Blog Article

Today – Tuesday 27th June 2023 – marks Clare’s one year anniversary at Ballyhoo PR. In this month’s blog, Clare reflects on her first year as part of the Ballyhoo Crew…

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of working with the Northampton Saints Foundation on the opening of their new hub – a really important milestone for the charity which supports vulnerable young people across Northamptonshire and beyond.

For the past year the foundation has been Ballyhoo’s Charity of the Year and we’ve been supporting them in a variety of ways, whether it’s by securing coverage for them on BBC Radio Northampton or in the local press, writing award entries, or by helping the team develop their PR skills as part of the Ballyhoo PR Academy.

After what has been an incredibly busy year for the team, the opening of the hub in Corby was a fantastic opportunity to not only see their work in action but celebrate their incredible achievements.

It was only in the car on the way home that I realised just how poignant the event had really been, marking the end of not only an important year for them, but for me too.

Almost exactly a year ago to the day I had attended the foundation’s student award ceremony at Franklin’s Gardens shortly after starting my new role as Senior PR and Content Executive at Ballyhoo PR. I remember being moved by the work the foundation does to support young people who have become disengaged from mainstream education putting them at risk of being lured into gangs or a life of crime.

Reflecting on the foundation’s successes then made me think about my own.

To say I’ve learnt a lot in the past year – both personally and professionally- would be something of an understatement!

I’ve got to work with some amazing clients, written countless press releases and blogs, secured coverage in newspapers and magazine, organised events, written speeches, edited magazines, attended two award ceremonies and written winning entries for local and national awards.

I’m producing social media content, working with journalists and writers on publications across the UK and have produced content on subjects as wide ranging as asbestos, health and safety and retail. All of this would have been unthinkable just a year ago.

Much like journalism, where I spent the early part of my career, the world of PR is fast-paced, dynamic and exciting and at Ballyhoo PR we’re right at the heart of it, giving our clients a voice and an opportunity to showcase their immense talents and creativity. There is nothing to match the feeling you get when you help a client win an award or get them featured in the news – it’s a whirlwind, but I love it.

At home, Ballyhoo’s commitment to flexibility in the workplace means I’m there for my girls when they need me, whether it’s attending a summer fair or picking up my daughter from school when she misses the bus home!

But perhaps most importantly of all, thanks to Emma and Laura, I’m happy, learning new skills and having fun at the same time. Where else would you laugh every day and spend time at events dressed up as an explorer, Hermione Granger or a croupier?

At Ballyhoo PR it’s all part of what we do! 💙