Archive

Opinions

  • Big pharma gets a big brand boost

    November 20, 2023

    Many pharmaceutical companies are choosing this moment to rebrand, and the results signal a welcome new creative direction for the industry. Until a year ago, pharma was the one of the last bastions of safe, characterless branding. The only thing distinguishing most companies was the name. And why not? Pharmaceutical companies barely needed to promote or differentiate themselves from their competitors. Most industries live and die by how they respond to changing times, but people...

  • Rishi’s Reshuffle: Suella’s Sacking and Cameron’s Comeback

    November 15, 2023

    After an underwhelming Party Conference season and a tense few days over former Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s unauthorised column in The Times, Monday’s reshuffle was a chance for the Conservative Party to turn around its fortunes ahead of the General Election next year. And to some extent, it has delivered. Many in the Party welcomed the return of former Prime Minister David Cameron to the Cabinet and the removal of Braverman, and by some accounts...

  • Will gen AI change the game? Understanding the hopes, fears and ambitions of communications and marketing decision-makers

    October 23, 2023

    It’s almost a year since generative AI exploded into our newsfeeds and onto the agendas of organisations from all sectors. Since then, we’ve been told that these tools could affect up to 300 million jobs, and even that AI technology could one day pose an existential threat to humanity.  The news cycle is moving so quickly and keeps throwing up compelling new developments – earlier this month, for example, the BBC said it was looking...

  • Public sector or for-profit: protecting your reputation in a crisis

    October 20, 2023

      Having worked both in-house in the public sector and for agencies representing for-profit companies, there are some very real, important differences to consider when it comes to managing reputation – and some key principles that apply to both too. Crises across both for-profit companies and the public sector are responded to best when you have senior representation from all relevant functions of the organisation, led by someone at the top who can be held...

  • Sunak, Starmer and Sparkles: Who succeeded this Party Conference season?

    October 12, 2023

      A difference in atmospheres After much anticipation, party conference season for 2023 has now come to a close. With a smattering of policies and a touch of glitter, here is my take on what may well be the final conferences before the next General Election. After attending Labour’s conference this week, it is clear that the party now firmly belongs to Keir Starmer. The atmosphere in Liverpool was full of hope, optimism and urgency...

  • Rishi’s Reset: On Track or De-Railed?

    October 5, 2023

    An overview of Conservative Party Conference 2023 The mood going into this year’s Conservative Party Conference was by no means buoyant and, sitting at a sizeable 20 points behind the Labour Party in the polls, Sunak would have hoped for a conference which he could use to demonstrate to the public that his Conservative Party is worth their trust, and their vote. Instead, the first few days of this year’s conference were shaped by in-fighting...

  • Why you should stop asking “how can we win on the trans inclusion debate?”

    September 29, 2023

    Lots of clients and contacts say something like “we won’t have an opinion on the trans inclusion debate because there is no way to win.” Normally followed by “it’s just so toxic”. I get it, but my gentle challenge to you is perhaps the problem is your starting point. To help, here are some things you may want to ask yourself. Why do you want to have a point of view? Perhaps you’re committed to...

  • Top three comms tips for emerging climate fintechs

    September 27, 2023

    You’d be forgiven for feeling as though the climate conversation has taken a disappointing turn lately, with UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak’s, recent apparent U-turn on commitments. However, there are still important strides being made in the fight for a sustainable future. In the world I operate most – fintech – I’ve been closely watching the emergence of climate fintechs: businesses offering some form of climate-based risk or accounting software, like carbon offsetting, ESG reporting...

  • Is the money really worth it? Accepting corporate sponsorships that could damage your reputation.

    September 26, 2023

      Corporate sponsors are under growing scrutiny, which means the offer on the table needs careful consideration before charities and international organisations decide whether or not to accept it. Today, everyone – from fans to employees and media – is paying greater attention to who is funding major global events and initiatives, and what sponsors are getting in return. Often, it’s an opportunity to earn credibility on a particular issue simply by association, resulting in...

  • Fail to prepare, prepare to fail…

    September 20, 2023

    Sports events are more high profile than ever before. The surging popularity of women’s sport is driving audience numbers ever higher with women’s sport viewing up 131% in 2022. 2023 is a bumper year for massive sporting events from the Women’s World Cup and the men’s and women’s Ashes to the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and men’s Rugby World Cup. These sporting occasions are some of the few things that we still watch live in...

OLDER