Bannatyne investing again????

Graham writes........what is TV's Dragon Duncan Bannatyne doing standing next to Tony Earnshaw (left) the founder of UK Commercial Cleaning and Supply. The company is based in Washington Tyne & Wear and started from the same humble roots that Duncan began his business from - Tony was a window cleaner, Duncan was an ice cream salsman. Tony now aims to follow in Duncan's steps and build up his business with the aim of being the biggest commercial cleaning firm in the UK. You can read about its services at http://www.uk-cc.co.uk/ But why is Duncan in the picture? More soon............

ITV offers excellent local opportunities

Graham writes.......a little gem of good news from the recession is the availability of much cheaper local TV advertising. ITV have been offering local businesses some excellent local packages. Although we are known as a PR firm, Recognition believes in a multi-media approach to marketing. Today I've booked a TV ad on ITV which will run for a business not normally associated with TV advertising. It will run in October on the Tyne Tees south transmitter. The deal is for one week, 30 spots, 20 seconds each spot at a total cost of £4880 plus VAT. The spots are a combination of peak and off peak time. Recognition will make the advert for less than £2k. We have only done this once, earlier this year to promote a fish and chip restaurant in North Yorks which was re-opening after a fire. The total cost to the client was less than £7k and when combined with our PR activity the business has done really well and has re-gained the level of trade it had before the fire. You can see the ad in the video box.

Sign of the times...but a client win!

Graham writes.......it is a sign of the times that Recognition's latest client is doing so well. Lee Demolition is part of the Lee Group based in Gravesend. The company is one of the UK's most successful demolition specialists and the terrible economy is generating lots of opportunities. The firms has won a hat trick of substantial new projects recently and specialises in the dismantling of chemical plants (lots of work due soon in the North East - sadly). We'll be sending material out about this excellent firm and its rags to riches owner David Lee, who left school before he was 16 and made his first fortune before he was 21. You can see more about Lee Demolition at:
http://www.leedemolition.co.uk/

Charities meet at Recognition

Frances writes........Recognition organised a special event for accountants Horwath Clark Whitehill. Charities from across the North East received welcome news that they could be eligible for Government aid according to charity expert Heather O'Driscoll. The Hardship Fund, announced in the Chancellor’s budget, will be available from the end of July. However, the fund has not received wide publicity leaving some smaller charities unaware of its existence. Invited guests were told of its benefits and how they would qualify for the funding which can be worth grants of between £50,000 and £250,000 for those charities earning more than £200,000. They must also be able to show that financial hardship is having a direct impact on their services.

Recognition's client in Panorama special

Graham writes......well done to Jamie Bentley of the Stephenson Group, a new client of Recognition. He provided expert testimony on a BBC Panorama special called "What's really in our food". Twice winner of the Queens Award for Export, Stephenson Group Ltd has customers all around the world. From its research and manufacturing facility in the north of England, the company's expertise embraces world-class products for industries as diverse as paper recycling, textile finishing, rubber anti-tacks and personal care products.y of Stephenson Group a recent new client in Leeds. You can see information about the programme here -http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lrjk4 - and I'll upload a video about Jamie's views later in the week....

Summer BBQ for a good cause

Frances and Graham write...... even in these difficult economic times it is important that businesses demonstrate some corporate social responsibility. Recognition Marketing and PR has adopted a North East charity to champion.

To launch our relationship with Stockton-based A Way Out (At Risk Woman And Youth Outreach), we teamed up with our client Arlington Financial to hold a summer barbeque.

The event was held at the Elwick home of Allan Cook, director at Hartlepool-based Arlington Financial. A Way Out, which helps vulnerable women and children, and its founder, Jessie Joe Jacobs, recently won the Bank of Scotland’s Social Entrepreneur of the year Award.

Singer Hayley McKay, from Darlington, performed at the event. It was attended by more than 60 people and we raised in nearly £300 from the raffle. It goes to show that corporate social responsibility can be fun!

Redcar's new 'vertical pier'

Graham writes......I was really pleased to attend the launch of the new Redcar seafront project. This £30 million scheme will revitalise the image of the entire town and commands widespread support. Its highlight is a new 'vertical pier', a tower at the seafront with a viewing platform. This will make the project a landmark site and, if properly promoted, will attraction attention around the country.