Member Article

18 candles on the Approach cake

Ilkley-based PR and social media agency Approach has reached a milestone birthday after achieving 18 years in business.

The seven-strong consultancy is celebrating an 18th year of success following three new team members, 12 client wins and two award wins; Charted Institute of Public Relations Best Regional Campaign of the Year silver award and West and North Yorkshire Chamber initiative, Raising the Bar, Education award.

The team’s significantly increased client base comprises of both project wins and retained clients, adding names such as Eatons Solicitors and Airedale Air Conditioning to its client portfolio.

Multi award winning Approach PR was established in 2001 by managing director Suzanne Watson who started her career as a journalist before moving into PR in 1992. Ten years later and after the birth of her first child, she went freelance and then launched Approach PR Ltd from shared office space in Cleckheaton in 2001.

Suzanne said: “Reaching our 18th anniversary feels like such an immense achievement – as any business owner will know it’s a rollercoaster of highs and lows, challenges and opportunities. Over the years Approach has provided employment for 30 local people and today 100% of our clients are Yorkshire-based. The business wouldn’t be where it is or what it is without the people within it so I’d like to reach out to Approach alumni and the current amazing team to say thank you to all for every individual contribution to the Approach story – here’s to the next 18 years!”

In July this year, Suzanne took on the role of president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce after two years as Vice President alongside Nick Garthwaite. The role involves representing the Bradford business community and being its voice on issues such as transport, skills, productivity and she has launched an SME business toolkit comprising advice and guidance from Bradford Chamber members on issues such as staff wellbeing, financial planning, exporting and PR and marketing support.

Daniel Marr, commercial director at Airedale Chemical, the agency’s most long-standing client of 5 years, said: “The enthusiasm, creativity and ambition of the Approach team is wonderful. Their targeted campaigns gain us impressive exposure in both the trade and regional press and have helped our business grow year-on-year.”

The Approach team is spending a celebratory month marking the 18th anniversary, including a 2001-themed office day, old photo albums, themed blogs, alumni memories and birthday balloons.

Approach PR has accumulated more than 28 business and industry awards over 18 years and delivers traditional, social and digital communications campaigns to strengthen brand awareness for clients in the business to business and business to consumer markets.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Approach PR .