Five years at TMPR, happy work anniversary Tom!

/in , , , , , /by

Today we’re marking five years since Tom Martin joined TMPR, and what an accomplished half a decade it has been!

Tom first joined the team back in 2019 as a Junior Account Executive, shortly after graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in English Language and Literature. He came to us as an enthusiastic graduate with an ambition to pursue a marketing and PR career. His passion and natural talent combined with the supportive environment and development opportunities provided by TMPR fast tracked Tom’s progression into his role as a fully formed Marketing & PR Consultant.

Reflecting on his tenure, Tom was spoilt for choice in choosing just a few highlights. From fully funded professional development, industry events and networking, team away days and celebrations, to spearheading immense projects and campaigns… And of course, taking home the title of Young Communicator of the Year at the 2023 CIPR PRide Wales awards!

When asked about his time with TMPR, Tom said: “Five years feels like a bit of a milestone, doesn’t it? It’s been a great journey so far and I’m confident there’s a way to go still. Seeing how the agency and the team has grown, especially across the past 12 months with new values, refreshed brand and more colleagues, has been extremely rewarding.

“On a personal level, I’m proud to be bringing the same attitude as day one. I’ve come a long way but I’m by no means finished learning, developing and finding new ways to deliver for our clients – and truly, I’m sure I never will be! It’s something to believe in, and I’m glad to be part of an ambitious team setting new standards.”

Louise Morgan, Director at TMPR, added: “Investing in our people to empower growth is a key pillar of TMPR. We believe in nurturing talent and supporting development at pace, most crucially, in specialisms that interest our colleagues the most. Tom has embraced every opportunity since day one, it’s been a real pleasure to work alongside him as his TMPR journey goes from strength to strength. Congratulations on this major milestone, Tom and thank you for the passion you bring to the agency as we prepare for our next chapter.”

Tom’s time with TMPR has been compelling and multifaceted – he has truly thrived since joining the team all those years ago, and played a pivotal role in helping evolve TMPR into the agency we are today.

A huge congratulations to Tom on his five year TMPR anniversary, we can’t wait to see what you achieve over the next five!

“This is not goodbye, but see you later!”

/in , , /by

This week, with a very heavy heart, TMPR said goodbye to our incredible Office Manager, Charlene Lau.

Charlene joined the team as an Office Administrator, but impressed everyone so much, that she progressed to Office Manager in less than a year! Charlene brought a wealth of experience in advertising and the media industry to the team – a skill set that saw her become a fundamental part of TMPR’s growth.

We’re sad to see Charlene leave, but we’ll be wishing her every success and cheering her on from rainy Wales she returns to her family in ‘sweaty’ Singapore.

On her final day in the office, Charlene took some time to reflect on her time with TMPR. Drawing inspiration from our Friday debrief, where we all share our highlights and challenges from the week, here’s what she had to say:

 

Highlights

“I’m super grateful for the kindness and tremendous support everyone has shown me since I first joined the team over two years ago. I have made friends for life and will miss everyone very much.

“It has been a privilege to watch TMPR grow – winning awards, gaining recognition from clients and publishers, and of course welcoming new faces to the team.

“I have really enjoyed being part of the brand refresh, crafting our new mission and vision statements, and generally laying the foundations for TMPR to grow even more. I’m sad I won’t be here to be part of it, but I know the team will keep doing amazing things.

“I will treasure every moment from our team building away days and parties to training sessions. We have had so much fun together, and shared so many giggles – I will never forget being exposed to new idioms like ‘turkeys don’t vote for Christmas’”. “I will take all these memories and phrases with me to Singapore and think of them when I need to laugh!”

 

Challenges

“Maybe I’m feeling soppy on my last day, but my time at TMPR has been a dream. The only challenge I can think of is adjusting to the work culture here – it’s much more relaxed than Singapore and Hong Kong!

And of course, a big challenge has been trying to park my car without any mishaps. Even on my last day I have had trouble trying to park my car! Maybe I need to revisit driving lessons…”.

 

Saying goodbye

“Leaving the TMPR team is going to be really hard. Everyone has been so thoughtful, encouraging, and all round amazing. I can’t go without thanking as many people as I can.

“Louise, my super talented lady boss! I couldn’t be more grateful to you for trusting me, allowing me to try new things, and encouraging me to grow and be better. You have definitely expanded my technical marketing knowledge, but in a way that I can take these skills and use them anywhere. It has been a great privilege to learn from you.

“Tom, the day we met you welcomed me with the most charming smile – it’s one of the best first impressions of someone I’ve ever had. From that day until this one, you have always guided me, offered support, and looked after me like family. Thank you for being a great friend.

“Olly, my partner in crime, lunch buddy, best English tea maker and Welsh cake baker! Life will be boring without you. I am sorry for forever teasing you, but we had so many laughs and so much fun. Your famous slogan ‘get back to work!’ will be part of me forever.

“Rachel Cole, my admin goddess! Your contagious laughter and positive vibes fill every room that you are in. I can’t think of anyone better to look after the team when I have returned to Singapore. Thank you for being authentically you.

“Mollie, my main competitor to marry Harry Styles! My only wish is that we could have more time to work together. It has been lovely getting to know you since you joined the team a few months ago, thank you for introducing me to various kinds of cows!

“Rachel Knight, it has been a great pleasure meeting you. In our short time you’ve shown me what gentleness and the term soft-spoken should be! I know you will do great things at TMPR.

“Jo, Katrin, Grace, Joanna, Elaine, and Chris – thank you for your kind support and the professionalism you have shown me throughout my tenure. I will miss working with you all.

“Publishers and clients, my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for making my time at TMPR truly memorable and smooth-sailing. I wish you all the best for the future.

 

“Coming together is the beginning, staying together is a process, working together is success.

“This is not goodbye but see you later my dearest TMPRers. My sincerest thank you to all of you. We became the best of friends, and I will miss you all deeply.”

The newest member of team TMPR – welcome, Rachel!

/in , , , , /by

TMPR is excited to welcome Rachel Knight to the team, who joins us as a Junior Graphic Designer! Rachel brings a degree in graphic communication and four years of graphic design experience to the team, alongside her friendly attitude and passion for creativity.

“During my university studies and previous roles, I developed a keen interest in visual storytelling and brand communication,” Rachel explains. “I am very happy to be joining TMPR, and I am eager to embrace the collaborative spirit and transparent approach that they are so well known for.”

“As a Junior Graphic Designer, I’ll be helping edit artwork for existing client projects, as well as acting as a brand guardian for TMPR,” Rachel continues. “I’m looking forward to growing in my role and with the brand. We’re currently going through a re-brand, so I’m very excited about what’s ahead!”

Outside of the office, Rachel tries to spend as much time outdoors as possible. She loves running, hiking, and travelling to new places. Last year, Rachel took a career break to travel around Europe. She had a fantastic time experiencing new cultures and exploring lots of new hiking routes. Her favourite hike being the Picos De Europa, a beautiful National Park known for being the home of the Brown Bear and the Iberian Wolf! Rachel is also a keen amateur photographer, and loves capturing the scenery on her outdoor adventures.

Louise Morgan, TMPR Director, says: “Welcoming Rachel to the team bolsters our existing creative capabilities. In the short time she has been with us, she has already made a positive impact – fitting in seamlessly by bringing a positive attitude and passion for design.”

“Thanks to Rachel joining the business, we are now making good progress with the TMPR rebrand behind the scenes,” Louise continues. “Watch this space in the coming months… great things are on the way!”

“I’m so thankful for the warm welcome I’ve received from the team,” Rachel adds. “Their kindness and support has made my transition into this new chapter smooth and enjoyable. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such talented, hardworking and friendly colleagues. I can’t wait to see what our future holds!”

 

Welcome to the TMPR team, Rachel!

TMPR celebrate Tom’s win at the CIPR PRide Awards!

/in , , , , , /by

TMPR are extremely proud to share that Tom was a Gold Winner in the Outstanding Young Communicator of the Year category at this years CIPR PRide Awards!

Everyone at TMPR sees the hard work and dedication Tom puts into all his projects and clients every day, so his win came as no surprise to us, but we are so glad that his talent and commitment has been recognised by the CIPR and celebrated by a room full of industry peers. He truly is an inspiration.

“I’m immensely pleased to be named Gold Winner of the Outstanding Young Communicator award. It feels like the culmination of a great year, and a high point in my career so far. Putting my submission forward was a great opportunity to reflect on what I’ve achieved so far, but also a moment to think about what comes next – I’m sure there’s a lot more steps to take!” Tom explains. “To attend the awards with the team was a real privilege. We all work extremely hard so it’s brilliant to have a chance to celebrate together and unwind a little. I think it’s testament to the strength of our team that we’ve achieved so much, and we’ll undoubtedly be back next year.”

“It was incredible to see Tom win the Outstanding Young Communicator award. We will be celebrating Tom’s fifth year at TMPR in 2024, so this achievement feels like the perfect way to mark his progression so far,” says TMPR Director, Louise Morgan. “At TMPR we are passionate about investing in team development and creating opportunities for growth. Tom has grown so much since his early days at TMPR, so it was an honour to see him be celebrated by the CIPR and the Welsh PR Industry. We are beyond proud of him.”

Here’s what the judges had to say about why Tom is a deserving winner: “Tom is a worthy winner of the Outstanding Young Communicator award this year. His ability and commitment to his role shone through in his nomination. The judges were particularly pleased and impressed to see how he is passing on his knowledge and experience to colleagues. A very deserved honour.”

Held at the Coal Exchange Hotel in Cardiff Bay, the PRide Awards were a celebration of the work delivered by the vibrant Public Relations community in Wales over the last year. The dress code was dress to impress – and the team definitely did! The TMPR team has grown again this year, so the awards were a great opportunity for team members old and new to catch up with the extended team in person instead of through a screen!

TMPR were shortlisted for two other awards at this year’s PRide Awards: Best Long-term Client Care and Small PR Consultancy of the Year. Although we didn’t win these awards, as a small business, to be finalists at such a prestigious event amongst so many excellent peers was a win in itself for us.

Congratulations to Tom, all the award winners, and all our fellow finalists. The last few years have been especially difficult to navigate, so it is incredibly heart warming to see the Welsh Public Relations industry thriving. Everyone should be so proud.

We can’t wait to do it all again next year!

 

TMPR celebrates commitment to a real living wage

/in , , , /by

Written by: Daisy Babbage

We are happy to announce that Technical Marketing and PR (TMPR) has been accredited as a Living Wage Employer. This Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at Technical Marketing and PR receive a minimum hourly wage of £10.90, higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at £10.42 per hour.

TMPR is based in Wales, a region where more than a tenth of all workers (11.8%) earn less than they need to get by, with around 144,000 jobs paying less than the real Living Wage.

 

Although TMPR has recently been accredited a Living Wage Employer, this is far from the start of the company paying its employees higher than the minimum wage. Even those on internships at TMPR earn a fair wage, as the business believes in nurturing and rewarding future talent. “We value all our employees at TMPR, and therefore believe this should be reflected not only in competitive salaries, but also wider benefits,” explains Louise Morgan, Director of TMPR.

“We’ve consulted closely with the team over the years to identify, above salary, what benefits are most valued. As a result of that, we now have private healthcare, flexi time, hybrid working, birthdays and Christmas shopping days off plus regular team building – the rugby always being a favourite!

“We want our team to be the best versions of themselves, so if we can help with that, then we will.”

 

The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to the costs of living. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that wish to ensure their staff earn a wage they can live on, not just the government minimum. Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 450,000 people and put over £2 billion extra into the pockets of low paid workers.

Katherine Chapman, the Director of Living Wage Foundation, said: “We’re delighted that Technical Marketing and PR has joined the movement of over 12,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on.

“They join thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Everton Football Club and many more. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and they, like TMPR, believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.”

Say hello to the new Marketing Intern, Daisy!

/in , , , /by

Written by: Daisy Babbage

Hot off the tail of our most recent hire is our new Marketing Intern, Daisy Babbage. Currently studying psychology at Cardiff University, she describes her interests as being in human behaviour and decision-making. “I’ve always wanted to go into marketing from a different perspective, thinking about why a marketing strategy is more persuasive than another, or what catches the attention of potential consumers, as well as wanting to understand how to implement it.

“Because of my degree, I am well versed in research and analysis. But what I am eager to expand on is my creative writing skills. As someone who loved English literature and creative writing during my A Levels, I’m excited to develop my written communication once again.” 

Alongside her internship and degree, Daisy enjoys keeping herself busy – whether that be through her retail job, running a weekly university radio show, or as a proactive member and publicity manager of an acting society. In what is left of her downtime, Daisy loves to paint, go on walks with family and friends, and listen to all genres of music.

“Everyone at TMPR has been so welcoming, friendly and helpful, making it feel like a really encouraging atmosphere to learn and develop my knowledge of the marketing and PR world. I can already tell how much of an impact this internship will have – not just for my understanding of marketing and PR, but also because of the people here.

“I love learning about the world, and ultimately, I would love to work in marketing for a technology company. I can’t wait to get stuck in and get hands-on insight into marketing, and I am so happy to be doing this with TMPR.”

Welcome to the team, Daisy!

TMPR getting ahead of the curve at FIREX

/in , , , , /by

Written by: Mimi Deen

Attending industry events is crucial for keeping up with the latest regulation changes, product launches, and market trends. TMPR believes in ongoing professional development as this provides an excellent opportunity for on-the-job training and continuous learning to stay ahead of the curve. Earlier this year, we were fully engaged in EdTech at Bett which was held at the ExCel London Exhibition Centre.

TMPR returned to ExCel again last month, this time to learn more about the latest developments in fire safety and protection at FIREX. The three-day event was a great development opportunity as it brings together fire safety professionals and showcases the latest product, services, and technologies in the industry. Representing TMPR at the show were Tom Martin and Oliver Thorne. Having attended a fire safety event previously, this was their first time at FIREX. Despite having to navigate some tricky train delays on their way back, they both gained valuable insights and ideas to share with the wider team. 

“My first experience of FIREX was a very positive one. It was a brilliant opportunity to check in with the fire protection industry, and see a wide range of passive fire protection solutions up close, including product demonstrations and installs,” explained Tom.

Oliver also had the opportunity to visit various exhibitor stands and to learn about the latest products and services at FIREX. Here’s what he had to say about it:

“It was great to see the enthusiasm all around for fire safety from early on at FIREX. We attended a few live demonstrations on how to install fire-stopping solutions into various apertures, which was great viewing for beginners and experts alike.”

Tom was particularly excited to be there in-person, having supported a client with stand design and event planning for the show. Here are some of his highlights:

“We also attended some thought provoking seminars which will undoubtedly support our future projects. A particular highlight for me was checking in with our client, having been heavily involved with the preparation of their event planning and design. Seeing the stand come to life was very satisfying, and clearly resonated with its many visitors.”

What industry events are you looking forward to attending or hosting this year? If there’s a construction, manufacturing, or engineering related one you think we should know about, drop us a line at hello@technicalmarketing-pr.com.

Hwyl Fawr Carys!

/in , , /by

Written by: Mimi Deen

We recently said goodbye to another one of our interns, Carys Williams, who joined TMPR for an initial three-month internship which was then extended. Here’s what she had to say about her journey of balancing studying and working with us:

“My TMPRship has been so insightful and I’m very grateful to Louise and the team for this invaluable opportunity. It was very important for me to gain experience in the industry, ahead of graduation. Completing my internship allowed me to develop my knowledge, experience and confidence, which are all essential to me, for when I enter the labour market after my studies. 

“Everyone within the in-house and wider team has been so patient and guiding, which I am really grateful for. My favourite tasks have been news round ups and blog writing, and I now even have tangible pieces of copy to add to my portfolio.

“I’ve also been lucky enough to become accustomed with tools used in this field of work; Cision, Smartsheet and WordPress, to name a few.”

If you’re a student or recent graduate looking to gain experience in marketing and PR, give us a shout at hello@technicalmarketing-pr.com or visit our LinkedIn to connect.

TMPR welcomes an international student: ‘Selamat Datang’ Mimi!

/in , , /by

Written by: Mimi Deen

April is blossoming to a positive start with Mimi Deen joining us as our newest Marketing Intern. She was born and raised in Malaysia, but her family once lived in Cardiff in the 90s, making it a walk down memory lane when she decided to pursue her MA at Cardiff University.

As a postgraduate student, Mimi juggles her time between work while pursuing her International Public Relations & Global Communication Management degree at the School of Journalism and Media Communications. She was then connected to TMPR via the Career Confident programme, leading her to work for us where she will support the team with regular marketing, PR activities, and client projects.

Before TMPR, Mimi was heavily engaged with corporate stakeholder engagement while working within a CSR organisation’s planning team. Mimi is passionate about enriching life with a sustainable approach to things as she believes in the long-term impact of it. She starts from home by educating her family about the simplest green alternatives, such as DIY-ing nature-friendly household solutions. Moving forward, she hopes to instil the habit within the working environment at the office. We value her keen interest, as sustainability is a key theme for TMPR and its clients.

Mimi had the opportunity to join the team, visiting screen-printing company and TMPR supplier, Screentec, on her second day. Upon seeing the printing house, she was thrilled to witness something close to her heart. “We travelled to Ferndale and I was especially interested when the Managing Director mentioned their business recycling approach. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip as it was also my first time going the Welsh valleys”. Adding that her transition into the workplace went seamlessly, “I felt comfortable since the first day; the team were very friendly and ensured to give me that sense of belonging from the get-go”.

We look forward to working with Mimi and seeing her develop skills and expertise in the PR industry. On behalf of all the team, we wish her a warm welcome and congratulations on a great start!

So long, and thanks for all the fish, Charlie

/in , /by

To quote Douglas Adams, it may be time to say goodbye, but farewell is by no means forever… Charlie says hello to a whole new adventure!

Marketing Assistant Charlie Buckland joined us last June as a Marketing Intern, fresh from her studies at Cardiff University and finding her feet in the working world. She quickly established herself as a member of the TMPR team and was promoted to Marketing Assistant by the end of the summer.

From jumping straight in to support a national PR campaign, to finessing her copywriting skills crafting client blogs, case studies and press releases, Charlie has come on leaps and bounds from the graduate who first entered our doors.

While we’re sad to see Charlie leave, we look forward to continuing to cheer her on from the side-lines as she pursues her passion in Journalism.

But don’t just take our word for it, Charlie took the time to look back upon her time with the TMPR team:

Although my time at TMPR might be ending, the lessons I’ve learnt from my experience here will always stay with me. I’ve been put at ease since my very first day, the team could not have been more encouraging and it’s with a heavy heart that I leave them. To commemorate all that TMPR has done for me this past year, here are some of my highlights…

Crafting new copy

My role at TMPR has involved developing copy on a daily basis, from short and punchy social posts to more weighty case studies. It’s been an iterative process, but I’ve become self-assured in my writing and the experience has allowed me to grasp more about the world of technical marketing and public relations.

CIPR Training

TMPR prides themselves on investing in regular training to gain new skills and motivate new ways of approaching tasks. During my time at TMPR I underwent two training courses with the respected Chartered Institute of Public Relations, both in mastering the art of copywriting and press releases. The courses were so insightful, and the skills learnt reinspired my approach to writing and will transpire beyond the world of PR.

Growing in confidence

When I first joined the team, I had limited experience working within the business world, but TMPR soon showed me the ropes. Through 1 to 1 support with Director Louise Morgan and on-hand assistance from everyone in-house, I never felt like I was left high and dry.

From sitting in on meetings to now leading case study interviews for clients, I’m positive that I leave TMPR confident in my capabilities. It’s been so great to learn from applied experts within the industry who I am now fortunate enough to consider friends.

So finally, diolch yn fawr pawb at TMPR, for your constant guidance and encouragement. I truly could have not wished for a better team to mentor me through my first graduate role – I’ll be an onlooker forever in your favour.

And Charlene…I will always share your banana with you!