Milk & Honey PR

Welcome to the Hive, Ava Jafarmadar! We're thrilled to have Ava join the Milk & Honey US team! To celebrate her first day, we indulged in some delicious affogatos. It's the perfect sweet start to what we know will be an amazing journey together. Ava, we’re excited to see all the great things you’ll bring to the team. Here’s to a fantastic first day and many more to come! #WelcomeToTheTeam #NewHire #TeamMilkAndHoney

Years ago, when I was a PR consultant, I was tasked with writing a speech for a client in the payment industry. It was about the convenience the payment tool would bring to users and businesses. I researched, sat down with the speaker to learn about the subject and learn about them as a person, read every piece of article and paper I could find on the topic, called up my journalist friends who wrote about the subject (all very laborious because you know... no internet or AI back then). Long story short - I drafted a speech that the client loved and signed off on. But their speech didn't meet with a lot of enthusiasm when it was delivered. When surveyed, the audience acknowledged that while the speech was very informative and offered a lot of insights and use cases, the delivery could be improved. These days, we all talk about the importance of powerful storytelling. While it does play a critical part, we have to admit that a memorable speech is as much as it is about the words as the non-words. That's why Michelle Obama's impassioned speech at the DNC 2024 was so incredibly mesmerising to watch. I noted eight ways she made her speech so rousing... have a read and let me know what you think. 🔺 If you're a business leader seeking to build or enhance your #reputation or credibility, or need help crafting your #communication assets tailored to your audiences, DM or email me at [email protected] for an exploratory chat.🔺 #speech #MichelleObama #publicspeaking #storytelling #DNC2024

🚀 The importance of reputation. A couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with the CEO of a VC who asked me what his portcos should do differently when building their brand reputations. This question came up as we've both observed and agreed that most startups don’t do this very well. There are various reasons why this may be the case… from underestimating the importance of building and nurturing brand reputation… that this is important only when they’re at a later stage… that it’s not a priority due to lack of funds… to simply not having the time to focus on this, etc. So here’s what I shared with this CEO… Every startup, no matter which stage it is at, need an integrated and holistic communications strategy. This is especially so for startups that are planning to raise funds and when they are expanding to new markets. Building brand reputation takes time, resources, patience, investment and discipline. Simply put, building brand reputation that consistently resonates with diverse audiences and stakeholders is a full time job… it’s not something you can hurry or just “wing it”. For real. A strong communications strategy ensures consistent, clear, and compelling messaging that are needed to build and nurture reputations: 1️⃣ Building and establish the startup as a CREDIBLE and TRUSTWORTHY entity in the eyes of investors. This involves clear and consistent messaging that aligns with the company’s vision, mission, and values. This also reminds them that what they claim should be translated into their actions. 2️⃣ Ensure that the startup's message is tailored to different stakeholders (e.g., investors, customers, partners). This approach increases the RELEVANCE and IMPACT of the communications, making it more likely to resonate with potential investors. 3️⃣ Investors are not just interested in numbers; they want to know the story behind the startup. A communications strategy helps in crafting a COMPELLING NARRATIVE that speaks about the startup's unique value proposition, market potential, growth and GTM strategy. 4️⃣ Ensures that the startup’s messaging is CONSISTENT ACROSS ALL COMMUNICATION CHANNELS – whether through website, social media, media engagement, investor pitch docs, job portals, in-app copy and communications, partner newsletters or new business presentations. This consistency reinforces the startup’s brand and message, making it more memorable to your range of audiences. 5️⃣ Have a well-planned and ready-to-go CRISIS COMMUNICATION STRATEGY, ensuring that the startup can effectively manage any negative publicity or challenges that arise, thereby protecting its reputation and investor confidence. As Warren Buffett very succinctly said in the video below, “We can afford to lose money, even a lot of money. We cannot afford to lose reputation, even a shred of reputation.” “It took us 37 years to get there but we could lose it in 37 minutes.” What do you think? #communication #strategiccommunications #brand #reputation #startup

Madison Boyce has joined the UK Hive as a Client Assistant this month 🐝 She spent July learning all there is to know about Milk & Honey PR as our summer intern and we are delighted to announce that we have made it official!  Whilst studying at Durham University, Mads was an avid listener of our Untick the Box podcast and was inspired to apply by sending an email selling herself to our founder and CEO Kirsty Leighton. She started with us just two days after graduating, making her a fresh face on the PR scene. Welcome to the team! #NewJoiner #PR #GraduateOpportunities

We're buzzing with excitement to welcome Keaiana Talbot- O’Riordan to the UK Hive as our newest Client Executive! 🐝 Keaiana brings nearly two years of PR experience, with a specialism in B2B tech. Her impressive portfolio spans multiple sectors including gaming, broadcast, VFX, animation, cybersecurity, telecommunications, enterprise tech, and fintech. But that's not all – Keaiana is also a passionate advocate for diversity, equality, and inclusion (DE&I). She'll be a key player in our DEI&B initiative, with a special focus on neurodiversity. We're thrilled to have her unique perspective and dedication to fostering an inclusive environment. Join us in giving Keaiana a warm welcome to our hive. Here's to sweet success together! 🍯 #WelcomeToTheHive #MilkAndHoneyPR #PRProfessional #DEIAdvocate #TechPR #NewHire

How can CFOs reap the rewards of on-demand pay and decrease stress? Our very own Rebecca Baker has the answers! Becca shared with Raconteur | B Corp™ that supporting the financial wellbeing of employees should be a priority for every CFO. If financial problems are not addressed, they can quickly affect employees' and companies' productivity. Congratulations, Becca, we love your insights! Check out the full article here: https://ow.ly/5hsS50T12cs #CFO #Finance #Wellbeing #FinancialWellbeing #EmployeeWellness #Productivity #FinancialStress #OnDemandPay

Happy Hive-iversary!🐝 Today marks a year since we moved into our new global HQ at Battersea Power Station! The year has been jam-packed with exciting client wins, new hires and awards, and we are so excited to see what the next 12 months holds. To mark the milestone we came together to celebrate and play a game of rounders! This was made a Milk & Honey tradition upon our move and it has been so nice to see the whole team all together. Here’s to another milestone! #PRAgency #Bcorp #Battersea #Communications

🎉 What a buzzing July it's been at Milk & Honey PR! From launching our brand-new newsletter, The Buzz, to celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and welcoming amazing new team members—the hive has been thriving! 🐝✨ We're thrilled to have won an award, attended the book signing of our very own Lewis Oakley for his insightful new book, Bisexuality the Basics, and crowned our July Honeypot winner! 🍯🏆 Cheers to a month full of achievements, growth, and honey-sweet moments. Onwards and upwards in August! 🚀💛 👉 Sign up to receive "The Buzz" here: https://ow.ly/clpZ50SVXuI #PRAgency #JulyHighlights #TheBuzz

Milk & Honey’s dynamic duo have a double feature in PRWeek! 🐝 Our founder and Group CEO Kirsty Leighton and our UK MD Kathryn Myers have offered their insights on trading in July 2024. Seeing two of our leaders being asked to contribute to industry discussion in the same article is truly inspiring and we love to see it! July has brought some fantastic client wins for Milk & Honey PR and the team are jumping into a busy month of onboarding in August. Additionally, we have some exciting new prospects to hear back from, so this summer looks promising! For a well-rounded view of the industry happenings in July read the article linked here: https://ow.ly/Js3V50SUIFw #PRWeek #Leadership #PR #PRAgency #London

Earlier this year, I read "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things", a really insightful book by William McDonough, an architect, and Michael Braungart, a chemist. They highlighted the challenges in the traditional design and manufacturing processes, as well as why and how they advocate for a sustainable approach to design that mimics nature's cycles, where waste becomes a resource. In an era of convenience, abundance and excess disguised as choices and options, I find these themes to be even more critical now than when the book was first released 22 years ago. Here are eight takeaways from the book to pique your interest: ✅ Waste equals food - The central idea of the book is that waste should not exist in nature. Products should be designed so that, at the end of their life cycle, they can be returned to the earth as a nutrient or re-enter the industrial cycle as a valuable resource. ✅ Shift the perspective of waste – from being a problem to being a resource. ✅ The power of design –Designers have the power to transform industries and societies by creating solutions that are environmentally and socially responsible. ✅ Lifecycle thinking - The entire lifecycle of a product is essential for sustainable design: from raw material, supply chain, to disposal or reuse. Products should be designed to be easily disassembled, allowing components to be reused or recycled effectively. ✅ Eco-effectiveness vs eco-efficiency - “Being less bad is no good”, ie being eco-efficiency, which focuses on minimizing harm, is not enough. Instead, eco-effectiveness, which focuses on creating positive impacts, should be the goal. ✅ Respect diversity - Designs should respect biodiversity and cultural diversity; ie products and systems should be adaptable and suitable for local environments and cultures. ✅ Innovation through imitation of nature - By observing natural processes, designers can create systems that are efficient and sustainable. ✅ Intentional design – "Design is the first signal of human intention.". It’s important that design incorporates a clear purpose and understanding to the entire lifecycle of the product. ✅ Quality vs quantity: Quality should be prioritized over quantity in product design. Well-made products are more durable and sustainable. This book challenges the industry to rethink the way products are designed and manufactured by drawing inspiration from nature's cycles. By prioritizing eco-effectiveness, diversity, and intentional design, the systems created are not only sustainable but regenerative. Ultimately, designers, manufacturers, and consumers play a harmonious role in a future where waste is eliminated, and growth is positive and beneficial for our planet. #goodread #circulareconomy #intentionaldesign #productdesign #sustainability #innovation #regenerativeeconomy #cradletocradle #impact #PR #communications