The January Update!
The new decade has started at an exciting pace for Sharp Relations. Unless you’ve been living in a media black-out you will certainly have heard about Thackery’s shock launch of its new 5-course Honesty Menu. Our phones are literally ringing off the hook (hence why this blog is 19 days late!). Last Friday, we had the honour of experiencing a sneak preview tasting of the menu, it was in-cred-ible. Such an innovative, inspiring and, quite frankly, enormously instagrammable experience that I’m going to have to go back with my husband. What makes it honest you ask? So, after experiencing what I would describe as an absolute culinary extravaganza, you are asked to simply ‘pay what it means to you’. Already this innovative concept has generated over 25 pieces of coverage capturing the interests of numerous national newspapers, radio stations and even TV’s Jay Rayner.
Meanwhile, in case you didn’t know January is now known as “Veganuary”, a time some people like to try making vegan swops, so for our ethical London-based cake client OGGs, it’s been a busy time with samples going out to around 80 different national writers, magazine editors, bloggers and influencers wanting to dip their toe in. There’s no stopping this brand, we’ve rolled straight into Veganuary following a festive period which saw the generation of 54 piece of coverage on their ethical mince pies alone – phew!
Other vegan options have been the incredible Edible Teas from Nim’s Fruit Crisps. If you haven’t yet tried them – do! Available currently on their website for the discounted price of £5 a box, personally my favourite flavour is the Pineapple and Kiwi, here’s the link – you’re welcome. Our health writers are calling in samples left, right and centre so you’d better be quick! And keep an eye out for Nim’s new Redlove Apple crisps, the perfect crimson beauties which are good for your heart in more ways than one.
Oast to Host has launched its game-changing flour range for home-bakers living with coeliac or gluten intolerance. But what we discovered is that it’s extremely hard to tell the difference. The new flour range is going down very well with cookery editors at the big food magazines, watch this space for more exciting news.
Lost Sheep Coffee has some very thrilling plans afoot with the business expansion very much underway. This brand’s growth has been extraordinary – with the 2019 launch of its air-tight compostable Nespresso compatible capsules – it’s generating a lot of interest from investors. We have a press release waiting in the wings so we’ll reveal more next month.
Macknade is gearing up for the Ashford Launch….more to follow on that very soon too.
And we are delighted to welcome Fallen Brewery back to the agency and its fantastic range of Scottish craft beers all inspired by the old Kippen railway station in which the brewery is situated. There’s a lot of exciting changes afoot for the brand and we’ll be sure to keep you updated. Such a gorgeous range and it gives me a chance to flex my beer tasting muscles again after judging the beer category for the Great Taste Awards last June.
And to the real heart of our business, our people, they make up the very essence of our little agency.
We have been really excited to welcome experienced Account Manager Claire Hernandez to the team, she started with us at the end of November and she has had to hit the ground running negotiating opportunities for clients across all media channels. Despite one of the busiest periods the agency has ever seen Claire has more than stood up to the challenge – proving her ability to take phone calls and type emails simultaneously – and already generating some absolutely fantastic opportunities for our clients in national newspapers and consumer magazines alike.
The awe-inspiring Katie Anderson continues to add value in everything she does, from updating the website, to keeping client coverage books looking awesome, to driving our social media to spotting the latest trends, blog writing, idea generation and much more.
We are also very pleased to welcome the very talented Klara Matusewicz a final year Marketing Communications undergraduate from the University of Kent, she is already adding so much value to the team, not least for her incredible knowledge of the Microsoft package, welcome Klara!
We were certainly sad to say “adieu” to the lovely Jo Rose as she set off on maternity leave at the end of December. We are sending her all the good vibes and excitedly awaiting news of her newest arrival. And we are very much look forward to welcoming her back later in the year.
As for me, I’m ever grateful that Aber – the office dog – takes me for a fresh air mindfulness walk every lunchtime.
AJ x
