Meet Spider PR, LCI’s PRGN partner in London, UK.

Meet Spider PR, LCI’s PRGN partner in London, UK.
By Sara Pearson, Founder of Spider PR

1. In a few sentences, please tell us about your firm, your role and what makes your agency unique.

My name is Sara Pearson of Spider PR – a medium-sized, independent PR agency which I founded 25 years ago. Our offices are in a very trendy old leather factory near London Bridge, in the shadow of the iconic Shard building.
We’ve always prided ourselves on our exceptional media relations capabilities and we have intimate knowledge of the most influential contacts within the UK media. Spider PR specializes in working with both challenger and big name brands across all sectors, including FedEx Express, Saga, Tyrrells crisps, Maldon Sea Salt and Union coffee.
We are unique in our approach as we do not specialize in one particular discipline. Our expertise covers all sectors, including FMCG, food & drink, real estate, luxury travel & lifestyle, charity, education and business. We’re also one of the only media agencies to fully guarantee all of our media coverage, meaning if we do not meet our targets, we reimburse the client pro rata! In 2010, we integrated a team of experienced and dedicated digital and design specialists to ensure we maximised all of our clients’ requirements, including social media community management, SEO and website design. We were selected to join the PRGN roster in 2008 and have enjoyed the many benefits of being part of this influential network ever since.

2. What is the market for PR like in your city?

One of the most dynamic and cosmopolitan business cities in the world, London is an extremely competitive market for media relations agencies. With so many businesses competing for coverage and journalistic attention, it’s a tough challenge to meet client requirements. However, I’m proud to say that our team always delivers above and beyond expectations. As a result, Spider PR has focused its innovation and lives the challenger brand mentality – constantly measuring and evolving to ensure it stays one step ahead of its competitors.

3. What was one of the best/most creative PR ideas you heard this week? 

The University of Law in Guildford made a bold move by promising to refund its students 50% of tuition fees if they didn’t find a job within nine months of graduation. This highlighted the confidence that the educational facility has in its ability to help students on the path to their first career. This simple offering generated a lot of media attention and no doubt made a lot more young people consider going there. So close to A-Level results day, this was a brilliant move.

4. Tell us about an up and coming campaign that excites you?

In June 2015, we started working with Smashburger, one of America’s fastest-growing restaurants, and we’ll be supporting their UK launch. This is really exciting as they are looking to take on other US brands who have already established themselves within the UK market. We have some juicy ideas lined up, but our lips are sealed for now…watch this space.

5. What is one of your most memorable PR campaigns?

We work with Virgin Trains on a project basis and one of our most recent campaigns was called ‘High Speed Book Signing’; this was to promote Virgin Trains’ key messages of speed and customer service. Spider PR created the first ever, high-speed, on-board book signings for authors promoting their new books. High profile authors who have taken part include Jo Nesbo, Ruby Wax and Joanna Trollope. After the first book signing, 35 pieces of coverage had already been secured and the UK’s Mail on Sunday YOU magazine hailed it as “The genius idea of the Autumn!”
Questions or comments for Sara? Leave a comment below or email her at iamsarapearson.com.