NEW STUDY HIGHLIGHTS WORTHY MARKETING OPPORTUNITY

28th January 2008

Richmond Towers Communications – the UK’s original PR and communications agency – has published a comprehensive new report into the benefits of cause-related marketing.
The 30-page study – entitled ‘A Worthy Cause? The Trend of Cause-Related Marketing and its Value to the Food and Drink Industry’ - not only highlights the history of cause-related marketing in depth but also points the way to the future through an exclusive national survey of consumer attitudes towards such campaigns.

In the report, we reveal how:

• Consumers regard food and drink companies more highly than any other sector;
• They are willing to pay a premium of up to 10% for products that support a charity or worthy cause;
• Most people are unconcerned about issues of nutrition and obesity when compared to other social and ethical issues.

Exclusive coverage of the report has already appeared in The Grocer (Saturday 26th January) and the full report is available for download at £75, the proceeds of which will be donated to our pro bono charity Trees for Cities - www.treesforcities.org.

Simon Mowbray, Editorial Director at Richmond Towers Communications, comments: “We take our commitment to studying the sectors in which we operate very seriously indeed, so we can ensure that we are always at the top of our field and are providing the best possible service to our clients and the industry we serve.”

RICHMOND TOWERS COMMUNICATIONS ADDS STOLICHNAYA VODKA TO PREMIUM SPIRITS CLIENT PORTFOLIO

21st May 2007

Stolichnaya Brand Organisation (SBO), a Pernod Ricard company which manages global marketing and commercial strategy for Stolichnaya, has appointed Richmond Towers Communications (RTC) to handle its international trade and business PR activity in order to raise the global profile of this iconic vodka brand.

RTC will be responsible for driving home the brand’s authenticity and provenance message to a number of international audiences.  The team at Richmond Towers Communications will be headed up by Director Johanna Dalley and will be working closely with Stolichnaya’s Vice President for Marketing, Howard Southern, and Global Brand Director Vincent Gillet, based in SBO’s Central London office.

Howard Southern comments: “We were impressed with RTC’s energy and enthusiasm when we met them - their knowledge and contacts within the drinks industry and media is very strong.”

Vincent Gillet adds : “We look for partners with whom we share an affinity and we believe we have found that with Richmond Towers Communications and envisage a dynamic relationship that will help achieve the brand’s global communications objectives.”

Johanna Dalley concludes: “There are incredibly exciting plans afoot to propel Stolichnaya to the level of prominence it deserves. Every member of the Stolichnaya team has developed a real passion for the brand borne out of its compelling history and hugely exciting potential.  We are confident that 2007 is going to be a pivotal year in the brand’s history and we are really energised and eager to be part of this.”

Richmond Towers was founded in 1930 and, according to the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA), is the UK's longest established independent communications agency, so it really is the ‘first name in PR’.

The Agency today combines this heritage and reputation with the dynamic, growth-oriented approach of the more recently formed Chrome Consulting, which was merged with Richmond Towers following an MBO in 2005 to make Richmond Towers Communications - an exciting new venture with a great history.

SBO is part of Groupe Pernod Ricard, the world’s number two in spirits and wines.

SACLA’ APPOINTS RICHMOND TOWERS COMMUNICATIONS

16th May 2007

Richmond Towers Communications (RTC) was recently appointed by Sacla’, those irresistibly Italian food people, to co-ordinate its UK consumer and trade PR as part of a three year strategic communications plan.

RTC will be running a number of complementary campaigns based on strategic brand platforms that highlight the passion and knowledge of the people at Sacla’, and the quality and authenticity of their contemporary presentations of authentic Italian family recipes.

“Sacla’ is a dream client as they are spirited, fresh-thinking and innovative people with a real love and respect of traditional good food and the best ingredients”, said RTC's Chief Executive, Ian Jesnick.

Sacla’ UK Managing Director Clare Blampied added: “We are working with Richmond Towers Communications, whose evident passion for food and drink, sound strategic thinking, creativity and unrivalled contacts in the food world that extend beyond just the media makes them a perfect partner at this exciting stage in our company’s growth.  We look forward to a truly productive and rewarding relationship with them.”

The budget for the campaign is a significant part of the total marketing spend of £4 million for the brand this year.  The agency team is headed by RTC Director Nikki Thomson.

Richmond Towers was founded in 1930, and according to the PRCA, is the UK's longest established independent communications agency, so it really is the ‘first name in PR’.

The Agency today combines this heritage and reputation with the dynamic, growth-oriented approach of the more recently formed Chrome Consulting, which was merged with Richmond Towers following an MBO in 2005 to make Richmond Towers Communications - an exciting new venture with a great history.

Management Buyout for UK's Oldest PR Agency

Richmond Towers, the UK's longest established public relations agency, has changed hands for only the third time in its 76 year history.

Alongside a management buyout, Richmond Towers, founded in 1930, has also merged with the award-winning PR firm Chrome Consulting to become Richmond Towers Communications.

Ian Jesnick, now CEO of Richmond Towers Communications, joined forces with former colleague Rob Metcalfe, Managing Director of Chrome Consulting, to buy the business. Ian has been with the company for 18 years while Rob worked at Richmond Towers for seven years in the 1990s before becoming European MD for Saatchi & Saatchi Rowland, and setting up Chrome Consulting six years ago.

The combined business employs more than 25 people and works for food and drink clients such as Alpro, Haymarket Exhibitions, Pernod Ricard, Sacla, Pomegreat, Associated British Foods and General Mills alongside parenting brands such as Stokke, and education clients including INTO University Partnerships.

A new brand identity has been created for Richmond Towers Communications featuring the signatures of the company's founders Suzanne Richmond and Marjorie Towers (taken from original business incorporation documents). Richmond Towers Communications is also a member of the PRCA and has achieved the Consultancy Management Standard.

The Chrome Consulting brand has been retained to focus on crisis and issues management, media training and communications auditing.

Rob Metcalfe, now Managing Director of Richmond Towers Communications said: “We are very excited about the launch of our new, old, company. We have a dynamic, creative team of people combined with a well earned reputation for great public relations in a range of specialised fields.”

Ian Jesnick, Chief Executive, added: “The merger of the two companies really does give us the perfect package, the best of the old and the new and will help us to deliver the highest quality standards, expertise, service and support to all our clients.”

For further information:

Rob Metcalfe/Ian Jesnick
Richmond Towers Communications Ltd
26 Fitzroy Square
London W1T 6BT
Tel: 020 7388 7421
E-mail:rob@rt-com.com