Inside the content machine

Communication specialist Kate Pearce has joined forces with Deep South Media, the multi-media content specialist working for 65 leading companies and organisations. Normally she’s the one asking the questions but today she’s in the spotlight …

Tell us a little bit about your background?

I worked for the Southern Daily Echo in Hampshire as a political reporter and latterly as Woman’s Editor. I really enjoyed my time working on daily regional papers, where no quarter is given by hard-nosed newsdesks – it gave me a great grounding for my communications career working with Business South, Portsmouth Naval Base and the Port of Southampton.

What benefits do you think your journalism background brings?

There are so many. I know the importance of being a good listener, I’m used to deadlines and I know what the media wants and how it operates. I understand the pressures that journalists are under and how to provide stories that are ready for publication/broadcast.

Why have you decided to work with Deep South Media?

I really admire the ethos that Deep South Media has developed and the way they deliver trusted editorial content for clients across digital and print channels. They are always evolving. For example, they were ahead of the game when it came to utilising LinkedIn as a business news channel for their clients. Their LinkedIn audience reach is phenomenal - posts on behalf of clients can be viewed by tens of thousands of business people.

They also lead the market in outsourced press office services - mid-size companies save significant payroll costs by retaining Deep South Media, rather than paying more for an in-house press officer, media relations manager, public relations executive or content generator.

It’s no surprise to me that they have gone from strength to strength over their 21-year history and that so many journalists want to work with them. They really are the dream team, continually sharing best practice and with so much experience and creativity under one roof.

Brexit is causing uncertainty for businesses, how important is it to keep communicating at a time like this?

Business leaders across the board are agreed on one thing – and that is they just don’t know what the full effects of Brexit will be. During a time of uncertainty, it is crucial to keep communicating with your stakeholders (such as customers, employees, suppliers and investors) and that’s where we can help. Whether it be preparing press releases, internal communications or crisis management, we can ensure your communications create the desired impact with key audiences - in mainstream media, trade media and through social channels.

What’s next?

I am looking forward to working with businesses in Portsmouth and Southampton, sharing their stories and raising their profiles. I will be drawing on my recent experience working with port-related businesses and I’m really looking forward to developing new business relationships too.