HIGH STANDARDS SET WITH CMS ACCREDITATION RENEWAL
We’re excited to confirm the renewal of our CMS accreditation through the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA).
Receiving this accreditation is a great achievement and although we had actually gone through the same process 10 years ago and improved a lot since then, it was still a bit daunting to look through the entire business with a fine-tooth comb. Something we learned the first time was that it’s not about complying with someone else’s predetermined procedures, it’s about demonstrating you have properly thought through and documented your own. According to the PRCA’s register, there are only six CMS accredited agencies with offices in the Midlands and none in Newcastle upon Tyne, where we’ve recently opened a new office.
With such industry-specific criteria, CMS accreditation is described as ‘the hallmark of PR excellence’ so we are really pleased our hard work and growth continues to meet and even exceed expectations. We've also taken this opportunity to share this impressive picture of the city, taken by Ross Jukes (because it's a lot more interesting than a certificate).
BUILDING NEW CLIENTS
Reeves PR is proud to have started working with the Fortel Group on PR, Social Media campaigns and a brand refresh. Fortel is the UK’s largest supplier of labour to the construction industry and provides more than 2,000 workers to 130 plus sites. Other companies within the Fortel group include Sky Blue Solutions, which focuses on white-collar and rail labour supply, while Nexus provides facilities management services such as security and environmental hygiene. We have been appointed by Fortel to handle traditional press and media, as well as a company-wide refresh, helping them grow their brand identity and recognition as a leading voice within the labour and construction sector.
A ROADMAP FOR THE 'NEW NORMAL'
Leading workplace healthcare solutions provider healthcare rm has designed a risk assessment software to help businesses plan for employees returning to work.
The people-focused assessment takes into account specific risks such as age, underlying medical conditions and an individual's job requirements. It then provides a fitness to work certificate with each employee allocated to a ‘wave’ of return to work after lockdown.
To ensure this software is as accessible as possible, healthcare rm is charging at a rate of 50 pence per employee for companies with under 2,000 workers, and a volume-related discount will be offered to larger employers. For more information in this software, don’t hesitate to contact ost@healthcare-rm.com
PEN AND PAPER EQUALS PROGRESS
Specialist dyslexia school Maple Hayes took the step of issuing all schoolwork to pupils on paper as opposed to digitally to ensure nobody is left behind. Maple Hayes Headteacher, Dr Daryl Brown, made the decision in support of families that may be struggling to access the required technology at home for whatever reason. Recent figures released by the Institute for Fiscal Studies revealed that children in lower-income families are not able to spend as much time as those in higher-income families.
Dr Brown says that although issuing paper work to students does have its own challenges, supporting every pupil in both their education and wellbeing is the priority.
INTA UNLEASHES THE HIPER II
Leading heating and plumbing product manufacturer Inta has unveiled its latest HIU - the Hiper II.
The original Hiper proved a huge success for Inta, thanks to its compact size, practicality, reliability and value for money.
Benefits of the BESA tested Hiper II include its electronic PID control unit, which provides constant monitoring of the system and the Modbus communications system, which provides easy-to-understand feedback for users.
Stuart Gizzi, Director at Intatec, said: “The Hiper II takes the key features from that model and takes them to the next level, improving functionality and performance, helping both installers and their customers.”
ON THE FLY
It's peak seagull season, but I haven’t received a single ‘gift’ yet, which is a far cry from last year, when I’d take a change of clothes to work if I was going to take advantage of the sunshine on our balcony.
Whilst the Reeves PR Colmore Row office is only about 20 metres from Birmingham’s main civic square, our outdoor space seems to be the only place at that height for quite a distance that hosts human interaction. That might be why the seagulls, which last year nested on the roof of a building we overlook, are so offended anytime anyone dares to step out onto our faux turf terrace. But that was last year - over the winter, the building they nested on has been re-roofed, which has taken away all of the dirt, scraps and detritus they used to build the nest.
In the past few weeks of lockdown, I’ve been going into the office as a lone worker, not only in our office, but in the building. The construction noise from 103 Colmore Row, which is now up to its full 27 floors is tremendous.
However, none of the construction noise is as intrusive as the seagulls, who a month ago were squawking loud enough to communicate with their friends out at sea at the same time as three-dimensional roof art.
What’s on the back of our fire door looks less like art, and more like a toddler has been let loose with a bucket of brilliant white emulsion. Our fake owl deterrent isn’t deterring and the Eagle kite, which was meant to be the very pinnacle of ‘convincing’ real bird of prey threat, wasn’t getting airborne either. Have you ever tried flying a kite from a balcony the same size as a parking space? Trust me, it can’t be done. My improvised solution combined jumping up and down whilst vigorously waving a tea towel, (which was admittedly plucked from the laundry bag, having only narrowly avoided the bin). This method seemed to disperse the Gulls slightly, although they returned within moments with their friends to see the spectacle. I repeated this process every couple of hours until I realised that any onlookers might misinterpret what they saw. It would be very easy to imagine that someone’s Grandad had been trapped on a balcony and was trying to attract attention to get help. An hour after that thought and still no firemen had arrived, so I gave up with it. In the past couple of weeks, although the evidence of the birds is still prominent, the seagulls themselves are few and far between. Have they gone back to the sea? Or have they just had to move out of the city centre, because fewer people make for less mess, so there’s nothing for them to eat? In recent weeks, I’ve been not only the lone office worker, but also the lone cameraman and videographer too, revisiting some of the skills that I had before I had such a talented team to help, and before my video production talents were reduced to tripod and bag carrier. The Reeves seagull exploits have reached such dizzying heights that we’re expecting a TV report from our balcony in the coming days, which is going to be interesting to watch, from a safe distance. I’ll be glad when we can get back together on the balcony with our friends for the Friday drinks trolley, even if the threat of me being strafed by the urban wildlife removes one level of amusement. I did learn something new and slightly disturbing when I was researching for this piece. Ok, I googled ‘seagull’ and went to Wikipedia - did you know that Gulls have unhinging jaws which allow them to consume large prey? No, nor me, but I don’t think I’m at too much risk of being eaten or carried away by one. But at this stage, I’d happily accept personal targeted messages from the birds if it meant we could all get together out on the balcony again. Note to self, keep your hand over your drink at all times. It should be a criminal offence to waste wine. I look forward to being able to invite everyone out to enjoy the view and the wildlife spectacle. See you soon.
PR by Reeves Public Relations agency in Birmingham and Newcastle