As fans prepare for the showdown between Kansas City and Philadelphia in Arizona on Sunday 12th February, Hard Rock Cafe Manchester has gone the whole nine yards with its Big Game night, with the return of its popular Tailgate menu, live music, cheerleaders, drinks bundles and a big screen to watch all the action.
Running from 9pm to late, fans won’t miss a second of the gridiron action as they blitz the Tailgate Menu created especially for the Big Game, featuring an all-star line-up of fan favourites including the likes of baby back ribs, Buffalo sliders, Tupelo chicken tenders and cheese fries.
And for the ‘Extra Point’, there’ll be live music from Outfoxed, who’ll be playing a set of American classics; an appearance by the Salford Sirens cheerleaders – and free half-time popcorn.
Target the Tailgate menu and you can pick from this winning line-up:
Classic Nachos – Crisp tortilla chips layered with ranch-style beans and a four-cheese sauce blend, topped with fresh pico de gallo, spicy jalapeños, pickled red onions, melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, and green onions, served with sour cream on the side.
Wings – Hard Rock’s signature slow-roasted wings tossed with classic Buffalo or barbecue sauce, served with celery and blue cheese dressing.
Baby Back Ribs Starter – 1⁄2 rack of Baby Back Ribs, served pre-cut in individual portions for perfect sharing. Seasoned with Hard Rock’s signature spice blend, then glazed with house-made barbecue sauce and grilled to perfection.
All-American Sliders – Three mini-burgers with melted American cheese, crispy onion ring and creamy coleslaw on a toasted brioche bun.
Buffalo-style Sliders – Three mini-burgers with crispy onion ring, classic Buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing on a toasted brioche bun.
Tupelo Chicken Tenders – Crispy chicken tenders served with honey mustard and our house-made barbecue sauce.
Onion Ring Tower – Hard Rock’s signature crispy onion rings, perfectly seasoned and served with barbecue and ranch sauce.
Cheese Fries – Hard Rock’s signature, crispy fries layered with cheese sauce, smoked bacon and sprinkled with green onions, served with a side of ranch for dipping.
The Tailgate Menu is 2 for £24.95, 3 for £30.95, or 4 for £36.95.
What’s more, Budweiser bundles are £17.50 for five or £80 for 25.
Book is recommended; to reserve your table for The Big Game at Hard Rock Cafe Manchester, visit Open Table
Bury-based FM Outsource, an industry-leading outsourced customer service provider, has welcomed Jo Hayhurst as People and Communications manager, as it continues to invest in the employee experience.
In previous roles , Jo has delivered employability programmes to people outside of education, employment, or training. This involved supporting individuals from a range of backgrounds by identifying learning, wellbeing and engagement needs, removing barriers which may have prevented them reaching their potential.
In her new position at FM, Jo has been tasked with overhauling internal communications and employee engagement levels through health and wellbeing initiatives, internal events, and engagement schemes, all of which influenced by her previous positions.
The new hire comes alongside the launch of a new engagement and wellbeing strategy: ‘FM Thrives’. FM Outsource has developed a new holistic approach built around five key pillars – – FM Cares, FM Rewards, FM Includes, FM Grows, and FM Talks – based on the company’s existing core values.
Jo Hayhurst comments: “In my new role I am keen to ensure that each and every team member feels supported and satisfied in their job. With my previous roles in the education and employability industry, I feel well prepared to improve the employee experience at FM Outsource in various ways.
“I am proud to be launching the new engagement and wellbeing strategy this year alongside the rest of the FM team to better engage our employees. We have taken their feedback into consideration and curated a programme that ensures we have a team that is invested in the company and is striving for excellence.”
Martin Brown, CCO at FM Outsource commented: “Jo’s passion for interacting with people and supporting them to achieve their full potential made her the obvious choice for this new role. We were founded as a family-led company, and we’re keen to continue this sentiment as we continue to grow. Hiring Jo is a commitment from us to keep going above and beyond for our team and make sure everyone has access to what they need to succeed.”
The yearly free Illuminate festival is set to return to Oldham – and this time it’s bigger and better than ever.
After the continued success of the Illuminate events in previous years, the programme is expanding to include another special event on Sunday 19th February.
The festival, which now runs from Monday 13th to Sunday 19th February, will see visitors wowed by incredible artworks and performances brought to life by the imaginations of artists from across the UK.
The main Light Night will take place on Saturday 18 February, showcasing 12 light works and a whole range of performances and ways to take part, plus the addition of the new Under-Wonder event at Northern Roots on Sunday 19 February – an intimate, illuminated, family-friendly adventure in the woods.
Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “Illuminate is one of the most spectacular events in the borough and I’m so glad to be able to bring it back to Oldham for its sixth year.
“With so many artworks, performances, and activities, it’s sure to not disappoint families and children of all ages.
“We’ve been able to add another date to the festival this year as it’s been so popular with residents and visitors in the past, and I’m excited that the magic of Illuminate will be extended to Northern Roots.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the town centre full with colour – and encourage everyone to get their friends and family together for what is sure to be a magical event.”
From Monday 13 February to Saturday 18 February the Queen Elizabeth Hall will host the magnificent “Mars”, by Luke Jerram. Measuring seven metres in diameter, the Mars artwork features detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface. At around one million times smaller than the actual planet, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 10 kilometres of the surface of Mars.
Then, the main event will take place on Saturday 18 February across Oldham town centre from 6pm with an illuminated carnival from Oldham Civic Centre to the Old Town Hall. Come and take part in the river of light as the community-made lanterns flow through the streets of the town centre accompanied by the Spirit of the North, illuminated dancers, giant puppets and rhythmic sounds.
Fans of Doctor Who won’t want to miss the spectacular installation at the Gallery Oldham and Library Gardens as Blackpool Illuminations come to town. Built by Lightworks, the replicas of the famous Tardis and Dalek from the BBC tv series Dr Who will descend into the space to delight the fans, young and old.
Oldham’s Old Town Hall will be transformed into a spectacular light show in a retelling of the local legend of Crime Lake. Come with us as we reveal the real magic found within the tale and the strange but wondrous world beneath the water’s surface. Featuring the original 1960’s poem, vivid projection mapping and storytelling, see the Grade 2 listed building come alive with Spirits of the North.
Take part and create a lantern with all the family at Gallery Oldham and be part of the illuminate parade. Workshops take place on Saturday 4 and 11 February and during 1/2 term on Tues 14, Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 February – 10 am and 1.30pm To book your free place at the workshops, visit Eventbrite.
Airgiants will be showcasing Unfurl in the Parish Church Gardens a garden like no other, a dreamscape of interactive gentle giant robots made from fabric and air that tower up to 5 metres high.
The Civic Centre car park will play host to Our Beating Heart, by Studio Vertigo, a huge mirror ball sculpture that slowly rotates, casting light across Oldham’s town centre.
And this year we’ve added Under-Wonder, which takes place in the woodland at Northern Roots on Sunday 19th February.
Journey into the wonderful world of the ‘wood wide web’ with the Paper Trail Collective, discover magical woodland creatures, help bring the Golden Mushroom to life and transform a dark woodland dell into an illuminated mycelium celebration party.
Bring your family and friends along to have fun and help create a wonder-filled celebration. The event, taking place from 5.30 – 8pm is free to attend there’s no need to book – just turn up.
There’s a lot more taking place as part of the festival including One Way Or Another by Tom Biddulph, plus, musical performances from Jubacana, light painting workshops, light-up craft workshops and much more.
OneTaste Sales Director Rachel Cherwitz, a teacher and addiction counselor, is delighted that she can proceed with her defamation lawsuit against the BBC. Cherwitz, OneTaste co-founder Nicole Daedone and OneTaste itself had asked the Court to exercise its discretion and allow their libel claims against the BBC to continue alongside IOM and OM IP Co’s existing defamation claims, even though the three of them brought their claims outside the prescribed one-year deadline.
In a major victory, Cherwitz has succeeded in overturning the time limitation.
The claims arise from a BBC podcast entitled “The Orgasm Cult,” which aired in November 2020. The 10-part series purported to introduce listeners to OneTaste, the organization co-founded by Ms. Daedone in the mid-2000s to promote the practice of Orgasmic Meditation (OM). However, the BBC podcast introduced a series of distressing, false and fully refutable assertions, some derived from similar untrue accusations originally published by Ellen Huet of Bloomberg Businessweek in 2018.
The misleading stories were presented via the podcast purposefully to suggest wrongdoing by the company, its founder and its leaders. While disappointed that Daedone herself is unable to hold the BBC to account for defamation, notwithstanding the truly horrid falsities levelled at herself and Cherwitz, the organization and its supporters are satisfied that Cherwitz’ claim is allowed to go forward.
Rachel Cherwitz said, “The abuse and ostracizing that I have suffered since the BBC chose to attack me for my work helping women discover their potential has taken a huge toll on me personally, as well as professionally. My mental health significantly suffered. My relationships, friendships and professional viability instantly fell apart.”
Cherwitz, a professional drug and alcohol counsellor and certified clinical trauma specialist with a master’s degrees in addiction counseling, was accused in the BBC’s podcast of pushing people toward suicide.
“It was profoundly distressing”, Cherwitz said. “I am grateful that the Court has allowed me to bring my defamation claim against the BBC, and to work alongside IOM and OM IP Co, to demonstrate the BBC’s fictional narrative and ultimately see the truth made public. I am suing not just for personal vindication, but also for Nicole and for the many thousands of people who put their trust in the OneTaste community.”
OneTaste Founder Nicole Daedone said, “To my mind, notwithstanding a mere four-month delay in bringing my claim (for which there were extenuating circumstances), no broadcaster of repute should be able to spout demonstrably untrue assertions without being challenged. The truth should matter to a news and media organization.”
“While the High Court has decided not to hear my defamation claim, this does not in any way alleviate the BBC’s responsibility to correct its errors and ensure the facts are put on record. I have said I find bringing defamation proceedings distasteful. Yet despite having in its possession the true facts that unravel the false thread that holds together its podcast, the BBC has been unwilling to do its duty to ensure the public is accurately informed.”
“I always recognized that the very nature of our pioneering work made us vulnerable to attack by those who would choose to misrepresent us. Yet the principle of consent among adults has always been at the heart of our work,” Daedone said.
“Even two years on, it is still deeply distressing to me to hear stories said to be from women, recounted by other women at the BBC – all of which strike at the very essence of who we are, and most of which we know to be wholly false.”
Daedone, who has championed women’s empowerment for decades, said, “I firmly believe women have inestimable power. Together, we hold the world. This is what has been under attack, and furthering women’s solidarity will continue to be my life’s work.”
“So the challenge to the BBC goes on. We will continue to encourage women to recognize the power of their honest self-expression, while contesting falsehoods that discourage them from standing in their capacities and strengths.”
Anjuli Ayer, from OneTaste said, “I am encouraged that Rachel Cherwitz’s application for an individual libel claim has been approved. The false attack on a woman for entertainment purposes is misogynistic and should not be allowed to continue. Rachel is a courageous individual for taking on a leading global broadcaster that has lost its moral compass.”
Ayer added, “I am thankful to the High Court for having carefully considered our out of time application for a libel claim against the BBC. The same claim continues from our affiliated company the Institute of OM.”
Sara Mansoori KC, barrister said, “In these exceptional circumstances Rachel Cherwitz is now able to challenge the extremely serious allegations made against her, which she has always vehemently denied.”
OneTaste and IOM will continue to encourage women to recognize the power of their honest self-expression, while contesting falsehoods that discourage them from standing in their capacities and strengths.
Claims by IOM and OM IP Co for defamation, claims by Nicole Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz under the Data Protection Act and for misuse of private information continue and are unaffected by today’s judgement.
Making the switch to electric cars can be an excellent move for your business. Not only will it reduce costs associated with gas-powered vehicles, it also has positive environmental implications and may even open up tax incentives. In addition, there are a range of options available in terms of models, making it easy for you to find the perfect vehicle for your business needs.
Cost savings associated with switching to electric vehicles
Switching to electric vehicles can create significant cost savings for businesses. Not only can capital allowances be applied to reduce business taxes, but the long-term cost per mile of driving an electric car will also be substantially lower than driving a traditional internal combustion engine car. Additional savings over the lifetime of an electric vehicle are associated with the lack of regular upkeep and service that is needed, due to its simpler mechanics and lighter components. Overall, business owners would be wise to consider switching their fleet to electric vehicles to maximise financial efficiency and minimise their environmental impact.
Environmental impact of using electric cars instead of gas-powered vehicles
Switching to electric vehicles can provide an immense benefit to the environment. Electric cars do not generate carbon emissions like gas-powered cars, therefore they are far more efficient and create a much lower carbon footprint than traditional vehicles. This can be especially beneficial for businesses that use large fleets of vehicles; switching over to electric cars could reduce carbon emissions drastically and even help businesses reach their environmental goals. Additionally, electric cars require far less maintenance in comparison to gas-powered vehicles, which could make it more cost-effective for businesses that have multiple car fleets as well. With the combination of carbon reduction and cost-efficiency, making the switch from gas-powered vehicles to electric ones is becoming increasingly appealing for businesses and individuals alike.
Tips for choosing the right model for your needs
When it comes to business operations, selecting the right electric vehicle can be a difficult decision. Many business owners may not know where to start when looking for an EV that fits their needs; however, there are some key points to consider before making a purchase. Price, range, storage/loading capacity and safety features are all important factors to consider when selecting the perfect business-appropriate car or truck. Taking time to research and compare different models will ultimately result in choosing the ideal electric vehicle for your business. It is also wise to talk with other business owners who have experience with EVs and seek advice from industry professionals. With proper planning and preparation, business owners will find the best electric vehicles that suit their business operations and needs.
Installing Charging Points
Installing an electric charging point in the UK is becoming increasingly popular for businesses, allowing them to tap into a growing number of customers interested in green energy. The process is simple – beginning with a business finding a reliable installer, then securing permission from local authorities and/or landlords, followed by safely installing the equipment, which usually takes around 2-3 days. After that, business owners can start offering charging services to their customers who own electric cars. With various government incentives available to business owners investing in electric technology, this cost-effective and eco-friendly option could help business owners considerably increase both their reach and reputation.
Overall, businesses that switch to electric vehicles can save money on taxes and long-term costs, reduce their carbon footprint and tap into a growing market of eco-conscious customers. With the right research and preparation, business owners can easily find the perfect electric vehicle for their needs and maximize financial efficiency while contributing to a greener and more sustainable
Retirees in Standish are invited to take part in one of a number of special upcoming open house coffee mornings at McCarthy Stone’s Brideoake Court Retirement Living development on Wellington Place, when it opens its doors for a series of extra special ‘Welcome Wednesday’ events.
Attendees at the event, which is being held between 10:30am and 12-noon each Wednesday morning, will be able to discover for themselves how they can continue living their independent and active lifestyle as part of a vibrant and sociable community, all while enjoying coffee and light refreshments in the communal lounge.
As part of their visit, guests are encouraged to bring their family and friends along to meet the homeowners who have already moved in to Brideoake Court. Visitors will also have the opportunity to be taken on a tour of the stunning show apartments, as well as be introduced to the on-site House Manager.
Louise Flynn, Regional Marketing Manager for McCarthy Stone, commented: “We are incredibly excited to welcome local retirees to our upcoming Welcome Wednesday coffee mornings. These open house events have been created to provide guests with an exclusive opportunity to truly get a taste of the lifestyle available as a McCarthy Stone homeowner, so they can see for themselves how they can continue to have the freedom to do more of what they love in a safe and supported community. We’d like to encourage anyone interested to get in touch and see how moving to an apartment in Brideoake Court can help them make the most of their retirement years.”
Comprising a selection of 31 one and two-bedroom Retirement Living apartments, exclusively designed for people aged 60 and over, Brideoake Court provides everything homeowners could want for a relaxing retirement.
Brideoake Court features an elegant communal lounge that regularly host events, landscaped gardens maintained by the McCarthy Stone team and a guest suite for when family and friends come to stay. The development has so far attracted considerable interest due to its desirable position in the village of Standish with stunning countryside on the doorstep, as well as being just a 20-minute drive from Wigan.
Prices for remaining two-bedroom apartments start from £269,899 with rental options also available to help make moving even easier.
More than nine out of 10 customers would recommend McCarthy Stone to a friend, ensuring it has received the full Five Star award for customer satisfaction from the Home Builders Federation. McCarthy Stone is the only UK housebuilder of any size or type to achieve this rating every year we have taken part in the survey.
Those interested in attending one of the Welcome Wednesday coffee mornings or finding out more about the last remaining apartments at Brideoake Court in Leyland are invited to call 0800 882 1829 or visit www.mccarthystone.co.uk/brideoake-court.
The North’s biggest Digital Skills Festival brings together tech employers like Atkins Global, GlobalLogic, BAE Systems, Raytheon, Auto Trader UK, Bentley and Zühlke – all under one roof.
Up to 300 job opportunities will be on offer on the flagship Talent Day (Wednesday, February 8th), compromising of roles in software engineering, data, cyber security, UX, design, business analyst, project management and much more.
On top of this, Conference Day (Monday, February 6th) will see a keynote talk from Auto Trader on unlocking future careers; a session on Where is the North going in terms of levelling up in technology; a panel discussion on addressing the skills gap through a cost of living crisis, and a talk by Tom Cheesewright on The Future of Work.
Paul Scully, MP and Minister for the Tech and Digital Economy, will join a Round Table discussion with tech business leaders to discuss how the Government can continue supporting and working alongside the tech industry across the North West.
The festival, organised by not-for-profit independent trade body Manchester Digital, takes place at various locations in Manchester between Monday, February 6 and Friday, February 10.
Digital Economy Minister Paul Scully said: “The North West is one of the country’s leading tech hotspots, home to more than 4,000 innovative start ups and counting. I’m excited to discuss with the region’s business leaders our plans to grow the tech talent pipeline – from investing in cyber skills to delivering new AI and data science scholarships – aimed at helping the industry go from strength to strength.”
Katie Gallagher, MD at Manchester Digital, said: “While our tech industry in the North West has survived the Covid pandemic, 2022 then saw a huge rise in the cost of living, as well as the ongoing talent shortages that have held back productivity and growth for the last few years.
“We are now looking at a potential economic recession throughout 2023, which is of course a concern to many businesses across the region. However, despite all of this, we are confident that the tech industry will continue to innovate and grow, and Manchester Digital will continue to support the industry with support, events and development of early talent.”
Conference Day will also see the results of the Skills Audit 2023 announced, which gives a snapshot of the regional tech economy during a cost of living crisis and economic recession. This policy-forming piece of in-depth research is created from data from the region’s tech and digital industry and is used by both central Government departments and regional Government to help them understand the fast-paced changing landscape.
The Digital Skills Festival also takes place during National Apprentice Week, so there are events and online sessions dedicated to helping both young people and career changers if a tech apprenticeship is the right path for them.
Sponsors of the event include Auto Trader, Atkins, BAE Systems, Raytheon, GlobalLogic, Zühlke, Bentley, hackajob and Bruntwood Sci Tech. The strategic event partner is Manchester City Council, and the education partners are the University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University.
Following a successful soft launch last year, Linkup is here to make people social in the digital era
With users clamouring to see the app back on their screens, Linkup has now entered its ALPHA phase
Linkup, the social revolution app that encourages in-person socialising is back with its ALPHA launch. This latest phase sees advanced features that bring the thrill of easy, live connections right into users’ hands, at any time. Founded by Jack Peagam and Ben Whatson, Linkup was created to encourage living in the moment, connecting like-minded people and lowering the barriers to socialising in the digital age. It goes against the grain of traditional social media apps, building real connections with new people, in the moment.
A trailblazing app backed by key influencers and investors including Krept & Konan and Calfreezy, Linkup’s technology innovatively connects people together over similar interests, encouraging them to linkup and socialise. Despite a small soft launch last year, the Linkup movement has already swept through Manchester, proving the need for the platform. Users have started quiet nights at the library and ended with a huge group of new friends playing beer pong. Linkup has seen skateboarders unite, perfectly aligned workout partners discover each other and solo concert goers connect over their passion for the artist. The stories are already endless but each rely on the spontaneity of users and of course, a platform like Linkup that makes it all possible. For Jack and Ben, the thrill of seeing their app come to life is reflected through some of their favourite adventures.
“In the spirit of Linkup, we’ve been very involved with showing that being spontaneous and saying yes to new people results in some epic experiences. We have taken complete strangers skiing, skydiving and jet skiing within hours of asking them. It was awesome to see the instant thrill, excitement and joy that these people got out of a spontaneous, same-day adventure and that’s exactly what Linkup is all about.” said Ben Whatson, Co-Founder.
“We don’t want our generation or any generation after us to rely on living on digital platforms for conversation and interaction, when there are so many opportunities out there to meet new people and forge new friendships based on shared passions; they just need pointing in the right direction.
Linkup’s soft launch gave the founders the opportunity to test the app and in doing so, create advanced and exciting features that take the Linkup experience to the next level. With thousands of downloads already, the app is a movement that has reintroduced live connections to a post-pandemic, digital-focussed age. Opening the doors to the planners of the world, the updated app allows users to schedule Linkups, meaning a Linkup can now be created up to 30 days in advance as well as within the next 24 hours. With safety continuing to play a core feature in the platform’s fundamental mission, the location/chat feature has been upgraded to make for a seamless and secure experience when identifying the group chat and the location of where to meet. Other new features include advanced filtering of linkups and a ‘my linkups’ page to store any you have created and attended.
“Linkup is not just a classic social media app where you meaninglessly swipe for hours. It’s a tool that helps you connect with people looking to build new relationships, meet like-minded people, share hobbies, go on adventures or just hang out.” continues Ben.
“We’ve already seen such amazing pick-up from people in our early stages and the opportunity to change the game for social interaction is huge. Having millions of users swiping on Linkup for hours isn’t the goal; having millions of people using Linkup to get out there and interact in person is what we can’t wait to see. And if we get to be a part of some of those stories, even better.”
Founders of Linkup Jack Peagam and Ben Whatson.
Linkup’s mission is to solve the problem of people living with one-dimensional, digital connections and be the bridge back into the real world, encouraging people to live in the moment. In a world where we are more connected than ever with a multitude of digital interactions available at our fingertips, people are still feeling disconnected, alone and lonely. Linkup’s revolution to the way we socialise is taking the world by storm already.
To stay connected, download Linkup now on iOS and Android.
Over 1,500 jobs will be on offer at a Manchester Airport jobs fair being held next month.
The event – at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce – will be held on February 7th and will showcase roles with a wide range of companies operating at the Airport.
The Northern hub is preparing for a busy summer season as it enters its first full year free of coronavirus-related restrictions since 2019.
Having recruited more than 700 new staff last year, it is set to welcome hundreds more in the months ahead as part of its normal summer preparations.
Jobs that the airport is recruiting for include positions in customer services, security, hospitality and car parking.
More than 25 other firms with operations at the airport will also be taking part in the jobs fair. These include, but are not limited to;
Restaurant and retail operators, including HMS Host, SSP, TRG, Boots, Costa Coffee, JD Sport, World Duty Free, Wagamama, Barburrito, Travelex and Blakemore Retail
The airline and package holiday provider, Jet2.com
Aviation service providers, including Seetec Plus, Menzies Aviation, ABM, Swissport, DNATA, ICTS UK LTD and Excess Baggage
Housekeeping service providers, including Mitie and Clarity CFG (House Keeping LTD)
The jobs fair event will take place on Tuesday 7 February from 10:00 – 14:00, in the Chamber’s Elliot Suite, at its Deansgate base in the city centre.
Also represented will be construction partner MACE, and non-profit organisation Smart Works, which supports women who are referred from Job Centres, mental health charities, women’s refuges, homeless shelters, the prison service, care service and youth organisations, as they seek employment.
The Airport Academy will promote its free pre-employment support courses, which include fully accredited training schemes for people on jobseekers allowances who need additional assistance prior to applying for jobs.
Attendees at the jobs fair will get the chance to engage directly with employers, putting any questions they may have to those who are recruiting and will also learn more about what employers are looking for from applicants, boosting their chances of securing employment at the airport.
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said:
“This is always an exciting time of year for us, as we look to welcome new colleagues on board ahead of the busy summer season.
“We are also pleased to be supporting our partners, like airlines, handling agents and retailers, as they look to strengthen their own teams in preparation.
“There is a wide range of opportunities available and I look forward to meeting the successful job-seekers out-and-about at the airport, following on from this event.”
Those securing roles with MAG can also take advantage of a wide range of benefits. These include discounts on public transport when travelling to work, free on-site car parking whilst working and when going on holiday, an excellent pension scheme, training programmes, retail discounts plus many more.
You’re ready to get the word out there about your new product, service or some other wonderful news for your business.
A great press release is what you need – and writing one can be a vital part of a wider marketing strategy.
It can lead to increased sales and improved brand awareness, which are both fantastic ways to engage with your target market, grow your business and give you the edge over your competitors.
What does a great press release look like?
Journalists are inundated with hundreds of press releases every single day. To get yours noticed, it needs to have a good hook.
What we mean by that is, that your release needs to stand out from the crowd. No one cares about another new shampoo. But they might care if it’s the first in the country to cure baldness… well, you get the idea.
As a bare minimum, it needs a snappy subject line – to make sure the email is clicked and read in the first place.
It requires an even better intro – puns are ok if they suit the subject matter – that sums up what the release is about and whatever you do, check it for spelling and grammar.
But having the press release is one thing. Getting it out to the right people – the ones who actually need to read it – is another.
Not only will you need a good pitch, you’ll need a good press release distribution company.
The company you choose needs to be well connected in the industry and be highly-skilled in giving your release the fanfare it needs.
What to look for in a press release distribution company
A good press release distribution service will promote your stories to news outlets, blogs, social media networks and journalists covering your issue.
Could I not do that myself? Well yes, but you’d have to go through the whole process of finding media contacts, creating a media list, pitching, following up and potentially building relationships with said people.
You wouldn’t have access to press syndication wires, email addresses of crucial journalists and a network of online assets to post news on.
When a release is sent out via a great press release distribution company, you can be sure to hundreds of publications being read by your target audience. Plus, it’s cost-effective compared to paying for advertising.
But it’s important to note one thing. Normally, there are no guarantees that a story will be published but your release will reach its intended audience.
More things to consider:
Quality of writing – Distribution goes hand in hand with good writing. Where a press release is concerned, you need both factors to be top notch. Since the success of your press release promotion depends on the quality of your content, you need a good press release distribution service that at least offers the writing element to ensure all the right buzzwords are included.
Customer service – Level of customer service is crucial, so make sure your chosen company offers it! You want someone who is user-friendly and responsive to contact via multiple channels. Customer service should also include editorial support and offer guidance and tutorials for using the platform.
Quality of publishing sites – Look for a high-end service provider to publish your release on the most relevant and authoritative websites. These are three critical driving factors of SEO and great for marketing. It’s always a good idea to find out what level of domain authority the sites being distributed to, have.
Time to publish – If time is of the essence, which it often is with things like this, then try a publisher who can offer to distribute within 48 hours.
Help to find the best press release distribution company
If you need help to find the best UK press release distribution company, you’ve come to the right place as we’ve tried and tested.
Be sure to consider the audience you want to reach, your budget, the distribution service on offer and any extra services you might want to explore.
We have gathered this list of the best press release distribution services by checking out tens of companies based on their pricing, services, and any bonus features.
This selection of the best press release distribution companies provides the highest value for businesses seeking promotion.
So without further ado, here are our top suggestions for getting your press release out there.
Best if: You need an all-round great distribution team with an excellent news-writing offering
PRFire is our best pick for press release distribution. The main reason is because it’s run by a team of experienced journalists. That means that because they’ve been on the other side of the fence, they know exactly what news desks want – and when.
But better still, they know who will want to read your news, ensuring it’s sent to those who want to see it most.
The coverage PRFire has achieved is great too – they’ve published in premiere news platforms including Yahoo, Google News, Buzzfeed and a whole host of social media too.
No picture to accompany your release? Fear not. They can supply professional photography too.
And the cost? Prices start from just £95 ($105) if you’ve got a release ready to send. And if you want guaranteed placements, you can simply request an upgrade to the likes of ABC or CBS.
It even offers international press release distribution so you can spread the word overseas.
After three working days, you receive a comprehensive performance report showing who viewed your news and where it was published.
If the whole process leaves you flummoxed, why not let their team write your release for you? You can sign up for a consultation with a journalist and they will do the hard work for you.
Best if: You need a release translating for overseas
There’s no scattergun approach with this lot. Just firing it out and hoping for the best.
This team hates spam and its big pull is the targeted distribution to smaller groups of topic specialists. It boasts an opt-in database of 33,000 media subscribers which include folk like journalists and bloggers. Your news is also syndicated to the likes of NewsNow, Thomson Reuters and Dow Jones.
There’s even the option of having your release translated for a specific country.
From just £110 ($121) for a single release, your news could be landing in the inbox of relevant journalists – plus there’s a love chat option to get support when you need it.
So, if you’ve got the time to develop a great campaign, this company is certainly worth a try for the coverage you’re hoping to achieve.
Editors, journalists and influencers know that when something comes from PR Newswire, it’s credible, reliable and worth reading.
They’re certainly more wider known than other services offering the same.
Each press release is coded for industry and subject trades that deliver your content to relevant, targeted audiences. What they do offer is a large network with more than 4000 websites and 3000 media outlets.
However, the pricing is very confusing to work out. From what we can gather, the cost of using PR newswire varies from release to release but you need to pay for a membership and then a basic press release option, costing at least £440 ($545).
Whether you’re looking to share your release locally, nationally or internationally, distribution with PA Media makes it easy to expand the reach of your press release, boost campaigns and target new audiences.
The website is relied on by major media outlets for high-quality news, which puts it in a prime position to distribute your press releases.
Designed to be bought in packages, distribution through PA, Media helps your team to Amplify your News by sending content back to the same portal that is used by 100% of the UK and Irish news media. It’s supported by an external site that is searchable for SEO and a guaranteed Ad-Amplify option that delivers 50,000 impressions via external news sites, such as the Metro and The Times.
Expect to pay £1,500 +VAT per 10 releases for distribution.
Also owned by Cision, on the PR Web website you can upload your own PR including images and videos, if you like.
Once you’ve done this, then its team steps up to handle the distribution across the categories you’ve chosen.
What we do like about this platform, is its analytics dashboard where you can check out how your campaign is performing and see the metrics or where to make any improvements.
There are multiple plans on offer with a basic starting at around £80 ($99) but if you have the budget, you can spend up to £313 ($389) on a premium option.
Always offering an experienced PR writer, this service promised to write and turn around a first draft within 24 hours, with direct communication with them via email or WhatsApp.
So not the best option if you’ve already written – and are happy with – your own press release as there is not distribution only offering.
But from £135 for a press release to be written and a transparent billing service, with a pay-as-you-go offering, it’s definitely up there to try.
If you have a small business with a limited budget, 24-7 would be the one to try for an adequate reach.
It serves up to 10 industries and posts to major search engines including Bing and Yahoo, reaching more than 200 news sites and 30,000 journalists.
We do like the real time metrics and enjoyed using the intuitive interface.
While the site doesn’t claim to have the largest distribution; however the feedback customers provided is that it offers “the best bang for buck” making it a good choice for any small to medium-sized businesses.
For £23 ($29), the site will post to its own platform, and there are various options for wider release distribution.
Yes, of course it’s possible to achieve this with a well-written press release is written well that has been sent to the right people at the right time.
For example, if your business is a small shop and you send out to local news, a press release can certainly help get people through the door.
If you’re holding an event, it’s also possible to measure foot traffic into your store after distributing a press release – it’s a good method to gauge how successful your release has been.
New product? A targeted press release can have a significant impact on your bottom line because it helps drum up interest and sets you apart from the competition.
Some press release services have certainly mastered the art of writing press releases and distributing them for maximum impact.
Do you need help to choose a press release distribution service?
So we’ve shared our secrets of the best press release distribution services.
No doubt you still have questions whether to send a single release or find a company that offers a good package deal.
Some of the companies we mentioned may work best for B2B services while others will fit better if its consumers of mainstream media who you’re trying to target.
Be wary of firms who can say they can guarantee coverage. Usually they can’t – but be sure you know what you’re signing up for to avoid any disappointments. Many newswires will offer guaranteed syndication on third party websites but this could end up with your content labelled ‘sponsored’.
