We’ve been appointed to launch Wondrwall’s first consumer battery product

We’re excited to be working with UK energy and smart technology business Wondrwall to lead the consumer PR launch of its first consumer-facing battery product, Battery PowrPlan.

This isn’t just a product launch. It’s a positioning moment.

Wondrwall has built its reputation as a B2B energy technology business, working with homebuilders and partners to deliver intelligent energy systems, home energy storage and grid flexibility services at scale. Battery PowrPlan marks a major milestone by bringing that expertise directly to homeowners for the first time through a subscription-based home battery model.

And that is exactly the kind of challenge we love.

A genuinely newsworthy proposition

Battery PowrPlan introduces a new approach to home energy storage, offering professionally installed batteries with no upfront cost through a simple subscription model. At a time when energy bills remain one of the biggest pressures on UK households, the product shifts the conversation from who supplies your energy to when you buy and use it.

The technology is complex. It combines AI-powered energy management, time-of-use tariffs and grid flexibility services. But at its core, it solves a very simple problem. It helps people reduce electricity bills without changing how they live.

That is where PR makes the difference.

Launching a product and repositioning a business

Our role is to lead a PR-first consumer launch campaign that translates technical innovation into clear, compelling stories for national media.

For Wondrwall, this is not just about awareness. It is about evolving how the business is perceived. Moving from being seen purely as a B2B energy provider to confidently speaking to consumers, while maintaining the credibility built through years of B2B delivery.

That balance matters. Getting it right requires strategic storytelling, not just noise.

The campaign kicked off with a piece in the Sunday Times followed by a piece in Tech Radar which has already been viewed by 200,000 eyeballs and Wondrwall immediately saw a massive website traffic spike and sign-ups with much more to come.

Why PR leads here

When you are bringing a genuinely new proposition to market, paid media can amplify. PR builds belief.

Battery PowrPlan sits at the intersection of rising energy costs, smart technology and the UK’s transition to a more flexible electricity grid. It is topical, relevant and rooted in a real-world problem that households are actively trying to solve.

We help newsworthy brands grow through PR, social, digital strategy, content and campaigns. Our content-led, PR-first approach creates newsworthy campaigns for newsworthy businesses, driving brand awareness and delivering measurable commercial impact.

Our focus with Wondrwall is clear. Build belief. Drive cut-through. Launch properly.

If you are wondering whether your brand is genuinely newsworthy, email me and let’s talk.

We’re delivering an integrated PR and social strategy for Bridgewater Home Care

Down at the Social with PR and social media client Bridgewater Home Care

We’re pleased to be working with Bridgewater Home Care to deliver a fully integrated PR and social media strategy, supporting the next stage of the brand’s national growth.

Bridgewater is a growing UK home care franchise with a strong reputation for combining commercial performance with a genuinely people-first culture. As the business continues to expand its network, the opportunity is not just about visibility. It is about positioning.

And that is where joined-up communications matter.

Supporting franchise growth through strategic storytelling

Bridgewater’s model is built on strong local leadership, high-quality care and central support that enables franchisees to scale with confidence. Recent award wins across multiple offices have reinforced that the model works. Growth is not isolated. It is consistent.

Our role is to ensure those stories are seen, understood and valued by the right audiences.

We are delivering an always-on PR strategy across national, sector and local media, alongside a refined social media approach designed to engage prospective franchisees, industry professionals and families seeking care.

This is not about noise. It is about credibility.

Here are some examples of coverage so far in The Carer and Runcorn and Widnes World.

Bringing expertise to the surface

There is significant expertise within the Bridgewater network, from leadership through to frontline teams. Our job is to bring that expertise to the surface.

Through thought leadership, news generation and content-led social storytelling, we are positioning Bridgewater as a trusted voice within the care and franchising sectors. That means spotlighting franchise success, celebrating people across the network and providing informed commentary on the evolving care landscape.

When care quality, culture and commercial growth are aligned, that is a story worth telling.

Why integration matters

PR builds authority. Social builds community.

By integrating the two, we create a consistent engine that reinforces key messages across multiple touchpoints. Media coverage drives credibility. Social content sustains engagement. Together, they support long-term growth.

Bridgewater is a purpose-led business with clear ambition. Our approach ensures that ambition is matched by visibility and belief.

We help newsworthy brands grow through PR, social, digital strategy, content and campaigns. Our content-led, PR-first approach creates newsworthy campaigns for newsworthy businesses, driving brand awareness and delivering measurable commercial impact.

If you are building something meaningful and want to understand whether your brand is truly newsworthy, email me and let’s talk.

Why Metrics Matter: What We Did for Chopstix (and Why Vanity Doesn’t Cut It)

Let’s be honest - marketing’s got a metrics problem.

Too many campaigns are built around vanity stats. Follower counts. Likes. Impressions. They look great in a report, but they rarely shift anything that matters to a business. If your marketing isn’t moving the dial on awareness, influence, traffic or revenue? What’s it really doing?

That’s why we focus on real metrics. The kind that build brands and deliver commercial impact. And our work with Chopstix is the perfect example.

Chopstix Instagram

Turning Cravings into Customers

In 2024, Chopstix tasked us with launching their new brand positioning, *For The *Flavour Cravers. The goal wasn’t to go viral or win internet points - it was to:

• Define what the brand stood for, building a consistent brand story across all channels (digital and IRL)

• Grow awareness among under-45s

• Support store openings

• And crucially, increase their social marketing influence and brand salience

All on a lean budget.

Spoiler: we didn’t just meet that target, we smashed it.

From Middle of the Table to Brand of Choice

Using trend-led creative, micro-influencers, and punchy, personality-first content, we turned Chopstix into a bold, craveable brand across social. But more importantly, we helped them move up the rankings in how much social media influenced consumer choice.

According to Savanta’s BrandVue data, Chopstix went from:

• 5th place in Q3 2024 with just 4.0% influence

• To 2nd place in Q3 2025 with a whopping 12.0% influence

That’s a +200% increase - and a clear signal that our work wasn’t just getting seen, it was changing behaviour.

This Is What Real Impact Looks Like

We built the Flavour Cravers campaign to deliver on hard metrics:

• +9% brand awareness in under-45s

• +97% increase in web traffic

• +65% engaged sessions

• 45,000% uplift in paid social traffic

• 3.7M+ organic reach in one quarter

• 49.5K engagements and benchmark-busting CPCs (as low as £0.30)

Influencer campaigns reached 673M people, while local social and PR supported 10 store launches, each smashing its weekly revenue target.

That’s not ‘content for the sake of content.’ That’s marketing that delivers.

What We Learned (and What We Live By)

Everything we created for Chopstix - from viral TikToks and meme-led Meta content to earned media and experiential - was driven by one thing: a clear connection between brand storytelling and business performance.

And that’s our whole approach at DATS.

We don’t do fluffy campaigns. We don’t optimise for applause. We build brand fame and commercial gain - by putting real metrics at the centre of every move.

So if you’re chasing likes instead of loyalty, or followers instead of footfall, it might be time to rethink your metrics.

We’re here to help with that.

By ’Eck, It’s Back: How We Relaunched Boddingtons with JW Lees

By ’Eck, It’s Back: How We Relaunched Boddingtons with JW Lees

The Cream of Manchester is Back

Some brands never really leave people’s hearts — and Boddingtons is one of them. Known as the “Cream of Manchester,” this iconic beer has long been a symbol of Northern pride.

So when JW Lees wanted to relaunch Boddingtons on cask in 2025, we knew it had to be bold, noisy, and unforgettable.

The Results: Sold Out on Day One

The numbers speak for themselves:

• 📈 400+ new followers and growing

• 👀 32,900 reach

• 💬 Around 1K engagements

• 📰 21 pieces of coverage (and counting)

• 🍻 Sold out of Boddingtons at multiple venues across Manchester

• 🎥 Viral Reel collab with The Manc 105k views

Launch week ended with empty casks, Instagram love letters, and a whole lot of happy drinkers.

Here’s how we made it happen.

The Challenge: Relaunching a Legendary Beer

It’s one thing to bring back a much-loved beer. It’s another to make sure people don’t just read about it — they head straight to the pub to order a pint.

The campaign slogan was “By ’Eck It’s Back” — and our job was to make sure that everyone (and their mum) knew about it.

Our PR & Social Media Strategy for Boddingtons

Kicking off with beer royalty

We started by giving beer royalty the first taste: CAMRA, trade media, and industry voices. The tasting took place at the JW Lees brewery, which meant plenty of great content for social as well as glowing reviews from those who matter most.

Media coverage at the first pint

Next came the big moment: William Lees-Jones, JW Lees’ Managing Director, pulled the very first pint at the flagship Founders Hall pub in Manchester. Regional and national media were invited — and the coverage (plus social content from their own channels) was instant.

Making Manchester yellow with OOH

As soon as launch weekend wrapped up, it was time to make the campaign unmissable. Manchester turned yellow with OOH across the city — and we haven’t stopped snapping pictures of it since. The unmissable design is from the brilliant team at Squad.

Viral moments & influencer love

The campaign even caught the attention of Andy Burnham and the Japanese Ambassador (who went viral with his pint). And with a standout Reel collaboration with The Manc hitting 105k views, Boddingtons was firmly back in the spotlight.

What’s Next for Boddingtons

The return of Boddingtons is only just beginning. Next up:

• 🎉 Party invites across Manchester

• 🍺 1,000 free pints for fans

• 📸 More content, more coverage, and more reasons to head to the pub

By ’Eck, it’s good to have the Cream of Manchester back.

How Down At The Social Helped Make Chopstix Famous — One Flavour Craver at a Time

At Down At The Social, we’re experts at turning brand stories into buzz — especially for QSR and hospitality brands. When Chopstix came to us with their bold new proposition, “For The Flavour Cravers,” we got straight to work crafting an influencer gifting campaign designed to stir up appetite, attention, and action. Here’s how we made it happen.

A Nationwide Craving: Influencer Gifting With Real Reach

Our mission was clear: communicate Chopstix’s new brand proposition far and wide. So we designed a national gifting campaign with geographical breadth, high-quality creator partnerships, and content-first delivery at its heart. We tapped into a diverse mix of food lovers across the UK, from @plantbasedpiggie in London to @foodiein.cardiff in Wales, and @lancashirefoodspots up north.

This wasn’t about throwing noodles at the wall and seeing what stuck — our targeted influencer strategy built meaningful connections with creators who could authentically tell the Chopstix story. The mega merch the brand team has created made our jobs pretty easy as it has the perfect look for the gram and TikTok and the creators loved to share it on their grids.

The results speak for themselves:

📈 The Results: A Feast of Reach

• 42 pieces of content across Instagram Stories, Reels, and Grid Posts

• 30 creator partnerships, selected to match both brand values and regional diversity

• 1.06M total reach from the campaign content

• 27 external links secured, boosting SEO and driving direct web traffic

💬 Client Feedback

“We saw record results with an incredible return on creator partnerships and a true impact among brand awareness for our new proposition that has truly elevated our positioning.”– Rob Burns, Head of Marketing, Chopstix

🌍 What Set This Campaign Apart

Our approach wasn’t just about numbers; it was about building brand resonance through creators who could speak to their audiences with real love for the product. This campaign saw content shared in Yorkshire, Cardiff, Manchester, London, and beyond — connecting with the real audiences who visit the stores day in and day out.

💡 A DATS-Style Recipe for Success

As a marketing agency with passion and expertise in QSR and hospitality, we understand what it takes to make taste trends go viral. Our campaigns combine:

• Intelligence — market and audience insights driving strategy

• Ideas — creative campaigns that cut through

• Influence — credible creators who know how to connect

Together, these ingredients create real impact — and that’s exactly what we delivered for Chopstix.

Ready to turn your new proposition into a national conversation?

📩 Let’s talk. Whether you're a spicy ramen rebel or a bubble tea baron, we know how to get your brand in mouths, minds, and media.

Big Wins, Bold Brands: DATS Kicks Off 2025 with Momentum

We've hit 2025 at full tilt. Three exciting new clients have joined the Down at the Social (DATS) family, and they each have one thing in common: they're ambitious, founder-led brands shaking up their industries.

From game-changing eyewear to globally awarded spirits and a local favourite going national, these wins show exactly where we do our best work—at the intersection of smart storytelling and serious commercial impact.

Pop Specs - You might have seen them on Dragon's Den or in one of their 30 stores nationwide. Pop Specs is reinventing how we buy glasses with 20-minute prescriptions, bold frames, and a slick retail experience. We're leading their press office, influencer campaigns and founder profiling.

Kakira Cane Spirits - With over 70 international awards, Uganda’s Kakira Cane Spirits is Africa’s most decorated spirit brand. They’re bringing their sustainable, estate-grown rums, vodkas and gins to the UK, and DATS is heading up their UK launch. We’re bringing craft storytelling and founder flair to a market that loves a good backstory—and a better bottle.

Bruco - Ancoats’ own Bruco is more than just a neighbourhood Italian. It's a vibe. Think house spritzes, sleek design, and a menu worth travelling for. We’re leading national PR and experiential campaigns designed to take this local gem to the next level—with a few surprises up our sleeve.

We're proud to continue working with founders like Nicky Wake—whose Chapter 2 dating app and new venture Sober Love show what happens when purpose meets brilliant positioning. PR with soul and strategy, that’s what we’re about.

Looking Ahead These latest wins are more than momentum. They're a signal. Ambitious brands are choosing agencies who get it—and get it done. We’re scaling too, with new hires, deeper partnerships, and our own in-house content studio on the way.

Got a brand with a big story to tell? Let’s talk.

A 17% increase in sales for our client, Macknade

PR vs Meta. How will brands find a way to reduce their reliance on the churn of paid ads in 2024?

PR can meet your marketing objectives and drive the bottom line, if that’s what you want it to do.  

See below for a case study that demonstrates how we have supercharged a brand’s sales at Christmas by generating organic coverage in the right media channels driving links, traffic and direct sales that smashed the client’s budget in this crucial sales period.

Brands seemed to be being sucked deeper and deeper into a reliance on Meta right now. December was chaos CPC rising, audiences being stretched and the new AI model just isn’t delivering right.

Facebook and Instagram have become almost wholly pay to play for businesses that focus their marketing hard on sales and leads and it’s creating a vicious circle of fear and spending.

I have lost count of how many people have told me that their 2024 goal is to find another channel that will enable them to step away from their reliance on Meta. Yet each one was reluctant to take the plunge and invest in other channels.

What are we doing?

ERM PR obviously! 

But what can PR do?

Well it can do pretty much whatever you want it to do, if you know what that is. I mean, it can’t drive your car or make your lunch, but it can sell your car or convince everyone to eat at your restaurant for lunch.

Can it drive sales? Hell yes. All day long. If you set up the right campaign to drive sales that is.

It is all in the planning.

Why do you need PR?

Your PR objectives should be directly related to your marketing and business objectives. They should be achievable and measurable.

PR can...

1. Tell your brand's story and build a connection with your audience?

2. It can make news and reach new audiences

3. It can sell products and services - even sell them out with the right piece

4. It can tackle issues or change the direction of a narrative

5. It can tap into content creators and tastemakers who will endorse your products and shout about how much they love you to their armies of loyal followers

6. It can improve your SEO by creating links and driving traffic from websites with high domain authority 

With our tailored approach to PR, we delve deep into understanding your brand's unique story and objectives, crafting campaigns that resonate with your audience and drive measurable results.

From media relations to influencer partnerships, we know the ins and outs of creating buzz and building meaningful connections. 

Keen but still not sure how PR could help you? Why not book a free consultation with our team to map your marketing objectives for 2024 and we can show you how PR could be the solution to your Meta problems this year.

DATS LAUNCHES GAME CHANGING GADGET THAT WILL REDUCE FUEL CONSUMPTION AND SAVE HOUSEHOLDS £650 A YEAR

PR and social media agency Down At The Social has won a competitive pitch to launch a game changing new heating gadget which is set to fight fuel poverty and help households nationwide this winter.

Airgon is a North West designed and manufactured appliance that attaches to the heating system and removes air; making the radiators hotter and increasing the amount of heat transferred for less fuel. It also works to prevent cold spots building up in the radiators. 

Cold spots occur when air gets trapped in radiators or due to a build up of sludge which both prevent the flow of water transferring heating into the room.  Over time, more and more air and sludge accumulates in the radiators meaning that the boiler has to work harder. The radiator will then need to be bled, or at worst, the entire heating system may need a power flush, which can cost anywhere from £350 - £800, on average. 

Airgon is a compact, easy to fit device that can be installed to any wet heating system in under 30 minutes.  For a one-off £249 cost, it will increase the efficiency of old boilers by as much as 30%.

Down at the Social is briefed with making this £249 gadget a household name through a campaign of media relations, stunts and digital PR alongside an exciting partnership designed to help people who are struggling to pay their bills as well as those who wish to make their home more energy efficient.  

Daisy Whitehouse, MD at Down at the Social, said; “It’s so exciting to be working on a launch that really could make a massive difference to people’s lives right now.  If all of the UK’s 23 million households with gas boilers installed an Airgon it would reduce CO2 emissions by 20m metric tonnes. This would achieve almost 50% of the UK government’s domestic target for carbon emissions in just 12 months.

“So we are tasked with getting the word out far and wide to help meet the goal of getting them in as many households as possible this winer.  The campaign has already begun and coverage is driving sales so we are off to a great start.”

Mark Brown, co-creator of Airgon, said; “From the first meeting with DATS we felt that they not only understood the potential for Airgon, but were excited about working with us to educate the nation about why they should buy one. The team immediately demonstrated brilliant media contacts and a razor sharp ability to get the right messaging into a piece of coverage so we are very much looking forward to working with them on this campaign.”

Down at the Social lands two big foodie wins

Down At The Social (DATS) has won two new contracts to deliver PR campaigns for London restaurant Angel Above Portobello and high-end Kent food hall Macknade.

Angel Above Portobello is a modern British restaurant in trendy Notting Hill, with executive chef Peter Breckon at the helm.

Found on the first floor of gin-drinkers’ paradise, The Distillery, home of Portobello Road Gin and Vodka, the 34-cover restaurant, which focuses on modern small plates and casual, relaxed dining, has opened its doors with the aim of bringing a fresh, new dining experience to London.

Down at the Social has been brought onboard by Spiritbridge, which works closely with The Distillery on its marketing needs, to deliver a media launch campaign, driving reviews of the food and dining experience, alongside an influencer marketing strategy to build meaningful relationships with content creators that will raise awareness of the restaurant and resonate with London foodies.

Spiritbridge is an outsource capability business, offering a range of drinks new product development services and ready-to-drink from spirits production, with an arm of the business focussing on providing marketing to drinks and hospitality brands.

Gemma Monaghan Gilbert, marketing director for Spiritbridge, said: “I have worked with the DATS team before and know that their knowledge of the media and commitment to getting results is unrivalled. It was an obvious choice to turn to them to help us make some noise about Angel Above Portobello and the campaign has been such a success.”

Down at the Social has also been awarded the brief to support fine-dining food hall Macknade with its Christmas sales campaign.

Macknade, which is one of the must-visit foodie destinations in Kent, also has a strong online business led by its Christmas hamper range. The hampers, which can be purchased online and delivered direct to homes across the UK, include the finest local, artisan and independent producers that Kent and the continent have to offer.

For Christmas this year, the food hall has launched its biggest range of hampers to date, which include something for everyone, from a complete Christmas dinner to a hamper filled with the finest food and drink producers from across the Garden of England.

Down at the Social is delivering a 360 PR campaign to maximise sales and raise awareness of Macknade across the UK.

Daisy Whitehouse, MD for Down at the Social, said: “It’s an honour to have been appointed to support two iconic destinations at important times in their calendars. The Portobello Road Distillery is fantastic and so is Peter’s food. It is such fun to see glowing review after glowing review arrive in our inboxes. Everyone who lives in London, or who is visiting, should get to the Angel Above Portobello.

Whitehouse continued: “And then we have Macknade. What a palace of foodie treats. The hampers are magnificent. Each piece of produce within them is expertly chosen by the team at the food hall and we know that the Christmas coverage will be pouring in in no time.”

Rosie Collins, marketing director at Macknade, said; “As soon as I met the team at DATS I knew our Christmas campaign was going to be in safe hands. I loved their ideas for the campaign and specifically that they were very results driven. We have big targets to hit this year and I feel confident having DATS as part of the team to help us achieve them.”

Down at the Social is a PR and digital marketing agency with offices in Manchester and Lancashire, and clients across the UK. It specialises in consumer and trade campaigns, influencer marketing, social media management, content creation, brand launches and crisis management.

DATS is no stranger to the Angel’s neighbouring world of gin, having worked with Manchester distilleries Zymurgium and No. 186 Gin. It has also worked with food, leisure and hospitality brands including Shoryu Ramen, Skinny Lager/ Skinny IPA, HRH Group, Native, OrderYOYO, Chopstix Noodle Bars, Manchester Pride, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and SEA LIFE.

How DATS Made Girls On Board Famous

What is Girls On Board?

An approach to help girls between the ages of 7 and 18 navigate the often troubled waters of friendship problems.

Girls on Board is an approach which helps girls, their parents and their teachers to understand the complexities and dynamics of girl friendships. The approach empowers girls to solve their own friendship problems and recognises that they are usually the only ones who can.

Girls on Board sessions are non-judgmental and reflective, designed to raise empathy amongst the girls and it is that empathy that fuels the search for harmony and resolution. By empowering girls to find their own solutions, parents need worry less, schools can focus more on the curriculum and the girls learn more effectively – because they are happier.

What was the brief?

DATS began working with Andrew in February as a pro-bono client to help promote Andrew as a leading education expert, promote and raise awareness of the educational workshops, and two of his books; ‘When Girls Fall Out’ , and his most recent ‘Working with Boys’.

Andrew wanted us to help build his brand and position Andrew as an industry and thought leader. He wanted to create awareness of Girls on Board and its approach and generate interest in the educational workshops, and the books. Based on this, DATS created a specific set of KPIs aimed at fulfilling these key business objectives, over a six-month period.

Challenges overcome

One of the biggest challenges DATS faced was to cut through some of the noise and bring Andrew to the forefront in what is a very crowded topic.

Educational issues are high up on the news agenda, day in, day out, and with the news agenda being heavily focused towards government and its decisions on education, DATS held a client meeting initially with Andrew to establish his breadth of knowledge.

DATS then formulated a topic list, and bank of content, that we could use should an opportunity present itself for reactive comment.

Our process – what we do differently to other agencies

Yes, we get great coverage, but that’s not what makes us different. Every detail of what we do has a clear strategy and the results speak for themselves. We analyse every last detail to ensure we consistently deliver killer content, build up brand awareness and show exactly how Andrew Hampton is shaping the future for girls in education.

How DATS Helped Oakhill School

What is Oakhill School?

Situated in the Ribble Valley, Oakhill School is an outstanding rated independent Catholic Day School and Nursery open to all children from babies to 16 years old.

What was the brief?

DATS began working with Oakhil School in 2022 when they were in need of digital marketing support, including email marketing, and newsletter mail shots as well as PR support in order to help promote the values of the school, its achievements and its good news stories.

DATS were also tasked with SEO work, social media marketing and PPC.

Challenges overcome

The Ribble Valley has numerous outstanding private schools and so the challenge was to ensure Oakhill stood out from the crowd showing the audience the enormous benefits of attending a small, family run school.

There is also sensitivity around using photographs of children on Social Media and for PR purposes and the correct permissions from the parents had to be confirmed.

Our process – what we do differently

Yes, we get great coverage, but that’s not what makes us different. Every detail of what we do has a clear strategy and the results speak for themselves.

We analyse every last detail to ensure we consistently deliver killer content, build up brand awareness and deliver Oakhill's business objective's effectively.

How DATS Made Chapter 2 Famous

“DATS has used its skills and contacts to generate interviews and profile pieces across all areas of media; newspapers, magazines and TV. The coverage has generated the vital sign-ups and sales to get my start-up off the ground and quickly build a national, soon-to-be international, brand. DATS delivered fab PR coverage that has played a huge part in the success of Chapter 2.”

Nicky Wake - Founder of Chapter 2 Dating

Our KPIs for the first 6 months

• 500 app users before December 2022

• One primetime TV interview

• 20 pieces of national coverage

Our results so far

• 2,500 active app users by June 2023

• 38 pieces of national coverage

• Interview and profile with Steph’s Packed Lunch

• Success of Chapter 2 UK campaign has secured investment to launch in Australia and the USA.

Impact of coverage

What is Chapter 2?

Chapter 2 is a dating app built by widows and widowers exclusively for widows and widowers. It is the brainchild of Manchester based Nicky Wake who herself was widowed aged just 49 when her husband tragically died.

It was because of Nicky's own experience with online dating apps, something which she found incredibly challenging, that Chapter 2 was born.

Chapter 2 has a rigorous sign up process and so is a safe space for widows and widowers to dip their toe back into dating once again.

What was the brief?

Nicky Wake enlisted our help to launch Chapter 2 in the UK by telling her story. A very emotive topic, which required sensitivity and to showcase Chapter 2 as an inclusive and safe platform for a vulnerable group.

Nicky was clear on what success looked like to her - she needed national press noise, but this had to convert into subscriptions. The target was to have 500 sign ups by December 31st, 2022, a target hit two months early on October 30th.

Nicky also wanted to secure one daytime TV interview - Nicky appeared on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch on, which saw a 65% increase in website traffic.

Challenges overcome

Sadly, in 2023, there is still some ‘taboo’ around dating after the loss of a spouse. Our messaging had to reach beyond this and speak to the target audience of widows and widowers who were perhaps considering dating again, but did not feel there was a space for them in the dating world.

In addition, Nicky’s story of losing her husband Andy needed to be treated sensitively and with great care, which influenced the media outlets and journalists we focused our outreach.

Our process - what do we do differently to other agencies?

Yes, we get great coverage, but that’s not what makes us different.

Every detail of what we do has a clear strategy and the results speak for themselves. We analyse every last detail to ensure we consistently deliver killer content, build up brand awareness and show exactly how Chapter 2 is a community based dating app that will ease you into the transition of dating.

We combine INTELLIGENCE, IDEAS and INFLUENCE to drive IMPACT.

Our audience first approach connects growing brands with their audiences - driving word of mouth and helping them thrive.

HOW DATS MADE KAMPUS THE PLACE TO BE

“The team at DATS has an unrivalled ability to tell a brand's story across all media platforms - proactively prioritising key messages which without a doubt have resulted in conversion.”

– Helen Aldridge - Director of Marketing Native Residential

OUR KPIS FOR THE FIRST 6 MONTHS:

• 10KFOLLOWERS ON THE KAMPUS INSTAGRAM

• 50K SOCIAL MEDIA IMPRESSIONS

• 400 PROPERTY LEASES FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

OUR RESULTS SO FAR:

• 12.9K FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM

• 280K SOCIAL MEDIA IMPRESSIONS

• 93.2% INCREASE IN REACH

• SOCIAL MEDIA BECAME THE BIGGEST REFERRER

WHAT IS KAMPUS?

Kampus is a unique living experience in Manchester city centre, offering the community sleek and stylish apartments, a beautiful garden neighbourhood and the ability to be immersed into a vibrant, bustling atmosphere. All while being surrounded by a wide selection of independent bars and restaurants.

WHAT WAS THE BRIEF?

Native enlisted our help to manage Kampus' social media pages and support their goal of communicating the step up in lifestyle that Kampus has to offer.

The Kampus team were clear with what success would look like to them. They wanted an engaged audience, that would act as brand advocates online, constantly sharing and commenting. Their feed should reflect the competitive difference Kampus has to offer. It's not just a gorgeous apartment. It's a new way of life, with bars, restaurant's, shops and even fitness classes right on your doorstep.

CHALLENGES OVERCOME

Kampus' engagement across Facebook did not reflect the strength of the Instagram page. We built consistency over the channels and adapted content to ensure it reached its potential on either platform. By doing this, we saw a 57% increase in engagement on Facebook and a 30% increase in those talking about Kampus on the platform.

OUR PROCESS: What we do differently to other agencies

Yes, we make great content, but that’s not what makes us different. Every detail of what we do has a clear strategy and the results speak for themselves. We analyse every last detail to ensure we consistently deliver killer social content, build up their community and show exactly how life at Kampus is incomparable to other build to rent locations.

We combine INTELLIGENCE, IDEAS and INFLUENCE to drive IMPACT.

Our audience first approach connects growing brands with their audiences - driving word of mouth and helping them thrive.

Chapter 2, the UK’s only dedicated dating app for widows and widowers, today announces its expansion into the USA and Australia

Widow Nicky Wake, who channelled her own personal experiences of dating after loss into the creation of Chapter 2 dating app in the UK, confirms launch of dedicated dating sites in Australia and the USA helping more widows and widowers find happiness in their next chapter.

Chapter 2, the UK’s only dedicated dating app for widows and widowers, today announces its expansion into the USA and Australia following the unprecedented success of its UK launch in November 2022. 

Chapter 2 will launch in the USA in June 2023 and in Australia in September 2023, with widows and widowers invited to pre-register on the sites to receive two months premium membership from launch date on www.chapter2dating.com.au or www.chapter2app.com.

Since its launch in the UK in November 2022, Chapter 2 has seen more than 2,000 subscribers, who are actively dating and interacting, join the app. 

Chapter 2 is a phrase extensively used within the widow community and is used to describe friendship, companionship, dating or physical comfort, it means different things to different people.  The app provides a safe space for widows and widowers who are either looking to move on and find happiness once again or simply want to dip their toe back into the world of dating once again.

Chapter 2 founder, Nicky Wake says: “I am delighted to finally announce our expansion into Australia and the USA. I have been blown away by how well received Chapter 2 was by the widow community. It shows me that there really is a need for a safe space like this for widows and widowers to revisit dating once again on their own terms and within a community of like minded people.

“Chapter 2 really is a passion project of mine. I myself tried the various mainstream dating apps out there and found it to be like the wild west so I knew an app like this was needed.

“I am so excited for Chapter 2’s ‘next chapter’ and particularly thrilled to be announcing this news on International Women’s Day. I have a lot of ambitious plans for Chapter 2 and will be announcing further plans later this year.”

Chapter 2 Founder, Nicky Wake’s story

Nicky, who runs an event management company in Manchester, was married to her soulmate Andy with an eleven year old son, a high flying career and a life filled with love, laughter and travels. In 2017 her blissful world imploded when Andy suffered a life-changing brain injury.

Nicky and Andy were early adopters of the online dating scene, having met in 2002 on DatingDirect and bonded over a mutual love of music, art, peace and love. They married in 2004 in an idyllic beach ceremony in Jamaica before their son Finn arrived three years later. 

Nicky and Andy were thriving in the business world too - running an event management company delivered glittering awards shows around the globe. Life was perfect.

In 2017 Andy casually mentioned that he was experiencing some chest pain and after 3 GP visits and an ECG it was discovered that Andy was having a heart attack. He had a stent fitted, made a good recovery and was sent home. That evening he asked Nicky to promise that she would always wear her wedding rings in the event of anything happening.

During the night Andy tragically had another heart attack, the stent had failed. During the attack Andy’s brain was starved of oxygen and he suffered a catastrophic brain injury. 

What followed was three weeks of bedside agony, hoping for a miracle and after multiple resuscitation attempts it became clear that Andy was unable to communicate or walk. Andy eventually moved into a residential care home leaving Nicky to pick up the pieces for their son Finn. She learned how to parent solo. 

In 2020, Covid was making headlines. Andy sadly contracted Covid and died in March. Nicky now had to adopt a new identity, she was now a widow.  After some time Nicky decided to dip her toe back into dating once again, trying many of the ‘traditional’ online dating platforms and by doing so discovered that dating while grieving was incredibly challenging. 

It was because of Nicky’s own experience of using online dating apps that she created Chapter 2, a first in the UK widow dating scene. 

Nicky says “After some time I was conscious of just how sad and lonely I felt; at 50 I was too young to spend the rest of my life alone and although I would never get over losing Andy or stop loving him I needed to try and move forward, as widows we never move on. 

I started taking the first tentative steps into dating, I tried mainstream dating apps Tinder and Bumble before quickly realising that online dating had changed significantly in the past 20 years! It was a learning experience! 

After a few disastrous dates I realised there had to be a better way. I had been blown away by the support of widow charities and widow Facebook groups. The talk at widow meetups very often turns to dating and the challenges of dating again. And so I decided to launch Chapter 2.  

Down at the Social To Deliver Campaign wi-Q solutions

PR and social media agency Down At The Social has been awarded the contract to deliver PR and marketing campaigns for wi-Q Technologies and its CEO, Patience Tucker.

The business, which is funded by Manchester-based venture capital investor Praetura Ventures, has headquarters in Manchester, and offices in London and the Middle East and is pursuing further growth worldwide.

The team is briefed to channel its digital PR, copywriting and brand marketing skills to support the wi-Q digital solution. The campaign will be further supported by a business and tech press office to drive brand awareness in the UK and the Middle East, whilst also providing copywriting and brand identity services to assist wi-Q in delivering a more cohesive global brand identity message. 

The wi-Q team supports a broad range of customers across 55 countries, including some of the world’s largest hotel chains, fast casual dining and food delivery brands.

Daisy said; “At DATS we work hard to find clients that have true synergy with our values and wi-Q is one that really resonates.  Patience is a formidable CEO and an inspirational female leader and as a team of strong women ourselves, we are so excited to both work alongside her and shout about her successes in growing this international brand.

“We have been lucky enough to work with Ruth Knowles, wi-Q’s Head of Marketing, before and know that we can deliver the extension to her team that is vital in the wi-Q growth story right now.”

Patience Tucker, CEO of wi-Q said; “Our wi-Q story is moving fast right now and PR and marketing are going to be integral in keeping the rest of the world up with what we’re achieving.  From first meeting Daisy and Orla from Down at the Social, I was confident that they had the skills and understanding to be trusted with our story.  Not only are they deeply embedded in the hospitality industry but have a proven track record of working with tech businesses both at launch and as they grow.”

Down at the Social recently launched Chapter 2, the UK’s only dedicated dating app for widows and widowers created by businesswoman and widow Nicky Wake, who channelled her own personal experiences of dating after loss into the creation of the Chapter 2 dating app in the UK. 

Yesterday the Manchester based consultancy was delighted to announce Chapter Two’s expansion into the USA and Australia following the unprecedented success of its UK launch in November 2022. 

Chapter 2 will launch in the USA in June 2023 and in Australia in September 2023.  Since its launch in the UK in November 2022, Chapter 2 has seen more than 2,000 subscribers, who are actively dating and interacting, join the app. 

Daisy continued; “Launching Chapter 2 Dating has been a massive success and something we are all extremely proud of. My team has delivered over 13 pieces of national coverage driving meaningful traffic and generating sign ups that have contributed to making the brand new business successful here in the UK and enabling an international expansion just months after launch. Nicky has a brilliant business and we are so pleased to see how successful it is.”

Down at the Social is also further expanding its PR and Social Media teams with both disciplines delivering standalone and integrated campaigns.

Bronia Moszynska has joined the DATS social and content team as social media manager from her role as marketing manager at Pursuit Properties,  following the completion of a Masters in International Fashion Marketing. 

Anna Gilllespie has joined DATS as PR manager, from her role as PR and Communications Manager at LWC Drinks, where she oversaw the trade and consumer PR and media strategy for the wholesaler, its beer brand and 45 pubs across the UK. 

Down at the Social has experience working with national brands including Chapter 2 Dating, MEDAHUMAN, UKBG, KBK, Shoryu Ramen, Skinny Lager/ Skinny IPA, Zymurgorium, HRH Group, Native, OrderYOYO, Chopstix Noodle Bars, Seetec, Manchester Pride, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and SEA LIFE.  www.downatthesocial.co.uk   

Down at the Social & Distinctly Aware Toast Alcohol & Functional Drinks Credentials

PR and social media agency Down At The Social has partnered with drinks’ brand marketing specialists Distinctly Aware to work with pioneering functional drink brand MEDAHUMAN and iconic Italian liqueur Amaro Montenegro to bring back the annual competition - The Vero Bartender.

The partner agencies have also signed a deal to sponsor and promote Battle Of The Bottle, a new international bartending competition headed up by award winning mixologist Tom Dyer and Erik Folkart, The Avenue Live co-founder.

The competition, which will be 100% online, is supported by the two of the biggest bartender associations in the world, the World Flair Association and the International Bartenders Association.  Judging the competition will be a respected panel of judges in the bartending industry but the viewing public will also play a part in choosing the winning bartender who has the chance to win a share of up to $10,ooo dollars in tips.  

Leanne, MD of Distinctly Aware, is a board member of the UKBG and has brought Down at the Social on board to support the guild’s relaunch as it works to reset the organisation which launched in 1934.  The UKBG is made up of a team of experienced trade professionals, acting as the governing and guiding body of the hospitality trade in the UK.  

The agencies, which have worked together previously on campaigns for brands such as gin distiller Zymurgorium, have combined their skills to create an integrated brand, sales, marketing, PR and social media campaign for MEDAHUMAN as it announces its first national multiple listing.

With the functional wellness combined global market estimated to be worth $28.72 billion by 2030, MEDAHUMAN is leading the way in the UK with its range of drinks containing more functional elements than any other brand on the market and will appear on shelves in more than 200 Morrisons shops across the country from Monday, June 20th, 2022.

Down at the Social’s campaign is focussed on consumer and trade activity to grow the reach and understanding of the CBD drink range and communicate its top quality ingredients and functions to consumers and buyers.  The campaign is designed to shout about the listing, target new ones and ensure that customers are going in store to try the product.

Distinctly Aware heads up the marketing strategy for the brand.  It has secured significant traction in the on and off trade, whereby Distinctly Aware is seeking to ensure continual growth through enhanced consumer and trade marketing programmes that enhance brand awareness, visibility and sales.

Amaro Montenegro - Italy’s number one premium amaro -  brought back  The Vero Bartender, its annual cocktail competition that invites bartenders from around the world to showcase their talent in synergy with the brand.  After a two-year hiatus due to the global pandemic, the concept celebrated the joy of coming together - something the bartending community sorely missed.

Distinctly Aware led the campaign to engage with bartenders across the UK via a number of masterclasses with key trade influencers to inspire entrants to the competition as well as being given key insights to the brand.  The campaign culminated in a national final in September in London.

Down at the Social took the reins with trade media relations, tapping into its network of regional influencers and national media contacts to drive coverage and content to encourage as many contestants in the competition as possible.  The agency also supported with social media content creation and paid advertising strategy to reach as many bartenders as possible.

Daisy Whitehouse, MD at Down at the Social, said; “As a business we look for clients with engaging activations to promote and brilliant stories to tell. 

“MEDAHUMAN is at a hugely exciting time in its evolution as it begins to secure a series of big listeings that will cement its position in the mainstream, redefining the functional drinks space.  Consumers are slowly starting to understand the huge benefits of CBD and how it can work with other ingredients to improve wellbeing and MEDAHUMAN is well positioned to be the daily solution that we are all searching for.  

“Vero Bartender is an institution and it is an honour to support its return as part of an international team.  The final promises to be a special moment as many of the industry that we love come together again to share their love of truly great drinks.

“We are so pleased to work with Leanne and her brilliant team at Distinctly Aware to bring these very different campaigns to life.  Leanne’s understanding of brand, hospitality and the overall drinks industry is second to none and she is an asset to both her campaigns and ours.”

Leanne Ware, MD of Distinctly Aware, said; “The aim of Distinctly Aware is to be able to provide an holistic solution to drink and hospitality brands, regardless of where they are in their journey, scale and budgets.  Key to our success is working with partners that wholly understand the drinks industry. 

“Down at the Social is fully immersed in this sector, which has enabled us to amplify campaigns in exactly the way we envisage for the brands. We have been able to work beautifully in tandem with Daisy and the team and look forward to more projects together.”  

Down at the Social has experience working with national brands including KBK, Shoryu Ramen, Skinny Lager/ Skinny IPA, Zymurgorium, HRH Group, Native, OrderYOYO, Chopstix Noodle Bars, Seetec, Manchester Pride and Kays Traffic Management.  

Distinctly Aware draws on experience of working with household brands such as Whitley Neill, Bacardi, Jack Daniels and Beluga through to guiding smaller, independent  brands such as Ocean Beer,  BeauFort Spirit, Beebolin Mixers and The House of Rum.

DATS Celebrates Yorkshire Day by Looking Back on a Fruitful Year with HRH Hotel Group

On August 1st, we celebrated Yorkshire Day. Some lovers of the area might argue it should be celebrated 365 days of the year, such is the beauty of the region.

The celebration on August 1st alludes to the regimental anniversary of the Battle of Minden and the wearing of roses in the headdress on that day. The date is also the anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in the British Empire in 1834, for which a Yorkshire MP, William Wilberforce, campaigned.

So we thought it the perfect time to highlight our very own Yorkshire-based client, the HRH Hotel Group.

HRH Hotel Group is a collection of some of North Yorkshire’s best loved hotels, restaurants and pubs offering unique service and character. Their properties are the perfect place to rest your head and indulge in the finest food after a day exploring the historical attractions that Yorkshire has to offer.

The group comprises three classic hotels, three charming and characterful inns and one quintessentially British pub.

When Down at the Social came on board, we quickly identified that we were not dealing with an ordinary hotel and restaurant group, but rather a group of unique and individual properties, run by a team with hospitality at their very core.

Identifying the personalities of each property requires us to tailor the PR offering to every one, treating them all as unique brands. The strategy and approach at The Yorkshire hotel - a classic, British hotel - is very different from The Fat Badger - a charming, cosy pub where pints and pies are king. 

One of our first tasks when we started working with HRH Group in May 2021 was creating awareness around the brand and making noise to launch their newest project; a full scale renovation of their boutique York hotel, Clementine’s.

Having been tasked with creating a PR campaign around the launch we had to first identify its USP; its charm and quirkiness - two things it has in abundance. 

Some research led us to a rather famous Yorkshire man, a chemist by the name of Joseph Terry who is responsible for the invention of one of the UK’s most loved confectionery items, a staple of the Christmas stocking - the Terry’s Chocolate Orange. 

We worked with Clementine’s to create a dedicated Chocolate Orange hotel suite, giving chocolate orange lovers the chance to indulge in a chocolate paradise with the room, including chocolate orange-themed gifts upon arrival as well as a series of themed chocolate cocktails created by Clementine’s in-house mixologist, with Chocolate Orange Daiquiris stealing the show in the bar.  

The campaign was met with rapturous applause from the press and generated national and regional coverage for the hotel, driving awareness, SEO and direct bookings. 

Through our everyday work with HRH Group, we secure media review visits - most recently the Evening Standard - and are always brainstorming new and exciting campaigns.

We are currently working on a Christmas campaign for their Harrogate properties, as well as pursuing opportunities to keep the York properties front of mind for visitors to the north. 

We look forward to continuing to work with HRH Group in 2023 and beyond and have some exciting plans and campaigns ahead.

Are you looking for PR support for your hotel or hospitality brand?

Get in touch below.

Building The Future Of The Aviation Industry

One of the hardest hit industries during the Covid-19 pandemic has been aviation. With the help of Seetec Outsource, apprentices are playing an important role in helping the industry to take-off again.

The UK inbound tourism industry which is worth 28.4billion, has experienced tough restrictions during the pandemic, with ever changing requirements for testing to fly along with the unpopular ‘traffic light’ system, all which has only recently been removed. Domestic travel was down by 75% in 2020, in comparison to 2019.

As a result of an uncertain two years for the industry, furlough or redundancy has been common amongst companies in aviation. Therefore, Seetec Outsource was looking to aviation apprentices to ‘Build The Future’ of the aviation industry.

We worked with Seetec to highlight the fantastic work that Seetec Outsource does to provide opportunities to apprentices to pave the way towards a brighter future along with providing struggling industries with the talent needed to get back on its feet.

Through a targeted and informed media relations campaign and working with key stakeholders including SaxonAir and 2Excel, we were able to supply the media with a range of current aviation apprentices and experts in the industry for comment, which added informed value to the campaign.

Being able to communicate real life stories about aviation apprentices, we were able to showcase the real change they are making to the industry and how essential they are. The campaign saw 16 pieces of coverage with an accumulated reach of 1,636,127, appearing across key trade and regional publications, including a national piece in The Metro print.

Six Months of Social Media with Kampus

Kampus is a vibrant new neighbourhood in Manchester’s city centre, a collection of old and new buildings offers a melting pot of architectural styles and builds on a rich cultural heritage, making use of historic buildings that lay derelict for years, right next to the famous Canal Street in Manchester’s Gay Village and just minutes from Piccadilly Station.

We started working with Kampus in June 2021, from here we have helped them build a loyal, engaged and inclusive community online to reflect their growing community of residents. In under six months with Kampus, we have almost doubled their Instagram following which is now 7,200+ people strong.

Through the creation and implementation of expert social media strategy and consistent account management, Kampus now reaches over 4,000 individual accounts each week. We have grown reach significantly on Facebook and Twitter despite the challenge of those channels being less visual-centric than Instagram. What’s more, we’re proud to say we have built a healthy and sustained engagement rate of 2-5%, which is way above the average for a brand on Instagram.

The Kampus social channels are also the number one marketing tool for driving viewings and we are proud to contribute exceptional growth not just to the social media, but also having an impact on Kampus as a business. 

The Kampus gardens and Bungalow are the central feature of the community and are permanently open to the public, with the Bungalow operating as a village hall for pop-up events and community groups. The neighbourhood is alive with events and will be home to independent bars, restaurants, cafés and retail from brands including General Store, Nell’s and Bread Flower, all of whom we have helped drive attention and interest to through our well-executed campaign launches.  

When Kampus initially came to us, they needed help in growing, engaging and mobilising their social media followers, and that’s exactly what we have accomplished.

As a relatively new community in the city centre of Manchester, our main challenge was to ensure that Kampus’ social channels highlighted all of their unique selling points. This included:

• Being “Manchester’s Garden Neighbourhood”: At the heart of Kampus is a public garden designed by Exterior Architecture.

• The Bungalow: Kampus has its own village hall-on-stilts in which they host everything from pop-up restaurants to artisan workshops, offering unique lifestyle opportunities to residents. 

• A long list of inclusive amenities: pets, gym, yoga, cinema, work lounge, broadband included, you name it - Kampus had it. 

• The ability to get started right away: Kampus is unique in that it does not require a fee or a deposit to start living there.

Once we narrowed down Kampus’ main selling points, we then made sure we ran a strong scheduling strategy that would allow for each pillar to be highlighted - the gardens, the events launches, the amenities, etc - in its own way.

Through strong and strict copywriting we nailed the tone to ensure we remained consistent and true to their branding, and utilised call to actions to drive people towards booking a viewing.

Through our everyday account management, we help Kampus stay on top of their comms (whether that be someone who is enquiring about an event or someone who is looking to make a booking of an apartment) and have also created a healthy and supportive community on their channels.

We look forward to continuing our work with Kampus into 2022, with lots of exciting campaigns and events coming up on their schedule.

You can see our work in full by checking out Kampus’ social media channels here:

Instagram: @kampusmcr 

Twitter: @kampusmcr

Salford Shopping Centre Provides 4,000 Essential Food Items to Families Struggling At Christmas

Salford Shopping Centre is giving back to local families in need this Christmas by donating over 4,000 essential food items to Salford Foodbank.

Looking to make a real difference to those in need, the centre has provided food from the supermarkets based in the centre, including Iceland, Aldi and Home Bargains. 

Salford Foodbank is supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. With Salford Shopping Centre’s help, the team provided shopping for multiple three day food parcels containing nutritionally balanced items such as soup, pasta, fruit and vegetable to support local people in crisis. 

Salford Shopping Centre Manager, Nick Pitt, said: “These are particularly hard times for many people, particularly in our community, and this year we felt compelled to do something that would directly benefit the lives of people in Salford. By working with the Supermarkets here at the shopping centre we have been able to secure thousands of food items and transport them from our shelves to the Salford Food Bank. We hope our donation will make life a little easier for those who have to use the  Salford Food Bank this festive season, secure in the knowledge that it will be well stocked and with our best wishes.

Emma Rapley, Salford Foodbank’s Warehouse Coordinator, expressed her gratitude: “We'd like to say a huge thank you to the team at Salford Shopping Centre for arranging this generous donation of food to Salford Foodbank. The amount donated was over a week's worth of food supply for us. We are currently distributing 130 food parcels each week to individuals and families across Salford facing crisis and food poverty. Our parcels include 3 days worth of nutritionally balanced food and drink, plus a Chrismtas goodie bag in the lead up to the big day. We know this means so much to those people to our foodbank centres at this time of year.”