social-communications.co.uk

WHO WE ARE SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS

We Are Social Communications

A complete communications agency: innovative, energetic and truly committed to our clients and their customers.

With offices in Manchester, Leeds and Bristol, our approach covers a range of complementary specialisms from stakeholder engagement, political communications and PR, to multi-channel marketing communications, branding, creative and design.

Our award-winning reputation for brilliant communications that deliver results helps attract a broad range of clients across both the public and private sectors – drawn from housing, education, rail, planning, infrastructure, construction, professional services, technology, energy and more.

Whether demonstrating our understanding of complex government policies and industrial strategies, or developing and delivering a fully integrated marketing plan, we will always offer a rock-solid rationale for our strategy, channel choices and the creative recommendations we make. We work hard to do what’s best for you. Naturally, our teams are experienced at collaborating, and we’ll choose the most effective combination of skills and personnel to deliver cohesive and joined up solutions tailored to you.

We think we have a pretty unique culture, rooted in our core value: Life Happens. Our commitment to our clients is that they have chosen to engage and work with an organisation that really cares for its staff. As such, our clients know that they have an exceptional, talented, motivated and bright team with their best interests at heart.

What Our Clients Say About Us

Social Communications have been a valuable and essential part of our life in getting ourselves open and telling the world what we are about. An integral part of our marketing effort, to have got the level of exposure we have as a completely new entity would not have been achievable without their help.

Martin Owen Commercial Finance DirectorNational College for High Speed Rail

Social Communications have worked in a genuine partnership relationship with the Brio team. From the development of the brand, customer profiling, data selection and engagement, through to full multi-channel marketing communications, events, PR, website, social media and lead generation - a true extension to our marketing team.

Karl Hallows Director of Development and SalesBrio Retirement Living

Social Communications provide Bradford Council with a first rate communications service. They have shown a wide range of skills, always being on hand to support us with everything from political briefings and stakeholder presentations through to securing great media coverage and social media engagement.

Julian Jackson Assistant Director, Planning, Transportation and HighwaysBradford Metropolitan District Council

Social Communications have played a crucial role in helping us to secure a unanimous planning consent. From strategic political engagement and community consultation through to effective media work and creative design, they have proved to be a flexible and expert team that has been very supportive.

Andrew Long Chief ExecutiveExtra MSA Group

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Our ClientsYou can tell a lot about an agency by their client list. As you’ll see, we’ve got a brilliant one, packed with forward-thinking organisations that we’re proud to partner with – across both the public and private sectors.

NCLTECHNOLOGY VENTURES

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Public RelationsReputations are invaluable assets that require careful nurturing, managing and protecting. No doubt you’ll have worked hard to build yours; a product of your actions, a reflection of who you are and what people can expect from you.

Our team of creative thinkers will pro-actively manage a consistent voice and brand experience for your audience, simplifying the complex and creating succinct, timely and smart communications. We’re the voice of some of the UK’s biggest property, construction and infrastructure companies; they know that their reputation is not only safe, but also fits seamlessly into their brand story.

Marketing CommunicationsWe’re a complete communications agency, so we rule nothing out to deliver results for what are often complex marketing challenges. We use proven, established, but more importantly relevant and effective channels, including a few you may not have considered.

From innovative direct response campaigns to brand awareness, and everything in between, we’ll ensure you’re engaging with your audience with a message that resonates and gets results. But we don’t just send our work out, cross our fingers and hope for the best. We measure, track and then refine and evolve our campaigns, in response to what’s working, and what isn’t. That’s how we maximise our – and your – effectiveness.

WHAT WE DO SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS 4

Social MediaForget to invite social media to the party, and you’re missing out. Social media is no longer just an add-on - it can be the main event, the first into battle and pivotal to a campaign’s success.

Choosing the social media channels appropriate for your brand, your message, and your audience – that’s where we excel. We’ll ensure your spend is on brief, and on the money. Then our dedicated social media specialists will create, converse and keep track of your campaign to make sure it isn’t just getting lost in a sea of mundane status updates. What’s more, we can provide insight, advice and training via bespoke social media workshops.

Social ListeningAny successful communications activity is based on understanding what your audiences are saying. But while monitoring sees the tree, listening sees the forest. So it’s vital to listen to what your audiences are saying.

We use sophisticated listening tools that track and analyse thousands of online conversations on topics which can be broken down by country, city, region or other local areas of interest. In this way, we’ll identify opportunities to engage key online influencers, track conversations relating to your brand and steadily build your online visibility.

Planning ConsultationMaking sense of the public consultation process and policy-making can be notoriously complex. Having experts with a detailed understanding of the legislative landscape can be invaluable. In fact, the simple premise of knowing the right people can make all the difference.

It’s a premise that some of the UK’s biggest names in infrastructure, housing, retail and energy have discovered working with us. We have the skills to mobilise the silent majority to support major investments in their communities. Our track record of successful approval, on often controversial developments, speaks for itself.

Political & Strategic CounselWe can help you design and implement strategies for navigating the political and regulatory landscape and achieving your core business objectives. We draw on wide experience of engaging with local authorities, Whitehall, Westminster and the devolved administrations, and influencing key decision-makers.

In addition to political and government affairs counsel, we also support Boards and senior leaders to develop wider business strategy and define and deliver external affairs objectives, domestically and internationally. We bring strong insight into the challenges and opportunities posed by Brexit and can support your business to explore new markets and attract international investment.

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Video & PhotographyThe power of well-crafted video content gives your brand the potential of a global audience on desktops, mobiles and digital screens. Sharing knowledge, challenging, raising awareness, educating, inspiring and entertaining are all good reasons to get your brand in front of the camera. Using our extensive audiovisual experience, we’ll recommend visual treatments that connect with your audience and bring a brand story to life.

The same goes for still photography as well as in motion: we can be there to capture the moments with a treatment and style that works for your brand. Where required we can engage with specialist photographers and direct shoots to get you the imagery you need.

Design & ContentStrong design and compelling content are happiest when they’re working together. We design with an attitude, an opinion. A point of view. It’s the only way to create work that works.

We’ll give your brand and its campaigns a cohesive and consistent look and feel, as well as a voice; the same consistent voice, at every touchpoint. Conscious design is something we take pride in, making sure every print piece or digital asset is effective in impacting the people, groups and industries you want to communicate with the most.

If you want wallpaper, we know a very good DIY store. As you’re reading this, we’ll assume you’re after unmissable, relevant and creative design that resonates with your audience.

BrandingBringing brands to life is what we do. We’ll identify the territories where your brand can flourish, we’ll give your brand its voice, with a look and feel that goes beyond aesthetics. Even in a crowded marketplace, we make brands stand out.

Articulating what you’re good at, and understanding what your audience really wants – is what we’re good at. We’ll help define your reason for being, then clarify an ethos that everyone can believe in and live by. Whether it’s only your logo that needs a refresh, or you want a full brand development through to guidelines and templates, we’ll bring fresh thinking at every step of the process, backed up by a rock-solid strategy.

Digital MarketingWhen it comes to talking digital, we’re not about bamboozling you with binary or confusing you with code. We demystify all things digital for our clients and help them navigate through the options, acronyms and mind-boggling technologies as they emerge – to select the right channels and their development and deployment.

From a single tactical campaign to a complex full website solution, we offer expert advice to provide support at every stage, scaling our design and development projects to fit in with your objectives – turning the web into a world of opportunities. And we use a range of tried and trusted ways to make your website more visible and drive relevant traffic – including Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Pay-Per-Click (PPC) and remarketing.

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ClientThe National College for High Speed Rail

Project NameLaunch campaigns

Following a competitive tender process, in 2016 Social Communications was appointed to deliver the PR, marketing and social media requirements of the National College for High Speed Rail.

The College, with two campuses in Doncaster and Birmingham, is the first of five set up by the government to address a nationwide skills shortage and produce the next generation of engineering professionals.

We supported the College throughout the initial stages of their brand rollout, including securing press coverage, establishing and developing social media, designing and providing marketing materials for events, and digital communications.

In the first quarter of 2017 we undertook a large scale launch campaign under the banner of “Doors Are Opening”, announcing the opening of applications for 2017/18 entry and sharing the College’s brand and messaging with the wider general public for the first time.

For the launch day events at both campuses in Autumn 2017, we attracted national television coverage on The One Show and BBC Breakfast as well as local broadcast and print media.

We continue to partner successfully with the College to provide marketing and communications support as they progress through their first year of operation and beyond. Most recently, we have rolled out 2018’s “Choose Your Connection” campaign, including a new suite of photography, graphics, messaging and extensive branding elements.

Social Communications have been a valuable and essential part of our life

in getting ourselves open and telling the world what we are about. An integral

part of our marketing effort, to have got the

level of exposure we have as a completely new entity

would not have been achievable without

their help.

Martin Owen Commercial Finance Director

CASE STUDIES SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS 10

ClientBrio Retirement Living

Project NameLaunch campaign - “Live Life Your Way”

Brio Retirement Living is a new-to-market retirement village developer that appointed Social Communications to provide all aspects of complete communications services in September 2016.

Our creative team initially developed the brand’s visual identity, company values, brand guidelines, website, advertising campaigns and other materials ahead of a corporate launch event in April 2017. Alongside this work, our PR team achieved coverage in the Daily Telegraph, Sunday Times, Estates Gazette, Property Week and other key trade and regional titles.

Our planning and consultation team have supported Brio with its first community and stakeholder engagement campaigns, for development sites at Chapelton, Poundbury and Stow-on-the-Wold.

We have also developed a marketing and communications strategy, to support the sales process at Brio’s current and forthcoming retirement villages across the UK.

This included the public launch of Brio’s first sales suite in Chapelton, Aberdeenshire with event management, press, outdoor and radio advertising, direct marketing, materials production, social media and proactive public relations support.

Based on the insights and success of the Chapelton marketing campaigns, we are developing and delivering complete communications, and new tailored and targeted marketing plans, for additional village developments and joint ventures.

Social Communications have worked in a genuine partnership relationship

with the Brio team. From the development of the brand, customer profiling, data selection

and engagement, through to full multi-

channel marketing communications, events, PR, website, social media

and lead generation - a true extension to our

marketing team.

Karl Hallows Director of Development and Sales

CASE STUDIES SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS 12

ClientBradford Metropolitan District Council

Project NameNext Stop Bradford

In early 2017, Social Communications was appointed by Bradford Council to support its efforts in securing a new ‘High-Speed’ railway station in the city centre as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Our team created the public-facing ‘Next Stop Bradford’ campaign to demonstrate the benefits of a new station to local people and the wider economy.

Starting with an extensive stakeholder mapping and engagement exercise, the team went on to identify opportunities for direct influence, develop a stakeholder brochure, and deliver an event attended by more than 60 regional business leaders.

The team also engaged national politicians to ensure the issue was discussed in the House of Commons.

Given the political landscape in Bradford, a key aim of the campaign was to ensure support for its overall objective from across the political spectrum. Following close liaison with major political figures, this was achieved with cross-party attendance at the campaign’s launch event.

Since then, we have delivered a campaign website and Twitter account, regular press stories, ambassador briefings, regular presentations, and have built a growing database of supportive businesses which can be drawn upon for activity in the campaign.

As a result of our work, in January 2018, Transport for the North included Bradford in a new line that will connect Manchester and Leeds as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail. We continue to work with Bradford Council to ensure that momentum is maintained and this project is fully realised.

Social Communications provide Bradford

Council with a first rate communications service. They have shown a wide

range of skills, always being on hand to support us with everything from

political briefings and stakeholder presentations through to securing great media coverage and social

media engagement.

Julian Jackson Assistant Director, Planning, Transportation and Highways

CASE STUDIES SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS 14

ClientViewpoint

Project NameLaunch Campaign

Viewpoint provides cloud-based software solutions to construction companies working on large-scale projects around the world. Its software is used by 95% of Britain’s top 20 contractors with more than 450,000 users in 170 different countries worldwide.

Establishing a clear, proactive and transparent working relationship from the outset, we quickly procured some key insights into Viewpoint and its industry. From this, we produced striking marketing material, providing the client with the most relevant activity on the most effective channels. We delivered a full suite of marketing materials such as email templates, several press and digital ad formats, and landing pages.

We also secured timely coverage of interviews and produced multiple, well-received thought leadership articles.

Finally, we produced a monthly cycle of topical, impactful social media posts within a targeted social media campaign.

Crucially, we developed a strong partnership with the client from very early on, owing to our smart, rapid assimilation of new industry trends, information and themes. We were able to demonstrate genuine added value and most importantly, the delivery of tangible results – essentially becoming a respected extension of the Viewpoint team.

Consequently, Viewpoint decided to build upon and expand our partnership by retaining Social Communications for 2018 as its complete agency for marketing, PR, social media, digital, creative and video communications.

#1 Project Manager #2 Quality Manager #3 Design Manager #4 BIM ManagerChoose StrifeViewpoint-Choose-Strife-Leaflet-FINAL.indd 1

20/02/2018 15:57

Social Communications have quickly understood Viewpoint’s objectives,

needs and ways of working. The agency team work closely with myself,

my team and our USA-based team. They have

enhanced the quality and effectiveness of our multi-channel communications, and are creative, results-

focused thinkers.

Adam PageMarketing Manager

CASE STUDIES SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS 16

ClientExtra MSA Group

Project NameLeeds SkeltonLake Services

Extra MSA Group wanted to secure planning permission for a £60m motorway service area (MSA) on the M1.

With the site allocated for housing, and a lake with birds and wildlife nearby, there was plenty of work to be done. We were asked to create the narrative and benefits of the proposed investment, then communicate this to stakeholders across Leeds.

We helped build relationships across the city region, identifying key stakeholders, and developing the best message for each to address any concerns and outline the opportunities. We created a project website and set up and ran a series of community exhibitions around the site. We also produced and distributed a detailed consultation brochure that went to 11,000 local households and businesses.

We maintained strong relationships throughout the planning process, encouraged letters of support from key supporters, and kept elected members briefed.

Support for the project was secured from Roger Marsh, Chairman of the Leeds LEP, local community organisation Friends of Rothwell Country Park and environmental group Swillington Ings Bird Group. Our expertise in political, stakeholder and community engagement nurtured positive relationships with Leeds’ planning department and elected members. When the application went before Leeds’ planning committee it was unanimously approved.

The site has recently received approval on the detailed designs for the MSA and we continue to support the client with ongoing public affairs, PR and marketing support.

Social Communications have played a crucial role

in helping us to secure a unanimous planning

consent. From strategic political engagement and community consultation

through to effective media work and creative design, they have proved to be a flexible and expert

team that has been very supportive.

Andrew Long Chief Executive

CASE STUDIES SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS 18

Senior Team

John Quinton-BarberGroup Chief Executive

John is a versatile communicator and has had 25 years’ experience of working with some of the biggest names in the UK. He set up Social Communications in 2013 and has been instrumental in driving its growth to become one of the leading communications agencies in the property, infrastructure and development sectors.

Pete WrathmellGroup Director

Pete is a communications expert with over 13 years’ experience in PR, public affairs and community engagement. He is adept at understanding audiences and engaging in effective and creative ways. His experience ranges from political and stakeholder campaigns through to media relations and brand development.

Nathan MilnesDirector of Marketing

Nathan has over 26 years’ experience in fully integrated marketing encompassing all marketing channels, gained across a number of senior roles. He has responsibility for leading and developing the marketing and creative teams, ensuring a consistent enhancement of marketing planning, through to delivery, creative work, tracking, and results.

Rob LukeGroup Director of Operations & External Affairs

A former senior British diplomat and Deputy Information Commissioner, Rob has over 20 years’ experience of working with Whitehall, Westminster and senior decision-makers nationally and internationally. Rob offers political and strategic counsel to clients, drawing on his wide government and regulatory experience, together with a group wide role and responsibilities for operations.

Amanda WilliamsDirector of Finance

Amanda is a Fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), having qualified in 2000 and has a vast knowledge gained within various industry sectors, starting with a Chartered Accountants practice and moving into industry with Manchester Airport Group.

Our senior team are a group of highly experienced senior practitioners in a wide range of fields, with multiple decades of combined experience gained across agencies and clients in both the private and public sectors.

From working with Number 10 on the millennium celebrations to delivering large scale full marketing and communications engagements, there’s not a lot we haven’t done. And from international diplomacy to in-house client marketing departments, there are few places we haven’t been.

It means that we understand the challenges facing any organisation when it comes to communications, PR, public affairs and marketing. And that experience is vital for supporting and developing our carefully hand-picked agency team.

Ben LowndesDirector (South West)

Ben has provided wide-ranging communications support for some of the South West’s most high profile and complex projects. A former journalist and expert in digital engagement, Ben can distil complex detail to create content that people ‘get’. He has excellent connections with stakeholders and journalists across the South West.

Amy BodeyDirector (South West)

Amy has over 10 years of PR and communications experience in a variety of areas; financial, environmental, energy and education across the private and public sectors. She has managed statutory (s47) and non-statutory community consultation for three £multi-million Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project applications as well as many smaller scale development projects.

SENIOR TEAM SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS SENIOR TEAM SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS

Caty CartwrightDirector (Manchester)

As a founding director of Social Communications, experienced public relations practitioner Caty leads the PR team in producing pro-active, strategic content for our clients across a range of specialist sectors. Caty is responsible for driving new business in PR specialisms of property, construction, housing, professional services and FinTech, as well as public sector communications.

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Agency TeamOur team at Social Communications bring together a wealth of experience from both agency and client-side across a wide range of disciplines, including PR, public affairs, design, marketing communications and digital.

We believe a lot of the hard work is done up front, by pairing the right people and their particular skills, with the right clients and their particular sectors. This makes for smoother relationships, a more in-depth understanding of our clients’ needs and ultimately, better and more effective work. We are proud of the ongoing growth and development of our team across our four offices, who are all carefully selected for their experience, skills and understanding of our ethos.

And for the last two years, we have been named in Prolific North’s Top 50 PR Agencies list, rising fifteen places to #25 in 2017; as well as winning PR Moment’s Emerging Agency of the Year 2018.

AGENCY TEAM SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS

Offices

PlatformNew Station StreetLeeds LS1 4JB

John Quinton-BarberGroup Chief Executive

Pete WrathmellGroup Director

Ben Lowndes & Amy BodeyDirectors (South West)

Manchester

Leeds

Bristol

2nd Floor24-26 Lever StreetManchesterM1 1DW0161 660 9889

manchester@ social-communications.co.uk

0113 426 6945leeds@ social-communications.co.uk

0117 9269 945bristol@ social-communications.co.uk

St Brandon’s House 27-29 Great George StreetBristolBS1 5QT

social-communications.co.uk21