freshbaked PR buck downturn in first year

Cardiff-based public relations agency freshbaked PR is celebrating its first anniversary with a flurry of new business wins.

The PR division of the freshbaked Group has not only weathered the economic storm of the last 12 months, but has gone on to develop strong foundations for further growth in 2009.

Despite the slowdown in the economy, freshbaked PR has performed well in its first year growing the size of the PR market in south Wales by introducing a host of new businesses to the discipline for the first time, as well as expanding the horizons and coverage for some of the more established businesses in the accountancy and legal sectors.

In addition to picking up new business wins with St David’s Polo Club, men’s retailer Hawkes Essentials, and award-winning SME SportStars in recent months, this boutique PR agency has now landed the PR account for the launch of the new Radisson Blu Hotel in Cardiff, after a competitive three-way pitch against established national agencies with a Cardiff base.

The first hotel of its kind in Wales, the Radisson Blu Hotel, which is part of The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world, will be the tallest and biggest hotel in Cardiff with 215 rooms and 21 storeys offering breathtaking views over the city, Cardiff Bay and the surrounding countryside.

Natasha Rhymes, director of PR and communications for The Rezidor Hotel Group, said: “Launching the Radisson Blu brand in Wales is a big step for Rezidor and we’re excited to be opening the first Radisson Blu hotel in Cardiff later this summer. We were looking for a Cardiff-based PR agency to work with us to build awareness of the hotel in the market place and freshbaked PR impressed us with their local knowledge, sectoral expertise and a number of unique ideas designed to help us make a statement in Wales. We’re looking forward to working with the freshbaked PR team as we prepare to open the doors to the new hotel for the first time.”

Headed up by Jonathan Hollins, freshbaked PR has made giant strides in the last year to help Welsh businesses harness the power of PR and the experienced team has quickly built a portfolio of over 20 clients including the South Wales Chamber of Commerce which Hollins fronted in the Cardiff region leading to the creation of Wales’ first ‘super chamber’.

Hollins said: “The last 12 months have been an exciting journey for freshbaked PR. The business community in south Wales has risen to the challenging trading conditions by recognising that reputation management is now more important than ever. Our talented team has been able to help steer our clients through a tough year, devising strategies that have kept them front of mind, especially when their competitors have been struggling or even closing.

“Over the past year, we have carved a niche in the competitive south Wales PR market place by targeting ambitious and growing companies and serving their needs with a personalised and intimate service, which has particularly appealed to those unfamiliar with the mysteries of media relations.

“Wales is a very different market to much of the UK, and the local and regional press still has a substantial influence on our opinions as consumers. I’m glad to report that more and more organisations are recognizing the importance of a regular local dialogue with their customers, customers who are shrewd enough to shun spin and reward honesty.”

Also celebrating her first year with freshbaked PR is Lyndsey Jenkins, Senior Account Manager and committee member of Chartered Institute of Public Relations Cymru/Wales.

Jenkins has been instrumental in winning and retaining new clients and driving forward the communications of the freshbaked Group that was this year ranked the 21st fastest growing company in Wales as part of the Fast Growth 50 awards.

Jenkins is looking to expand her team on the back of the new client wins, and will be working closely with Limegreentangerine, the graphic design and website arm of the Group to offer an integrated marketing services product to clients.

Providing a range of media and marketing solutions to organisations across south Wales, freshbaked PR sits alongside freshbaked Group’s other divisions – freshbaked Training, freshbaked Business, freshbaked Corporate and freshbaked Communications.