There are many PR awards these days, but one of the most prestigious comes from marketing and media organization The Drum. It is judged by top brands and agencies with a focus on creative campaigns that deliver tangible results. It’s hotly contested. We were thrilled to be shortlisted as a finalist in the B2B PR category for our “Decoding Work” data-storytelling campaign with employee engagement client Perceptyx. Imagine our elation when we won gold — up against other stellar agencies and major brands such as MailChimp, Heineken and Xero! You can read about our campaign and the amazing ideas of these others on The Drum site here. They are all inspiring, frankly.
The campaign generated 103 unique feature articles in target publications in 12 months. Coverage appeared in business media multiple times, for example in Fast Company, The Verge and BBC twice each, and Forbes four times, which drove hundreds of downloads, webinar registrations and MQLs. We have a case study over here.
Thanks to the Perceptyx team for the wonderful collaboration. You don’t just launch an award-winning campaign straight out of the gate. This has come from several years of partnership and investment into building the brand, finding the message media fit, and trying new tactics that deliver tangible results for the company.
It’s also great to see the team individually named in the award, but just to call them out here – congrats to Lucy Allen, Brianna Bruinsma, Theresa Carper and Chris Ulbrich.
We love to see boutique agencies like Firebrand and emerging tech brands like Perceptyx punch above their weight and get recognition for delivering world-class campaigns. And kudos (and thanks) to The Drum for not playing it safe and delivering that recognition. It’s easy to go for the big name with the megabudget, but it takes time and courage to see through that to the brands of tomorrow.
Ok, enough basking in that glory. It’s important to acknowledge the milestones in this business, but you’re only as good as your latest win — time to get on with the next one.
About the Author
Morgan McLintic is the founder and CEO of startup marketing agency,Firebrand. Firebrand works with early- and late-stage startups to help raise awareness and drive demand. It does this through integrated programs involving PR, content marketing and digital marketing. The firm was recently recognized as the Boutique Agency of the Year by the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) and awarded Gold Winner of theB2B PR Campaign of the Year by The Drum. Firebrand works with startups in sectors spanning fintech, cybersecurity, AI/ML and infrastructure such as Emburse, Human Interest, Planful, Weaviate and Yubico.
Prior to Firebrand, Morgan was the founder in the US of LEWIS, a global communications firm, which grew to $35m in revenues and 200+ staff in the US, and $75m with 600 staff globally. He has over 30 years' tech experience, both consumer and B2B. At LEWIS, Morgan lead the acquisition of three companies - Page One which was integrated and rebranded as LEWIS Pulse; the Davies Murphy Group, a 65-person PR and marketing consultancy; and Piston, a 50-person full-service digital advertising agency.
Morgan has been a speaker at events for AlwaysOn, Holmes Report, MIT / Stanford VLABs, OnHollywood, PR News, PRSA, Social Media Club, Social Media World Forum, Venture Capital and Private Equity Group, and WITI. PRWEEK named him to its Global PR Powerbook in 2015 and 2016.
Morgan is the host of weekly startup marketing podcast, FiredUp!
