Midnight Communications

The Midnight Express has arrived! And what a month December has been already... From lessons in how *not* to apologise, seismic shifts in traditional and social media... and the pitfalls of AI vs human-generated content, this month’s update is packed. As we look ahead to 2025, all eyes are on the Murdoch family. Could The Times, Sunday Times, and The Sun be up for sale? What might big changes at Fox News mean for the media landscape? We’ll be watching closely. If you're in the mood for more insight, our latest blog gives an analysis of the key trends for B2B PR in 2025: https://lnkd.in/er4uV5sa Want more? Here's a list of the stories mentioned in our Express this month: Wallace apology: https://lnkd.in/dVMv4vzk Welby apology: https://lnkd.in/d4FMBmfT Spotify wrapped: https://lnkd.in/dy6Gmfnv Australia social media ban: https://lnkd.in/da4TZFPT Evening Standard goes weekly: https://lnkd.in/g_-jZWBq Observer sale to Tortoise: https://lnkd.in/dMvKeahw Murdoch family case update: https://lnkd.in/dNS3W9kJ #PublicRelations #Communications #Media

How's your year been? Are you ready to put 2024 into Room 101 and look ahead to 2025? Our latest blog reflects on the many changes 2024 brought to the world of PR and looks ahead to the trends we might expect to see coming next. From evolving media landscapes to the rise of AI in storytelling and the continued focus on purpose-driven PR, we explore what businesses need know to stay ahead in a competitive market. We’d love to hear your thoughts - what do you think will define PR in 2025? Click here to read on: https://lnkd.in/er4uV5sa #PublicRelations #2025 #B2BPR

"It's time to learn from the mistakes of the big brands"... on Friday Mo Kanjilal and I launched our 'inclusive communications' double act at the Gatwick Diamond Business member event... or the MoFlo / FloMo show as we've dubbed it. Thanks Keeley Macconnell and the whole team at GDB for organising a great event and thanks to everyone who attended for such a lively Q&A session! Great to see Mark Vaesen Bonamy Waddell Vicky Booker and meet so many GDB members. If you're interested in learning how to articulate your key messages, our media and messaging training could be just the ticket - https://lnkd.in/encbVrrr If you need support on your DEI journey I thoroughly recommend the wonderful team at Watch This Sp_ce for training and more: https://lnkd.in/eCYKWRnZ #Community #Sussex #PublicRelations #Inclusivity

New clients alert! We’re thrilled to be working with SafeSite Facilities Ltd and SafeSite Security Solutions on a multi-layered digital PR campaign, showcasing their expertise in securing construction sites, events and vacant property. Both companies join our growing portfolio of clients in the built environment – from constructions firms to facilities management specialists. Read more: https://lnkd.in/emN2Xz62 #PublicRelations #Security #Construction Adam Knell BSc (Hons) Avril Coleman Alex Hankinson Samantha Clark

New clients alert! We’re thrilled to be working with SafeSite Facilities Ltd and SafeSite Security Solutions on a multi-layered digital PR campaign, showcasing their expertise in securing construction sites, events and vacant property. Both companies join our growing portfolio of clients in the built environment – from constructions firms to facilities management specialists. Read more: https://lnkd.in/emN2Xz62 #PublicRelations #Security #Construction Adam Knell BSc (Hons) Avril Coleman Alex Hankinson Samantha Clark

Last Friday morning was pretty special. When Amy Lishman first asked me to interview author Catherine Gray for the Brighton Chamber breakfast, I think my reply came within about 0.3 seconds: a resounding "OMG yes please!" Catherine’s first book, The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, was both a revelation and an inspiration. In it, she talks candidly about her early days in journalism, where alcohol wasn’t just available—it was actively encouraged. This led to some serious struggles with booze, something I completely relate to after spending 10 years in the boozy travel industry and another 11 years in PR. Since going alcohol-free, Catherine has written a follow-up book, Sunshine Warm Sober, as well as a series of Unexpected Joys of… titles. She’s now ventured into fiction with her latest work, Versions of a Girl. Why was I so excited to meet and interview her? Well, aside from the natural crossover of journalism, writing and PR, I’m also sober. Have been for 16 months. Alex Hankinson is, too. Our journeys are unique, and we each have our own reasons for choosing an alcohol-free life. Could you have imagined a sober-owned PR agency 20 years ago? Probably not—it’s a far cry from the Absolutely Fabulous cliché of champagne lunches. But it’s nearly 2025, and the world is changing. Did you know a third of Gen Z have shunned alcohol altogether? We touched on this during the breakfast discussion. With Christmas party season fast approaching, perhaps it’s worth considering how to create an 'alcohol-optional' environment. Supporting your team members—whether they’re on their own sober journey, don’t drink for religious reasons, or simply prefer not to—could make all the difference. Our lovely client Martin Williams has been talking about this recently from an employment law perspective - I'll invite him to comment with his thoughts. There's no judgement here. Alex and I are simply opening up. If you’d like to chat about it, we’re here. And if you’re curious about sobriety, Catherine’s books are also a fantastic place to start. Thanks Jessica Samson for all your support and to Sarah Springford and the whole Chamber team for putting on a great event. Julia Danmeri Rose Rowkins Dr. Adam Jones Sandra Murphy Business Coach and Mentor Rich Ford Chris Mansfield #Sobriety #AlcoholFree #Community #Brighton

It's said that everyone has a book in them - but few ever manage to sit down and write it, and even fewer actually hit the big time. Today's Chamber Breakfast speaker falls happily into the latter category. Catherine Gray is a Sunday Times best selling author, who's sold half a million books and had them translated into 10 languages. And in conversation with Flo Powell from Midnight Communications, she talked us through her journey to sobriety and writing her first non-fiction book, The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober. Catherine talked us through everything that followed, from the surge in our culture of sober curiosity, her tips for budding authors, and thoughts on how we can create more inclusive environments for employees who are sober or sober curious. A special thanks to Catherine for joining us today, with thanks also to Flo Powell for excellent hosting, and to our sponsor Help to Grow: Management Course ✨ Next month we're back at Bill's a bit earlier in the month, on 13 December for our last Chamber Breakfast of the year. We'll be hearing from artist Kerry Lemon to round off a year of brilliant Breakfast speakers 👉 https://lnkd.in/gxEDNj2a

Our Alex Hankinson is in the The Executive Magazine talking about how B Corp certification is a blueprint for business success. Thank you The Executive Magazine and Adam Busby! Read on: https://lnkd.in/ewZp4dN9 #BCorp #Sustainability #PublicRelations

Introducing...the Midnight Express! This is our new monthly insights series, with the latest from the world of PR, social media and marketing. From breaking news and thought leadership to creative campaigns that caught our eye, this is your monthly dose of industry news, trends and takeaways. So, what’s caught your attention this month? We’d love to hear your thoughts! #PublicRelations #Communications #SocialMedia

Thank you Brighton Chamber for this lovely piece with our Joint MD Alex Hankinson. If anyone wants to talk to us about the B Corp Certification process please let us know. #BCorp #Sustainability #Brighton