OCTOBER 2023

Another month, another new client win, and yet more industry recognition.

As we completed project work with the University of Southampton, Brunel University London, and Leeds Beckett University in October, a new reputation & communications strategy challenge emerged to support the remarkable University of Cape Town, our first client in Africa which extends the reach of  our work to a fifth continent – and counting. We have also embarked upon a new project with the NHS to develop a patient engagement & communications strategy with a robust evaluation framework. These new projects keep our growing team on its toes as we countdown to Christmas, alongside ongoing and high-level ‘critical-friend’ support for clients including Brunel University and Robert Gordon University.

October also saw Brand & Reputation add a 10th award to our roster of industry accolades since our launch in 2017, as Senior Associate, Justin (pictured), attended the CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) ‘Global Marketing Excellence Awards’ in London and was called to the stage – alongside one of client contacts – to receive the AGENCY OF THE YEAR, holding off some tough competition from the best consulting and creative agencies in the industry.

This award recognises the contemporary global quality (and impact) of our brand and marketing work in particular – and the culture of partnership and agility of our team to deliver for clients across multiple sectors and markets. This CIM award follows recognition from CIPR and PRCA earlier this year.

SEPTEMBER 2023

September flew by in a haze of new client wins (in UK and South Africa), exciting growth opportunities for Fabric strategy CPD, and continuing client work with Leeds Beckett University, Robert Gordon University, and University of Southampton.

Brand & Reputation also secured another prestigious award as we were recognised with the Silver award as ‘Small Consultancy of the Year’ at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Awards. Founder & CEO Michael Lavery, and Associate consultant Liz Lawrence were at the awards ceremony to receive the prize.

Bring on the Autumn and some exciting new projects…

AUGUST 2023

We travelled from one end of the country to the other in August – from a brand workshop session for the annual staff conference at the impressive Plumpton College in Sussex, to showcasing our work and expertise in Edinburgh at the CASE Europe Annual Conference where we engaged an 800-strong international education community with both our consulting impact and the power of our partner-brand Fabric‘s marketing strategy programme to unlock strategic marcomms confidence in the sector and beyond. Our CEO Michael and Associate Justin also spoke at the conference on the recalibration of research communications – in partnership with the University of Edinburgh.

Consulting work across the brand space continued apace this month with ongoing support for the University of Southampton, Robert Gordon University, and Leeds Beckettt University –  plus conversations around new projects and shared ambitions with Harper Adams University, Bishop Grosseteste University, and the University of Aalto in Finland. Watch this space…

JULY 2023

A whirlwind month of consultations, market analysis, growth, awards nominations, investment, partnerships and giving back…!

At the start of July, our CEO Michael attended the graduations lunch at the University of Sunderland where our 10-year philanthropic commitment enters a new phase with annual support for scholarships for talented students looking to start a career in the arts & creative industries.

Towards the end of month, Michael was then announced as one of a six-strong panel of entrepreneurs & investors who are supporting Fabric (www.fabric-academy.com) – a pioneering EdTech platform which delivers a CPD-accredited online programme for established and aspiring business professionals to level-up their strategic knowledge and enhance their marketing skills in line with the latest industry standards.

Michael’s philanthropy, mentoring, and enterprise were among the reasons included in the citation which saw him nominated as a finalist for the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)‘s prestigious ‘Marketing Pioneer’ lifetime award. This announcement is part of the CIM’s ‘Global Marketing Excellence’ awards – with the winners announced in London in October with Brand & Reputation also in the running as a finalist for ‘UK Agency of the Year’. Just a week later, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) named Brand & Reputation on its shortlist for ‘Small Consultancy of the Year’ – testament to our reputation for excellence across the distinct professional disciplines of brand/marketing AND communications/PR.

And in-between all of the photocalls and announcements, we were ‘foot to the floor’ on stakeholder consultation and reputation engagement strategy work with Leeds Beckett University and the University of Southampton.

Bring-on the holidays!

JUNE 2023

June saw new project discussions in Paris and Lahore, more energetic stakeholder consultations for Leeds Beckett University, the conclusion of some brand management guidance at Robert Gordon University, and the kick-off of a new corporate partners reputation review & strategy project with R&D heavyweights the University of Southampton.

Staying cool in the office and on the move posed an unusual challenge in the UK, as we continue to turn up the heat on our international reach and business growth.