Five years ago, when John Rivett and Dominic Shales decided to set up Paratus Communications, an incredible thing happened – not only did they pioneer bespoke PR on a national level, but they also created the UK’s first ever ‘true’ regional media relations network. Here’s some history…
“So, I’d like to have experienced PR consultants on the ground in the UK’s top 50 conurbations please, where can I find such a solution?”
Until reMnet, the regional media relations network from Paratus Communications was set up five years ago, you couldn’t find such a thing.
It’s ‘bonkers’ to think that a country with arguably the most powerful media set up in the world didn’t have a PR agency solution that truly serviced the regions.
So, in combination with its national offering (and now international offering), Paratus created reMnet which has provided local and regional PR support for some of the UK’s leading brands and organisations including: B&Q, AXA, Orange, Sainsbury’s, Costa Coffee, The FA, The National Lottery, Big Lottery Fund, The Drinkaware Trust, Mercedes-Benz and a host of others.
The way reMnet works is quite simple.
Under the direction of the central team based in London, an army of senior, independent PR consultants located in all the major hubs around the UK carry out PR in the ‘patch’ they know like the back of their hands.
This provides a number of benefits for clients, including:
- Tight central management, ensuring every piece of activity is on message / brand
- True local reach, with the members of the network creating and deliering ideas that work for their media
- Results that deliver impact – local news is still the most important type of news for the UK consumer and the reMnet team does that better than any other service in the UK
As we like to say: “Would you rather have 150 press releases sent from one person based from office in London to every spot in the UK? Or would you prefer 15 consultants, creating bespoke activity in different parts of the UK, controlled by a senior management team,generating real results?”
We think, the answer is pretty simple.
reMnet: The right people, the right places, the right price.
The regional revolution
From the specialists of regional PR in the UK – reMnet:
Who am I?
- I’m the 3rd most popular UK paper on Twitter (only the Guardian and FT have more followers)
- My web traffic was up nearly 30% in the last 6 months
- I have a Facebook page so popular that I had to create my own social network site
I am The Plymouth Herald and I am the future of regional media.
Rewind…
Apologies if that introduction took you by surprise, not my intention.
I just felt obliged to tell you why me and my fellow regional media outlets feel more optimistic about the future than you might think.
You might find that even more surprising than my opening remarks given all the gloomy reports bandied about of late.
Job losses, papers being closed and circulation figures falling seem to be the only things we’re linked to.
But, regional media is still the most widely consumed in the UK.
Surveys also reveal that consumers have a special emotional bond with their local media and trust it more than any other, vital in the age of reference not deference.
More not less…
Why don’t you take a look at how we’re actually reaching more people than ever before via:
ThisIsPlymouth.co.uk – 225,000 Unique Visitors Per Month
Tailored Twitter Feed – Nearly 7,000 Followers
YouTube Channel
Facebook Page 5,000 Friends (the limit)
iHerald – the bespoke social network
The full list of channels from the Plymouth Herald can be found on the main website.
The landscape’s changed, but the hunger for local news hasn’t.
Long live local.
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This blog was not written by anyone connected with The Plymouth Herald but the facts and stats are real, collated and researched by the dedicated regional media relations network from Paratus – reMnet.
Find out more about reMnet by clicking here.
