Newham PR agency pivot
Thursday 18th June, 2020
Agile PR, based at OurDistrikt co-working space at Kernow House, has pivoted from an independent practice to a virtual agency during the Covid-19 crisis.
Led by Chartered PR Rachel Picken, the agency has won new contracts nationally and locally, sharing the workload with other communications and marketing professionals to meet demand.
Agile PR has recorded more than 40% growth in turnover in the past year. New clients include London South Bank University, fresh projects with University of Oxford plus PR training with Cultivator.
Rachel has welcomed reduced travel for her work, which includes strategic communications, integrated content and PR training.
She said: “I was driving to Swindon for a training contract when the prime minister announced the work from home directive before lockdown officially began. My client called to turn me around at Exeter!
“Since then, I’ve switched to delivering everything through Zoom or Teams calls from my dining room table – from workshops, meetings and training to recording podcasts.
“I’m fortunate to work in sectors that continue to need communications. When schools closed, it quickly became clear that my capacity would reduce with having my two daughters at home, plus needing to get my head around home learning. So I reached out to my network for support.”
Joining Agile PR’s networked team is Lyssa-Fee Crump from Kraken Marketing, Bristol-based Catherine Frankpitt of Strike Communications plus business development support from Oxford based Zindzi Cresswell.
Rachel continues to work closely with her former West Briton colleague Susie Carter of What’s the Story? PR.
She’s also taken on Truro-based Fiona Gunn as an executive assistant.
Rachel added: “During this crisis, I’ve saved time and money on travel whilst offering people work on specific projects where their skills and experience are really valued.
“It’s been hard work but productive. I plan to continue working in this way, but I can’t wait to get back to OurDistrikt when it’s safe to do so.”