by addacomma | Nov 19, 2020
PR, Comms, Marketing, Social Media, Virtual Conferencing
Evolving Education and Careers: A virtual conference
Organising an engaging three day virtual conference during a pandemic was always going involve thinking differently. The Evolving Education and Careers conference from DMH Associates offered a fantastic opportunity to mix technology and innovative presentation for more than 400 delegates.
The brief was to support DMH Associates on increasing delegate signup to a three-day virtual conference utilising innovative marketing techniques and partnership marketing. We were to research and identify the most appropriate technology platform to run the event from a website portal. This included the registration process, multiple webinars, delegate networking and technical support throughout the event. Additionally, the organisation of advance training for the moderators, speakers and staff on the chosen technology platform was required. So too was the provision of delegate guides to ensure easy access.
To ensure delegate numbers:
- Email marketing to DMH Associates event subscribers creating a story for the conference with tailored messaging to the potential delegate groups
- LinkedIn contact identification and liaising with speakers and partners to spread the word using their own established networks. Speaker cards and example posts were created to support this process
- Working directly with sponsors to share the message using their regular channels – web, social etc
- Developing key strategic partnerships (such as with FE News) so that articles could be published using their channels
Following technology platform research we implemented the following:
- Use of Eventbrite to manage the registration process
- Use of Zoom for webinars – this choice was based on both the technical benefits and that as a recognised name that it would reduce fears over operation
- Use of Whova – a networking platform that integrates with Eventbrite and Zoom. This allowed us to send notifications and emails to delegates, gain feedback, one to one chat with both delegates and speakers, swap business cards and even shared articles
Feedback gathered indicated that the virtual international conference was a great success. We received an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 for the speakers, content and organisation of the event.
One delegate even tweeted – It’s like the equivalent of the Glastonbury Festival for education and careers professionals”.
Whova proved successful, allowing delegates to get many of the same benefits as attending in person, including networking and the development of new industry contacts.
The event ended with a surprise, having a rapper to close the conference with a poetic overview.
Ministerial conference addresses
“Mark Mitchell is a true professional. Over the last two years he has provided dmh associates with first-class technical support. Mark is always willing to find ways to solve problems and has the dual expertise of digital and marketing. He really helped with the development of our first Virtual International Conference with over 400 delegates and speakers which was an amazing success! He also backed this up with an innovative social networking platform and a Digital Resource Toolkit. I would not hesitate to recommend Mark’s services.”
Director, DMH and Associates Ltd
by addacomma | Jan 29, 2020
A message which works for all
A large employee owned organisation which provides services in industries as wide ranging as Early Years education to Justice, working in 40 prisons.
The organisation had grown to provide services to more people from many walks of life but hadn’t refreshed its messaging for some years and needed a simple message that could work for all audiences.
Fun, interactive workshops with a cross section of colleagues at the organisation, helped identify key threads of the messaging. This was then worked up to create new values, a new purpose – rather than vision and mission along with a simple tag line which was versatile and worked for all. Commissioners and customers alike responded positively to it. Colleagues felt it represented the work they do and are proud to use it. From the tagline all the corporate messaging and branding was developed.
Focus groups to cover the UK.
Staff from all levels of the business participated.
Additional online poll/survey responses collated.
“This was a complex project involving multiple stakeholders and events, it required diplomacy and creativity. The team handled all this brilliantly. They took all the feedback then developed messaging which works across the organisation and has stood the test of time.”
Director of Sales and Marketing, Prospects
by addacomma | Jan 29, 2020
Copywriting, Marketing, PR & Comms
Writing a website for women workers
Global Charity, ActionAid tasked Comma with copywriting a campaign website focused on women and work.
Copywrite campaign website along with news articles and downloads to promote a global campaign with two discrete but complementary parts. The first is to stop violence against women at work. The second is lift the burden of care and domestic responsibility that women face and make sure the state is providing public services which every citizen needs such as access to safe water, education and health provisions.
A new, clear, plain English campaign website which encourages visitors to take action to further the campaign.
In addition to the copywriting, Comma gave social media and campaign communication advice.
“Comma produced fantastic copy which took a complex message and simplified it so everyone can understand what our campaign is all about. They met our deadlines and gave useful advice too. We look forward to working with Comma again in future.”
ActionAid
by addacomma | Jan 25, 2020
PR, Comms, Marketing, Social Media, Design, Video
Campaign of Power for all
The Shaw Trust Power 100 is an annual publication containing the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK. It provides biographies of the top 100 along with feature articles and an interview with the person taking pride of place in the number one spot. It is unique in the UK and has become well known in the disability publication landscape.
Since its inception three years ago the publication has gone from strength to strength but the charity wanted to raise the game of the publication. The brief included creating a new look and feel, driving social media engagement and media relations.
The new look and feel was contemporary, with bold font choices, clean, clear text and graphic layout and utilising the colour purple, which is associated with disability.
Following the social media campaign, there were 5,700 mentions of The Shaw Trust Power 100 per month across platforms. In addition, there were 2,000 visitors to the website per month.
Media relations activity resulted in 116 published articles about it to a readership of more than 6.35 million. It was also featured on an episode of ‘The Last Leg’ TV programme to an audience of 1.73 million.
Mentions of The Shaw Trust Power 100
per month across platforms.
Visitors to the website per month.
Readership figures that saw the 116
published media articles about the list.
“The team helped Power 100 have its most successful year yet! The publication looks brilliant and substantial. The media and social media coverage was fantastic. I would love to work with the team again in future.”
Marketing Manager, Shaw Trust
