Together: Issue Two

As we settle into an exciting year ahead, we're delighted?to?bring?you?issue two of our monthly newsletter —?Together. It's a short read but we?hope you agree that it's packed?with?insightful, useful and enjoyable content.

We appreciate our followers?and clients?are busy?people?but please pop the kettle on and take two minutes to have a look through. In this issue?we're updating you?on key client achievements, some top campaigns we've?supported, major regional events we've?attended and progress that our people are making?within Allies Group.

Enjoy ... and?Happy?New Year from all the team here.

David Bootle, Head Of PR and Communications

Driving a wider audience to webinars

You’ve got a service that could save organisations thousands of pounds. But how do you spread the word? It’s a good question. And it was a question put to us by long-time clients Business Energy Claims (BEC) as they seek to better serve sectors dogged by rogue energy brokers continuing to ‘hide’ huge commissions.

Providing the service is only part of the story here: how do BEC shout about what they do best and reach the key publics they’ve set out to help? Given the passion and expertise at the heart of the BEC team we were never in any doubt that an instructive webinar was the way forward. But what next?

Driving a relevant and receptive audience to the webinar was our primary goal and this month we’re curating and creating informative content suitable for sector-specific newsletters, social media and more with a view to put the right people in front of BEC CEO Callum Thompson and his colleagues.

“We’re all about brand recognition,” explains Allies Group CEO Chris March . “We want businesses to register for the webinars because they see BEC as an authoritative and trusted voice with plenty to say on a serious subject.”

The face (to face) of media relations

When Account Manager Shehla Momin joined Allies Group last year she was keen to meet the region's media movers and shakers. And so her colleagues in the PR team set about compiling a Who's Who of journalism talent from across the North East.

Hosted by our good neighbours at Newcastle's The Broad Chare, we spent a few hours in the company of experienced writers and emerging creative talent, discussing the increasingly important relationship between media organisations and PR professionals. At a time when the lines between PR and journalism are increasingly blurred, a much-needed conversation generated a number of enlightening talking points.

"I don't think there's enough emphasis on the face-to-face aspect of media relations and just how important that can be when it comes to building long-term, trusted relationships," says Shehla, who joined Allies after several years forging her reputation in the Middle East. "I want the journalists we work with to know who I am and why I believe so passionately in the content we're creating for clients."

Dan’s the man

Retaining top talent is key to Allies Group and we’re delighted that Dan Barrett is stepping up to focus on business development in 2025. Londoner Dan has been based in the North East for almost 15 years and, despite retaining his love for all things Tottenham Hotspur, his status as an adopted Geordie is secure!

Looking ahead to what promises to be a busy year of growth for Allies, he says: “This month I celebrate my fourth year at Allies Group and the time’s flown by. It’s a place where I’ve laid down roots and in December I transitioned from Client Service Manager to Business Development Manager.

“Since 2021 I’ve become more focused on new business and I recognise the changing needs of our varied client base. I’m excited about my new role and I know I can rely on the support of the whole team to make the move a success.”

To speak to Dan about tapping into Allies Group’s wide range of services across branding, marketing, design and PR email [email protected].

A lesson in proactive and positive PR

When St Leonard's Catholic School in Durham became the focus for the Raac concrete crisis at the start of the 2023/24 academic year, Allies Group swung into action to support the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust (BWCET) with key messaging at a critical time.

And after what's been a challenging time for staff and students we jumped at the opportunity to celebrate the school's 'Outstanding' Ofsted inspection. The end of 2024 saw positive and proactive coverage across the board as a true 'triumph in the face of adversity' story captured the imagination of media at a local, regional and national level.

"Throughout the early stages of the Raac crisis we worked closely with BWCET to establish the facts, deliver clear and concise content and remain transparent throughout," explains David B. , Head of Communications and PR at Allies Group. "As a consequence there was a hugely positive response to the Ofsted inspection results. There really is such a thing as a good news story and our media contacts were keen to tell it."

Hopetown galvanises North East business community

Rubbing shoulders with our friends across the North East business community is an integral part of Allies life and we were excited to attend the Northern Echo BUSINESSiQ’s IMPACT event in Darlington.

Taking place at the town’s magnificent Hopetown Railway Museum, an impromptu history lesson kicked things off in fine style before a handpicked panel set about summarising 2024 and looking ahead to what’s set to be a busy 2025.

Hosted by the The Northern Echo The Great Daily of the North ’s Business and Commercial Editor, Mike Hughes , an open debate focused on opportunities, challenges and the need to better communicate the positivity and ambition at the heart of a region with plenty to shout about.

“There’s so much happening in the North East right now and there’s a real will to get the word out there,” says Simon Rushworth , Senior Communications Manager at Allies Group. “That’s what I took away from the IMPACT event and a fantastic day at Hopetown provided plenty of food for thought.”

Read more about the IMPACT event here.

Get in touch

For further information on who we are and what we can offer please visit allies-group.com or contact David Bootle via [email protected]