FEBRUARY 2024

Our February focus was on our exciting brand review and MarComms strategy refresh with the remarkable University of Southampton Medical Faculty – another exciting brand listening and strategic recalibration project featuring an intensive programme of stakeholder consultation conversations with executive and academic leads at the University plus some of its incredible clinical partners and critical friends – united by a shared ambition to reposition Southampton as a Centre of Excellence in global medical education.

This month also saw our CEO and Founder, Michael, named as a fellow of the IC Global partnership –  joining an exceptional network of hand-picked experts working in internationalisation and global engagement.

JANUARY 2024

2024 started with a bang (in New York City) with the continuation in January of critical client strategy work with University of Chicago, University of Cape Town, the NHS, and Brunel University London – as well as more new businesses pitches for brand and internal comms consultancy support for Quarter 1.

Michael led a reputation management masterclass session with a group of 30 x leaders of independent schools in the US for CASE, exploring the issues that the States’ leading Schools should be expected to respond to vs wider (and more divisive) world issues – and how to anticipate controversy and mitigate risk. See pic

Finally, our sister company Fabric Academy – the pioneering marketing strategy training programme – was celebrating this month after featuring in the UK’s TOP SMEs OF 2024 guide.

DECEMBER 2023

Here’s our annual Yuletide poem with the usual ingredients of reflection, acknowledgment, gratitude (and celebrity deaths)! Thanks to all of our staff, clients, partners and suppliers for all your support and friendship. It is greatly appreciated.

Our ‘out-of-office’ auto message is now switched on and it’s time to focus on family, friends, and all the festivities after a brilliant year. We’re back online from 8th of January. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!🎄🌟

 

The Best…

As we hang the stockings, dress the tree, and stock-up on Christmas fayre,

we celebrate our moment as global ‘Agency of the Year’

(another award and yardstick from those who see our work as great,

this one was from the CIM – and the most prestigious one to date)

 

So it’s not just lights and Christmas stars that are shining all around,

but the glisten of gleaming accolades and the glow of pride abound

And let’s not forget those valued friends who help us chase the dream,

the staff, suppliers, and client partners who make-up our winning team

 

As we look back on the year that was, we couldn’t have asked for more,

a year packed full of growth, success, and plans for ‘24

(but we’ve also bid farewell to friends: Matthew Perry, Jerry Springer,

and Jeff Beck and Tina Turner (who was my mother’s favourite singer)

 

So, here’s to taking time to stop, to breathe, reflect, and rest,

thanks to all and Merry Christmas – you’re Simply the Best!

 

A donation has been made by Brand & Reputation, in lieu of the cost of printing and sending festive cards, to the remarkable Sir Graham Wylie Foundation 

NOVEMBER 2023

As 2023 hurtles to a close, November saw the team working in London, Leeds, and Australia with new client work with the University of Sydney being delivered alongside continuing advisory work with the brilliant Brunel University London, while our work with Leeds Beckett University to design and implement a comprehensive perceptions audit with corporate and civic stakeholders was completed. We continue to support the University of Cape Town (pictured) in engaging its alumni and donors during a time of great change at UCT and our partner company, Fabric Academy, was awarded the ‘Online Education Course of the Year’ at the prestigious CPD Awards and continues to grow its reach across the globe to revolutionise strategic marcomms training and coaching for aspiring and established creative leaders.

Bring on the Christmas countdown…

 

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.