Experienced,
Creative and Accountable
At ABC we recognise that communication consultancy
is a “people business” and that on-going client satisfaction
is ultimately dependent upon both quality and stability within our
team.
People buy people in our world, and leading operators in the industries
that we serve want to know they are working with the best agency
personnel. That’s why we have made it our priority to establish
a team of like-minded and committed professionals who have every
incentive to keep their clients delighted.
 Matt
Mellor BSc Agric (Hons)
Strengths:
• All things agricultural and
rural industry related.
• Strategic consultancy
through to delivery.
•
Press relations, advertising, direct communication and events.
Background:
• 19 years agri-sector
communications consultancy.
• Agri-journalism and
farm advisory work.
•
Agriculture degree, Wye College.
“Businesses operating
within the modern rural economy need to deal with change
and capitalise on the opportunities that are subsequently
created. This is a challenging environment where effective
communication with all audiences is increasingly vital.
At ABC we combine deep-rooted sector understanding with
a comprehensive range of market communication skills to
ensure that our clients receive the best possible support.”
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 David
Butler MBA BSc Agric.Sci. (Hons)
Strengths:
• Strategic consultancy through to campaign delivery.
• Well-rounded business and marketing skills.
• Integrating above and below-the-line communication
campaigns using traditional and new media.
• Technical writing and media relations.
Background:
• 18 years communication agency experience, primarily
in animal health, forage seed and animal nutrition sectors.
• MBA from Warwick Business School.
• Animal feed industry sales and marketing experience.
• Agricultural Science degree.
“Gone are the days
when the advertising agency takes the biggest share of the
communication budget, with other disciplines
such as direct marketing and PR fighting over the crumbs.
Marketers must now have a broader understanding of the relative
effectiveness of all elements of the communication mix. The
days of mass advertising are over and a shift to more targeted
direct marketing – using both traditional and new media
– is what’s required. PR has to be used effectively
too. PR often has a better chance of getting a message across
when increasing numbers of people are screening adverts out.
PR is also better able to create the right climate for targeted
sales activity and particularly as part of a well-balanced mix of communication activity.”
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 Chris
Burgess BSc (Hons)
Strengths:
• Designing and implementing brand and corporate PR campaigns.
•
Press relations and copywriting.
•
Literature from concept through to design and print.
•
Communications consultancy.
Background:
• 16 years communications agency experience.
•
Crop protection industry background and qualifications.
•
BSc (Hons) Applied Biology.
•
Associate member of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists.
“Key to effective communication is that the consultant must care. That begins by taking the time to understand the client’s brief and, more importantly, become inspired and enthused by it, so you can inspire and enthuse others. Beyond that, it’s a about developing a reputation for providing good stories to the media. And it’s about getting a buzz from the job – producing engaging copy, and understanding the power of good photography and graphic design – not just to look nice but to really reinforce the message or brand. It’s something all ABC consultants share – a passion for what they do.” |
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 Ashley
Fawcett
Strengths:
• Press relations and top level brand communication.
• Campaign planning and execution.
• Crisis and issue management.
• Merger, acquisition and change management.
Background:
• Senior Sales and Marketing roles in PLC environment.
• Supply chain management.
• Marketing consultancy.
“Progressive
and competitive businesses require a balance of strategic
and tactical communication to support commercial activities.
The role of PR is to promote the brand and profile of the
business to its key audiences. The ABC approach is to provide
consistent input through experienced consultants who are directly
aligned to the aspirations of the client.”
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 Paul Jennings MSc Dip CIPR
Strengths:
• Press relations, technical writing and literature design
• Communications of mergers, acquisitions, NPD and crisis management
• Event management from inception through to delivery and execution
Background:
• 12 years experience in dairy manufacturing and food chain PR
• MSc in Environmental Management
• Member of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Chartered Instititute of Public Relations
“PR is one of the most effective methods of reaching new customers and influencing existing ones. In an increasingly competitive agricultural sector, more and more organisations are proactively embracing the benefits of PR as a powerful marketing tool. At ABC we offer an unrivalled service in that all of our consultants are senior marketing executives who care passionately about delivering the very best results – in person – for their market-leading clients, whilst at the same time offering the experience and extended resources of the wider team.” |
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The ABC Support Team
An efficient administrative support team underpins the service provided by the ABC consultants.
Client Services Manager (left)
Helen Trow provides a vital role within the team, ensuring client requirements in relation to design, print, production and events are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards possible.
Financial Administrator (centre)
Caroline Francis co-ordinates efficient management of all financial transactions to the benefit of clients and suppliers alike.
Administrator (right)
Sarah Allin provides efficient adminstrative support to consultants.
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ABC Associates
 Cedric Porter
About Cedric:
• Director of agricultural supply chain consultancy Supply Intelligence and independent agricultural writer
• Former editor of national UK publication Farm Business magazine
• Former editor of global Dutch-based Meat International magazine
Skills:
• Proven track record of editing industry-leading business publications
• Excellent writing and commissioning skills
• Knowledge and experience of the UK and world food and farming industries
• Excellent network of contacts including all the key local and national farming media
• Director of the Oxford Farming Conference
• Member of the LEAF policy committee (Open Farm Sunday organiser)
• Defra food security stakeholder
• Regular speaker and commentator at farming industry events
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Malcolm Stevenson
About Malcolm:
Head of corporate communications consultancy and experienced journalist and broadcaster.
• Former UK Head of PR for world’s largest consultancy, McCann Erickson
• Former winner of the Investigative Journalist of the Year Award
• Former head of JCB’s award-winning PR team
Skills
• Corporate PR : handled PR for some of the world’s best known companies
• Vast experience of reputation, crisis and issue management
• Creative strategic and tactical thinker
• Media savvy, press relations, polished writer
• Guest lecturer for National Council for the Training of Journalists |
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