Projects
Measuring impact of a social marketing campaign
In 2010, on behalf of iCoCo (www.cohesioninstitute.org.uk), Ocean Wave was asked to research and develop an evaluative framework to measure the impact of the Northern Ireland based Unite against Hate campaign.
We looked closely at project goals, available quantitive and qualitative date and evaluation approaches of comparable campaigns. These were pulled together into an evaluation framework that was cost effective due to use of existing or easily obtainable data sources and highlighted good practice elsewhere. We ensured that implementation of the framework was proportionate to available resources.
Measuring the impact of social marketing campaigns such as Unite against Hate can be difficult and this can then make it harder to access funding. The evaluative framework we developed will place the campaign in a stronger position to raise funds and use promotional channels that have the most impact.
For more information about Unite against Hate visit: http://www.uniteagainsthate.org.uk
Engaging communities to help manage reputation
Reputation management is critical to organisational success. But perceptions about an organisation can be hard to understand. In 2010, a client had some quantitive data that implied low levels of organisational trust. But they struggled to address this as they had little clarity about the key reasons for these low levels of trust.
Ocean Wave set up a series of focus groups that explored the quantitive data, gaining a much clearer insight into issues of dissatisfaction. A report for the client highlighted measures the client could take to tackle these issues and promote a more positive reputation.
Quality and impact
In 2008 Ocean Wave delivered communication reviews for two organisations which resulted in significant improvements in communications activity and impact.
Strategic direction
In 2007, Ocean Wave worked with a local authority to develop a strategy and campaign to promote a better image of the town and local area. The strategy and campaign created clear focus and direction, helping to deliver key business goals.
Media management
In 2007, Ocean Wave supported the launch of the Institute of Community Cohesion, iCoCo (www.cohesioninstitute.org.uk). This included managing bids for interviews from the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme and Radio 5 Live, and securing interviews with national print media.
Writing
Recent commissions include writing articles for print media and reviewing and editing several publications.
Seminars
In 2008, Jennifer Tankard and Davy Jones delivered a series of seminars across England on community engagement, on behalf of The Consultation Institute (www.consultationinstitute.org). These enlightening seminars were well attended and received high satisfaction ratings from delegates.
Case Studies
01
Raising profile and consolidating reputation GO >
Raising profile and consolidating reputation
In 2009, Ocean Wave Communications was appointed to provide ongoing public relations advice and support to financial services company, Holland Hahn & Wills.
Changes to branding were followed by improved communications to existing and potential clients. Media support resulted in an interview in the Sunday Independent.
Commenting on our work, HHW said:
"Ocean Wave Communications Ltd has helped Holland, Hahn & Wills to raise its profile and consolidate its reputation. Advice on a range of PR issues is always timely and closely tailored to our business goals."
02
Creating and developing a UK wide awards scheme - the ABCs GO >
Creating and developing a UK wide awards scheme - the ABCs
In 2008, working on behalf of the Institute of Community Cohesion (www.cohesioninstitute.org.uk), we started work on developing and delivering a new awards scheme to run across the UK.
The Awards for Bridging Cultures (ABCs) was funded for 3 years. It celebrated the work of grassroots organisations in promoting intercultural dialogue.
With responsibility for design, delivery, marketing and PR, we were able to run a hugely successful scheme that helped to raise the profile of many small organisations. It also had real impact in raising awareness of the role intercultural dialogue can play in bringing communities together to tackle local issues.
Visit http://www.bridgingcultures.org.uk
03
Advising on communications as part of organisational risk management GO >
Advising on communications as part of organisational risk management
Ocean Wave Communications Ltd recently advised Allabouttea on developing a communications approach as part of a wider risk management strategy.
In an ideal world, the company will continue to grow and prosper. But faced with the potential for flooding in the local area and other potential disruptions to supply and distribution, it was decided to get plans in case, should the worse happen.
The company was advised on a range of issues, from supplier through to employee communications and media management. This should help to ensure that a crisis doesn't become a disaster.
Managing Director, Andrew Gadsden, said:
"Ocean Wave Ltd provided clear, actionable advice about risk management and business continuity. Jennifer Tankard was professional, punctual and efficient. She immediately understood our priorities and her advice was intelligent and practical. I am glad that we decided to ask her to come and see us. Most companies go out of business when they experience a fire, flood or other catastrophic event. Jennifer's analysis and advice has taken another worry from us because now we feel better prepared for these misfortunes."
04
Media Skills training for a Government Taskforce GO >
Media Skills training for a Government Taskforce
In 2009, Ocean Wave Ltd was asked, at short notice, to develop and deliver media skills training for members of a Government task force.
Having assessed the needs and current skills set and confidence levels of different members, a training programme was put together. This combined group work and peer review with individual support and tailored development plans for each participant.
Councillor Mimi Harker, who attended the course commented:
"The media skills training offered by Jennifer Tankard, not only gave us the opportunity to explore how to put our messages out there but put the training into action immediately with on the spot recorded interview sessions. This enabled us to test out our newly acquired techniques, to critique them and improve our delivery. It was an invaluable experience which has stood me in good stead ever since."
This training was delivered through Solace Enterprises. Visit www.solaceenterprises.com for more information. Feedback from this course was so positive that Solace Enterprises are now running a series of media skills courses for elected councillors. Ocean Wave Communications Ltd will deliver these.
05
Creative industry start up - brand development, media & marketing support GO >
Creative industry start up - brand development, media & marketing support
In 2009, Ocean Wave Ltd was approached by a creative industry start-up business. OurBlink.com was looking for brand development work, media and social marketing support to get ahead in competitive market.
Working with company owners, Ocean Wave Ltd gave advice and support suggesting new approaches and creative solutions to launch the new product and promote it to target audiences.
Mike Spurgeon, co founder OurBlink.com, said:
"Ocean Wave Communications provided valuable insights that helped us focus our market positioning and several cracking creative PR ideas to really deliver brand awareness."
Visit: http://MindFont.com for more creative industry start up information.
06
Providing new focus to PR activity in a unitary council GO >
Providing new focus to PR activity in a unitary council
In 2008, Ocean Wave Communications Ltd, was appointed to improve public relations activity at a unitary council. This followed a strategic communications review of the Council that highlighted three key areas for improvement:
Brand fragmentation
PR activity co-ordination
Political oversight of PR activity.
Over six months, Ocean Wave worked with PR professionals, other officers, elected councillors and key local partners to improve these areas. Building a clear consensus about what needed to change and how that change should happen ensured wide spread support for new approaches.
At the end of six months, real change was seen in the three key areas:
The Council had moved from over 30 sub-brands to one brand, applied consistently across the Council
Regular cross departmental meetings and new planning systems helped to improve co-ordination of PR activity
Elected councillors had clearer lines of involvement with public relations activity and more confidence that PR activity investment was wisely spent.
"Ocean Wave provided us with high quality advice throughout a challenging review of our communications. This contribution has given clear shape to our strategic direction, combined with a refreshingly straightforward approach to implementation"
Director, unitary council.
07
Community engagement seminars 2008 GO >
Community engagement seminars 2008
In 2008 community empowerment and engagement was the buzzword across local and central government. Political parties were competing to demonstrate their commitment to citizen power and community involvement in local decision making.
It was expected that local authorities would take the lead in facilitating and supporting this engagement, based on their long history of doing just that.
But how to make sense of new rights for petitioners, a new duty to promote local democracy and new arrangements for engagement on health issues amongst a range of other initiatives?
On behalf of the IDeA (www.idea.gov.uk) and The Consultation Institute (www.consultationinstitute.org), Ocean Wave Ltd together with Davy Jones Consulting (www.davyjonesconsultancy.co.uk) developed a series of seminars about community engagement. Aimed at practitioners and managers in the public and private sector, these seminars gave participants the tools they needed to make sense of the agenda and start to deliver it back at base.
Our role was to research the policy and legislative landscape and bring that together with central government initiatives on engagement, both planned and already launched. This was turned into a one day seminar that gave participants an in-depth understanding of the issues and practical steps to implement the agenda back in the workplace.
This resulted in ten fully booked seminars across England with excellent feedback and high satisfaction ratings from participants.
For more information about community engagement and consultation training and seminars visit www.consultationinstitute.org
Reports
New European migration: a good practice guide for local authorities
This report, based on original research, looked at how local authorities could improve their approach to managing the impact of new migration on local communities. DOWNLOAD PDF >
Joining in: participatory budgeting in local government
Original research provides the evidence for this report on the opportunities and barriers facing local authorities implementing participatory budgeting. DOWNLOAD PDF >
Testimonials
"Ocean Wave Communications Ltd has helped Holland, Hahn & Wills to raise its profile and consolidate its reputation. Advice on a range of PR issues is always timely and closely tailored to our business goals."
"Ocean Wave Ltd provided clear, actionable advice about risk management and business continuity. Jennifer Tankard was professional, punctual and efficient. She immediately understood our priorities and her advice was intelligent and practical. I am glad that we decided to ask her to come and see us. Most companies go out of business when they experience a fire, flood or other catastrophic event. Jennifer's analysis and advice has taken another worry from us because now we feel better prepared for these misfortunes."
"It was a pleasure to work with Jennifer Tankard. She understood our communications requirements immediately and devised proposals that were both innovative and practical. As a result we have seen marked improvements in our brand awareness and cohesiveness in our corporate communications"
"Ocean Wave Ltd provided us with high quality advice throughout a challenging review of our communications. This contribution has given clear shape to our strategic direction, combined with a refreshingly straightforward approach to implementation"
"Jennifer has worked closely with me over a number of years and always comes up with creative but practical solutions which are based on her wide-ranging experience"
"The media skills training offered by Jennifer Tankard, not only gave us the opportunity to explore how to put our messages out there but put the training into action immediately with on the spot recorded interview sessions. This helped us to test out our newly acquired techniques, to critique them and improve our delivery. It was an invaluable experience which has stood me in good stead ever since."
Cllr Mrs Mimi Harker, Cabinet Member & Member of Government Taskforce
