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Thank You For A Great Year!

DNPR
Posted by DNPR on 20.12.2016

Darren Northeast PR

So as we draw a close to the end of another year, it never fails to surprise me how quickly the time goes and how much can be achieved in 12 short months.

We’ve had another truly fantastic year at Darren Northeast PR with many highlights, we find it so difficult to pick out just a few to focus on in the end of year blog – but here’s just a few!

Back in September, we were proud to win the Small Business of the Year Award at the Blackmore Vale Business Awards 2016. It was a great night and we had no idea that we were going to win – so it was a fantastic surprise to hear our name called out on the night! Thanks to everyone who sent us a message of congratulations, of which there were hundreds. We were also Finalists in two Public Relations Consultancy Association awards for Small Agency and Campaign of the Year.

This year we welcomed a new member of the team, Charlie Rose. Charlie had been working with us on a freelance basis for over a year, however, in October she became a fully-fledged member of the DNPR team, joining us as a part-time PR Account Manager. She’s already done some brilliant work in her new role and we’re proud to have her now officially on board!

2016 has also seen us continue upon the success of 2015, as many of our clients have benefitted from the awards applications we have written and submitted on their behalf. A Hampshire based client won Small Business of the Year, whilst another Hampshire client won two awards at the Hampshire Wedding Supplier Awards. One of our business service clients was also shortlisted as a finalist in no less than five awards in a very short period. Another client was up for two Dorset Business Awards and walked home with one of the awards. Over the past few years, writing award applications has developed as one of Darren Northeast PR’s specialties and something we are pleased to have become renowned for. We’re extremely proud of the continued success we’ve achieved for ourselves and our clients.

Back in June, we launched our fantastic new website and company video – we are still to this day very proud of the company brand that’s been developed both on and offline. We’ve certainly had some great feedback on the website, and our video has been viewed over 4000 times!

Recently we ran a social media competition for a Poole based client, which reached over 10, 000 in a matter of weeks – the number of responses to the post; including likes, comments and shares; was incredible. We’ve done some fantastic social media campaigns; one recent success was for a Christchurch-based client for whom we achieved an increase of 810% in the reach of its Facebook page over a very short period of time.

Earlier this year, it was announced that our client, Compton Acres, was the UK’s top tourist attraction by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site. Topping a list of prestigious UK tourist attractions, the popularity rating of Compton Acres is based on search activity to their website which has increased by 150% in the last 21 months.

We’ve been very fortunate to attend some really superb events this year – far too many to list here – but some that jump out include the Bournemouth Chamber 100 Year Birthday Party plus all of the Boardroom Network events throughout the year. However, TBN’s Christmas Party at The Italian Villa was something really quite spectacular! This year’s Bournemouth Chamber Christmas Party also needs mentioning, a superb Winter Wonderland theme at The Cumberland Hotel.

For more general informal networking events you can always rely on Pure Networking – run by our good friend, Dion.

One of our strengths, here at Darren Northeast PR, is developing strategic partnerships and working with organisations that we genuinely enjoy aligning ourselves with. Just a few of these include Dorset Community Action, for which Darren is now an Ambassador, and Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, where Matt became an Executive Director back in April. We’ve also worked closely with Town Centre BID, have sponsored the Dorset Tourism Awards, plus we are on the board of the Wessex region of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. What’s more, Darren has continued to volunteer for Macmillan Cancer Support too! Earlier this year saw Matt undertake his first ever wing-walk for Lewis Manning Hospice – and raised an impressive £810!!

Anyway, what a year we’ve had – it’s been hard work, fun, exhilarating, thrilling, exciting – and we look forward to seeing what 2017 is set to bring us! Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, enjoy the festivities and we look forward to engaging with you all again in 2017.

Darren, Matt, Dan and Charlie