Launch PR
2021 was a busy year for MRComms supporting the launch of new programmes, products and platforms, starting with The Ideas Fund – a new grants programme launched by The British Science Association and The Wellcome Trust to enable the UK public to think about, develop and test ideas to help improve mental wellbeing in the area where they live.
Protecting the wellbeing of the UK public and frontline workers during the Covid-19 pandemic was the motivation behind the creation of Ultrafilter Medical‘s first UK factory. Part of the global Ultrafilter Group, the factory is producing 1 million medical face masks a day and providing much-needed British manufacturing jobs. TV presenter Richard Hammond joined us at the factory in September as it was officially opened.
October saw the start of a PR and marketing campaign for our ethical banking client Wave Community Bank. The bank already had over 9,000 members and a tried and trusted history, having operated as part of the UK’s credit union network for the past 21 years. You can listen to Wave’s Chief Executive, Ann Hickey, explaining more about the bank and its new name and branding to the BBC here.
Another market disruptor flying the flag for British innovation during the pandemic is Chasing Chrono. We’ve enjoyed supporting co-founders Gerry Hughes and James Syrett as they grow their business and an online marketplace to champion better deals for buyers and sellers of luxury watches.
Digital PR
Our support for digital marketing agency Bamboo Nine continued in 2021, with Martha leading on digital PR for all the agency’s clients. Highlights included: Christina Brown, founder of UK e-commerce chocolate business, Sweet Tree By Browns, making the shortlist for Confectionary Entrepreneur of the Year in 2021’s Food & Drink Heroes Awards; and a Minutes Mowed lawn mowing challenge between family-run business Sims Garden Machinery and global garden tools manufacturer, STIHL, in aid of Greenfingers, a charity dedicated to supporting children who spend time in UK hospices.
Health & Wellbeing PR
Our communications support for Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust continued this year as new health and wellbeing clients also came on board. Evolutio are one of the leading community ophthalmology providers in England; The Soircas Consultancy specialises in workplace wellbeing, psychological safety and menopause support services for employers; and Donna Butler Associates offer trauma and psychotherapy services to individuals and corporate clients.
Marketing Strategy
Martha joined the global Mini MBA in Marketing alumni after completing the course and passing the exam set by course tutor Professor Mark Ritson – a widely recognised world leader in marketing education who also writes a column for Marketing Week here in the UK. This builds on the knowledge Martha had already acquired throughout her 25-year marketing and communications career, working in education, for the NHS, national charities, the legal profession and for global brands, SMEs and start-ups.
Book PR
The end of 2021 saw the publication of The Power Of Difference a new book written by our client, diversity and inclusion expert Simon Fanshawe OBE.
Simon is one of the co-founders of Stonewall and has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate for his work on diversity and human rights. He works with organisations to encourage honest conversations about race, sex, sexual orientation and other differences between people and redesign their recruitment to achieve real change.
HR Magazine has listed Simon as one of the UK’s Most Influential Thinkers and he has been called ‘inclusion Royalty’ by The Sunday Times.
"Martha and her team bring genuine expertise and are highly professional, responsive and adaptable in meeting the changing communications needs of highly complex projects with multiple stakeholder groups. I have no hesitation in recommending them."
Geoff Braterman, Head of Health Planning, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
