Word of mouth can be brilliant, but it can also sometimes bite

At Calvermont we spend a great deal of our time advising our clients on how best to engage with audiences. Whether it be community, media, partners or stakeholders - every. single. word. is. important. 

Our conversations and the way we talk about something shape our relationships, our understanding and our emotive response. The more someone knows, the less they are likely to get wrong. The less someone knows, the more they are likely to fill the void with misinformation. ‘Chinese whispers’ are real and sometimes they can bite.

Whilst a misinformed group or individual can become your biggest challenger, those informed can become your most powerful supporters. And this is where we at Calvermont have our sweet spot. 

We help our clients devise and place messaging across media and groups to boost recognition, reputation and support. We can do this even when there is a need for anonymity, as there was on a project recently…

…Due to the sensitivity of a protected site our client opted to remain private, but still wanted to reassure interested and invested parties. We stepped in on their behalf to ensure all information heard was accurate, placing ourselves as interim point of contact and achieving positive feature coverage and community support for the important site news.

That said, usually our clients are happy to front activity - which in most situations is our recommendation - to build personality and trust. In this scenario we regularly provide media training and lead community engagement activities to ensure our clients put their best foot forward in any interview situation, as well as everyday conversations too.

Get in touch for any messaging, crisis or PR management support at studio@calvermont.com

Entering the world of the Elizabeth line (Crossrail)…

Earlier this year we were approached by the multi-disciplinary design consultancy, Maynard Design Group, to support with communications and video for the announcement of their merger with TDC (Transport Design Consultancy).

This announcement marked Calvermont’s first major venture into the transport and railway industry, having worked with architects and designers on many placemaking and infrastructure projects previously. Coverage was secured with national press as well as placed in international media and key industry titles while the film continues to be streamed across the company's social channels.

Most recently we have worked with Maynard Design to promote their involvement in the Elizabeth line (Crossrail) as part of the core C100 design team leading on the wayfinding and some of the products along the line such totems and lighting, and were influential in the overall design of the underground tunnels.

Coverage was secured in national infrastructure, design and architecture press, with further opportunities coming up such as features in Monocle and Les Echos, and Managing Director Julian Maynard being a guest on The Urbanist Podcast to name a few.

Calvermont are proud to have a client who was so crucial in the success of the Elizabeth line. It has been great to see the initial designs come to life, having leafed through the original sketch books to seeing the real thing on the official opening day to the public. But nothing beats witnessing the passion from the team that worked on it since 2009. It is fascinating to understand the intricate crafting that went into every single detail, and why certain materials, design elements were used, and the eventual finish and desired effect they had in terms of customer experience.

With the former head of architecture Julian Robinson joining the team and another of their high profile wayfinding projects - Wimbledon Championships - making headlines over the next two weeks, we will be busy with plenty of content and that's not including the Australian & New Zealand studios who we look forward to meeting soon... watch this space...

A record press coverage day for Calvermont

Can you believe it’s nearly Christmas? October flew by here at Calvermont, and as well as experiencing the colder weather, we also experienced a record coverage day following the Chancellor's Autumn Budget announcement.

Our client Cluttons, a strategic property consultancy based in London, Oxford and Manchester, has experts across all real estate services, who watched the Budget with anticipation, waiting to provide their verdict on anything real estate-related.

Partners Raoul Veevers, Darren Zitren, Ryan Jones, Mike Hampton–Riddington, John Gravett and Ian Paton all had some insightful comments forecasting the impact of the budget on business rates, climate change, planning and connectivity.

It was a very hectic but successful day, with Cluttons’ comments being featured widely across national, business and property publications. Comments featured in The Evening Standard, the Daily Mail (three times!), Property Week, Yahoo, and sustainability title Edie, amongst many more. Safe to say, Cluttons were extremely happy with the coverage which had a combined reach of over 80million.

At the same time as the budget mayhem, we also placed a key appointment piece for our client Lateral Investment Management across the key property trades, making it an all-round success, and negotiated some corporate profile opportunities for the Government Property Agency.

We celebrated with a glass of wine (or three) in our local - The Barn!

It is Dying Matters Awareness Week, so lets talk about Hospice in the Weald

TODAY is the first day of ‘Dying Matters Awareness Week’, so we felt it was the right time to mention the outstanding work of our charity client hero, Hospice in the Weald.

Hospice in the Weald provides care completely free of charge to patients with terminal illness, their families and carers in West Kent and Northern East Sussex.

We first got to know the team in January 2021, when we were appointed to help promote the 'Right Now!' campaign to help relieve NHS bed-pressure created by the Pandemic and let locals know that they didn’t need to die alone in visitor restricted hospital.

Our campaign featured across BBC, KMTV and our key local papers, and we heard from a huge number who got in touch to let us know how they had personally touched or supported by the charity. The free care the dedicated team provide to our local community members at the end of their lives has an invaluable impact, not simply through access to medical support, but also in terms of mental wellbeing for all involved.

Funded predominantly by donations, Hospice in the Weald has been able to remain open throughout the pandemic and has helped over 1685 patients, alongside their friends, family and support networks, thanks to the tireless efforts of the team. It has been one of the only places in the UK where, despite Covid-19 restrictions, people have been able to see out their final days in quality accommodation, free of charge and surrounded by loved ones until the end. The difference this has made, and continues to make, to each and every patients and the families they leave behind is immeasurable.

Coupled with our love for the Hospice and everything they do, our Director Laura Gibson has her own story…

“Five years ago I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, an auto immune disease. It hurt to even walk. I went on a journey with various medications before finding one that worked and now, all this time later, I am regularly running long distances thanks to brilliant doctors and a bit of perseverance! When Team Hospice mentioned the London Landmarks Half Marathon 2021, it seemed the ideal opportunity to marry this new found strength with fundraising for an amazing cause. Like many, I have lost loved ones through the course of the pandemic and haven't been able to say goodbye in person and that is something that will stay with me forever. So I am running this for all those people lost, the people they've left behind and hoping to help the Hospice reduce such experiences for the future through donations and raising awareness of what they do.”

• If you want to donate, click here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lauravgibson

• If you want to learn more about the Hospice visit:https://www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk/

• If you have a relative or loved one that the Hospice may be able to support, get in touch directly on: 01892 820500

God bless.

Why NOW is the time to invest in your brand

It's been a tough year for pretty much every business going. Healthcare and construction aside, the majority of us have had to learn to work remotely, rely on technology, adapt to contracts being put on hold and accept that workers/contractors/suppliers and clients are not available like they used to be.

But out of that challenge has come opportunity and there has never been a better time to adapt, reimagine and reposition your business. And that means your brand.

A brand is not a logo, nor a strap line. It is the feeling and perception that all stakeholders have in association with your company. It requires cultivation and care, research and analysis, understanding of all stakeholders and drivers, precise strategies and careful implementation. 

As many of us wait eagerly for the various dates in April, May, June to start the roadmap to normality post-pandemic, the window is closing to make a real impact to your brand, your business and its goals with this 'new world' in mind.

What have we learned?

• Brand loyalty has increased for those that have communicated transparently, provided insight and intelligence for customers, and thought creatively about what their customers want - even if they cannot be physically present. This needs harnessing in the long-term.

• Flexibility is key. The value proposition of a brand or service needs to retain the power to adapt.

• Covid has accelerated changes, rather than necessarily created new ones. Those that have already invested in digital, wellbeing and connectivity will win, and those that haven't, should do and fast.

• Local engagement, communication and support has never been more important.

• Clear communication of messages and services are key. 

• Tone of voice is especially important. Now is not the time to be tone deaf to the major issues and concerns of businesses and the wider public.

What should businesses look to take forward?

• Now is the perfect time to take stock and implement change if you haven't done so already.

• Brands need to be clear, consistent and speak directly to heir target audience.

• Investment in brand in the short-term will pay off in the long-term.

• Take advice on tone of voice and the issues to be seen to stand for.

• Don't do anything half-heartedly - commit to an agenda and ensure it runs through all messaging, internal communications and activities.

• Engage with your audience proactively and responsibly - if you cannot interact physically with employees and customers, devise and implement a plan that will reach them and maintain their interest and engagement.

We work with businesses to gain a thorough understanding of ambition, targets and hurdles. We analyse perceptions and consider audience drivers, challenging and re-defining USPs to drive opportunity and results.

We deliver innovative brands that engage, inspire and last well into the future. We work fast and smart to ensure business change is effective and timing is optimised.

Think we can help you? Get in touch.

The bits of 2020 we want to remember

While for many reasons 2020 was a write off, Calvermont has spent the January dry season attempting to remember the good parts. So, before 2021 gets fully into swing, here are the moments we would like to remember from the last 12 months:

In January we launched a new website for our client Turkey Mill, showcasing its heritage and beauty with a modern twist. This was part of a wider brand campaign which is ongoing and aimed at raising profile of the business oasis, as the best place to work in East Kent. The new website is live here

In March we worked with Studio 44 to launch the corporate website for Greymoor Homes, an exciting homebuilder in Sussex & Surrey which builds semi-rural communities for families of all sizes. At the time of go live, the company had one development launched and a few more in the pipeline. Today the company has 12 sites at various stages. We remain super excited to see where this lovely business goes. The website can be found here

In May we project managed the first totally virtual public exhibition for our client Elysian Residences, who were seeking to obtain permission for a luxury 100 apartment later living development in Berkhamsted, Herts. The exhibition included a fully immersive virtual room, with boards, a model and an online chat facility. The feedback was excellent and we learned that we had received full consent in autumn 2020. You can still see the exhibition online here

In June and July, we started seeing more and more interest in local commuters wanting to take flexible office space nearer to home and our creative brains started getting excited about the campaigns we could embark on come Autumn. We began considering new office space for Calvermont around this time too and the lovely OfficeTribe on Mt Pleasant became a temporary home on occasion. We also quietly made the most of the summer weather with our growing tribe of Gibsons and Thornhill’s - despite being in various phases of social distancing. Check out OfficeTribe's space here - they are soon to be launching new offices on The High St/London Road.

In August and September, we launched a new firm to market called Triadic Labs, an innovative tech company that was focussing on delivering supercharged property viewings through its fully immersive platform that can be whitelabelled per development and experienced by prospective purchasers from the comfort of their own home. Working with the likes of Berkeley Group, the technology has received rave reviews with its real-time customisable feature and has elevated the sales strategy for off-plan property. Check out the showreel here - we predict big things for this company in 2021 and can't wait to support them on their mission to become the go to tech for house builders and architects.

In October we project managed a new film for Turkey Mill to showcase its beauty and to maximise the trend of small businesses and big corporates looking for smaller space outside of London. We had such fun filming and directing the showreel with one of our creative partners Zoomfilms. See what you think of the final version here This was also the month we re-welcomed Olivia back from maternity leave with the youngest Calvermont mascot Rex Marlo.

November was perhaps our favourite month of the year as we took our first proper office space at Town Court Farm, just off Bayham Road. We are delighted to share the business area with other talented local creatives, such as Jo Harris of Art by The Yard and Lucy Ames artist and marketing consultant. We also had several new projects on and kicked-off production of the new online Christmas shopping guide for Tunbridge Wells Together (the BID). The final version is available to view here , produced in partnership with fellow local creatives Studio 44, Ro&Co and David Hodgkinson. The website still includes links to buy online for all retailers, which has remained key in lockdown 2, 3, 4…(!)

In December, we supported the BID’s bigger-than-ever Christmas light switch-on and launched an important #TWWorks campaign to bring big corporates to Tunbridge Wells; alluring developers to create more office space, supporting local businesses, creating a wider talent pool of TW’s workers and driving footfall to the high street. Working in partnership with William Benson, chief executive of TWBC and Locate in Kent, we were lucky to have access to a number of brilliant local businesses such as Cripps Pemberton Greenish, Thomas Snell & Passmore, Southpaw, Logistics UK (formerly Freight Transport Association) to name a few. We also enjoyed more time with established friends Dandara, Childrensalon and Markerstudy. This campaign is still at its beginning and will run through 2021, but if you want to get involved, have a story to tell, or can take our survey visit www.tunbridgewells.works or get it touch.

Despite the pandemic gloom and an unusually quiet Christmas (bar the kids…), December did bring us some positive new client instructions which we are already busy working on. We look forward to telling you more soon…

Happy new year everyone x

Crisis: Coronavirus

We’re not scientists here at Calvermont and therefore won’t be commenting on the science behind the Government’s Coronavirus strategy <insert sigh of relief>,  but we have been watching their communications strategy(?) with interest. 

Aside from one or two 'Olivia Pope' (reference Scandal) style moments - with Boris personally fighting the virus, then having a baby boy (with matching hair) during the crisis - the delivery of information and guidance has led to some confusion amongst the nation. 

The 'stay home, protect the NHS, save lives' slogan was effective for the first few weeks, but the more recent changes have spurred cynicism at best and rule-breaking at worst. (Hairy Hackneyites, Brighton bathers, you know who you are…)

But how should a company or individual act in a crisis to maintain trust and support?

We’ve pulled together a few top tips:

• Lead by EXAMPLE: Be who you say you are and do as you want others to. (Try not to shake hands without gloves when asking others not to...)

• Be REALISTIC: Don’t over-promise or attempt to put a timescale on a crisis, as the very definition of the word crisis means it's not predictable. (PPE, testing kits, phases...)

• Be CONCISE: Explain your message carefully and with clear reason, or you risk your audience finding loopholes. With every unanswered question, more distracting questions are seeded. (Stay at home or stay alert, go to work or don’t go to work, see family or don’t see family...)

• Be CONSISTENT: Define your key messages and stick to them to help build understanding, then reiterate at all opportunities to build trust. (As above...)

• Be PERSONAL: Select just one or two key spokespeople to deliver messaging and any media briefings to build a human connection with your intended audience. (A crisis needs stability and empathy, rather than a line up of MPs who didn't quite get the top job...) 

So, hopefully that’s helpful and common sense prevails (lets face it, we need it) as we ‘stay safe, stay home, stay alert.’