Public relations agency wins gold for polo

Barefoot Media is celebrating after winning a respected industry award at a ceremony in Bristol on Friday, 29 October.

A Cornish public relations agency is celebrating after winning a respected industry award at a ceremony in Bristol on Friday, 29 October.

Barefoot Media, based in St. Wenn near Wadebridge, scooped gold at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Awards with their “stunning campaign” for Polo on the Beach at Watergate Bay.

Judged by leading figures from within the industry, the PRide awards recognise the best PR work carried out across the UK’s regions and nations over the past year.

The judges said: “This was a stunning campaign that delivered in every area of its desired objectives. With just six weeks’ lead-in, Barefoot Media secured a staggering amount of coverage for their client.

“The streamlined strategy was brilliantly executed, resulting in a 35% increase in spectators and a sell-out for VIP packages. An excellent achievement by this company.”

Barefoot Media has handled the media relations and press promotion for the award-winning Polo on the Beach for the past four years as part of their ongoing work with The Hotel & Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay.

Their campaign for the 2009 event generated over 70 pieces of print, broadcast and online coverage reaching an cumulative audience of over 21 million people. As well as receiving great support from local and regional media, the event was featured in The Times, guardian.co.uk and on BBC Radio 2’s Steve Wright show.

Claire Davies, marketing manager at Watergate Bay, said: “We’re delighted for Jim and the team. Polo on the Beach continues to grow every year and the hard work that goes into promoting the event is a big part of its success. We all really enjoy working on the event and we’re thrilled Barefoot Media have won.”

Six other agencies from Cheltenham, Bristol and Cornwall were shortlisted in the category of “Best Campaign £10k and Under”.

Receiving the trophy at the black-tie awards, Jim Michell, managing partner of Barefoot Media, said: “I think our campaign has shown that you don’t need a massive marketing budget to get great results.

“In the current economic climate many businesses would love a marketing budget of £10k, and this award demonstrates that money spent on public relations is one of the most cost-effective ways of meeting your business objectives. It also proves you don’t need a five-figure budget to achieve local and national coverage on a significant scale.”

The award win tops off an important week for the company that also saw the launch of their new website www.barefootmedia.co.uk

NDS

Notes to editors

Barefoot Media is a PR, digital marketing and content creation company based in Cornwall. Working with clients including Cornish food and drink producers, tourism businesses and beach sports events, Barefoot have run PR campaigns for award-winning events, copywritten websites, delivered social media training and much more besides.

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Media Contact
Sam Lynas
sam@barefootmedia.co.uk (mailto:sam@barefootmedia.co.uk)
01208 895089