Blog archive
Another award win!
Just wanted to share some great CubanEight news! Last night we won another PR industry award – we were awarded Best Small Consultancy at the Golden Hedgehog awards! We were shortlisted against five other great PR agencies across the South, including London, Wales and the Midlands and so the competition was tough. So Rachel and I were so pleased to hear our name called out as the winner last night! It is a great accolade to receive these awards, particularly as a growing business and it’s a real testament to the work of our great team, Annabel and Siobhan, and the support we get from our clients. And we couldn’t be prouder!!!
By Sian 29th March 2012
Obsessed with Pintrest
There is a new social network on the scene, and I have to admit that I for am becoming slightly obsessed with it.
Pintrest is an online pin board – you can pin images you like from around the web on to your own boards, and follow other people’s board that interest you. So I’ve created a board of delicious looking food for example – where I’ve pinned tasty looking treats I want to try from around the web, and also uploaded some of my own baking attempts.
What Pintrest does really well, is let you record something that you might want to try later. Images you pin will link directly back to their original source (or at least they should) so if you find a great DIY craft idea you can pin the finished article to your board, and this will allow you to easily find the instructions when you do come to make it.
Pintrest is still in its early days, but judging from the amount of buzz it’s getting, I think it’s going to be around for a long time. As with every social network, it’s going to be really interesting to see how brands and marketers start to use it to connect with their audiences in an ever changing digital landscape.
With so much online, Pintrest is a creative way to navigate online, letting users find, share and enjoy some of the wonderful stuff the web has to offer. Happy pinning!
By Annabel, 27th February 2012
Our work with First Utility in PR Week
Our work with First Utility, helping them to challenge the UK energy status quo has been featured in PR Week today!
Gearing up for Mobile World Congress
We’re getting very excited in the CubanEight office as Mobile World Congress, the world’s largest mobile industry conference and exhibition approaches. Held from 27th February to 1st March in Barcelona, the show brings together mobile operators, device manufacturers, app developers and technology providers from across the world.
This year three of our clients are exhibiting at the show – CoPilot Live the leading satnav app, Guardian24, which provides lone worker safety solutions on mobile devices, and BuzzCity a mobile advertising network. So we are busy finalising press packs and stories, and are currently in the midst of confirming media appointments at the show.
With mobile technology continuing to play such a crucial role in how we live and communicate we can’t wait to see what new developments come out of the show this year.
By Annabel, 17th February 2012
New client news
Some exciting news..! We have been appointed to handle the full PR brief for Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership, as announced in our industry magazine PR Week today. Our appointment follows a competitive pitch against three other agencies.
The brief includes promoting the work of the Enterprise Partnership to its varied stakeholders and partners at a national, regional and local level, plus communicating the successes of the organisation and the role it plays in developing the economy of Northamptonshire.
It’s an exciting project and we’re really delighted to have won the work. Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership is one of 38 organisations in the UK that has been awarded Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) status by government since October 2010. LEPs are playing a key role in helping to promote grass-roots economic recovery, bringing together local authorities and the private sector to lead local economic priorities and undertake activities to drive economic growth and the creation of local jobs. The campaign is off to a great start with various activities planned to support key sectors such as the county’s thriving High Performance Technologies sector which has spun out of the area’s motorsports expertise. Watch this space for more updates on the campaign through the year.
By Rachel, 20th January 2012
The first week back in the office is nearly over….however 2012 has got off to a flying start for CubanEight with news that we have been shortlisted for Small Agency of the Year in the Golden Hedgehog Awards 2012. The standard and number of entries was extremely high so we’re thrilled to have made it down to the final six. The awards evening is in March and our fingers are already crossed.
This week, Rachel also shared some of her expertise in Features Exec’s first PR interview for 2012, giving her views on everything from the relationships between PR professionals and journalists through to the three people she would most like to invite to dinner! If you want to take a look click here.
It’s already been a busy start to the year and we’re looking forward to another exciting year!
By Sian, 6th January 2012
Happy Christmas from CubanEight!
After a busy and productive 2011, the team at CubanEight are now looking forward to the holidays. The office will be closed from this afternoon and re-opening ready for 2012 on Tuesday 3rd January.
We’re wishing everyone a very happy Christmas, and look forward to seeing you next year!
By Rachel, 23rd December 2011
The DSA on BBC Breakfast
We finally got round to putting up some Christmas decorations in the office last week and together with a few some mince pies, we’re all starting to get into the festive spirit.
But for the time being it’s business usual as there’s still lots to do before Christmas, not least wrap up a few last pieces of client work which we’ve been working on recently. The week got off to a fantastic start with one of our clients, The Direct Selling Association (DSA), appearing on BBC Breakfast.
The DSA is the trade body that represents the direct selling companies in the UK, with members including the likes of Avon, Amway and The Pampered Chef. The piece focused on the DSA’s annual survey which showed a rise in new types of people getting involved in the industry, such as men, couples and the over 50s – illustrating how, despite a tough jobs market, many people can successfully embrace direct selling.
You can see the full clip here and for more information on direct selling please visit http://www.dsa.org.uk/
By Annabel 14th December 2011
It’s been another busy week in the CubanEight office, one which started with some amazing news for one of our clients, First Utility. This weekend they were included in the exclusive Sunday Times Fast Track 100 in an incredible 21st place.
First Utility have been with us since we set up over two years ago and, after working with them to put together the relevant information for the Fast Track 100 team, it is great to see them achieve such well-deserved recognition for their hard work and efforts.
We have watched First Utility grow over the last few years and have worked with them as they have gone on to achieve their position as the UK’s leading independent energy provider. We want to pass on our congratulations to First Utility and look forward to more success stories in the New Year.
We’re now getting into the spirit of the festive season and getting ready to put up the Christmas decorations!
By Sian 9th December 2011
What a week!
A brand new website, a new office and to round it all off, we went on to win an award on Friday evening! CubanEight was announced as the winner of the Outstanding Small Consultancy category at this year’s Chartered Institute of Public Relations’ (CIPR) PRide awards.
The awards recognise excellence in PR and communications across the UK and having won the Silver award in the same category last year, we were particularly excited to win Gold this year.
Judges comments included: “This agency showed great growth during tough times. Their performance was highly impressive after just two years of trading. This business delivers excellent service standards to its clients. Campaigns have been highly creative and achieving great results. Their new business performance has been outstanding. This is a well-directed business that knows where it is going.”
The event was hosted by BBC and ex-Big Breakfast presenter Phil Gayle, who was a fantastic compere and certainly one of the most memorable hosts of recent years. As well as Phil, we were also delighted to host Oxford Times Business Editor Andrew Smith on our table on behalf of the CIPR.
Needless to say, we celebrated in style and had a great evening. Hopefully it’s the sign of more awards to come!
By Rachel 28th November 2011
A new era!
Welcome to our blog! Today marks an important day at CubanEight – not only has our brand new website gone live but we have also outgrown our existing office at the Cherwell Innovation Centre and we are moving on up to a bigger space! When we started CubanEight back in June 2009, even though our initial office here at the Centre was just enough for myself and Rachel we still insisted on painting one of the walls our CubanEight green….and this tradition has continued as we have moved up and around the Centre..have a look at us moving in to our new space today. One of the main reasons for us needing more room to breathe is the expansion of the team due to the roll of new business that we have won! All very exciting and with the website now revamped it feels like the beginning of a new era for CubanEight!
By Sian on 25th November 2011
