FUTURE FOUNDATION FOUNDER JOINS B&B

Band & Brown Communications has appointed Melanie Howard, as a non-executive director to advise on a number of corporate and strategic projects for the agency and help future-proof the agency’s work.

Howard, co-founder of consumer think-tank the Future Foundation, has spent 20 years using social trend analysis to help businesses identify opportunities and develop new services. A longstanding associate of Demos, she is a Visiting Professor at Henley Business School and a business research fellow at Innovation RCA, where she advises on social aspects of design.
Commenting on the appointment Band & Brown’s managing director, Graz Belli said: “Over the past two decades, Melanie has helped to change the way that businesses think about and relate to consumers. In the 24 Hour Society, Future Foundation foresaw changes that are only now beginning to take hold.
“In a marketplace where social technologies are changing the terms of engagement between brands and consumers, Melanie’s input will give us a clearer view of the future and how it will impact the businesses we work for.”
Melanie Howard said: “With marketing communications in a state of flux due to the impact of the recession and the spread of social media, public relations as a science of influence through uncontrollable media is in a great position to grow its share of marketing budget. Band & Brown has a wealth of practical experience helping clients develop compelling stories that become talking points and I am delighted to be working with them in taking the lead in redefining the role and potential of public relations in the future.”

B&B BOOSTS SOCIAL WORKER RECRUITMENT DRIVE

Following the launch of a hard-hitting social work recruitment campaign, more than 40,000 people have registered to join the profession.
Band & Brown was tasked by The Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to overcome negative perceptions of social work as a career, fuelled by heavy criticism of the profession in recent months. The ‘Be the difference’ campaign was two-pronged: to recruit high calibre social workers to support children and families, and to raise the profession’s status amongst the general public.
B&B worked closely with key stakeholders including local authorities across England to deliver a far-reaching media relations programme. The campaign centred around real-life stories from social workers and the people they help to promote a positive image of a career in social work.
The PR programme formed part of an integrated advertising and direct marketing campaign. Seemingly ordinary household items including a kettle and bouncy ball illustrated how social workers apply their training, skills and expertise to everyday objects to make major breakthroughs with children and families.
B&B has secured more than 140 items of national, regional and trade coverage to date, including high profile pieces in The Times, Independent, Guardian, Radio 4, and Sky. Together with the integrated activity, the media relations has driven more than 315,000 unique visitors to the campaign website and generated over 17,000 calls.
Since the September launch, ‘Be the difference’ has attracted candidates with law, psychology, sociology and education backgrounds. Six in 10 potential recruits say they are seeking a career change, with around 10 per cent keen to swap the world of business for the rewards and challenges of frontline social work practice. Encouragingly, one in five enquiries have been from men.
For more information about becoming a social worker, visit the 'Be the difference' website or call the information line on 0300 123 1220.