May is one of my favourite months where new life and nature abound, so I’m delighted that my first time writing the Sharp Relations update is the May one!

After barely a month in my Sharp Relations seat – and what a hot seat it is – I can say that abundance is a very fitting theme for this month.  The agency is hitting new heights, fuelled by an exciting clutch of new client wins, a fabulous new member of the team, and recruiting for new positions to help us continue to deliver outstanding PR campaigns. 

New clients 

We’re fizzing with excitement to be working with English wine specialist CORKK!  Amy and Claire joined a CORKK virtual tasting to discover their offer and find out more about their brilliant subscription boxes, which are curated by Master of Wine Clive Barlow.  They make great gifts, and a subscription is ideal for anyone wanting to dive into the world of English wine and share in the CORKK joy of discovering English wine treasures. 

Next up, more bubbles, but this time of the soapy variety with a PR project for Kentish Soap Company launching their ethical facial bars and sustainable credentials. 

We’re also delighted to be working with Paley Farm, traditional livestock farmers, and online butchers in the heart of the Kent countryside, to help them boost consumer awareness of their delicious, sustainable, and ethical meat boxes. These contain a wide range of grass-fed meats, from pork ribs and lamb legs to their specialty cheddar- and herb-infused burgers, which are ideal for the BBQ season ahead. 

Hospitality is back with a bang! 

There’s certainly an air of optimism and a new energy since 17 May and the return of indoor dining, drinking and socialising in the hospitality sector.  At last!  At least we can all now take cover from the rain and wind! 

Claire took advantage of this momentous date and got Sharp Relations client Macknade on BBC South East, just prior to the re-opening of indoor hospitality, talking about everything they were putting in place to keep customers and staff safe. 

The whole team enjoyed attending the virtual Taste of Kent Awards, organised and hosted by Sharp Relations’ client Produced in Kent.  Congratulations to all the incredible winners – we are so proud to be part of Kent’s burgeoning food and drink community. 

Team news 

A fantastic new Account Executive, Klara Matusewicz, has joined the team to support our account managers Amy and Claire.  She is no stranger to Sharp and has already completed an internship here while studying for her degree in 2019.  Since then, she has been busy, bagging a first-class bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Kent and completing a six-month stint at a London PR agency.   

Originally from Belgium, Kent has found a special place in her heart and she has decided to make it her home – we can’t tell you how happy we are!  When not at her desk, she loves to read, wander round a farmers’ market, experiment in the kitchen, or play with her tornado-like Border Collie puppy, Kimber.  

Jo Rose, who has been with the agency since 2019, has become our Media Communications Manager, carving out a new role in the agency.  She brings her specialist expertise and contacts in the media world where she worked in women’s consumer magazines. Jo is our media pitch supremo snagging us the top pieces of coverage in the consumer press and making sure we know about all the latest media opportunities.  She is also our go-to for photography briefs and shoots. 

We are hiring 

With our recent growth and new client wins, we are now on the hunt for a brilliant new PR Account Manager who can hit the ground running and join our busy, fun foodie team.  You will have relevant experience and be looking to develop your career in PR and communications.  We offer very family-friendly flexible working hours.  Talk to us – we never know exactly who we are looking for until we find them. Please send a CV to Martin@sharprelations.com 

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PR Tips 

• How are those Christmas preparations coming along?  Have you got your photography planned?  Long lead glossy consumer magazines will be taking festive content from July so time is really ticking! 

• Celebrations are going to be big as social distancing restrictions are eased and everyone gets back to normal this year.  Think about how your product or brand can take advantage of families and friends catching up on a lost year of celebrations.   

Can you tell we’re excited about the future?  We have so many good news stories to tell about our incredible clients and we love sharing our experience and expertise with businesses looking for help with PR and brand-building.  Come and talk to us!  Let’s get off Teams and have a coffee and a chat indoors or out if the sun makes a comeback!  We’re ready when you are! 

Cheers! 

Clare x