Sarah Newton, Director of Penguin PR
Derby public relations firm Penguin PR says that a host of new clients picked up during the pandemic and increased demand from firms determined to “stay visible” during the downturn have helped it to enter 2021 on a high.
The company, based in Ashbourne Road, described 2020 as one of its busiest years yet, having successfully adapted to Covid-19 and picked up a steady stream of new customers in the second half of the year.
At the same time, it benefitted from seeking and creating new media opportunities for existing clients during the pandemic and increasing its own visibility on social media and elsewhere during the lockdown.
And it began working for a number of companies which were either set up during the lockdown or who became clients because they needed to change direction and required exposure in order to make their new ventures a success.
Among the new clients picked up during 2020 – and the beginning of this year – include fast-growing doughnut bakers Project D, postal gift company Colleague Box, Treetops Hospice, Invictus Communications and Aristotle Financial Planning.
Penguin PR also celebrated its 10-year anniversary last year, took on a new PR account executive, Emily Fish, and sponsored 10 penguins at Twycross Zoo.
Sarah Newton, Director of Penguin PR, said: “Like everybody else, we faced some big challenges in 2020 but it was by working through them that new exciting opportunities presented themselves and, by the end of the year, put us in a position that, back in March, we would scarcely have thought possible.
“In the end we were undoubtedly fortunate that we were able to flex under pressure and that we were able to secure our clients coverage by using the changing media landscape and news agenda to their advantage, especially since the consumption of news and web content went through the roof last year.
“That coverage helped them to stay visible at a time of great uncertainty while at the same time we are now serving a new breed of entrepreneur who have grown up with the internet and understand that having a strong online presence is a marketing necessity, not an added benefit.
“That has helped to give our industry a new lease of life and undoubtedly helped Penguin PR to prosper and evolve during 2020.”
Penguin PR was set up by former journalists Sarah Newton and Simon Burch in 2010 and now employs four people. It represents a wide range of companies, charities and schools across the Midlands, who enjoyed local, regional and media coverage, including air time on BBC One Breakfast news and GMTV.
Its services include media and digital communications, content creation, social media and crisis communication.
To find out more visit www.penguinpr.co.uk.
