2011: A PR Odyssey
Every PR agency says they’re creative, strategic and different.
Take that as read.
We’d rather tell you what makes us tick.
How it all began
It was the year Prince William and Kate Middleton captured the hearts of the nation, the News of the World said “thank you and goodbye” for the very last time, and Adele’s Someone Like You became the year’s biggest-selling single.
Within the PR world, things were changing. Social media was transforming the way organisations communicated, traditional newsrooms were adapting to an increasingly digital world and the lines between PR, publishing and storytelling were starting to shift.
Meanwhile, in South Yorkshire, Matthew Ridsdale began putting pen to paper and developing his own ideas. He saw an opportunity to draw on his experience of working in some of the UK’s leading regional and national PR agencies and apply it to a communications landscape where the rules were rapidly being rewritten.
What’s in a name?
Matthew was determined to build an agency that was proud of its roots, without allowing geography to define its ambitions.
The name Cannon PR draws inspiration from the dawn of the Industrial Revolution – a time when ideas and inventions pioneered in Rotherham were making their mark far beyond South Yorkshire.
George Washington famously owned a ‘Rotherham Plough’, whilst the cannons forged in the town played a key role in defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.
More than two centuries later, that same spirit of independence, invention and creativity continues to inspire the way we work.
What started with an idea and a blank sheet of paper has seen Cannon PR support organisations across the UK – from Scotland to Suffolk, Lincolnshire to Lancashire and, of course, the length and breadth of Yorkshire. We’re proud to have worked behind the scenes with some of Britain’s best-known brands and alongside entrepreneurs taking their first steps in business. We’ve been there during moments of opportunity and times of uncertainty, and we’ve put our skills to work for charities and good causes making a difference in their communities.
Independent by design
There is no parent company calling the shots and no outside interests influencing the decisions we make. That gives us the freedom to work in the way we believe is right – for every client we support, and for us.
Our work is underpinned by strong professional standards, integrity, and ethical practice. We may think differently, but we never lose sight of our responsibilities to our clients, the media and our audiences. Here’s what makes us tick:
Part of your team
We work closely with the organisations we support, taking time to understand their ambitions, challenges and ways of working. Whether we’re your PR department, an extra pair of hands or part of a wider team, we adapt to the way you work. What matters isn’t where we sit. It’s what we bring to the table.
Ditching the formula
There is no magic formula for great PR, and repeating what worked yesterday doesn’t guarantee success tomorrow. Every piece of work we deliver starts with you and your goals. We focus our energy on the ideas and actions that will get you there.
Making the extraordinary your new norm
Creativity isn’t something we save for big campaigns and brainstorming sessions. It’s part of how we approach everything we do – spotting the angle others have missed, making unexpected connections, looking at familiar challenges from a different perspective or simply having the curiosity to ask, “What if?”
Your business is our reputation
If we’re putting the Cannon PR name to something, we want to be proud of it. That means giving every brief the attention it deserves, immersing ourselves in the details, and never settling for something simply because it’s “good enough”.
PR with purpose
Giving something back has always been important to Cannon PR. And for us, that means more than simply reaching for the proverbial chequebook. We roll up our sleeves and put our time, ideas, skills and experience to work for organisations and causes that make a positive difference to the communities they serve.
Over the years, that has seen us support everything from community organisations and local heritage projects to charities, voluntary groups and grassroots sport – helping them raise awareness, reach new audiences, champion the causes that matter to them and, sometimes, simply get a great idea off the ground.
Sometimes the most valuable thing you can give is time.
As an independent business ourselves, we also understand the difference that supporting local supply chains can make. Wherever possible, we work with and procure services from organisations just like us, helping to keep more of what we spend within the communities we serve.
Over the years, we’ve also been proud to support aspiring PR professionals through work experience, internships and mentoring, helping them take their first career steps.
That’s enough about us, let’s talk about you!
Every organisation has its own challenges, opportunities and ambitions. Whether you’re looking for a fresh perspective on your communications strategy, want to build your profile through the media, need help protecting your reputation, or simply have a story you think deserves a wider audience, we’d love to hear about it.
Tell us what you’re trying to achieve and we’ll help you work out what happens next.