Commonwealth Games England (CGE) has appointed leading agency Run Communications to help develop and deliver its communications activity over the next two years.
The agency, led by Managing Director Steve Chisholm, has been working with Commonwealth Games England since 2014 to build the ‘Team England’ brand and support the organisation’s corporate activity.
Run works in partnership with CGE to help shape and manage its national and regional media-facing activity, social content strategy and strategic advice on corporate narrative.
Commonwealth Games England Chief Executive Paul Blanchard said: “Run have consistently impressed with their understanding of our brand, their creative ideas and ability to deliver outstanding content to our fans and key stakeholders. They will provide invaluable support to Team England as we grow our audiences in the countdown to a home Games in 2022.”
Since working with CGE, Run has helped drive a sizeable uplift in awareness of the Team England brand. Ongoing social media management in 2018 has boosted the brands’ followings; resulting in a 101% rise in Facebook, a 10% increase in Twitter, and 1004% rise in Instagram audiences over the past 12 months.
Run has produced a host of website, video, social media and web-ready/page-ready feature content to drive brand awareness, engagement, and excitement for Team England.
In the months leading up to Gold Coast 2018, PR and digital activations were strategically planned around key milestones, from One Year to Go celebrations to final team announcements and kitting-out.
Run established a full-service press office during the Games, focused on proactively generating media coverage at home, and executed a detailed social media content plan celebrating medal success.
Run also managed homecoming events taking place in London and Birmingham, taking full responsibility for operational planning and delivery to celebrate success and ensure maximum coverage for the team upon their return to the UK.
Run Communications Managing Director Steve Chisholm said: “Team England is the nation’s sports team, with equal numbers of men and women, disabled and non-disabled athletes, drawn from every locality across the country. Run will continue to work to ensure all communication activity celebrates this unique mix of talent and that Team England athletes are at the heart of the story through to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.”