The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, one of the UK’s most renowned, is a busy place on stage, but also remarkably productive off stage too. Working on these projects for over a year, predominantly with the Participation and Learning Team, but also with the Development and New Writing teams intermittently, initiatives to generate news and features coverage for projects that encompassed the broader contribution of the arts were developed.

From the Christmas fundraising initiative, Arts Pot to a long-term project to enhance the opportunities of people with experience of homelessness through confidence-boosting, qualification-gaining theatre projects, coverage appeared locally and nationally. Participation and Learning projects benefited from a new, ‘no press releases’ rule unless absolutely necessary, gaining support from influential publications such as the Times Educational Supplement through informal briefing processes.

Kate Reynolds, Participation and Learning Manager: “Rob’s support has been invaluable. He understands the target audiences and the language required when profiling participatory work, and has supported us both to develop bespoke articles and to ensure maximum press coverage for projects and events.”