The key principles of marketing and its younger cousin, social marketing, which demand clear, effective and persuasive communications, underpin our work with all our clients.
Our PR activity, advertising campaigns and publications play an integral part in the success of our clients’ business objectives whether we are positioning a hospital as the provider of choice for its local population, implementing an awareness-raising campaign to warn people against picking up discarded syringes and needles or influencing consumers to switch to a brand of environmentally friendly paint.
Central to the success of any such activity is an instantly recognisable identity, which immediately links the organisation with its core messages in the mind of the consumer.
The creation and development of brand and also corporate identities as part of
integrated marketing campaigns, is stock in trade for our designers who work closely
with our PR team to create a high impact marriage between images and words.
“I wholeheartedly recommend M&M for social marketing communications delivery. From formulating the strategy and performing
focus groups to developing highly innovative ideas and implementing the campaign, M&M performed very well for us on what was a very new and
challenging concept to get across to our target market. In my experience, their energy, knowledge and approach to partnership working is second to none.”
Project Manager, pilot Chlamydia project
Market research
Market research is used to help identify and clearly describe communications objectives and target audiences. Basing our work on solid data such as this means that we are better able to devise and implement effective communications strategies.
Clients may choose to commission research directly or ask us to source an appropriate supplier as part of a comprehensive social marketing campaign. In either case, they can be sure that creative work and media selection will be guided by evidence of what makes the consumer tick.
Stakeholder mapping
High quality and cost effective communications are heavily dependent on a thorough understanding of the audience, its information needs, the relative influence it may have on an organisation’s plans and proposals and any barriers to communication.
We consider stakeholder mapping to be an essential tool when planning communications campaigns, particularly in the areas of statutory and non statutory public consultation and engagement exercises.
Stakeholder mapping also enables us to base our selection of communications tools and channels on evidence of what works for those at whom the messages are targeted. Messages aimed at the public in general may be best conveyed using broadcast techniques such as news releases and paid for advertising in the relevant media, backed up by reference on an organisation’s website. More specific messages tailored to particular groups or sections of society may be best communicated using narrowcasting techniques such as stakeholder meetings and facilitated workshops.
Stakeholder engagement
Meaningful stakeholder engagement greatly enhances the value of
two way communications and fosters a deeper understanding between clients
and their key influencers.
The choice of media and communications tools is central to our approach and our
engagement exercises often use a combination of techniques including face to face meetings,
focus groups, workshops, mass media and ‘new media’ such as interactive websites, on-line
voting and video or e-bulletins. This targeted approach also helps our clients to engage
with harder to reach and minority groups within our society.
“M&M’s work on public engagement for our major change programme
involving mental health services has far exceeded the expectations of the Trust.
I highly recommend this inspiring company.”
Programme Director, mental health trust
“M&M Communications has consistently provided the Trust with a high quality,
professional service. Their staff are highly experienced at running public meetings and exhibitions
and have a range of innovative PR ideas about how this can be done in the best way to meet the public’s
needs in the local area.”
Director, NHS hospital trust