8 September, 2020

In response to our not-for-profit clients’ changing priorities, we are enhancing our offering by launching a consultancy service.

Organisations now have the option to, instead of commissioning our team to deliver an entire project, request support and advice from an individual – usually our MD Louise Morriss. Louise can step in when in-house comms leaders are away, provide strategic advice, help direct teams and projects, or act as a sounding board for Directors and SMTs.

The launch follows requests from clients wanting to call on senior level expertise on a flexible, as-needed basis. The need for such a service was also highlighted in the results of a short survey we ran recently, designed to help us understand current priorities for charity leaders and comms teams.

The survey found that many organisations have had to alter their planned activity. Fundraising events have been postponed, services are now delivered online, campaigns are on hold and some projects have been ditched altogether. PR teams in particular have had to work almost entirely reactively. Many are talking about working from home long-term and reshaping their organisations and their work.

Amazon’s MD Louise Morriss said:

“In some respects, it’s a pretty bleak picture. But on the bright side, comms teams are talking about becoming more agile and responsive, and about the vital and immediate need for PR activity that demonstrates impact and supports new ways of working.

“Things are still changing and there is still a great deal of uncertainty, particularly with the furlough scheme coming to an end. Teams – and charity leaders – are stretched. But they are also having to revisit strategic priorities, reshape messaging and replot tactical activity. Doing that with a depleted team or while being pulled in multiple directions is impossible – which is where we can assist.

“By offering a consultancy service, we hope to be able to help more organisations navigate the ongoing challenges and changes thrown up by Covid-19.”