A streamlined new PR offer, a dedicated media training service, and key hires sit at the heart of Allies Group’s bid to disrupt the content marketing sector.
The innovative content specialist based on Newcastle Quayside, next to Live Theatre, works with clients including established names such the English Whisky Guild, Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, Matfen Hall and Gainford Group, and has gained a reputation for fresh rebrands, eye-catching campaigns, cutting-edge content and website redesigns.
A determination to strengthen its PR offer within a competitive market underpins the launch of two brand new services, which will further enhance the team’s proposition as it builds its client case.
“Our clients rightly demand the highest standards to reflect their own quality and we can’t simply stand still, but instead must be constantly innovating to ensure we are delivering to the very highest standards,” explains Allies Group’s Head of Communications and PR, David Bootle.
“The need for effective communication is greater than ever and we recognise that busy business people require an efficient solution to connecting with key audiences.
“That’s why we’ve developed ALLIESLite. It has all the power of an agile PR campaign, packaged as a value-for-money service. Our offer does what it says on the tin – it’s a lighter touch for busy businesses seeking to make themselves heard in a congested marketplace – and focuses on targeted content without scrimping on quality.”
ALLIESLite complements the company’s already established comprehensive PR approach, which is based around building strong relationships with customers, and then tailoring content into well-executed campaigns targeting key media outlets. Allies Group’s PR team builds trusted relationships with media, ensuring it gets its clients’ news on journalists’ radars. David himself has years of experience across North East media titles and national and daily media, including The Times.
The desire to continue growing its PR offer – which has tripled in the space of the last year and a half – has led the business to acquire new talent to augment its services further.
New recruit Simon Rushworth will be supporting David, in the position of Senior Communication Manager, to enhance Allies Group’s dedicated PR function, after the senior journalist and media manager joined the team in September.
A familiar face on the North East’s media scene and an experienced lecturer in journalism and PR, the Tyneside-based all-rounder arrives at Allies following a stint as the Associate Editor of start-up regional news magazine The QT.
“I’ve known David for many years and it’s an exciting time to be joining his expanding communications and PR team,” says Simon. “After several years teaching third-year university students the value of effective PR, it’s time to practise what I preach!”
David said: “My time working with Simon goes back to ncjmedia in the early 2000s. He’s a trusted and talented operator. And importantly, as a great team player with excellent media connections, he will bring so much value to our offer.”
Joining Simon as a permanent member of staff is PR Account Manager, Shehla Momin. Since February, the journalism graduate with PR experience in the Middle East has been combining a part-time role at Allies Group with studies towards a Master’s degree in Media, PR and Communications at Newcastle University.
David added: “Shehla has made a fantastic start to life at Allies Group and we’re delighted to bring her on board full-time.
“Her approach is strategic and well-thought through and I’m looking forward to seeing her go from strength to strength learning from an experienced operator like Simon.
“In addition, her background in a Middle East agency means she has some excellent contacts across the GCC and wider Middle East. With our clients often looking to expand their reach across to that region – she brings a unique selling point to our team.
“While we also have the talented Nicole Wood who has been with us for several years and is a respected content specialist.”
A key strength of Allies Group’s PR offer is its deep understanding of the media landscape, regionally, nationally, and across print, online and broadcast. Beyond ALLIESLite, David and his team are stepping up efforts to make media training more accessible.
Offering one-day courses – featuring filmed interviews, interactions with experienced journalists and first-person accounts of crisis communication in action – Allies Group aims to bridge the divide between the media and business.
“It’s all about building confidence and communicating with authority,” adds David. “But there’s no quick fix to getting it right in front of the camera.
“We challenge groups to go beyond their comfort zone and attempt to change perceptions around the media and how they can engage with it.”
Allies Group is constantly evolving its offers in a fast-changing environment. Details of the two new offers can be found on their site: https://allies-group.com/services/pr/allieslite/
Information on media training can be found here: https://allies-group.com/services/pr/media-training/
To find out how your business could benefit from a PR and communications reboot, contact David Bootle at [email protected]
