North West festive focus: Danielle Owen-Jones, Bloomin’ Creative

As the North West’s business leaders tie the bow on a frenetic year and prepare for a hard-earned festive break, Bdaily North West has asked movers and shakers in the region to give their verdict on 2016 and tell us their hopes and fears for the new year ahead.

Up today is Danielle Owen-Jones, director of Cumbria-based PR agency Bloomin’ Creative, who gives us her views on the last 12 months and reveals what goodies she’s hoping to find under her tree.

What are you most proud of achieving in 2016?

It has to be starting my PR agency, Bloomin’ Creative, in May, having worked as a freelance PR consultant for a couple of years beforehand. I’m very pleased to say it has snowballed since then, growing from two clients to 10+, and we have just signed the contract for Cheshire-based superhome builder Mason Lord, which is incredibly exciting.

Which was your busiest month, and why?

I’d say it’s a tie between May and December. May was very busy as I was getting the business off the ground and dealing with things like the accounts, branding, website, putting systems in place to ensure everything runs smoothly, and of course, spreading the word about Bloomin’ Creative by tapping into my own PR expertise!

December has been busy as we’ve taken on a number of new clients towards the end of the year and we’ve been working on a number of seasonal campaigns in the run-up to Christmas.

What are your thoughts on Brexit so far?

While it is difficult to look past the uncertainty and unknowns that lie ahead over the next few years, I hope that it might lead to some businesses looking for support locally, which will potentially create great opportunities for the hugely talented contractors, freelancers and SMEs that are based in the UK.

What are you most looking forward to in 2017?

Gosh, it’s hard to narrow it down because there’s so much planned for Bloomin’ Creative in 2017 already! Next year is going to be a busy one as all our clients have really amazing stories that we’re going to be shouting about for them.

Having just signed up property developer Mason Lord, there’s going to be lots going on with them as they have a number of impressive projects in the pipeline. Throughout the year, we’ll be pitching for more clients and we’ve also been asked to give a talk at a marketing event in Manchester alongside our partner agencies which is going to be brilliant.

What will be your biggest obstacle next year?

As a result of the growing demand of our PR and marketing services and the growth we’ve achieved since our launch, I am approaching the point where I will be looking to employ at least one new staff member next year.

Although of course this is a positive development as opposed to an obstacle, the challenging aspect will be managing the business as it begins to grow and as we employ new staff and take on more clients.

What’s the outlook like for your sector over the next 12 months?

PR is an ever-changing industry and today it is practically unrecognisable compared to what it was just a few years ago.

Although we specialise in media coverage and media relations and that is still absolutely vital, it would be naïve and foolish of us to simply believe that those tactics are purely what PR is all about these days, because it isn’t. In order for us to be top of our game, we must adapt and embrace changes in the industry and across the marketing spectrum.

Tell me about your staff Christmas night-out

We were a little bit greedy when it came to a staff Christmas night out and actually had more than one! We teamed up with a fellow local business based in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, and enjoyed a lovely day (which inevitably rolled into the evening) with them at a local restaurant. A couple of our clients also invited us to celebrate with them at their Christmas parties which was great fun.

What’s the best date in December to put decorations up? How early is too early?

December 1st – although if I had the chance they would be up in November (yes, I’m one of those people. My husband says my Christmas enthusiasm is on a par with Buddy the Elf and I think that says it all…)

What are you hoping to get from Father Christmas? What’s your Tracy Island/Buzz Lightyear this year?

A nice handbag, a couple of books and a bottle of Champagne and I’m happy.

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