But where to start...
First up, we’ve lots of newness at RNN. New clients have joined us, we’ve moved on from some other clients, we’ve made space for new opportunities and we’ve welcomed a new Senior Consultant - hello to Astrid! (cool name right?)
With many years’ experience in corporate comms and the charity sector, Astrid joins us from Translink and she’ll be working on corporate and charity campaigns in the years ahead – read more about Astrid here: Astrid McElwaine - rnn communications
SALES CURES ALL
I’m a serial learner - from podcasts to books, and everything in between. Over the Christmas period, I was in both listening and planning mode.
‘SALES CURES ALL’ was a line I picked up from Mark Cuban (yes, the same man who sold his company Broadcast.com to Yahoo for $5.7 billion). It struck a chord.
Currently, I’m reading ‘The Lean Leadership Action Guide’ and loving the work from Daniel Pink whose work I was recently introduced to. This is a fabulous video that all leaders should watch – recommended to me by the Chair of a peer networking group I co-founded – SOAR NI. It’s called: If you want 2026 to be the best year of your life, please watch this video… and here’s the link (just take 20 mins to watch it – you won't regret it) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q10H5RA3eCA
And while I’m in goal-setting and planning mode, there are a few developments happening at the agency. I have said it before, but AI is a juggernaut. I truly believe that the change will be seismic and it’s where my focus lies – in terms of our services, our team and seniority and our life.
We have fairly seamlessly moved to an (almost) senior-only consultancy. There’s no hierarchy – there’s just experienced, smart communications professionals who will add value to clients’ businesses. I don’t know how our industry will adapt but simply put, clients are not going to pay for basic work that’s traditionally the role of those early in their careers.
In some industries and settings, such as public sector and in-house, this isnt the case (at the moment), but when you’re paid for the value you bring (like we are in agency), this is no longer an option.
You’ll note I say ‘almost’ - that’s because we have the most fabulous apprentice called Brianna. She’s savvy, hungry to learn, a whizz at social and is helping to run our fetch campaigns Read Brianna’s ‘predictions on social’ blog here: Social Media Predictions for 2026: The Trends That Will Shape Digital Marketing - rnn communications
To that end, I’ve kind of contradicted myself a little but there are exceptions - people with ambition, a thirst for knowledge, who want to progress - I’ll always support them if I can.
And now to services. Back in summer 2025 I mentioned a new service that we were developing - CredAIble by RNN. It’s got a new name, we’ve expanded the deliverables and the work is now in progress. We’re working with AI consultants and software developers on the development stage with a view to launch by April. This is SERIOUSLY EXCITING for me. We’re testing new waters, exploring capabilities and solving problems that are both being created and there to solve by AI.
So, that’s enough from me….
Before I go, there’s a few other interesting links to highlight:
That’s all from this end.
I’m wishing you all a healthy and prosperous New Year! And remember, if you like what you read, please do share this newsletter with others and encourage them to sign up too.
We’d so appreciate it.
Over and out!
Riki
