About Refresh
Hello. We’re Refresh – a PR and communications agency dedicated to delivering high-level consultancy, impactful campaigns and measurable results. We enable our clients to maximise their potential and thrive. We do this by creating no-nonsense, powerful communications and content campaigns, based on solid strategic foundations, that continually push boundaries to get messages heard and brands noticed in an increasingly noisy world. We’re proud to represent a diverse portfolio of clients – from owner managed businesses and SMEs, plus public and private sector organisations, to large corporate and listed businesses – all who trust us to deliver campaigns with genuine business impact.
For over 10 years our story has always been, and always will be, one of collaboration, commitment, teamwork, passion and hard work.
Our proven track record speaks for itself so to learn more about how we can reach all the right audiences for your brand or business, talk to us.
Our promise
As part of a positive and successful relationship with our clients we promise…
That honesty will be top of our agenda in everything we do – this means we won’t agree to things we don’t think will work, but we will always come up with a fresh approach to meet your objectives/business needs.
We will work tirelessly to achieve the best results possible – this isn’t just about hitting the KPIs, it’s about making a genuine difference to your business.
All of your team will act as consultants. We’ll immerse ourselves in your industry and business, enabling us to give the best advice possible.
And above all, we’ll ensure that the work we do for you is a complete success and delivered to the highest standard.
When I look back at what we’ve achieved over the last 12 months – at the pace of the progress we’ve made and the breadth of coverage we’ve achieved, it’s really great to see. Within weeks of working together, the team at Refresh became part of our extended team. They know our market, our products, and our goals – and they’ve taken them to heart, delivering campaigns, coverage, and content at a pace that’s second-to-none.
Importantly, they’ve challenged us along the way – helping us to question some of our norms. Last but by no means least, the team are fun, easy-going and enjoyable to work with - no matter who it is or what it’s about, it’s always an interesting conversation. Group Marketing Director, Watco
10+
years in business
70
years PR experience
56
award short listings
Our history
Launched in 2009, what began as a limited company for our owner, Laura, grew quickly. So much so, within the first 12 months we had three employees and household names such as GettingPersonal.co.uk and The Restaurant Show on the client roster.
A Board of Directors was formed in 2011 and the client list grew to incorporate more well-known brands, from Aimia Foods to Saint-Gobain Glass.
Going through the national Growth Accelerator programme in 2012 shaped the company’s strategy; in the winter of the same year Refresh was shortlisted for Outstanding Small Agency at the 2012 CIPR PRide Awards for the first time.
Making the move from serviced offices to our own building in 2013 was a significant milestone, shaping our personality. That year Refresh brought home two award wins from the Recommended Agency Register, for Best PR Agency under 30 staff, and Best Corporate Communications Campaign. We also scooped a Construction Marketing Award for Best Press and PR campaign with Polypipe.
More award wins and shortlists followed in 2014 and 2015, and in the same year Refresh launched the Heating Installer Awards, a year-long campaign owned and run by Refresh – the awards are still going strong today. Flexible working also became the norm for the team.
In 2016 our own HR director joined, and subsequently The Refresh Academy was launched, and the values that we still hold dear to this day were officially shaped.
2017 and 2018 were more bumper award win years. Our Tech PR team was firmly established and hit the ground running with Digitonic and Manchester Digital account wins. Excitingly we also recruited our first graduate who came on board following the launch of the Refresh Graduate Programme. Each year we will now provide at least one graduate with a full-time, paid role at Refresh.
Evolving further, in 2019 we created a specialist new business development role. Our Volunteering Programme was shaped, giving each team member two paid days off per year to volunteer and make a difference in our community. We brought home yet more awards – and most importantly celebrated 10 years in business in style!
We began 2020 with growth in mind. We signed up over a dozen new clients and went on to work hard during the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns to shape the company for the months ahead. We discovered that PR is resilient during pandemics, and went on to enjoy a strong year. 2020 also saw the launch of our new brand and website. We hope you like what you read!
2021 started with news of another lockdown. Fortunately this didn’t deter the Refresh team, who all set up camp again in their homes and resorted back to Zoom! Lots of work was completed around the health and wellbeing of the team during Q1, brought to the fore by the ongoing pandemic. This included training up Mental Health First Aiders, completing training around resilience and stress and launching an Employee Assistance Programme. We also joined the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter.
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Let us support you
Want to grow your business, change direction, shout louder, boost your sales leads, or keep your brand out of the news? Our door is always open. If you think we can help, get in touch.