1284 Communications welcomed Innovate UK Business Growth advisers for a focussed conversation about the marketing needs of IP-rich companies.

Asha Sudra and David Myers visited 1284’s base at the Advanced Technology Innovation Centre (ATIC) in Loughborough to talk through the company’s growth plan.

MD George Oliver and Partnerships Director Suz Everitt spoke with Asha and David about the challenges and opportunities typically faced by ambitious, innovation-led businesses across the UK.

The conversation focused on a common issue for businesses with strong technical expertise: how scale-ups turn their innovation, research, investment and growth plans into a clear clear and compelling story that resonates with customers, investors, partners and future employees.

Innovative business growth

George was introduced to Asha and David via the business support programme run by Exemplas on behalf of Innovate UK.

Exemplas is one of the largest partners in the Innovate UK Business Growth network. Over two years, it worked with around 1,300 businesses, helping them access £62m in grant funding and £107m in new investment.

1284 was offered Exemplas support as part of its Innovate UK-funded project to deliver proprietary campaign management platform CommsTally® earlier this year.

Exemplas delivers business-support programmes designed to help innovative businesses assess their potential, develop growth plans and make practical progress.

Its work includes support around innovation, investment readiness, access to finance, internationalisation, intellectual property and scaling.

Communicating innovation

1284 specialises in telling the story of innovation and regional growth. Its clients work in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, technology, life sciences, and cyber - often having significant marketing communication opportunities.

New products, grant awards, recruitment drives for skilled staff, investment rounds, new premises, and commercial launches all have significant storytelling value.

But businesses do not always have the time, media experience, confidence or internal resource needed to make the most of those moments - whether it be building a compelling narrative or pitching into media.

That is where a clear communications strategy, content marketing plan, and consistent approach to media relations can make a difference.

1284 helps organisations define their positioning, articulate the value in complex technical propositions and communicate with stakeholders in ways that underpin commercial objectives.

This can include developing stronger messages, producing content, building thought leadership, securing media coverage, or creating a practical plan for communicating key project milestones.

Building reputation

George Oliver, Managing Director of 1284 Communications, said: “It was great to speak with Asha and David about how good comm can complement the activities of ambitious businesses.

“They have a serious amount of knowledge about how the innovation sector functions and their guidance has been invaluable to us in shaping our own services over recent months.

“Innovative businesses are by nature often doing exceptional work, but can find it difficult to explain their value beyond their immediate technical field.

“Clear, consistent comms turns important business activity into stronger reputation, more productive relationships and real commercial opportunity.”

1284 is also developing its work in the ecosystems and clusters which grow innovative businesses. It is providing comms support to various accelerators, catapults, universities, growth hubs and enterprise zones.

For more information about how 1284 can support your organisation’s communications, PR and content strategy, get in touch with the team.