1284 Communications has signed up as a platinum member of the Leicester Comedy Festival Business Partners Club.

It builds upon 1284’s long-standing relationship with festival producer Big Difference Company.

The charity is known for using arts to promote wellbeing, education, and emerging talent.

And the partnership comes as 1284 announces its new Community Impact package - with tailored services designed for East Midlands nonprofits.

1284 managing director George Oliver collaborated with Big Difference Company for several years in his role as Editor of the Leicester Mercury.

For several years, George judged the high-profile Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year competition and presented lifetime achievement awards to the likes of Victoria Wood and Nicholas Parsons.

In 2019, the Mercury sponsored a sold-out gala event at De Montfort Hall featuring top comics including Romesh Ranganathan, Josh Widdicombe, and Seann Walsh.

 "Our support for the Leicester Comedy Festival reflects our broader work with the Leicestershire nonprofit sector,” George said.

“By sharing our experience in strategic communications, we can help mission-driven organisations like Big Difference Company build their impact and reach.”

Leicester Comedy Festival is one of the UK’s best known comedy showcases and has been running for more than 30 years.

The annual event gives a platform to established and emerging talent across hundreds of venues across city and county.

1284 will work alongside Big Difference Company's senior management team on its profile and support for local initiatives. It will include a fresh look at the strategic importance of the comedy festival.

1284 brings extensive experience in media leadership and strategic storytelling.

Our new Community Impact package offers a range of tailored services including:

• Professionalising corp comms
• Media relations and PR
• Impact reporting
• Campaign planning
• Comms consultancy

George said: “We’ve long been interested in the role of the comedy festival and its part in the cultural and economic growth of the area. We’re looking forward to identifying further ways to tell that story.”

• More about business packages available for partners of Leicester Comedy Festival.