Here are organisations saying nice things about Furner Communications. We have inevitably chosen some of the best comments but reckon you could speak to anyone we've worked for and they would be complimentary. It's not, of course, just about being nice - organisations come to us because we can help them achieve key communications and business goals. And that's what good PR should be about.
Project: Retainer
Brief: Ongoing communications and stakeholder support
"We met the Furner Communications team when we were working on a joint project with Housing 21.
"We were really impressed with the way they handled the media work around that project, which included sensitively managing case study material around end of life care issues. The resultant coverage was just what we wanted.
"So we asked them to pitch for our communications work, and haven't looked back since. The Programme has an inevitable profile; we work in a fast moving and dynamic environment that requires developing relationships, partnerships and services across a massive range of stakeholders in a way which places a huge responsibility on our communications function.
"Ben and his colleagues have met that responsibility calmly and professionally. They seem unfazed at the myriad of projects, issues, and deadlines we throw at them. Whether design work, a facilitation project, writing a brochure, organising an event or handling media enquiries - the list goes on - they give us what we need.
"Their expertise and experience across the sectors means they deliver wise counsel and high quality work, on time and on budget. And the tangible commitment to our determination to improve care for people at the end of their lives means they are always willing to go the extra mile when its needed."
Claire Henry is the director of the National End of Life Care Programme.
Project: Retainer and National School Environments Week.
Brief: Ongoing marketing communications support and strategic advice; media relations work on National School Environments Week.
"Furner Communications has been working with the BCSE since its inception in 2006, handling the media launch of the new organisation and providing a broad range of strategic and practical marketing communications support since then, from media relations through to copy writing for our corporate material.
"This communications support has been absolutely key in positioning the BCSE as an organisation which punches above its weight - crucial for a charity with limited resources and only 5 permanent members of staff. The fact that we were asked to give evidence direct to MPs on the Children, Schools and Families select committee on school buildings investment shows how far we've come in a short time.
"For National School Environments Week, Furner Communications brokered a deal with BBC TV Breakfast to cover the progress of a week-long 'Changing Rooms' type makeover of a primary school. We ended up with seven slots over five days - brilliant - way beyond what we expected or even dared hope for."
Ty Goddard is chief executive of the British Council for School Environments.
Project: Retainer.
Brief: Ongoing communications support.
"We first started working with Ben in 2002 when we needed some help getting media profile on a research report around older people's housing and care.
"Since then, Ben and his colleagues have worked with Housing 21 on a massive range of projects - from annual reports and brochures through to media relations work with local, specialist and national print and broadcast outlets, along with some of the inevitable crisis management which comes from being a large service provider.
"Having access to agency staff with a broad range of skills, and knowledge of the housing and care sector, is a great support for our marketing communications work. They're easy to talk to, quick to respond and good value for money - my job would be impossible without them."
Helen Jebson is the head of marketing and corporate communications at Housing 21.
