I could start this letter by saying, “my fellow South Africans, 2020 has presented us with unprecedented times”, and I could go on to tell you how ‘times have changed’ and how we have had to ‘re-engineer and pivot our business’ … but then I would sound like every other article, blog, podcast, vlog or newsletter you’ve read this year.
What I can tell you though is that during this ‘global pandemic’ we were all steering blind, putting one step in front of another, trying to weather the storm.
Thankfully Headlines and our clients survived and came out the other side better and stronger.
New normal
As Covid -19 raged on we entered a ‘new normal’ where pitches, strategies and brainstorms were all held over Zoom and all without ever having met the client. We had the arduous task of navigating the shrinking media landscape and searching for new opportunities to get our clients exposure and deliver value.
Challenging doesn’t even begin to explain it, yet it made us more skillful and in the end we soared.
We have always prided ourselves on the relationships we’ve forged with journalists over 25 years and our ability to deliver high quality content. However this year the strength of the bridges we built were truly put to the test.
What made the Headlines?
Our quarter of a decade in business has gifted us the privilege of invaluable relationships and an ever expanding network. This has meant that despite the hurdles of 2020, we were afforded the opportunity to work with some amazing people and execute some incredible projects.
Bottles – when people couldn’t drink, they ate …
We took on BOTTLES, the on-demand alcohol delivery app, and delivered on our mandate to talk about how they ‘pivoted’ their business in a matter of 4 days and became Pick ‘n Pay’s same-day grocery delivery platform.
The Loerie Awards went virtual
We handled all media relations for the first ever 100% virtual Loerie Awards. After working with the Loeries for 3 and a half years previously, trying to motivate the media to take time out of their day to sit and watch ‘yet another Zoom’ was challenging to say the least. Gone are the days where it was easier to invite them to Margate or Durban, increase their liquid consumption, and then encourage them gently to talk to the winners.
4Sight Holdings
We changed our PR strategy when dealing with the media for 4Sight Holdings. When lockdown hit, it affected their business tremendously. Companies shifted to working from home, sparking an intense need for cloud technologies. It was crucial that we maintained control of the business narrative and we wanted to ensure that the 4Sight Holdings brand was placed front and center before executives and potential clients. As such we embarked upon a sponsored content focused strategy that aided in increased visibility as well as enhanced sales leads and opportunities.
A new restaurant opens in Pretoria – The Grillroom & Sushi Bar
In one of the hardest hit industries during 2020, we launched a restaurant – The Grillroom and Sushi Bar. This swanky establishment in the heart of Brooklyn, Pretoria, took the incredibly bold decision to venture into the unknown while many a restaurant door was being closed. Yet despite facts, figures and – dare I say intuition – saying ‘NO NOT NOW!’, The Grillroom and Sushi Bar has fast risen to become a culinary favourite amongst the residents of Brooklyn and beyond. So the next time you’re in their neck of the woods you may want to give them a go. I swear you’re in for a treat!
Careers Magazine launches
Another anomaly in and amongst the debris that Covid-19 is leaving in its wake, a new, youth-led and youth-owned monthly magazine joined the South African publishing landscape. Swimming against the tide, Careers Magazine took to the online stratosphere to launch their career development focused publication. And as soon as lockdown regulations eased, allowing printers and distributors to return to work, they followed up their efforts with the print edition of their monthly magazine. To date it brings us great joy to see them rising above the fray and commanding their own in a sector that remains in a precarious state. You can get your copy of Careers Magazine at Clicks, Spar, Woolworths or on their website: www.careersmagazine.co.za
Yoco’s data tracked how Covid-19 affected small businesses
Yoco’s Small Business Recovery Monitor was an example of how brilliant minds can take advantage of a disastrous situation. Even though we have been working with Yoco for the past 4 years, this year was far more intense and provided us with great opportunities to engage with the media. We were able to provide the media with current, topical, up to date, rich data which only cemented Yoco’s position as a thought leader and went a long way to building theirs – as well as our – credibility with the media.
The only thing we know is that we don’t know.
Despite its near insurmountable challenges, we remain ever grateful to 2020. It drew more inspiration, tenacity and agility out of us than ever before as we saw ourselves exponentially increase our digital PR, social media and online branding services.
Now as the year draws to a close we look back on a year that will undoubtedly be bookmarked in the history books. What a ride! There are many unknowns that 2021 holds. Will the pandemic rage on? Is another lockdown imminent? Will we go back to making banana bread? Should we YouTube how to make Moonshine? Time will tell.
But we trust the communications, while rapidly adapting, will stand the test of time. The key to keeping everyone’s head above water simply lies in our ability to read the room, make the call quickly and trust that we’ll emerge victorious.. Thankfully Headlines has never shied away from a challenge.
See you on the other side
Till we meet again
In closing, I hope 2020 has given you pockets of sunshine despite the madness.
To our clients, our contracts, suppliers and partners, I am truly grateful for all your support and may you have a safe, trouble-free and love-filled holiday season.
Should you be looking for a super star agency to help map the way forward, our smoke signal coordinates are 26.2041° S, 28.0473° E or
you could pop us an email or check us out on www.headlinespr.co.za, that works too 😃
Regards