CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 1 2024 10 The future of B2B communications, according to the Bluestripe Group, is one where quality content is elevated to the top of the tree. Having become increasingly aware of the weaknesses in its particular niche area, that are widely accepted by a number of the big, traditional agencies, it saw a business opportunity to innovate across the board in terms of media relations. It concentrates on achieving outstanding digital media, events, and PR for its clients. Award winner and CEO Andy believes that it is errant to focus on just one revenue stream at an agency, and backs up his words with attention paid to numerous business elements. London based PR agency the Bluestripe Group was established in 2017 by three veterans of the technology, media, and telecommunications industry. The company fosters an innovative, winning attitude as a PR agency that focuses on media relations, encompassing digital fields and advertising. One of the company’s founders, Andy Oakes, has recently been recognised as the B2B Marketing CEO of the Year 2023 – UK, following which we decided to take a closer look at firm. For instance, it runs a flourishing events business, and has prospered as one of the leading trade names within the digital media industry. The Bluestripe Group has certainly come a long way from its modest beginnings, growing from one desk at a recruitment consultants to a thriving business employing 34 people. The company works with clients small and big, including well known names such as Amazon, Snap, News UK, Bloomberg, and Tripadvisor. It has recently made the top 200 list of UK PR agencies, according to PR Week, and has been highlighted as the 17th best B2B agency. In many ways, Andy puts this down to the core competencies of his amazing team. He pinpoints “honesty, excellence and a desire to grow from within”, which encourages the team to seek out their own opportunities, and evolve as a successful business. Andy Oakes began his working career in PR as an ad space salesman for the Chartered Surveyor Weekly publication. This was followed by other sales roles he felt were “deeply unsatisfying”, but things began to take a promising new turn in 2005 when he became the publisher of New Media Age magazine. This also marks a meeting of minds as it was where Andy first met his now business partner Justin. It was very much a right place, right time situation, as Andy became deeply invested in this sector and its people, and fostered many ideas he was eager to put into practice. This meant that when the Bluestripe Group finally transpired, its management team were fully onboard with the company vision as it was something they had been planning and discussing for a long time. Andy favours a relaxed, approachable style as a business leader, and strongly believes in the importance of treating staff members as individuals. He was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 50, which is something he now embraces. Recognising the different strengths in a diverse team is certainly celebrated by Andy, but he is aware that there is still a definite need to do more for neurodiverse staff members. The Bluestripe Group has carved out a place in the industry where it can operate as a force for good, and change. For example, it is involved in the Digital Women project, which aims to provide a voice for women in the sector. The company is also proud to participate in MediaPride, which is scheme enabling a platform for the LGBTQIA+ community through tailored editorial and events. As CEO of Bluestripe, Andy looks back with fond memories of certain persons who have helped him along his path. Nigel Roby, who he worked with at a company called Centaur, stands out as someone who encouraged Andy to develop his leadership style, and Rory Brown, who Andy calls out as the person who taught him the virtue of “thinking big, thinking creatively, and never being afraid of creating new models”. Both of these persons, therefore, have been integral to the progression of Bluestripe as a company. The firm is delighted to stand out in its field, knowing that nobody else does the things it does. The mix it has introduced of PR agency, events company, and media owner is truly innovative, and works for the company superbly well. Congratulations to the burgeoning business, and well done to Andy Oakes for his outstanding work as CEO. Company: The Bluestripe Group Web Address: www.bluestripegroup.co.uk Contact Name: Andy Oakes Building a New Kind of Excellence in Media Communication
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