founder Adam Shulman who’s seen a significant increase in demand for supply teachers over the last 12 months. Alex pulled together the important stats and graphics to demonstrate the looming staff crisis, and we had a highly emotive angle relevant in a number of key local areas. * Data * Expert insight * Localised angles THIS ⬆️ is what makes it powerful. Not only did this campaign generate great media coverage and have a positive impact on Teaching Tomorrow's online presence, it started to position the company as the expert and knowledgeable supply teaching agency they are. What story angles might you like to explore? Can they be backed up with stats and expert comments? Almost always the answer is yes. You just might need a trusted PR partner to show you how. Drop Kim Hughes a DM to chat about how Digital PR could work for you.

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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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