Agency steps into bat for Lancs star

March 31st, 2009

Taken from the Manchester Evening News, March 31, 2009

Simon Donohue

ONE of Manchester’s newest PR agencies has knocked the opposition for six with a prestigious new cricketing account.

Democracy will step up to the crease to support Lancashire’s Gary Keedy as he celebrates his benefit year.

The 34-year-old was voted the `best county player never to have played for England’ and has hired Democracy to manage public relations for a series of benefit events.

The team will kick off with a VIP media and celebrity launch in Hale this week.

Highlights from his benefit year will include an Ashes preview and review with Andrew Flintoff, a day of golf with Sir Ian Botham and a summer ball.

Democracy PR is tasked with bringing together Keedy and fellow sporting heroes with the corporate world to raise money for him and his nominated charities.

Keedy is currently studying for a physiotherapy degree at Salford University while also training for the start of the new cricket season.

He said: “We’ve built a great team to help promote the benefit year and Democracy demonstrated great contacts and creative ideas.”

Jennifer O’Grady, founder of Democracy PR, said: “The next 12 months promise to be a lot of fun for Gary and the rest of the team.”

The Chorlton agency’s other clients include Baxter’s Licensed Brands, Duerr’s jams and marmalades, The Gentry Grooming Company and Psycuity.

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All new blog

February 12th, 2008

Right, chaos over for a few hours… what’s next on the ‘to do’ list? Ah, yes… new blog.

Sorry for the delay folks, we’re busy working away for clients, pitching for new business and generally becoming the “go to” people for a number of other agencies interested in adding social media to their marketing mix (interesting times).

So, developing our own blog has got knocked down the pecking-order a little.

What’s that they say about cobbler’s shoes?

Anyway, here is the new blog. Exactly like the old one but with the ability to comment on our words of wisdom, a tag cloud, search function etc. Basically, all the blog basics now in place.

Be nice now.

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Day 18…

January 18th, 2008

So January exploded with a host of moves on the PR scene Natalie Bagnall flogging Vertigo after just seven months, Rob Brown defecting from MaCann to take the top role at Staniforth… the list goes on.

At Democracy we’ve been welcomed into the community with good luck wishes from old friends and new alike all interested to see an agency in Manchester doing something different and keen to learn more.

Fingers crossed we’ll see more PR agencies embracing social media as a fully integrated service as opposed to a quickly thought up ‘digital’ division. Those who opt for the latter are missing the point traditional PR and new PR are a full blown relationship, not just a bit on the side.

PS Keith Price thanks for the coverage in The Drum, but to clarify although my time at Brazen may have felt like 11 years it was only six.

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Day One…

January 1st, 2008

So here we are. A new Democracy – and a whole new blog. Think of it as a bit like dress-down Friday. An honest representation of who we are.

This is our opportunity to share with you our thoughts and opinions: what’s new in the world of PR? What’s it like to start a new business? And life in the centre of the shark tank that is Manchester’s PR community!

This isn’t a one way conversation though. Although still a work in progress, soon you’ll be able to add in your comments and thoughts to our opinions. The good, the bad and the ugly.

First up, to those who say there’s no room for another PR agency: if there wasn’t a need, we wouldn’t be here.

We’re going through an internet revolution and companies are crying out for someone who can show them how to work with social media.

Guide them through the maze and start new conversations with their various publics. The only way to take part is to get involved – and that’s exactly what we do. If your current PR agency doesn’t, then it’s time to start asking questions.

By the time we’re done with you, blogging, podcasting and vodcasting will be as familiar PR tools as the trusty press release. These are the methods people are using to communicate their opinions.

So either take part or miss out.

Don’t be a stranger – come back, share your thoughts, get involved.

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