Over the years we have streamlined our approach around these key stages.
Focus
Expect to spend more time on PR within the first 1-3 months whereby we get to know you, your business and your offering.
David will often spend a half a day to a day initially asking many questions to cover all basis such as areas of vulnerability and most importantly, identifying the “PR gems” and USPs which often go unnoticed. The PR process often uncovers an undiscovered marketing angle to your offering.
Strategy
From the outset we will create a plan containing of a range of activities which will be pursued for the following six-months to a year, including prescheduled features, responding to news or planning larger research-led stories. This will dovetail into your marketing strategy and should not come as a surprise when it comes time to manifesting them.
Create The Story
Many businesses often make the mistake of telling PRs what they want to overtly promote – and it’s often a marketing message, rather than a PR one. We will help you identify specifically what your PR angle needs to be to attract the high value publicity you’re aiming for. It’s not about selling your product overtly, but rather about creating a relevant and informative story around it.
Collaboration
We meet clients on average, monthly, in person (moreso in the initial stages), often at clients offices, and expect to be in daily email contact and regular telephone calls, especially when in the midst of rolling out a story. Time spent on PR need not intrude with your business operations – we will always aim to work around you. Many longstanding clients of Meerkat PR spend minimal time on their campaigns. The best client conversations are often had when clients are hands free in the car or leaving the office – with us you have that flexibility.
Photography
When it comes to achieving stories in the press, the role of ‘pictures which tell stories’ is more important than ever. We take particular pride in ensuring you have the best possible images which represent you and your business, and more importantly, those that get published. We always accompany clients on photoshoots to get that perfect shot. The days of ‘head and shoulders’ behind a blank wall are over, and we work with highly talented photographers who work for the national press to achieve the best possible images.
Coaching
Nervous about interviews? For those who have not been interviewed beforehand we will often coach and prepare you beforehand, discussing key questions, briefing you about the journalist and publications and help you prepare for any eventualities. Our aim is to build you up to being a confident media commentator.
Analytics
Whenever we achieve publicity, it is always tracked, scanned and sent to you, often on the same day as publication. We always provide advice on ‘making the most of your PR’ once it’s been achieved.
Customer Bliss
Our ultimate goal when working with you is to get to a stage where we know your business, services and products, inside out, where you are spending minimal time on PR and gaining maximum results. Speak to a number of our longstanding clients who can attest to the success of this process.
Our Guarantee
All of Meerkat PR’s clients have come through word of mouth referral, which is the ultimate form of marketing. One of our biggest compliments to date was a referral from a senior business editor on one of the UK’s leading quality national newspapers, who thought we were worth recommending rather than one of London’s ‘top 50’ PR agencies. Our service is guaranteed and if we cannot produce meaningful results for you, we will refund our fee. This, thankfully, is yet to happen.
What They Say About Us
"David Stoch is a super-persistent PR who always offers relevant stories and ideas that are worth publishing." ~ Lucy Tobin, Senior News and Features Writer, Evening Standard
"As a Forbes contributor and journalist with the UK national press, I've known David for a number of years, and over that time he has become one of my most trusted sources. When I am on the tightest of deadlines, whether it is a case study, expert comment, or some key information I need, he always delivers, exactly to the brief." ~ Alison Coleman, Forbes / The Guardian
"I have found David to be incredibly hardworking on behalf of his clients. He is news savvy and his creativity is something appreciated by me and other journalists looking to present sometimes technical or niche subjects in an attractive and accessible way. He is an excellent relationship builder with media which is now essential for the 'conversation' comms now required." ~ Jayne Atherton, Business and Finance Editor, Metro
"David is a rare beast in the PR industry: he consistently produces top quality stories, great spokespeople, and never lets you down even on tight deadlines. I've worked with him for 10 years on dozens of stories, and he always knows the angles that work best for the publication, whether it's a national newspaper or a trade mag. It's been a total pleasure working with him." ~ Rebecca Burn-Callander, Enterprise Editor, The Daily Telegraph
"David Stoch is one the first PRs I turn to when I am stuck for ideas, case studies or comments from experts. David has helped me with many stories over the last decade and he is always helpful, efficient and friendly." ~ Linda Whitney, Daily Mail
It is inspiring to work with David, as his enthusiasm and drive are infectious. When brainstorming he asks challenging questions which draw out ideas to create interesting stories, and then delivers on getting them published.
Meerkat PR has been providing PR to Russell HR Consulting for several years and we’re a very good partnership. David takes the time to grasp the nature of the work we do as well as our business ethos. He “sells” me well and comes up with some great ideas for articles. In consequence we get excellent coverage. Local, national, online, print, tabloid, broadsheet, trade, and general – you name it; we regularly have a presence there. He is responsive to requests and achieves good results. I’m grateful to him for giving raising the profile of the HR Headmistress and making her a controversial national brand!
Since we engaged you, you’ve under-promised and over-delivered. You’re always proactively looking for stories about BNI that might be of interest to the media. You always look at what is most likely to gain coverage, rather than just looking at what story we may want to plug, and there is no doubt that the creative angles that you have come up with are what has achieved results. In the past five months alone, you’ve managed to get us coverage in three national papers, five local papers and at least ten online business titles – and we know there is a lot more in the pipeline.
David supported A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd in developing a PR campaign to support our end of year financial accounts success. During the three-months that this campaign lasted, David was able to secure significant national newspaper coverage in The Sunday Telegraph along with exposure in key trade and regional titles. This initial increase in the company’s profile was then followed up with a series of leads to further develop the company’s image across a range of publications. During the time that I have worked with David I have found him to be a tenacious, committed and an extremely proactive PR professional who has the ability to identify new angles and approaches to how the company can position itself to a diverse external audience.
David has amazing energy and drive, and is constantly looking for creative and original initiatives to promote our company and products. You can’t do better than create the opportunity to meet The Queen in order to promote your product and your company. At a personal level it was an opportunity of a lifetime to meet the Queen. Thank you David.
There is a myriad of areas into which your marketing budget can be spent, but working with David has proved that PR can produce a return on investment (ROI), which certainly exceeded our expectations. From an initial conversation, David works hard to understand your business and market sector, he directs and advises on an ethical and current approach, which really does bring results. It is a delight and privilege to work with David and our results speak for themselves. I can’t recommend David and Meerkat PR highly enough, it’s been the most positive choice I’ve made in producing such excellent returns.
Having worked with David Stoch of Meerkat PR for many years, he has constantly provided us with the PR knowledge and fresh thinking that is required to succeed in gaining traction for our brand. Our aims of being recognised by the leading daily press and industry publications are realised consistently, and this is by way of David’s hard work.
David’s knowledge and guidance is unparalleled and has helped transform YouSpotProperty.com into a recognisable brand and business, that a few months ago was nothing short of a concept. Well done David, your hard work is much appreciated by us and long may it go on.
David is a rare beast in the PR industry: he consistently produces top quality stories, great spokespeople, and never lets you down even on tight deadlines. I've worked with him for 10 years on dozens of stories, and he always knows the angles that work best for the publication, whether it's a national newspaper or a trade mag. It's been a total pleasure working with him.
I have found David to be incredibly hardworking on behalf of his clients. He is news savvy and his creativity is something appreciated by me and other journalists looking to present sometimes technical or niche subjects in an attractive and accessible way. He is an excellent relationship builder with media which is now essential for the 'conversation' comms now required.
As a Forbes contributor and journalist with the UK national press, I've known David for a number of years, and over that time he has become one of my most trusted sources. When I am on the tightest of deadlines, whether it is a case study, expert comment, or some key information I need, he always delivers, exactly to the brief.
"David Stoch is one the first PRs I turn to when I am stuck for ideas, case studies or comments from experts. David has helped me with many stories over the last decade and he is always helpful, efficient and friendly." ~ Linda Whitney, Daily Mail
Within days of the start of our formal relationship, David had worked his magic for an article and colour photo to appear on the front page of a features section in the Sunday Telegraph! We haven’t looked back since then, with regular features in trade, national, and local publications, as well as local radio interviews and much exposure online. David is one of the most thick skinned, tireless ‘agitators’ I have ever met, remorseless in his resourcefulness, friendly yet highly disciplined and focused on the job in hand. Great man to have on YOUR side! …and I wrote this reference, not him.!!
David Stoch is a super-persistent PR who always offers relevant stories and ideas that are worth publishing.