Category: Blog Roll

Every month, the RGM team under go a industry-related quiz which is always accompanied by lunch. The winner of the quiz is named our ‘Employee of the Month’ and awarded a early finish on a Friday of their choice (que the wooooo’s).

This month Moor Food Limited catered for us. The lovely Darren has not long launched his own catering business. Having an early career as a professional chef he left it all to be a stay at home dad, now his little ones are not so small, hes back at doing what he does best – filling empty tummy’s with amazing food. Darren traveled to the RGM office with tasty treats on board. He served us a gorgeous vegetable chili (which some team members even claimed it as the best chili they had ever had) with a to-die-for lemon meringue pie for desert. Alot of the team went back for seconds, some even having thirds, the lunch was just so good!

Congratulations to CEO Rebecca for winning, ‘Employee of the Month’. We can’t wait for next month’s quiz not only to try and tackle the title off Rebecca but for our Moor Food lunch, Darren is going to deliver his homemade vegetable curry with hopefully a treat for afters!

We supported Crisis at Christmas this year and took 14 homeless people off the street. Thank you to everyone who helped to support our campaign.

Judging took place this Morning for The Great RGM Christmas Bake Off! A whole host of creations arrived at the office, from mini ginger-bread-men shaped biscuits to biscuits that spelt team members names and even team members as biscuits.  It was clear that the oven mitts were off for this office competition.

After a morning of munching, tasting and score taking fueled by copious amounts of sugar, Becci was crowned RGM Christmas Baker 2016. Her masterpiece of personalised team member biscuits over-ruled any other bake. A great effort with some uncanny resemblances! Following Becci as runners up were Liz who easily received 10/10 for presentation and Sian for her mini ginger-bread-men.

A real RGM team effort, the Grinch even made a appearance!

Today marks the beginning of The Great RGM Christmas Bake Off! Each member of the team was presented with a gorgeous glass jar stacked with ingredients to make raisin and oat biscuits, the jars look so good we don’t want to ruin them.

The idea is that each member of the team takes their jars home, bakes the biscuits over the weekend then on Monday, brings in their creations. Judging will then take place. From taste to originality and appearance, the biscuits will be put through extreme scrutiny, to ensure there are no Soggy Bottoms or raw dough balls. We’re hoping for 3D biscuit scenes that would even bowl Paul Hollywood over.

Check back on Monday to see which team member is crowned, The Great RGM Baker of 2016!

We’ve done it again! Multi award winning media agency, Rebecca Garrett Media picked up yet another award at the Devon Venus Awards last Friday at a glittering evening at the Great Hall, Exeter University. We beat 25 other nominated entries to take the crown for best “DIGITAL MEDIA AND ONLINE BUSINESS“. This is the SECOND TIME we’ve picked up this award in three years and it sits proudly alongside our other raft of gongs for our pioneering work. The whole team turned up to enjoy the evening. Lots of lovely food and wine were consumed and lots of photos taken.

We absolutely love winning awards and intend to win lots more so WATCH THIS SPACE.

If you are interested in joining our WINNING TEAM  and think you’ve got what it takes then click here and get in touch.

Devon Venus Awards 2016 in partnership with Bowater Communications announce Winners at Grand Ceremony!

 Winners of the Devon Venus Awards 2016 in partnership with Alexis Bowater of Bowater Communications were announced at a Grand Ceremony and Gala Dinner at The Great Hall, University of Exeter on Friday 18^th November 2016.

Finalists of this year’s Devon Venus Awards 2016 in partnership with Bowater Communications attended a glamorous Ceremony and Gala Dinner at The Great Hall, University of Exeter on Friday 18^th November 2016 to hear who would be declared winners in each of the 15 categories.

Now in its fourth year in Devon, the Venus Awards have proved to be ever popular with the business women of the region, with over 1,612 nominations and 375 applications received in one or more categories.

Launched at Plymouth Science Park in May this year participants have been whittled down to the Finalists stage either by sponsor judging or public voting. Sponsors and candidates have attended a variety of events over the intervening months to reach this point.

Dubbed the “Working Women’s Oscars” by Channel 4, the Awards celebrate the vital contribution that women in business make to the regional and national economy, and are unique in that anyone can nominate a friend, client or family member.

Co-hosts for the evening’s celebrations were Tara Howard, Founder of the Venus Awards and Venus Awards Regional Partner Alexis Bowater.

Over 330 guests soaked in the atmosphere as they enjoyed a three-course dinner and entertainment from three-piece band Five Finger Discount, whose upbeat lyrical “hip pop” music brought the “Wow” factor to the evening.

Each and every sponsor emphasised in their speeches the outstanding calibre of their Finalists on presenting the “Venus”’ trophy to their winner.

This year’s Charity Sponsor for the Devon Venus Awards 2016 is Jeremiah’s Journey whose work in Plymouth and the surrounding area is focused on children and young people and their families who are experiencing grief due to death or terminal illness.

Attending the event was Phil Sampson, Founder of business development consultancy Sampson Hall and Sponsor of the Company of the Year Award, who said,

“The Venus Awards gives you a real chance to get out and get your product, your company and your organisation out there, but it also helps you to support someone else in business, and that’s great. We’ve seen so many really deserving businesses and organisations.”

Also attending was Fleur Lewis, Partner at Bishop Fleming, the tax accountancy company who have supported the Venus Awards in Devon since its inception, who said of their sponsorship this year of the Director of the Year Award,

“We’ve been sponsors for four years now and been with Venus Devon since it started. It’s been fantastic for us as we have met so many fantastic women in business. Every year it’s just amazing who you meet.”

As seen in the roll call of winners this year’s Sponsors in Devon are testament to the wide appeal of the Venus Awards.

The Venus Awards Winners are:

Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management Lifetime Achievement

Ros Debenham – Radiance MediSpa

Bishop Fleming LLP Director of the Year

Karen Milner – Friary Mill Bakery Ltd

Bond Dickinson LLP Green Business of the Year

Kim Stead – twool

Brend Hotels Customer Service Award

Lynette Dare – Flossy and Jim

Employee of the Year

Clare Geraghty – Barclays

Entrepreneur of the Year

Rebecca Marks – Scarlett Entertainment

Heart FM Business Mother of the Year

Soo Brizell-Hogg – Shekinah

Marketing Award

Sally Bell – Harbour Lights Media Ltd

New Business of the Year

Amber Haigh – Ambers Angels Trust

Plymouth City Bus Ltd Networker of the Year

Sam Cross – The Independent Living Advisor

Plymouth Science Park Digital Media and Online Business

Rebecca Garrett – Rebecca Garrett Media Ltd

PR Works Ltd Inspirational Woman in STEMM

Katie Goode – Triangular Pixels

Sampson Hall Company of the Year

Ladram Bay

Santander Employer of the Year

Julie Hawker – Cosmic

University of Exeter Inspirational Woman of the Year

Kay O’Shaughnessy – Friends and Families of Special Children Ltd

RGM attended the annual Family Traveller Awards on October 4^th, rubbing shoulders with the seekers and searchers of the industry. The ceremony took place near the iconic Sloane Square at The White Company’s gorgeous flagship store.

With an overwhelming 18,000 votes, the Family Traveller Awards is a true indicator of the leaders in its field. Congratulating the best of family travel, the Awards are the only event of its kind with 25 categories ranging from Best Family Cruise Line to Best Family Travel Blogger and all in between.

The winners were chosen by a panel of connoisseurs in family travel including editor of Family Traveller, Jane Anderson, broadcaster and writer Mariella Frostrup, BBC’s go-to travel documentary maker Simon Reeve; travel editor of The Times Jane Knight, and travel & lifestyle director of Elle, Sue Ward Davies.

From left: Dr Ranj Singh, John Giddings (Isle of White Festival), Jane Anderson (Family Traveller)

Presenting the awards was This Morning resident doctor, CBeebies presenter and Traveller columnist, Dr Ranji alongside him stood the brains behind the brand, Andrew Dent, the founder of Family Traveller. Who congratulated all winners and runners-up of the awards, explaining “Since launching the awards in 2015, we have increased the number of nominations, votes and categories to recognise all of the main sectors within the family travel market.  With over 18,000 votes, we are proud to have identified the true leaders in family travel.”

The event was spectacular, with such an amazing turn out, here at Winning Moments we cannot wait for the next ceremony!

Check out below to see if your favourite company picked up a prize.

Best Family Cruise Line
Winner: Disney Cruise Line
Runner up: Celebrity Cruises

Best Family Ferry Operator
Winner: DFDS
Runner up: P&O Ferries

Best Family Airline
Winner: Norwegian
Runner up: Virgin Atlantic

Best Family Travel Accessory
Winner: Bundlebean
Runner up: Trunki/Jurni

Best Kids Fashion for Holidays
Winner: AlexandAlexa
Runner up: H&M

Best Family Festival
Winner: Isle of Wight Festival
Runner up: The Big Little Tent Festival

Best Family Theme Park
Winner: Efteling
Runner up: Diggerland

Best Conservation Charity for Families
Winner: National Trust
Runner up: RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

From left: Dr Ranj Singh, Katie Ellison (Mummy Daddy Me), Jane Anderson (Editor at Family Traveller)

Best Family Travel Blogger
Winner: Mummy Daddy Me
Runner up: Parent Shaped

Best UK Accommodation (independent)
Winner: Cary Arms
Runner up: Sands Resort Hotel & Spa

Best UK Accommodation (group)
Winner: YHA
Runner up: Coastal Retreats

Best Overseas Accommodation for Families
Winner: Domes of Elounda
Runner up: Lux* Resorts & Hotels

Best Self-catering Accommodation for Families
Winner: HomeAway
Runner up: Sawday’s Canopy & Stars

Best Kids Club
Winner: Explorers Kids Club, PER AQUUM Niyama Maldives
Runner up: Sani Resort kids clubs

Best Adventure Holiday for Families
Winner: The Family Adventure Company
Runner up: Sunsail

Best Eco/Sustainable Holidays for Families
Winner: Forest Holidays
Runner up: Wilderness Safaris

Best Multi-Generational Family Holiday
Winner: Oliver’s Travels
Runner up: Center Parcs

Best Family Ski Operator
Winner: Esprit
Runner up: Ski Famille

Best All-Inclusive for Families
Winner: Ikos Resorts
Runner up: Crystal Cove by Elegant Hotels

From left: Dr Ranj Singh, Graham Horner (Scott Dunn), Jane Anderson (Editor at Family Traveller)

Best Luxury Tour Operator for Families

Winner: Scott Dunn
Runner up: Sovereign Luxury Holidays

Best UK Day Out for Families
Winner: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Runner up: Seaton Jurassic

Best UK Region for Families
Winner: Northumberland
Runner up: Isles of Scilly

Best UK City Break for Families
Winner: London
Runner up: Bristol

Best European City Break for Families
Winner: Barcelona
Runner up: Amsterdam

Best Overseas Destination for Families
Winner: California
Runner up:  St Lucia

Congratulations to everyone who not only won a Family Traveller Award but to those who came runners up and of course every company or brand that was acknowledged too, by the experts in the industry.

RGM is a modern, exciting & creative media company that specialises in the setting and running of competitions/promotions & offers for a wide array of brands from fashion to household must haves, collecting valuable quality data to help brands promote their products.

My role in the above is as Head of Production. This position is a unique rarity as in most media company’s production is done externally or by the brand themselves. By offering this service to our brands we feel this gives them the reassurance that the worry and time consuming aspect is taken off their shoulders and on to mine, so all they have to do is send in their individual copy & imagery and I do all the rest. I set and proof all copy and imagery and make the competitions etc look aesthetically pleasing to ensure maximum impact to the consumers, to make sure they are fully engaged and enjoy the process.

Once the competitions end I check all the data collected to ensure there are no errors and collate what can be sent out to the brands to use for future marketing of their products, so this would be the entrants that agreed to hear more from the participating brands. I also send the closing information i.e. entry figure, data collected figure, click throughs etc to the brands and present these details in a round up presentation. One other delightful aspect of my job is to ring the lucky winner that is selected at the end of every promotion, it is so gratifying that I can bring that my joy to all these wonderful people.

My role isn’t always fun and games though, there is a serious side to the creativity regarding admin and legal forms but this to me is just another process within a fantastic position I have the pleasure of doing every day.

5 Top Tips to a successful Production role

• Excellent communication skills to be able to use between yourself and the brand and your team
• Always be organised and keep on top of your processes
• A spark for creativity to design new and vibrant imagery and competition pages
• Excellent grammar skills to be able to proof read all incoming copy from brands and titles
• An eye for detail

For more information on Rebecca Garrett Media, and the work we undertake, please do check out our website: https://www.rebeccagarrettmedia.com/

Interested in joining our team? We’re always on the look out for talented people. Email me: liz@rebeccagarrettmedia.com

Written by Liz Challice – Head of Production

My journey into the digital sector has been a mixed one.

My initial interest in media and marketing crept in a few years ago, when I decided to launch a blog alongside my day job as a Wedding & Events Coordinator. The blog, that initially started as a hobby, rapidly developed into a business and allowed me to launch a supplementary print and digital magazine too.

Several job roles later, and with a thriving business becoming too much for a part-time venture, but not enough for a full-time leap of faith, I made the difficult decision to close the blog and magazine down. Some might say that it was a missed opportunity on my part, and the 2.5 years of hard work was tough,  but I picked up a lot of skills along the way. It also left me with a passion, and a sector that I wanted to pursue more than anything.

When I applied for my current role, which sees me heading up the Digital & Social Media department for a buzzing media agency in Plymouth, I had serious doubts in my own ability. I felt as though my skill-set was solid, but it was undeniably nerve-wracking moving into my first dedicated digital marketing position. Plus, due to various changes within the company, the role developed and grew in terms of responsibility very quickly and at times, I did feel overwhelmed.

It’s been a whirlwind of a nine months, and thankfully, I’ve come out stronger, and more knowledgeable than ever before. I feel very grateful for the opportunity I have here, to develop my skills and be involved with some seriously cool marketing campaigns.

Here’s what I’ve discovered so far:

• The coach to London from Plymouth is a lot cheaper than the train. Like a lot. However, it does take hours and you will need to take a pillow! Megabus is surprisingly efficient for the price you pay and most of the drivers are lovely. If you need to visit clients in the big smoke on a budget, then this is the way to do it.
• The digital landscape is ever-changing; what you learn one week can be out of date the next. Keep reading, keep researching and try to keep up as best you can! Plus, if you decide to head to any of the big digital marketing conferences, be selective. A lot of them offer a free pass to explore the stands and smaller talks – be careful before you shell out too much for the fancy delegate access as it’s not always worth the investment.
• Creativity is key and can be one of the best ways to engage with your clients. Having the ability to come up with new and exciting campaigns is one of the best parts of my job. Plus, if you can bring new ideas to the table, your clients will respect you for it.
• The right team can make all the difference. We expanded our digital team in November with a new appointment and she has had such a positive impact to my day-to-day routine. It’s so important to get along with the people in your company, but even more so, the people in your immediate team.
• As an agency, we have to be constantly evolving. We’ve moved a lot of our itinerary to new platforms this year including the MailOnline, Cosmopolitan.co.uk and Mumsnet to name a small selection. Our brands expect constant change, and we like to deliver it.
• Tea and a step away from your desk are generally the answers to all of your problems. Whenever I find myself struggling with my workload, or getting frustrated with a design that just isn’t working, I always make a point of taking five minutes to clear my head. Trust me, it works wonders. A second pair of eyes often helps too.
• Staff morale, employee perks and a boss who actually cares all make for a positive workplace, and increased productivity. If you have a problem at work, the worst thing you can possibly do it sit on it, stewing and making yourself feel worse. Talk to a colleague, or a friend, or even the CEO – you might just be surprised as how much things can change for the better.

Working for a media agency is awesome. Working for a media agency in Plymouth is even more awesome. I never have a day that is the same as the last. I get to live in a beautiful part of the world, with regular trips to London to see clients, and with ongoing relationships with national brands and media titles. We also deliver tangible results for our brands – and this is incredibly rewarding.

I feel motivated, challenged, and can genuinely say that I love my job. For me, this is the most important thing. I’ve held numerous positions that I’ve enjoyed, but I’ve never felt so positive about my future career path than I do right now.

For more information on Rebecca Garrett Media, and the work we undertake, please do check out our website: https://www.rebeccagarrettmedia.com/

Interested in joining our team? We’re always on the look out for talented people. Email me: laura@rebeccagarrettmedia.com

Written by Laura Greenland – Head of Digital & Social Media