Rooster: 10 Highlights from 2024

Yikes, 2024 has been tricky. Low consumer confidence and a tough macro economic environment, coupled with a dwindling UK reputation on the global stage, has hit investment in marketing services hard. There's no sugar-coating it, 2024 has been tough, particularly after back to back years of post-covid growth for Rooster, namely 21.5% in 2023 and 46% in 2022.

But, I've been constantly buoyed by our brilliant clients who empower us to do industry-leading work day-in day-out. And my RooStars, the BEST team in the business. A lovely bunch of comms pros who's resilience and dedication I'm so grateful for. Just last week an ex-Rooster, who's now at a leading consumer PR agency commented over a glass, "there's just something special about the people at Rooster." Cheers to that!

So, in keeping with tradition, and in no particular order, here's my annual 10 highlights...

1. Cookie Communications

With a brand refresh in the offing to mark 25 years in business, we embraced April Fool's Day to playfully honour our 'Head of Barketing' by rebranding to Cookie Communications, the UK’s only dog-first agency. Woof! What followed on 2nd April was a more confident brand proposition coupled with an updated suite of services to reflect the actual range of work that we've been delivering for clients. Check it out at www.rooster.co.uk/services.

2. Forbes 30 Under 30

Rooster's B2B Team has been working with sustainable freight pioneers Zeus since the very beginning of their start-up journey four years ago. Now one of Europe’s fastest-growing logistic-tech innovators, our awards programme saw the Co-Founders, Jai and Clemente, named among the most influential young entrepreneurs worldwide, in the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2024 rankings for Manufacturing and Industry.

3. Making It In Marbella

Our Property Team went international in 2024, delivering projects for ultra luxury development The Sky Marbella and Marbella-based luxury real estate broker Homerun Brokers.

Briefed to promote Homerun Brokers' proposition to Europe’s high-net-worth individuals, we capitalised on the firm's new Netflix show 'Making It In Marbella', delivering coverage across Europe, including a standout profile in Dagens industri, Sweden's FT.

4. #SheDrives

To confront myths surrounding women behind the wheel, we launched the UK #SheDrives campaign for Europe’s leading camper tour operator CamperDays. Working with leading influencers, we sourced authentic, engaging content aimed at championing female van lifers and empowering all women to steer their own lives. Evergreen long-form interviews covering everything from first driving lessons to their entry into the #vanlife world were recorded for YouTube, whilst direct to camera Q&As enabled us to create short and snappy Reels for IG.

5. easy(Jet) Visitation Growth

Rooster's Travel Marketing Team developed a six-month campaign in partnership with easyJet Holidays for our client El Gouna which grew visitation numbers by 511% and doubled bookings since 2020. The integrated campaign comprised destination guides, PPC, social media, in-store digital screens, trade portal features, newsletter placement, as well as website homepage and deals page banners.

6. Flight Centre on BBC Breakfast

September started with a bang for longstanding client Flight Centre Travel Group with our Travel Team securing a coveted slot on BBC Breakfast around families' determination to go on their summer holidays despite a rise in fines. Packaged up with compelling data, the story ran across the BBC estate including Breakfast, Radio 4, News online, and the One O'Clock News.

7. Great British Grandparents Campaign

In celebration of National Grandparents Day on 8th September, our cruise client Ambassador Cruise Line launched a nationwide search for the 2024 Great British Grandparent. With over 120 pieces of broadcast, online and print coverage to date, and almost 600 entries, it's been a privilege to deliver a campaign that champions grandparents and all they do for the family unit.

8. A-Level Results Day

Results day is the most important date for student and youth-focused brands, with competition for share of voice fierce. 2024's mission was to cut through the noise for two clients - youth-led work and travel brand JENZA, and the world’s largest student and youth travel marketplace StudentUniverse. Armed with detailed insights, our combined Travel and Consumer Teams pitched relentlessly, securing 55 national and regional hits positioning both brands as THE work and travel experts to rely on for students, school leavers and their parents.

“We are thrilled with the coverage Rooster secured during the A-level results day campaign. Over the 3 months of the campaign, we saw brand searches increase by 300%. Their work consistently exceeds expectations, blending creativity and strategy for the best results.” Lucy Lynch, CMO

9. Projects, Projects, Projects

2024 certainly delivered in terms of projects with juicy campaigns delivered by our Travel Team for Clink Hostels and our Consumer Team for BIOVIT and Cheesies (if you love cheese, you'll love these). While the majority of our clients still (quite rightly) choose to invest in PR & comms for the long-term, the right approach and team can deliver a splash to support a tactical 'moment' such as a launch, investment round, or supermarket listing.

10. Awards Roundup

We don't tend to enter awards for Rooster, they're time-consuming, expensive and there are just so many! But we do cherry pick a few to demonstrate and maintain our reputation as an award-winning agency, and to celebrate our team. Highlights this year included a win at Creativepool's Annual 2024 awards for 'PR Campaign of the Year' and a Highly Commended for our Hannah Carlisle for 'PR Professional of the Year' at The Baubles 2024. Our Property Team was also shortlisted for 'Best Marketing Campaign' for Fairview’s Save to Buy Launch in the First Time Buyer Magazine Reader’s Awards.

There we have it folks. 2024 has been a challenge, perhaps one the hardest years of my professional career. Time for a decent break with family and friends, before hitting 2025 hard.

To all that have supported Rooster and our clients this year, many thanks and Happy Christmas.

Until 2025...

James

[Briefs to hello@rooster.co.uk and CVs to careers@rooster.co.uk]