Aubergine named in ‘top agencies’ to watch in the North

It’s been a challenging time for PR and creative agencies recently across the board. But Aubergine has managed to weather the storm - and even thrive in it. 

In September 2023 we were named as one of Prolific North’s top eight ‘Independent Agencies to Watch’ for this year.

Our sustainability-focused creative PR agency was recognised for the range of campaigns we delivered over the past year, across the food, health and tech sectors.

Prolific North also noted the fact that over the last 12 months we’ve achieved a 50% increase in turnover to land a six-figure profit - plus we’re on track to achieve a turnover of £1m by the end of the year.

The judges also mentioned our ‘modern’ approach to working as we have fully embraced the remote working model - with a top notch freelance team to help the two directors, both of whom are former journalists, deliver outstanding results for clients.

Director Emma Gardner brings her expertise as a broadcast journalist who has worked for several years as a producer and reporter for shows like BBC's The One Show, Channel 4 News, and ITV News. She focuses on delivering creative media campaigns and content creation. 

Director Verity Clarke has more than 15 years of experience in a boutique agency setting. Her role involves delivering client strategy and spearheading new business development.

Our international team of senior consultants provide their expertise on a contracted basis - many are leading experts in their sectors.

Here’s an overview of our highlights:

1. We secured 20 new clients within a year, including renowned organisations such as Filippo Berio, childhood nutrition charity Vitamin Angels UK and Round Our Way (a climate change focused not-for-profit organisation) leading to a 50% increase in turnover

2. We were invited to the British Medical Association to deliver training in PR and journalism at a sustainability event for the NHS attended by senior professionals, highlighting our expertise and thought leadership in the field

3. We successfully ran a virtual booth at Bread and Jam, the UK's first food founders festival and were invited to speak at Leeds Sustainability Week

4. We were hand-picked to participate in the Max 10 Growth Scheme, a program for high-growth businesses. This opportunity involved 12 weeks of valuable training and mentoring 

5. We achieved a prominent position on Google's search results, with our agency website ranking on the first page for the search term "sustainability pr agency." As a result, we have experienced a steady stream of new business inquiries

6. We were recognised and added to The Drum's Recommended Agency Register based on positive client reviews. This showcases our commitment to delivering exceptional services. Ratings out of 10 included value for money (9.5), creativity (9), and strategy (10). An impressive 90% of our clients intend to renew their partnerships with us.

These achievements reflect Aubergine's dedication to delivering top-notch PR services and our commitment to driving success for our clients.

A day in the life of an Aubergine intern

Junior PR Account Executive Isabelle Ellerington-Holden joined us in May 2023. Join us as Isabelle shares her experience at Aubergine so far…

Well, where to start? Aubergine- what a wonderful team to be a part of.

I started my placement here last month- and I can already tell that the summer ahead is going to be very bright! My time at Aubergine up until now has been a whirlwind- a challenging yet highly rewarding journey.

Aubergine PR Intern- Isabelle Ellerington-Holden

So, what does a day as a Junior PR Account Executive at Aubergine look like? 

Getting straight to the grind, I begin each morning searching for potential stories for our lovely clients. Recently the focus has been all things heat-related, and I’m sure you can understand why! For those overseas and perhaps unaware of what I’m referring to, we’ve been in the midst of a heatwave here in the UK. And, gosh, hasn’t it been hot!

After carefully selecting any relevant press calls, I send these to Verity and Emma- awaiting their approval. While the geniuses work their PR magic, I log any coverage for our fabulous clients. And recently, we’ve enjoyed some huge successes. 

Diving deep under the sea for World Ocean Day on 8 June, our mermaid campaign for our lovely client- Be The Future- made a huge splash both in the UK and overseas in Sydney. In the run-up to the awareness day, I assisted in contacting journalists up and down the country- pitching our unique story. And as you can imagine, there was lots of interest! Who wouldn’t want a visit from a totally-mermazing spectacle?

Securing coverage in The Times, BBC Look North and Channel Ten in Australia (just to name a few) - the ocean campaign certainly made waves and truly marked Team Aubergine as experts in sustainability PR.

For me, seeing Yorkshire mermaid Helen Hill from Be The Future appearing on BBC Look North was a real highlight. Taking over 300 hours to create, made from hundreds of plastic bottles and other waste products, it’s no surprise that her spectacular tail wowed viewers.

Another key part of my role at Aubergine is managing our social media. With interactions online at an all-time high, maintaining engagement on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook is hugely important. 

And, of course, keeping our content current is vital. 

Last month, the first-ever Organic Textile Week took place in the UK- seven days dedicated to shining a light on certified organic textiles in the UK whilst also fighting greenwashing.

So, to mark the occasion I created an Instagram reel sharing the contents of the gorgeous organic goodie boxes, created by our awesome client Organic UK. 

The video featured the unboxing of a series of organic textile products and food goodness, accompanied by the classic hit by Sam Cooke- (What A) Wonderful World. And if we all strive to become more organic, it certainly can be a wonderful world!

In the world of PR, every day is different. And this is what I love most. There’s a real sense of mystery. With endless possibilities- as a Junior PR Account Executive at Aubergine, you never know what tomorrow may bring.

Aubergine shortlisted for PRMoment Award 2023

We are delighted to be shortlisted for an award at this year’s PRmoment Awards.

We are up for Media Relations Campaign of the Year for our work with eco pregnancy test Hoopsy.

After winning the PRMoment’s New Agency of the Year in 2019 and the Media Relations 2020 award, we’re going for the hattrick!

We have carved a niche within sustainability and have created head-turning campaigns which consistently beat KPI’s and contribute to the growth of its global clients. 

We were tasked with launching Hoopsy’s eco 99% paper pregnancy test to the UK market, creating a launch product release which was followed up with a series of emotive founder interviews, profiles and newsjacking.

The campaign achieved coverage with a circulation of 378 million in 77 titles including Women’s Health, Mail Online, the Mirror and Marie Claire. The coverage and media attention has opened doors for national retail listings such as Superdrug and Whitworths Chemists, and funding for the startup.

Aubergine’s co-director, Verity Clarke, commented: “We’re so proud that Aubergine has once again been shortlisted in the PRmoment Awards. We pride ourselves in our unique virtual team of experts, many of whom are former journalists, and our ability to meet so many different client briefs across numerous sectors. 

“Femtech and sustainability really are in our wheelhouse, so we’re thrilled our media relations campaign for Hoopsy has also been recognised. We’re now appointed on an ongoing retainer basis by the brand thanks to our success with this media push.”

Nicholas and Harris is the bread and butter for PR agency Aubergine

PR and content agency, Aubergine, has been awarded the PR contract to manage two retail brands on behalf of leading bakery manufacturer, Nicholas & Harris part of the Finsbury Food Group.

The virtual PR consultancy, specialising in the food, tech and health industries, secured the contract after a 4way pitch.

Nicholas & Harris products are stocked in Sainsbury, Ocado and Waitrose with retail brands Vogel’s and Livlife, Aubergine will be handling the press office, consumer PR and activations.

Ruth McGrath, Brand Marketing Manager at Nicholas & Harris said: “Aubergine stood out because of their journalist-led approach but also for their ability to step back and look at the bigger picture.

“It’s an exciting time for our brands with some innovative NPD in the pipeline and I’m looking forward to growing and engaging our consumers markets with Aubergine.”

Founded by former BBC and Channel Four journalist Emma Gardner and experienced PR practitioner Verity Clarke, Aubergine works with a network of highly experienced consultants across the UK to produce PR and content campaigns.

The agency has recently been nominated for three industry awards in this year’s PRmoment Awards including Boutique Agency of the Year alongside campaign awards Media Relations of the Year and FMCG Campaign of the Year for their work with client, leading health drink brand Chuckling Goat.

Aubergine co-founder, Verity Clarke, said: “Both Vogel’s and Livlife are challenger brands and are experimenting with innovation which is really going to shake up the bread category. We are over the moon to be representing them into 2021.”

Aubergine wins New Agency of the Year at PRmoment Awards 2019

Leeds PR and content agency, Aubergine, has won New Agency of the Year in this year’s PRmoment Awards for the North.

Hosted at the Hilton Deansgate, Manchester, on Wednesday 13 March, the awards celebrate excellence and recognise outstanding campaigns and exceptional talent in the UK PR and Communications sector.

A firm fixture on the PR calendar, the PRmoment Awards are judged by eminent senior in-house and agency-side communications professionals.

Competing against already established award-winning agencies, the win recognises that despite only having been established for less than 12 months, Aubergine, like its clients, are disrupting the food and tech space. 

The agency, consisting of a team of two Directors, Verity Clarke and Emma Gardner, work with a network of highly experienced consultants across the UK and has secured over £100k of new business in eight months, working with Flyt, London Food Tech Week, Evapolar, Slingsby Gin, Carthy & Black, Glorious Soups and Surfaceskins. Their creative campaigns have also led them to work alongside NASA, Jamie Oliver Group, Deliveroo and UberEats.

Aubergine’s co-founder, Emma Gardner, commented: “We are delighted to be given the prestigious accolade of New Agency of the Year in this year’s PRmoment awards. From winning a nine-way pitch against established London agencies to work with tech company Flyt, to launching the world’s first Food Tech Village in London, Team Aubergine prides itself on bringing passion and enthusiasm to all client briefs. As a team of experienced former journalists and knowledgeable consultants, who all have unique behind-the-scenes experience we will look to continue to innovate in the tech and food PR landscape.”

Aubergine’s co-founder, Verity Clarke added: “The last year has been an incredible journey– from setting up an agency, developing our business model and acquiring some incredible clients. It’s therefore great to see Aubergine being recognised by our peers and is a testament to how far we have come in such a short space of time.”