Advantage Public Relations

General information

ABOUT ADVANTAGE PR

Established in Dunfermline, Fife in 2002, Advantage Public Relations is run by Director Clare Graham who has over fifteen years experience in PR.

“My comprehensive media contacts have been built up over many years and I am extremely passionate about delivering for my clients – to me it’s all about the next big piece of coverage! I take great pride in what I do and as a sole trader would not have a sustainable living if I did not keep on achieving great results. I demonstrate to them through the feature copy which I achieve that PR is a vital part of their marketing budget and well worth allocating money to.

Although PR is the main thrust of my business, I am often asked to take in the broader picture and look at exactly how a company promotes itself in all of its marketing; branding and sponsorship activities.

I partner Bright Light Marketing in Selkirk (www.brightlightmarketing.co.uk) and we have worked together on several campaigns including Hebridean Luxury Holidays (website link?) and The Tontine Hotel (www.tontinehotel.com). I handle the PR side of things whilst they apply their considerable expertise in all aspects of marketing to the business as if budget allows, it is preferable to cover both areas, especially with travel and tourism clients.

I can also recommend excellent photographers and graphic designers. A photographer I use a great deal for superb PR shots is Colin Hattersley (website link) in Edinburgh and in Fife I use David Atherfold of Photo Electric Effect (website link). Often I will work with designers and photographers on an overall campaign.

I have clients all over Scotland from Dornoch Castle in the north; through Highland Perthshire to several in the Scottish Borders. I also work with DARE in the NE of England; the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in the Lake District and I & H Brown in Warrington.
Providing a personal service and making each and every client feel special is very important to me. But don’t just take my word for it, read my client testimonials (link).

Clare Graham nee Walton BA (Hons) MIPR

A graduate of Stirling University, where I gained a Joint Honours Degree in English Studies and Film and Media Studies, I have been involved in the Public Relations industry in Scotland since 1991. During that time I have worked in both PR and Advertising Agencies including Edinburgh based Hall Advertising - in its heyday Scotland’s leading Advertising Agency servicing accounts such as Kwik Fit, WM Low and John Menzies - and latterly Harrison Cowley, a regional PR agency which launched the National Lottery to the UK in 1994. As well as working on the Camelot account in Scotland, I also handled PR for leading housebuilder Barratt Scotland. Other client experience included High Street retailer John Menzies; the launch of the Scotch Whisky Festival in Scotland and media relations for Volunteer Week Scotland, Falcon Catering Equipment and Sutcliffe Catering.

Over the years I have established excellent media contacts and have particularly strong experience in property; travel and tourism and food and drink PR. On the business side my specialities are in civil engineering; construction and chartered surveying.

I am a member of the Institute of Public Relations.

SERVICES

The main focus of Advantage PR is carefully targeted media relations on behalf of clients. This includes ensuring that key messages about a client, its products and its services are relayed by way of the media, whether print, audio or visual, to the target audience. As well as excellent media contacts, it is essential that any good PR practitioner demonstrates astute understanding of the client’s business and exactly how PR and marketing is to be used to benefit the business. Advantage PR does just that, working closely with clients to ensure that their objectives are adhered to and keeping them informed at every stage. I like to deliver coverage from an early stage in the relationship!

Very often, a mix of services will be used to achieve the client’s objectives. It is very much a personal service, tailored to each client’s specific requirements. The company therefore offers a range of services including:

- Targeted press releases for consumer, trade and business media; press invites for press trips to client events/experiences and to stay at their hotels for example; targeted opportunities for clients to engage with the media and receive positive coverage.

- Copywriting for editorials and advertorials; development of promotional competitions.

- Copywriting and Design quotes for leaflets/brochures/employee magazines/websites.

- Development of Marketing campaigns and strategies.

- Web page and business literature copy.

- Development of Business profiles.

- Attendance at media or consumer events.

- Product/Service launches to the media.

- Advertising campaigns.

OPERATING TERMS

Client Contact

Advantage PR operates a very personalised service with client meetings as and when required. I will produce a Contact Report following a meeting, detailing out what has been discussed and the points of action for both myself and the client. I will then follow up on each point, keeping the client informed of progress and developments. If required a monthly report can be submitted on all activity carried out. Coverage generated can also be evaluated.

Fee Structure & Invoicing

Most Advantage PR clients pay a set monthly fee for their PR support, based on a PR Day of 7.5 hours. Depending on the nature of the task, the client’s budget and objectives, Advantage PR will also quote for a one off job or project, such as launching a company to the media. If a longer term relationship is required, it can be most cost effective to opt for the set monthly fee. PR requirements and budgeting can be reviewed at any time. You are not locked into an inflexible contract although I am sure your company will very quickly experience the benefits of PR. Many clients who initially came to me for one job are still with me!

Invoices are issued at the end of each month with 14 day payment terms. Also unlike many other agencies Advantage PR ensures that suppliers such as designers, printers and photographers, who may be required in fulfilling a task, bill direct to the client with no “add-on” mark-up from me. Estimates for all PR work can be given in advance of a job commencing.