Small business advice

When I grow up, I want to be…

Source:

Source: Daily Mail

Don’t worry I’m not going to add a Pussycat Dolls video.

What career did you want to have when you grew up? Have you realised your dreams? My first memory of a chosen job was that I wanted to be a hairdresser. I loved the idea of making people feel better about themselves and its also a very sociable job. If you’ve not gathered by now, I love to chat! But it was during a trip to Granada Studios (remember when they used to be based just off Deansgate?) where my eyes where opened to the wonderful world of media. I don’t know why but out of the group of children and parents I was picked to ‘read the news’. It was an amazing experience and definitely lit the fire for a career in communications. The other thing I liked about the media was their desire to be the first to do stuff we shouldn’t be shocked by, but it was a big moment when the first black kiss occurred in 1968 or seeing a gay couple on TV. It’s saddening to hear that the creative/arts industry has taken such a knock due to coronavirus.

RSC Artists speak up. #BlackLivesMatter

But what is marketing communications really all about?

“Marketing communications includes advertising, promotions, sales, branding and online promotion.[3] The process allows the public to know or understand a brand. Successful branding involves targeting audiences who appreciate the organisation's marketing program.”

(Wikipedia)

To me quite simply it’s all about being where your customer is, with the technology we now have at our fingertips this can be done in many different ways. There’s no denying that digital has overtaken many other media formats and you can see the attraction due to its accountability which is difficult to achieve from more traditional media. But a multi-media approach is still important that’s why I pride myself on being media neutral. The right plan for a client is dictated by many factors budget/objectives the list is endless.

I’ve said many times that media consumption is so much more fragmented now than it was in the halcyon days (for media planners) of the 80s I talk about it in more detail here. The plethora of outlets available now not to mention ad avoidance on subscription channels such as Netflix has made a marketeers job much trickier. But when it’s done well, it can be amazing.

I’m really enjoying Just Eat’s campaign at the moment with Snoop Dogg; an excellent execution which works well across different media. I’d love to know how much it cost to get Snoop to be involved (I may need to Google that later).

Paradoxically, I was saddened to hear the news that Bauer has made the decision to close down nearly 50 of their local radio stations and rebrand them to Greatest Hits Radio. I still feel there is a place for truly local radio in our ever changing media climate. Capital Manchester’s drive time show is testament to that with a significant increase in listeners according to the latest RAJAR. During the coronavirus outbreak I think radio has more than proven its worth. Keeping our spirits up during a particularly difficult time and providing an instant source of information.

With all that has happened in the world of late we’ve had an opportunity to self-reflect. There are many negatives and I think its going to be sometime before we get back to ‘normal’ both economically and emotionally. But I feel this is a great opportunity for us to reset, change our priorities and follow our dreams. I am genuinely passionate about what I do and helping businesses realise their true potential. We’re not out the woods yet but drop me an email if you want to chat I’d love to hear from you kiesha@iconmarketingcommunications.co.uk

Mum’s the Word for Business Success

It may only be in its first trimester, but 2019 is already a boom year for ex-radio presenter and mum-of-two, Kiesha Humphreys who is celebrating her fourth year at the helm of Icon Marketing Communications Ltd. In that time, Icon, a specialist marketing consultancy based in Wilmslow, has been responsible for a number of SME business success stories across Cheshire and Manchester.

Kiesha HumphreysPhoto credit: Senem Peace Photography

Kiesha Humphreys

Photo credit: Senem Peace Photography

Kiesha explains; “I set up the business after the birth of my first son, and Icon is an anagram of his name, Nico. I’d been working at a senior level at a large advertising agency in Manchester, and while I was on maternity leave it struck me that there is a gap in the market for a reasonably priced and flexible marketing resource, in the area.”

Kiesha has first-hand experience of smaller businesses approaching large agencies and being put off by the cost. She says, “Bigger organisations can be a bit intimidating to smaller businesses – especially when they only need a one-off marketing facility or a bespoke marketing service.”

While larger organisations often don’t see the immediate potential in helping businesses when they’re starting out or are at the ‘expansion phase’, Kiesha seizes the opportunity to put her big agency knowledge and international marketing expertise to the test.

“For the past 15 years I’ve worked in the UK and South East Asia. In this time, I’ve seen the communications climate change dramatically – and it still is changing, year on year”.

In tandem with her ‘day’ job as a Business Development Manager for upmarket restaurant chain, Gusto, Kiesha honed her communications skills as a regular Radio Presenter for Cheshire’s Silk 106.9, BBC Radio Manchester and Capital (formerly Galaxy 102). It meant she had her finger on the pulse of all kinds of media. “I’m a natural-born communicator,” she says, “I was increasingly drawn to digital channels and I could see that the major draw of digital is its level of accountability and significant ROI”.

Photo credit: Jonathan Farber

Photo credit: Jonathan Farber

As well as running Icon, Kiesha has spent the last year completing her Google Ads certifications and working on SEO projects with a number of clients.

Kiesha continues; “There is still a need for an integrated marketing communications strategy to support and strengthen the digital aspect, including PR, events and traditional print and radio advertising”.

Kiesha says; “While we’re based in Wilmslow, we often work from The Workspace in Handforth, a beautiful co-worker environment that has flexible terms – it’s great for businesses who want to collaborate. We work with businesses of all sizes to provide one-off support or ongoing marketing management (across the mix) in and around Manchester and Cheshire. We create tailor made packages in line with our clients’ budgets or we can offer bespoke solutions to suit their needs.”

The Workspace Handforth Meeting RoomPhoto credit: Compton Harry Photography

The Workspace Handforth Meeting Room

Photo credit: Compton Harry Photography

It’s not every day a company can benefit from marketing experience of the kind Icon can deliver, without the international agency price tag. With so many success stories under her belt – and plenty more waiting to happen, Kiesha is more than happy to spread the good news.

For more information visit www.iconmarketingcommunications.co.uk .

To celebrate its fourth year. Icon Marketing Communications Ltd is offering all readers a 1 hour complimentary marketing consultation. For more details, please contact Kiesha on kiesha@iconmarketingcommunications.co.uk or call 07979940526.

The Workspace can be contacted on 01625 522209 or via email info@theworkspace.uk

For more information visit www.theworkspace.uk.