In 2024, we were approached by Gloucestershire’s leading growth consultancy, C2S, to help build brand awareness among local businesses and education organisations, for what was set to be the county’s largest ever educational outreach event, C2S Educational Outreach Live. Our goal was to generate interest in the event for 2024 and 2025, and to increase brand credibility and reputation for the event and C2S.

As a PR agency with decades of collective experience working with broadcast, print and digital media both within the region and nationally, we knew we could deliver coverage results that would hit the right media to reach C2S’ target audience.

The event saw more than 1,800 students from over 30 schools in the county gather at Cheltenham Racecourse, connecting with more than 55 leading South West businesses.

With the event taking place for the first time, our goal was to secure 5-6 pieces of press coverage across the regional and local press, skyrocketing public awareness and building brand reputation across the county and South West. We set out to amplify the event among existing and new audiences, helping to drive up interest and bookings for the second event in 2025. The results:

Using our connections, we were able to hit all of the relevant sections of the press with the campaign. Pre-launch, we lined up the majority of digital and print coverage, while on the day, we had BBC Points West, BBC Radio Gloucestershire and Greatest Hits Radio in attendance to speak to the event organisers, business owners, students and teachers. We then used images from the event to secure additional post-event news coverage and thought leadership opportunities.