Agenda

How to build relationships with new MPs and help your cause stand out The months following an election are crucial for building relationships with new MPs. As a record-breaking number of new MPs settle into life at Westminster, we asked Matt Ball, our senior associate for strategy and campaigns, to guide you through the best strategies for approaching them. You can read the full blog using this link: https://lnkd.in/eCyWTa7M

2024: It’s been a big year. Half the world headed to the polls in elections that will have consequences for more than just their local populations. Human rights have been lost and those fighting to protect them have faced backlash and punishment. War has caused tremendous suffering in too many places to mention, and climate change has wreaked havoc on millions of people. Yet, in the midst of all the trauma and challenges, there has been much to celebrate. People have used their power to vote, protest and act in support of others and shared values. Arrest warrants have been issued for leaders believed to be committing war crimes. Millions of pounds have been invested in clever technologies designed to protect the environment, save lives and strengthen livelihoods. And all over the world, charities, NGOs, trade unions and membership bodies have been steadfastly and expertly creating positive social change. We’re honoured to have been able to play a role in this important work. Over the course of 2024, we have helped our clients achieve some ambitious goals. From bold approaches to comms strategy and narrative, to new brand identities and inspiring creative content, our team has covered a lot of ground. Core policy areas have included medical and healthcare, education and SEND, transport, international relations, human rights and crisis response in the UK, EU and further afield. Along the way, we’ve secured global media coverage, dealt with comms crises, and implemented new ways of working that have strengthened skills and confidence across the board. More people now have access to valuable advice and support, attitudes and behaviours have been changed, power redistributed, and polarization and disinformation tackled. It’s been epic. We couldn’t have done any of this without the trust of our clients and the dedication of our team. Thank you. What follows in the link below are some of our highlights, and a celebration of our joint effort and shared commitment to creating sustainable social change. We’re looking forward to seeing what we achieve together next year. https://lnkd.in/eXEnNV_f #SettingTheAgenda #CharityComms #ThirdSector #Unions #StrategicComms #NHS #DigitalComms #PR #CommsCrisis

2024: It’s been a big year. Half the world headed to the polls in elections that will have consequences for more than just their local populations. Human rights have been lost and those fighting to protect them have faced backlash and punishment. War has caused tremendous suffering in too many places to mention, and climate change has wreaked havoc on millions of people. Yet, in the midst of all the trauma and challenges, there has been much to celebrate. People have used their power to vote, protest and act in support of others and shared values. Arrest warrants have been issued for leaders believed to be committing war crimes. Millions of pounds have been invested in clever technologies designed to protect the environment, save lives and strengthen livelihoods. And all over the world, charities, NGOs, trade unions and membership bodies have been steadfastly and expertly creating positive social change. We’re honoured to have been able to play a role in this important work. Over the course of 2024, we have helped our clients achieve some ambitious goals. From bold approaches to comms strategy and narrative, to new brand identities and inspiring creative content, our team has covered a lot of ground. Core policy areas have included medical and healthcare, education and SEND, transport, international relations, human rights and crisis response in the UK, EU and further afield. Along the way, we’ve secured global media coverage, dealt with comms crises, and implemented new ways of working that have strengthened skills and confidence across the board. More people now have access to valuable advice and support, attitudes and behaviours have been changed, power redistributed, and polarization and disinformation tackled. It’s been epic. We couldn’t have done any of this without the trust of our clients and the dedication of our team. Thank you. What follows in the link below are some of our highlights, and a celebration of our joint effort and shared commitment to creating sustainable social change. We’re looking forward to seeing what we achieve together next year. https://lnkd.in/eXEnNV_f #SettingTheAgenda #CharityComms #ThirdSector #Unions #StrategicComms #NHS #DigitalComms #PR #CommsCrisis

We couldn't do what we do without our team of brilliant associates - we managed to get some of them all in the same room for our Agenda Christmas drinks in London. We missed those who couldn't make it. Thank you to you all Matt Ball, Rebecca Haack, Paulina Lainez Miccolo, Duncan Robertson, Shamik Das, Becky Allin, Adi Bloom, Sarah Younger, Martin Reid, Catherine Cooper, Niall Couper, Joanna Lamb, Make Create Helen Holden, Hannah Fearn, Justin Shill, Gwenno Edwards, Alex Tomlin, Heather Sills and Naomi Westland From Agenda co-directors Becky Slack and Victoria Barlow

Back by popular demand 👏 Our ‘Changing hearts and minds’ event will take place again in June 2025. We’ll be bringing together communicators from social impact organisations who want to tackle, polarised views. The event will be structured so you can think, do and network, thanks to our unique programme. ⏰Save the date for Wednesday 4 June 2025 Sign up now to secure your spot – and we'll be in touch with more information about the speakers and themes. Click this link to register your interest: https://lnkd.in/dTyXtcrs #ChangingHeartsAndMinds #SettingTheAgenda #USElections #StrategicComms

What are the best strategies for approaching new MPs? New MPs offer an opening for organisations to make their causes known and build long-lasting relationships. With the new intake finally settled in, how should charities and trade unions go about approaching newly-elected MPs now? Matt Ball, our senior associate for strategy and campaigns, breaks it all down for you: 💡Do your research. 💡Personalise your approach. 💡Focus on constituency impact. 💡Be clear, concise and action-oriented. 💡Follow up with a personal meeting. 💡Be patient. You can read his full blog by clicking this link: https://lnkd.in/eCyWTa7M

Have you subscribed to our newsletter yet? It’s where we share insight on the comms issues we care about – like how to include men in tackling misogyny, and how far right politicians get elected when they present the world’s complex problems as simple to solve. It also offers our expertise and advice when it comes to solid and innovative comms practice. Plus, we share other comms and leadership-related content to spark your ideas and creativity or just help you in your daily work. Our next edition is due out in early 2025. You can sign up here using this link: https://lnkd.in/e3EHRTSb #SettingTheAgenda

The power of collaboration, piquing the media’s interest and honing key messaging all featured in our work this last month. Here’s our November round-up: 📌Plan for the worst, don’t hope for the best. This is our mantra when managing your organisation’s reputation and a message Victoria Barlow Barlow shared at Air Ambulances UK's annual event in Coventry. 📌Vic chaired sessions on trade and investment and private-public sector collaboration at the New Statesman’s Politics Live event. Panelists included long-standing Parliamentarians Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP and Daisy Cooper, and new MPs Daniel Tomlinson and Chris Curtis. 📌How do teachers want unions to communicate with decision-makers? Findings from NASUWT’s recent Teacher Tapp survey are informing our Comms Lab media and discourse analysis to shape the union’s positioning among members, decision-makers and the media. 📌‘Our patients deserve better' was the repeat message from Matt Ball and Adi Bloom at the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) reps’ conference where they discussed which stories capture the media’s interest. 📌We’ve been analysing ASLEF’s member feedback on how and when they want to hear from their union and what would encourage them to get active. As with many organisations, the comms routes keep growing. We’ll explore which channels and messages have the greatest impact. 📌Matt and Vic were delighted to meet staff from British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) to kick off the communications strategy project with a workshop on what constitutes a good membership experience for the union’s members. 📌A mum raising vital funds for medical equipment to support her daughter with a rare medical condition featured in regional press thanks to PR from Catherine Cooper and charity Tree of Hope. Also in the headlines were a record-breaking Alpine cycle and a superhero-inspired wheelchair challenge. 📌‘The bombs fall and then drones pick off survivors.’ Conflict surgeon Nizam Mamode, a medical volunteer for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), featured in the local press after PR from Catherine. With extensive experience in conflict zones, his time treating patients for the charity led him to describe the situation in Gaza as ‘the worst he has ever seen'. 📌Plus, there’s been plenty going on behind the scenes, helping clients gather insights, influence powerful people and achieve impact for the people they serve. #ThirdSector #NotforProfit #CharityComms #CrisisComms #CommsStrategy #Unions #NHS #Audiences #AudienceInsight #Membership #ChangingHeartsAndMinds #SettingTheAgenda #StrategicComms #charities #unions #AgendaComms

The historic venue is booked and another stellar line-up of experts is being assembled. 🚀 Come and collaborate with other like-minded comms professionals who are looking for insight and practical solutions on tackling polarised narratives. Sign up now for ‘Changing hearts and minds’ on Wednesday 4 June 2025 - and be the first to know about our new line-up and access our early bird tickets when they go on sale. Register your interest by using this link: https://lnkd.in/dTyXtcrs #ChangingHeartsAndMinds #SettingTheAgenda #LondonEvent #CharityEvents #StrategicComms