Sanctuary Housing
Marketing PRojects worked with Chester & District Housing Trust (CDHT) now part of Sanctuary Housing Group over a four year period on PR and related areas like the web site, leaflets, newsletter and literature.
As well as providing a day to day PR operation including 24/7 crisis management, Marketing Projects’ activities involved ‘hot desking’ from CDHT’s premises, representing the company at national events and training and support for media opportunities.
Over the four year period Marketing Projects assisted with the redevelopment of both rural and urban sites involving landscaping, providing urban traffic management systems and enhanced pedestrian use. Noteable was the Blacon playground pictured above, featured in the Financial Times.
Marketing PRojects delivered CDHT’s annual report for the last 2 years which was shortlisted for the 2009 Best low budget campaign in the North West Public Service Communications Awards. John Denny, CDHT’s chief executive said: “Our annual report is now a wrap around of a local paper, different to anything else in our sector, it costs less, hits more customers and raises our profile in the best possible way; communicating what the trust is about to all stakeholders at every level.”
One of the key objectives was to break to cycle of residents thinking they would get faster action on their complaints by obtaining front page coverage of this. Marketing PRojects worked with all CDHT’s operations and the press to break this cycle, gaining balanced coverage of CDHT to show positive activities they were doing.
TESTIMONIAL
“Jane and her team from Marketing Projects were appointed at a time of growth for our organisation and their skills and experience in communications really helped with that aspiration. Marketing Projects helped to put our organisation at the forefront with positive news releases taking place each week; we became noted for all of the innovative things we were involved in. We would be asked regularly by others how we managed to receive so many positive news stories – Marketing Projects.
Providing a 24/7 service Marketing Projects ensured that when we did have a crisis the communications were handled seamlessly and information was received quickly by those who needed to know what was happening. Their awareness of the public and third sectors was particularly valuable to us and they made a number of useful introductions and ideas to help us promote our vision and objectives.
Jane and her team also supported our regular colleagues and residents events such as our Colleagues’ Conference, helping to make them fun but well-organised events.”
Su Bramley, former Deputy Chief Executive, CDHT
“Wow, thanks for that. Really good coverage, great stuff.”
“Breath of fresh air, really got to know our business quickly, fun to work with, help & support on strategic issues as well as great local and national coverage … certainly applies, but it’s a bit deeper than that; we have a partnership based on mutual respect and it doesn’t come much better than that, there is a real cultural fit.
Operationally, the 24/7 capability really does work, tested to its limit recently with an unwanted explosion in a block of flats. The local and indeed national coverage went as smoothly as it possibly could; can’t ask for anything more.
Also take the visit from the Housing Minister, a seamless event for all concerned and it is without doubt that would not have been as effective, both before, on the day and afterwards without Marketing Projects. We are all working to the same end, that’s about our customers and communities and you certainly understand that, contributing to our strategic growth in that area.
Our annual report is now a wrap around of a local paper, different to anything else in our sector, it costs less, hits more customers and raises our profile in the best possible way; communicating what the trust is about to all stakeholders at every level.*
Receptive to new ideas, responsive, achieving much and adding real value to the business as part of the team. On every level, well done all and thank you!”
* CDHT’s annual report was shortlisted for the 2009 Best low budget campaign in the North West Public Service Communications Awards.
John Denny, former Chief Executive, CDHT