Running events for PR and media Running events sounds simple on paper, but finding a concept that works for the media as well as the guests you have attending is a bit of a dark art. We were recently briefed to develop a concept for The Glenlivet at The Spirit of Speyside; a world-famous whisky festival up in the Scottish Highlands. The challenge was that our event would be held during an open day that people could walk in and out of. So we needed to find a concept that would work in isolation as well as on a loop. Having designed and run a lot of events over the years, I know that one false move can result in a disengaged audience and an event that is perceived as a bit vanilla. So – once you’ve got people there, how do you keep them there and ensure they have a good time? Here are the Rules of Engagement Don’t make people do too much. As a rule, people prefer to passively enjoy an event with the odd bit of audience ‘participation’ (which for a classically awkward British person can be as little as having a break to get a drink, or being picked on by a comedian). So rely on your talent to do all the work. The split is approximately 80/20 – ensure it never goes the other way. Make sure your space is optimised for the crowd you have attending. If it’s a small group, create an intimate space by arranging tables and chairs as a focal point for people to position themselves around. This ensures there won’t be any awkward empty spaces that make the event seem empty. A crowd normally behaves like a moth around a flame, so unless your venue is absolutely packed, everyone will otherwise cling to the walls around the edge. Source the best, most relevant you can. If you’re using talent, make sure you have the coolest or best in the business. Your workload in the run up or on the day will be vastly reduced, and it will give your event the edge.
As agencies are still finding their feet with Gen Z’s unique contributions, it’s time to gear up for the next big wave – Gen Alpha. Born between 2010 and 2024, this group is beginning to enter the workforce, starting with work experience and internship roles. As the most digitally native… Read more
London PR agency, Richmond & Towers (R&T) has been appointed by two new SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses in as many months, as it continues to grow its specialism in the performance marketing arena. Already well-known as one of the UK’s top PR and social media agencies, R&T is… Read more
A busy press office has been the bread and butter of a PR agency for years and years (and years!). And for good reason – it’s the window into your business, so it’s vital to get right. Even though times are changing and the way media operates has streamlined, it’s… Read more
illy opened its second standalone store in the UK this month and Richmond & Towers was briefed to officially mark its opening in a manner befitting illy’s inimitably sophisticated style. Leveraging our celebrity, influencer and media contacts, we hosted an evening for guests that spotlighted illy’s unparalleled connections with the world of art and design, as well as communicating the coffee roaster’s obsession with quality. Part of this included running coffee cocktail masterclasses with illy’s UK head of quality, Marco Arrigo throughout the evening. Arrigo talked to guests about illy’s uniquely premium blend, and also paid homage to fabled bartender Dick Bradsell, who was known for inventing the Espresso Martini for Kate Moss using illy coffee. Guests, including Lucy Watson and boyfriend, James Dunmore, TV presenter AJ Odudu and socialite Roxie Nafousi, also enjoyed prosecco, Franciacorta and Italian canapés made from the finest regional ingredients. Dishes included black focaccia with burrata, wild salmon and dill, ravioli with pumpkin and sage, and beignets filled with pistachios from Bronte, made by world-class pastry chef, Luigi Biasetto. To cement the messaging being communicated by attendees on social media, as well as via a film we produced on the night for illy’s owned channels, we also set up an interview for illy’s new CEO, Massimiliano Pogliani, with Monocle 24. The opportunity was designed to ensure that Mr Pogliani was able to discuss illy’s new South Kensington offering with presenter Danny Giacopelli immediately prior to attending the event. Commenting on the launch, illy’s new CEO, Massimiliano Pogliani, said: “illy believes that, combined with its obsessive pursuit of the highest possible quality coffee beans, its passion for art and culture enhances someone’s sensory enjoyment of their favourite illy drink. “illy South Kensington has been painstakingly designed to embody illy’s values, from its illy Art Collection cups chandelier, to its 1930s illy advertising poster replica. We are certain we will soon become an intrinsic part of local life.” illy South Kensington is located at 23 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3HZ.
As agencies are still finding their feet with Gen Z’s unique contributions, it’s time to gear up for the next big wave – Gen Alpha. Born between 2010 and 2024, this group is beginning to enter the workforce, starting with work experience and internship roles. As the most digitally native… Read more
London PR agency, Richmond & Towers (R&T) has been appointed by two new SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses in as many months, as it continues to grow its specialism in the performance marketing arena. Already well-known as one of the UK’s top PR and social media agencies, R&T is… Read more
A busy press office has been the bread and butter of a PR agency for years and years (and years!). And for good reason – it’s the window into your business, so it’s vital to get right. Even though times are changing and the way media operates has streamlined, it’s… Read more
From museums and heritage attractions, through to bowling centres and bars, our clients are often either reopening their venues following a refurbishment, or opening brand new ones. But when it comes to the crunch, the old adage of ‘build it and they will come’ doesn’t really apply. In reality, a high energy programme designed to drive awareness and excitement at a local level, both in the run up to and after launch, is critical when it comes to delivering footfall and hitting commercial targets. Here are some tips for dreaming up a water tight PR and communications strategy to make your opening go with a bang: Decide what the most important thing you need to achieve is – is it a busy opening night, or brand awareness in the local area, for example? Knowing this will help develop appropriate tactics that will work hard for you. Kick the press juggernaut into gear early – pre-promote the opening to local media, invite the news team to the opening night and then use photography from the night to achieve a second wave of press coverage. Photography – make sure any photography you take on the night is of a professional standard. Make a brief that covers off everything you might need going forward – from shots for local media to shots for Point of Sale – and stick to it. Hold a launch night – they bring focus, help create a sense of excitement and outwardly demonstrate to people that your venue is the place to be. Make sure your campaign is integrated – for a truly successful launch, as many audience groups as possible must be targeted, from solus emails to your database, to direct marketing and ramped up activity on social media. Work with local bloggers to pre-promote the opening night and review your venue – it’s an impactful way of delivering quality press coverage to a different audience and making them your unofficial brand ambassadors for life. They’ll also support you on social media, increasing your natural reach inestimably. Know your area – some tactics such as guerrilla marketing will work better in smaller areas, whilst in bigger areas, towns or cities often something more brazen may be required. Get feet on the ground – there is no substitute for local networking, from sending out your venue’s staff with information about the opening night to putting promo teams on the streets with details of opening offers. Spend wisely – big ticket items such as out of home advertising can be very powerful, but spending more money doesn’t always equal getting more impact. Be true to your brand and stand out – make sure whatever final tactics you decide upon inherently communicate your brand’s messages to consumers and – whatever happens – make them memorable!
As agencies are still finding their feet with Gen Z’s unique contributions, it’s time to gear up for the next big wave – Gen Alpha. Born between 2010 and 2024, this group is beginning to enter the workforce, starting with work experience and internship roles. As the most digitally native… Read more
London PR agency, Richmond & Towers (R&T) has been appointed by two new SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses in as many months, as it continues to grow its specialism in the performance marketing arena. Already well-known as one of the UK’s top PR and social media agencies, R&T is… Read more
A busy press office has been the bread and butter of a PR agency for years and years (and years!). And for good reason – it’s the window into your business, so it’s vital to get right. Even though times are changing and the way media operates has streamlined, it’s… Read more