Black Vanilla

Please note that our office will be closed from lunchtime today and will reopen at 8.45am on 2nd January. A huge thank you to all our clients for your continued trust and support throughout 2024. We hope you have a fantastic Christmas and a brilliant start to the New Year! 🖤

What a year 2024 has been for BV! It’s been filled with exciting projects, incredible teamwork, and achievements we’re proud to celebrate. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited for what’s to come and grateful for everyone who’s supported us along the way. #BVImpact #Events #PR #SocialMedia #Wrapped 

What does it take to organise the British Irish Council Summit in Edinburgh? From high-level security to last-minute logistics, the Black Vanilla and Scottish Government teams worked tirelessly to deliver an event of this scale and complexity. Want to know how we did it? Read our full write-up below ⬇️ You can contact natalie@black-vanilla.co.uk or krista@black-vanilla.co.uk to find out how we can make your next event a success. #Events #Guernsey #Scotland #BIC

Junior Account Executive Lucie Stephenson recently joined the 'What's Next in Global Social Media? Predictions for 2025' webinar hosted by VeraContent . Here's what she has to report back: 1. AI will dominate content creation, but concerns about authenticity and misinformation remain. Smaller brands will benefit from efficiency tools like auto-captioning, multilingual dubbing, and AI-powered visuals. 2. Private & Niche Spaces: Users are increasingly moving to private messages and tight-knit communities. Brands need to focus on original, engaging content rather than chasing trends. 3. Content and ads will be more accurately targeted, thanks to advanced algorithms. This will benefits brands, ensuring content is served to the most relevant audiences. 4. While short-form remains king, platforms like TikTok and YouTube are seeing a rise in long-form video consumption. 5. The emergence of a "creator middle class". More creators will gain financial opportunities through evolving monetisation models. 6. Brands will lean on long-term data-driven influencer partnerships. Platforms to watch in 2025 (based on user intentions): * Facebook (34%) * YouTube (33%) * Instagram (32%) * TikTok (29%) * X (formerly Twitter) (16%) * Pinterest (12%) What will you use more of in your 2025 social media strategy? Get in touch with our social media experts to find out more - hello@black-vanilla.co.uk.

We’re out of the office this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon for our strategy day and Christmas party – time to celebrate and plan for the year ahead! If you need to get hold of us urgently, the team will be checking emails intermittently on Wednesday afternoon, and we will only be available by phone on Thursday afternoon. #Office #Offsite #ChristmasParty

For the third consecutive year, we’re proud to announce that we have achieved the PRCA Communications Management Standard - the hallmark of PR excellence. This accreditation reflects the hard work and dedication of our team in consistently delivering professional, trusted services to our clients, maintaining best practices, and upholding the highest standards in our industry. We’re committed to doing things the right way, ensuring our clients know they’re working with a reliable, credible partner, and providing our team with the tools and environment to succeed. Congratulations to the whole team for another year of superb work! #CMS #TeamWork #PR #PRCA

We’re excited to share that we’ve upgraded to Corporate Affiliate membership with the CIPR Channel Islands! As a team, we’re committed to professional growth and raising standards in PR and communications. Being part of the CIPR community supports us in staying at the forefront of the industry.

Building effective internal communications: a strategic approach Internal communications must align closely with organisational objectives to drive meaningful impact. Here’s our structured approach for elevating internal communications: 1. Define organisational goals and challenges 2. Identify underlying issues 3. Audit existing communication channels 4. Develop a tailored strategy A strong internal communications strategy fosters a cohesive, purpose-driven culture that supports long-term success. How aligned is your internal communications with your business goals? Get in touch to see how we can help your business thrive Hello@black-vanilla.co.uk

It's that time of year 👀🎄 The Christmas ads have started, and we're loving it. We've got tear-jerkers, celeb faces, delicious food, and cute characters, what more could you want? But let's break our top 3 down and why they work so well: First up, John Lewis & Partners. This year’s ad captures the search for the perfect gift, positioning John Lewis as the go-to for all things Christmas. It’s nostalgic, relatable, and made even more powerful by “Sonnet” by The Verve, tapping into that 90s feel. And for the first time in 17 years, the Oxford Street store takes centre stage, reminding us of that festive in-store shopping experience. Next, Tesco has stepped up with a focus on family and food that makes you crave a taste of the season. With themes of togetherness and loss, this ad hits home emotionally. Plus, Tesco adds purpose by pledging 10p to Trussell and FareShare UK for every gingerbread product sold, bringing a meaningful angle. And finally, Sainsbury's brings the magic with the Big Friendly Giant. Stephen Fry’s familiar voice adds charm and the choice to feature a real Sainsbury’s employee in the role of Sophie keeps it down-to-earth. This classic, warm-hearted storytelling connects with viewers of all ages and makes us smile. As for what not to do, The Coca-Cola Company's ad has faced significant backlash this year, with many calling it “the worst Coke ad yet.” Viewers have criticised it for feeling overly AI-generated, lacking the warmth and authenticity we expect from such an iconic brand. Compared to the high-quality, emotionally resonant productions from John Lewis and Sainsbury’s, Coca-Cola’s effort feels like a misstep. This shows the importance of maintaining a human touch, especially in a season that’s all about connection and tradition. Which one was your favourite? #Christmas #Ad #TV #Festive

1. Facebook is aligning with Instagram by making 'views' the primary metric for content performance. This unified approach makes it easier for marketers to track engagement across platforms, likely reflecting the increasing emphasis on video content. 2. Threads is beginning to distance itself from Instagram, particularly regarding follower connections. As a standalone platform with a different focus, Threads users no longer have to follow the exact same people, which could lead to a more curated, platform-specific experience. 3. Instagram will soon relocate Highlights to a separate tab, away from the bubble format above the grid. While this change aims to streamline the profile layout, it may impact engagement with past stories. #SocialMedia #Facebook #Threads #Instagram