Celebrating 23 years of helping our clients grow their businesses

WILLIAM MURRAY COMMUNICATIONS has been appointed by the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) UK & Ireland to handle its PR and communications.

The marketing and communications specialists will raise awareness of the FCSI in the hospitality industry and communicate the benefits and value the society can add to businesses.

“Part of a worldwide group of foodservice consultants, our members hold a wealth of expert foodservice information, solutions and advice,” says Jonathan Doughty, FCSI UK & Ireland chairman.

“We have the knowledge to solve challenges with innovative, commercial and sustainable solutions and we can help with everything from foodservice strategy and kitchen design to hygiene and contract tendering.

“William Murray Communications has been tasked to raise the profile of the society, demonstrating how we help our members and the wider sector.”

Anita Woods, managing director at William Murray Communications, adds: “The FCSI is passionate about sharing their knowledge. At a time when businesses are having to work smarter to stay ahead of the competition, we are excited to be working with the FCSI. Their know-how and expertise, if communicated and shared, will have a huge impact on the industry.”

For more information on the FCSI and how it can add value to your business, call 01483 761122, or for media information contact Fiona Hamilton or Charlotte Davies at William Murray Communications on 0208 256 1360.

Press Information
For media enquiries please contact:
Fiona Hamilton / Charlotte Davies
William Murray Communications
020 8256 1360
fiona@williammurray.co.uk / charlotte@williammurray.co.uk

When 3663 completed Paddock Wood – one of the most technologically advanced and sustainable depots – William Murray made sure that the trade, local and national press took note of the depot’s credentials.

Ahead of the depot’s launch William Murray created a media buzz by drip-feeding information to journalists through relevant features, conversations and award entries.

The results speak for themselves:

• 3,750,000 viewers were exposed to the story on BBC News
• £44,516 worth of PR coverage was generated giving 3663 a return on investment of 8:1
• An informal, lively debate cemented 3663’s credentials with council members arguing 3663’s case to journalists
• Six months after the launch, news stories and features focusing on Paddock Wood are still being published in the press

Through an integrated campaign encompassing print and online media, a bespoke Christmas website and an email series, William Murray firmly positioned 3663 as the supplier of choice for Christmas:

• In excess of 843,336 customers and potential customers had the opportunity to read about 3663’s offering in 29 trade press articles
• The bespoke microsite achieved 5,750 page views from potential customers seeking inspiration, advice and promotions when planning their festive menus
• 472 email addresses were collected through data-capture on the microsite giving 3663 a list of new business targets
• A series of Christmas emails regularly drove traffic to the microsite allowing 3663 to highlight new promotions and demonstrate its expertise

Both Karen and Anita are delighted to have been offered the opportunity to act as mentors for Women 1^st – a hospitality networking organisation for women.

Women make up 60% of the sectors workforce yet it is a surprise that only 6% of hospitality company directors are women – surely this leaves the industry with a massive skills shortage? Women’s 1st aims to support women through mentoring programmes, networking events and career development schemes.

With Anita supporting the committee with marketing advice as well as enrolling as a mentor, the team at William Murray are looking forward to hearing lots more in the future about this exciting new initiative.

William Murray Communications foodservice industry specialists, organised a fantastic day at the Bel Cheese Academy with Michelin and 5AA Rosette award-winning French Chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. The day was attended by five lucky competition winners, who earlier on in the year submitted recipes using Bel products and four private attendees.

Jean–Christophe Novelli showed how versatile the Bel range of cheeses can be and everyone left brimming with ideas and their stomachs full from delicious food.

We have really excelled ourself here at William Murray with no less than eight Wow nominations!

We’re particularly impressed with Anita and Steve, who turned around 3663′s perception of William Murray as only being a PR agency, and subsequently winning the business for their upcoming branding! This is fantastic news for the WM team, topping off an excellent week of Wows.

The 3663 team have WOWed us all this week, with their fantastic work on the 3663 Christmas microsite.
The microsite went live in record timing – the team accomplished this in just 13 working days from sign-off of the first copy pages.  The microsite is now on the 3663 home page, so go take a peek.

The ViVAS team had more great coverage last week, with the regular campaign in The Publican, ‘Sell More Save More’ starting up again for its third year. A call for pubs to apply to be involved in the campaign saw strong comment from the general manager of ViVAS on the first of four pages.

The 3663 team worked their magic on the William Murray boardroom and transformed it to a winter wonderland for a series of Christmas briefings last Friday. The client was delighted with the smooth running of the day and the level of attendance from target media – attending titles included The Grocer, PubChef, Caterer & Hotelkeeper, ProWholesaler, The Publican and Cost Sector Catering.

As per our previous blog entry, the desks have now been moved, partitions taken down, and lots of whingeing done about getting our stationery and paperwork re-organised – the William Murray office has been overhauled and is totally open plan.

A big thank you goes to Judith who came in on the weekend to ensure our computer and phone systems were back in action for a busy Monday after the big move. Thanks Judith!