Hello hello there!
March Madness
Where to start? We should be used to this by now, but Spring has sprung. We start the year knee-deep in planning, February disappears in the blink of an eye and then hey presto, March madness appears.
Events are back in full swing, spinning the plates of new business enquiries is a job in itself, and then as I’m one never to rest on my laurels, we have training and agency planning sessions to schedule in.
Projects this month have included everything from the unveiling of a new £15m showroom for a client, to a partnership with JOE.ie that reached 350,000 people in just two weeks, including almost 30,000 people participating in the weekly joe.ie quiz! Not forgetting our first-ever pieces of coverage in Scottish Farmer and Agriland.co.uk for a pedigree cattle sale in a Co Down Estate and multiple award entries for clients.
We held an agency planning morning, attended a special awards event at Hillsborough Castle and I was honoured to be asked to judge the inaugural PR Week People and Places Awards.
It starts with an idea
So many times when I look back at what we’ve delivered for clients, it started with an idea. A good idea. Over the years, this has been a true strength of the agency. My creative brain can be a challenge at times, but like everything, there are certainly many gains - including a never-ending supply of new thinking and ideas.
A few weeks ago, an idea that we discussed back in Jan for a client became a reality. From the initial idea to planning, outreach, scheduling, filming and the final edits, a new YouTube series is now live. Episode 3 has just aired and I’m so proud of what the team has produced.
For our client, they gain from the introduction of a totally new concept, benefit from rich content that has huge potential to grow in popularity, growing their audience through affiliations with the featured guests, and giving audiences another reason to visit their website.
I can’t wait to see how this series develops. The challenge for both the client and us is to stick with it, not become obsessed with the numbers, build on marginal gains, and give it the time it deserves to deliver – check out the series here: https://homesni.com/behind-closed-doors
In the business for new business
A big learning from last year, that I always need to remind myself of, is the need to have an ‘always on’ mentality for new business. To not get consumed by the current workload and always leave capacity for working on and embracing new business.
From the frustrating and often bewildering process of tenders (thank goodness for Sinead and her love of processes and paperwork) to open-ended briefs for FMCG brands, we must have responded to well over ten new business briefs in the last four weeks, and that’s not to mention new business enquiries for fetch Ireland - our micro-influencer platform that seems to attract lots of interest from brands outside of the UK and Ireland, as well as local companies.
Did we win them all… no! And thank goodness for that as delivery and quality for our current clients is paramount.
And I’m a big believer in that what we didn’t win, wasn’t for us. But we did secure several really exciting new pieces of work which fit our experience, expertise and ambition.
Time to get LEAN
In the midst of everything else, Sinead and I have been studying the concept of LEAN - based on LEAN manufacturing principles, it puts the customer at the heart of everything we do. I’m part of a book club of entrepreneurs who are deep-diving into the principles and then incorporating them into their businesses. Sinead at RNN is bought in and can see how we, and all businesses, can adopt LEAN principles to make our business more streamlined, our delivery more valuable and our culture vibrant.
One of the team quite rightly asked me: ‘why are we doing this?’ Because I’m a firm believer that none of us has it sussed. There’s always room for improvement and growth. Forward motion and curiosity make us richer in terms of our knowledge, learnings, how our business runs and what we can offer to others.
If you’re interested in finding out more about LEAN, here’s where to start – the Lean Made Simple website that houses hours of superb content from the book’s author, Ryan Tierney of Seating Matters - https://www.leanmadesimple.com/
And that brings me to a super blog article by Sarah - The Many Hats of PR. Sarah joined us in September from a marketing agency and six months in, Sarah was recently reflecting on how many different hats we wear in PR, our chameleon nature and the pace of the agency. If you have a few minutes to spare, check out Sarah’s blog here: The Many Hats of PR: Why Versatility is the Secret to Success - rnn communications
And so, thanks as always for reading. That’s you up to speed with all of the goings on at RNN this month (well, those that I can publish 😜)
If you’ve any questions on the above or would like to get in touch, my inbox is always open: riki@rnncommunications.com
For now, it’s over and out.
Riki
As I sit in the office, reflecting on some of the exciting client projects we’ve been delivering lately, it never ceases to amaze me how many different ‘hats’ we wear within the PR and Communications industry.
Far from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ job, if you ask any PR pro what their typical day looks like, you’ll likely be met with a laugh before they rattle through a list of roles that could rival an entire department!
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s that no two days (or even two hours) are ever the same in RNN Communications. One day, we’re strategists, mapping out long-term campaigns that align with business goals. The next, we’re creative copywriters, crafting compelling narratives that capture attention. And then there are the days when we’re producers, working behind the scenes to bring ideas to life through video, events, or social media content. PR really isn’t just about media relations anymore - it’s about being a storyteller, a strategist, a creative and a problem solver all rolled into one.
From Idea to Execution
Believe it or not, a great PR campaign doesn’t just happen. It starts with insight, research and a strong creative vision. As PR and Comms professionals, we also tick the box of…
It’s this ability to wear multiple hats (*and switch between them seamlessly) that makes PR professionals so valuable.
So, the next time you see a perfectly timed campaign or a story that captures headlines, remember: behind the scenes, a PR team was busy wearing many hats to bring it to life.
Hello hello there!
We’ve been feeling the LOVE in February…a love for our client work, new projects and events, and a love for other experiences too.
SAYING YES Just take two weeks ago - I said YES to a new adventure. I had so many reasons to say NO. We have deadlines, there are lots of spinning plates and an endless stream of new business enquiries. But – I said YES! And I’m so delighted I did.
Rachel, a former colleague of mine, asked me to accompany her to Abu Dhabi to the Tech Powered Luxury event at the Irish Ambassador’s private residence. Rachel and I joined a host of Irish fashion and jewellery designers, Irish media and UAE-based influencers at the event which covered a live podcast recording, a fashion show and networking. Although Rachel’s days in PR are long behind her, her PR training has stood her in good stead. From the involvement at the event to maximising the models and imagery, building her social following and personal brand, this was a one-off opportunity that Rachel maximised for her new bridal dress business, The White Era, which sits alongside Rachel’s long-established bridal boutique https://www.thewhitegalleryboutique.co.uk/
For me, I got to spend time with Rachel, meet new people and reconnect with some others, see new things and simply take two days out from our PR, deadline-driven world.
We visited the Louvre, Abu Dhabi, the amazing St Regis Hotel on Saadiyat Island (where we spotted a family photoshoot on St Valentine’s Day that was complete with a seven-strong crew), one of the largest mosques in the world - the incredible Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - and we finished off an epic trip with dinner at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi. Set within the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental… honestly, I have NEVER visited such an opulent hotel. I love a little OTT but this was on a whole other level! What a 48-hours, whistlestop trip to Abu Dhabi!
COOKING UP A STORM AT CATEX: Back on Irish soil, this February marked 60 years of CATEX - one of Europe’s longest-running trade events. Organised by the superb team at EventHaus on behalf of IFSA, we have worked alongside the EventHaus team for many years, providing the comms support for the event.
CATEX is right up there as one of our favourite events. Created for the hospitality, foodservice and catering sectors, CATEX is a feature-rich event that welcomes 12,000 visitors every two years. This year’s event was exceptional - from the standout quality of the exhibitor stands to the mix of exhibitors and programme of events.
Jill and I attended the event, which was superb. After our work (of course 😊), we nibbled our way around the show, spotted new trends in cuisine, met some seriously progressive businesses and watched the bartenders ‘in the mix’ at the Irish Cocktail Championships. We met baristas, young budding chefs and catering veterans who all shared a love for the vibrance of hospitality.
Business-to-business events are a particular favourite of RNN’s and in this digital-first world, there’s a realness that exhibitions offer. I truly believe that their value will increase and the importance of expos will be elevated as we seek to build real connections that the digital world just can’t offer. Through face-to-face opportunities, meaningful business discussions can take place, new connections are made, and there’s a chance to see and taste products in real life.
Not everyone understands how to market B-2-B but for us, this is our bread and butter. We have years of experience delivering comms for trade events, and that’s why we know our stuff, especially when it comes to how exhibitors can boost their presence at trade events.
In this month’s blog article, Jill shares some very solid advice on how exhibitors can maximise their event - for the full article, click here: https://rnncommunications.com/blog/top-tips-before-you-turn-up-to-a-trade-show/
#TRENDING I know what you’re thinking…eye-roll (me too sometimes) - but the facts are that if you can keep up to speed on what’s trending on social, what’s in vogue, what to tap into - you’ll supercharge your social with relativity the same time input. So being aware of the trends isn't just common sense but it makes financial sense. It saves time and makes your social pop.
I’m all about effectiveness and efficiency, and continually questioning what’s new, what’s trending, how our work reflects this and what are the results. Delighted to see that Tara’s blog this month is on current trends. So whether it is to expand your reach, launch new products or reach new demographics, consider incorporating Tara’s social trends in your future content – Three Social Media Trends You Can’t Ignore in 2025 & What to Watch Out For - rnn communications
And we move…. marching into March with renewed vigour, exciting client campaigns and new names in our inboxes. Onwards we go.
As always, my inbox is open for any questions. I wish you all a year of progress ahead and if we can be of help in any way, please do get in touch.
Over & out,
Riki
Social media is evolving fast, and 2025 is shaping up to be a year of big shifts. Whether you’re a brand or creator, here are three trends you need to know and one major thing to watch out for.
Trend #1: Authenticity is King
People crave real, unfiltered content. Brands and influencers who prioritise transparency, storytelling, and genuine engagement will win.
Trend #2: Social Entertainment
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are prioritising engaging, binge-worthy content. Short-form videos, and funny creator-led storytelling will dominate feeds.
Trend #3: AI is Changing the Game
Expect AI to drive better audience insights, automate engagement, and even create content—though knowing when to keep it human will be key.
WATCH OUT: People Know When You’re Using ChatGPT
AI tools like ChatGPT can be great, but overuse makes content feel robotic. Users value personality and authenticity, so if you’re relying on AI, make sure to add a human touch. Edit, personalise, and infuse your voice into everything you post.
In 2025, staying ahead means embracing authenticity, leaning into social entertainment, and using AI wisely.
Trade shows are a golden opportunity to showcase your brand, connect with clients, and network with industry professionals. But let’s be real - too many exhibitors show up with a well-designed stand (we love to see it!), a stack of brochures, and a bowl of questionably wrapped sweets… and then wonder why no one is talking about them.
Want to make the most of your trade show experience? Here are our top tips to ensure your brand stands out (and gets talked about) long after the event ends.
If you’re launching a new product, expanding your business, or have an exciting announcement, don’t keep it to yourself! The event’s PR team is actively looking for newsworthy stories to promote so why not make sure yours is one of them?
** Not only talking from experience, we’re shouting about this one! We are always crying out for news and stories from exhibitors!
What to do:
Not all news is news. Simply showing up at a trade show isn’t headline worthy - so what makes your brand stand out? Think about the why behind your presence at the event.
What to do:
*Most trade shows nowadays have really great talks, insights stages, panel discussions so reach out and see if you can get involved.
Yes, your stand is your base - but don’t just stand behind it like a shop assistant waiting for people to come to you. Trade shows are about engagement!
What to do:
The work doesn’t stop when the trade show ends. You’ve met potential clients, industry contacts, and journalists - now it’s time to turn those conversations into real opportunities.
What to do:
Exhibiting at a trade show is a big investment, so make sure you’re getting the most out of it. Engage with the PR team, build relationships with attendees, and create a buzz around your presence.
Repeat, engage with the PR Team 😊 Free PR is the best PR- don’t let it go to waste!
Need help crafting your PR strategy for an upcoming event? Get in touch - we’d love to help get your brand the attention it deserves!
OK, so where to start! I’m not one for New Year Resolutions but goal setting, yes…I’m here for that! I just read a quote today: “I am blissfully discontent, irrationally passionate and unashamedly ambitious” - sounds about right 😊
Every new year is an opportunity to assess what’s gone before and set in place a plan to push us all further to where we want to be.
For me, this means business goals for RNN, professional goals for myself and personal goals to enable me to grow.
And I don’t want to waste time, so January has been busy…busy setting plans in place for both the agency and clients.
I’ve been reminded time and time again that what you can't measure, can't be managed. We’ve improved on this year-on-year, but it’s still not where I want it to be. For us, time is what we sell, that’s all we have, so time and spending it wisely is high on the agenda.
1. Time - delivering client work in the most efficient way possible. This means:
2. Bold & Brave
3. RNN's Impact
Some of our team (and my husband) might say, ‘you’re never content’ – well, that would be true. I push further and in that vain, I’m not content with RNN’s content. We try, but enviably client work always takes over. So… to not fall into the cobbler’s shoes trap, we have hired in our own monthly content creator, just like we would advise our clients.
By hiring in a service (just like our clients retain us), it guarantees that we:
Our first shoot is in the bag and our new videos have already started to drop so if you’re not following us on social, please do. You’ll find us at @RNN Comms across most channels.
Contracts end, that’s a fact. This is something that’s rarely talked about but it’s a certainty for all agencies. Yes, it could be time to part, but in our experience, it’s often down to a range of external factors - client being acquired, new personnel, in-house team growing etc etc.
So this month, we said goodbye to a client of 2.5 years. It’s a client that we loved working on, we were all in, and to be honest, it’s disappointing. I know the quality of work that we’ve delivered, how we’ve gone above and beyond time and time again, and how we’ve added much more value than our scope of work on so many occasions.
To that end, we created an ‘impact’ report, and seeing this in black and white makes me very proud indeed. From the volume and quality of coverage, to award wins, influencer partners and high-level consultancy, our work was bold & brave.
Onwards we go….
The demands and deadlines of agency life can be a little overwhelming. Busy workloads, live projects, new deadlines and add in a tender or two…well….
But this year, the goal is to lean into the hustle. Since the new year, we’ve already had four new business enquiries. At the time of writing, two new briefs are agreed with a couple pending. Creating responses, tender docs and new business takes time.
But by reminding ourselves that a) we can always say NO b) we just need to deliver our best, c) we have boundaries on what we can deliver for speculative work and d) if it’s for us, it’ll not pass us by, we can lean into the busyness of agency life and embrace the organised chaos.
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We’re so excited about what 2025 will deliver. There’s no question that challenges lie ahead but there are also so many opportunities, and that’s where we’re choosing to focus our minds.
If you’re a client and are reading this, I can assure you that RNN’s promise to you is to deliver value. When our clients win, we win and we value every single client that chooses to work with us. That’s why our partnership model delivers more. It’s not just about media coverage, central is how we can use communications strategies to help you to achieve your goals.
As always, my inbox is open for any questions. I wish you all a year of progress ahead and if we can be of help in any way, please do get in touch.
Over & out,
Riki
From Trials to Triumphs: Celebrating Resilience, Progress and New Beginnings
I was going to start this blog with ‘its been an amazing year, we delivered x,y,z and we won awards etc’ but it doesn’t feel right.
True to my promise, I want to be able to stand over my musings and be authentic. I promised you this, and I intend to deliver.
When reflecting on 2024, our outputs have been impressive, but they didn’t come with ‘ease, flow and joy’ - it's been tricky. In fact, it has been probably one of the most challenging years in RNN’s journey that I can recall. Grit and persistence seem to be my Words of the Year for 2024.
Steady Q1, challenging Q2 and Q3, finishing strong. But why… it's been a culmination of things which is why it's been so tough. That said, I showed up, the team showed up, and we delivered, again and again and again!
From team moves to recruitment challenges, changes with our clients and pressures on budgets (and the recent UK budget hasn’t helped) not to mention rising costs within our own business, it was one thing after another. I had to dig deep, lean on my network and work long hours to guarantee no interruption in delivery for clients and to continue with excellent client service… and for months.
The result: I was tired and a little burnt out, but I am very proud, that as a team, we always showed up. No ‘flow state’ but we got the job done time and time again.
Sure we won awards, attended events, delivered new ideas and bagged new clients, all whilst paddling furiously under the surface.
It’s funny that when you’re tired, other emotions take over. Combine this with fierce ambition and a growth mindset, and it leads to frustration, impatience and lots of questioning.
But… thankfully over many years, I have built up a super network. Key to this are the smart, wise members of SOAR NI who provided wisdom and encouragement throughout… even though at times, the Group’s gentle prodding has been deeply uncomfortable.
I always operate on a ‘glass half full’ basis - which helps… A LOT! I also constantly remind myself of what we HAVE achieved, that this IS agency life, how GRATEFUL we are to love what we do and that business journeys are rarely linear. This is normal, and it’s when your resilience and determination are tested that you really grow.
So, now that I’ve been totally honest, I’ll get to the good stuff. It has been a year of many highs too.
For clients, we don’t just deliver campaigns, we continually provide new ideas, look for commonalities to win our other clients, build networks and support our clients’ businesses by ensuring they’re our company of choice in their sector.
We continually over-deliver (which leads to its own issues) but this generates real and tangible results. So far, this year has seen us:
Personally, I have:
SO, IT HAS been a good year! It’s been a year of growth for the team and I. We implemented changes, looked for solutions, and have new structures…and I’m excited. I feel energised and am raring to go as we enter into RNN 2.0.
Most recently, I was reminded of how much I love the cut and thrust of PR. From an idea just three weeks ago to the delivery of a two-page feature in a national newspaper and oodles of regional coverage, all turned around at breakneck speed - this makes me happy. I’m a little old school but nothing hits quite like opening a national newspaper to see an idea come to life.
I love the hustle of agency, and can hand-on-heart say that I’m a PR person through and through. I love to work with growth-centred and open-minded clients with whom we can make a difference to their businesses.
As we finish up for 2024, I’m so grateful to our clients who trust us with their brands and go with our ideas, for our clients who say ‘thank you’, and I’m grateful that we have a strong team as we move into 2025. I am determined that we will continue to deliver exceptional work for clients who work in partnership with us.
And to our suppliers, our network of associates and our agency friends: thank you so much for your support, and helping us to do what we do - we are very grateful to have you within our wider network at RNN.
Lastly to the team… without you, I’m just a consultant, but together, we’re a fiercely ambitious and brilliant agency that’s delivering bold and brave campaigns for clients across Ireland. I thrive on team energy and I’m so excited to see what Team RNN 2.0 can collectively achieve in 2025. Jill, Sarah, Tara, Sinead and Heather, thank you for your commitment this year and for the contribution you each make to RNN... it’s so appreciated,
Here’s to new beginnings in 2025.
Wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year,
With optimism and gratitude,
Riki
