Adeeba Malik
Deputy CEO, QED-UK
QED has been working with Cicada for more than six years and we have found them to be very professional in the way in which they operate. The team has an in-depth understanding of our key stakeholders which is really important when they are promoting the business.
Cicada has been instrumental in helping us celebrate our 21 years with an innovative national photography exhibition at the National Media Museum and continue to promote QED through PR and media relations initiatives.
We are delighted that we continue our ongoing relationship with them.
Lisa Ward,
Manager of the Investing in Health programme
“Cicada delivered a thoroughly professional media campaign to support the Investing in Health programme from 2009 to 2011. As well as helping to stimulate recruitment, the media activities raised the profile of the programme within the investment community and engaged the support of partners to deliver the messages to audiences in Yorkshire and beyond.
The team quickly tuned in to the needs of the programme and I was delighted with the level of professionalism and creativity Cicada demonstrated in delivering the campaign. Cicada has a great skill of turning case studies and complex reports into interesting and attention-grabbing news stories.
Lizzie and Harriet have been a pleasure to work with and I would have no hesitation in recommending Cicada as an excellent PR agency.
Michael Asher
Former Chief Executive of Cels
Cicada Communications won our public tender issued by Cels Ltd., for Marketing and PR services by virtue of the outstanding presentation given at interview and the apparent quality of the team put forward. What became evident after their appointment was that the best was yet to come. Di Burton, Lizzie Hughes and the Cicada team learned our business, and very rapidly came to grips with the complex North East business and political landscape we operated in. Cicada developed winning strategies, compelling PR and generally supported my management team as we implemented and grew our businesses. There is no doubt in my mind that Cicada played a crucial role in raising the profile of Cels and in successfully promoting our business to a multiplicity of stakeholders. I recommend Di and her team unreservedly, and am personally looking forward to hiring Cicada again to work their magic on my new business ventures.
Judy Robinson
Chief executive, Involve Yorkshire & Humber
Cicada has helped us develop new, attractive branding and messages, and greatly increased our media coverage. Most importantly, they have got alongside us, understood what we wanted and helped us deliver it. We hope we have given them an insight into what charities in Yorkshire are all about and how we work.
Amy Day
Head of Communications, Involvement and Engagement, South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
We commissioned Cicada Communications to undertake a three-phase staff research project aimed at identifying areas to improve employee morale and staff engagement.
Di and her team not only interpreted the brief superbly but proactively suggested different ways to help us get the most out of the research. They worked tirelessly, professionally and enthusiastically throughout; always keeping in close contact with us.
At the end of the project I asked Di to facilitate a Board and senior management development day which was a big success. Di was first rate in reading the room, cutting to the heart of issues, challenging management decision making in a diplomatic way and providing a valuable insight into new ways of working.
We have now commissioned Di and her team to work with us further to implement some of the changes we need to put in place and we look forward to seeing the results which I know will be hugely positive.
Tony Wright
Partner, Carter Jonas
For over a decade Cicada Communications has worked with Carter Jonas in the North to build the profile of the firm across all of its’ divisions. During this time the team at Cicada has shown an understanding of the diversity of Carter Jonas’ work from residential and commercial property sales through to estate management and complex planning issues. Cicada strives to support Carter Jonas’ growth ambitions through extensive media relations work and highlighting networking opportunities.
Nick Symington
Business Development and Marketing Director, Langleys Solicitors LLP
Cicada was appointed by Langleys in 2010 to help build our profile as we progress to top 100 law firm status. I could not be more delighted with my choice of PR consultants. Their experience of law PR ensured a very rapid understanding of our business’ dynamics and, led by Di Burton, the account team has demonstrated remarkable commerciality, proactivity, creativity and professionalism. This all comes with a passion for communication, excellent media insight and one of the best connected public relations firms in the business.
Bev Southwell
Enterprise Co-ordinator, Ripon Grammar School
Just wanted to write to express our thanks to Harriet and Cicada for your support with the recent AMP Awards (17th February 2011).
When RGS were given the brief to take responsibility for public relations we had no idea of what we needed to do. Harriet's guidance gave the team confidence to not only produce the amazing poster which they are rightly proud of but to promote AMPs in and out of school.
In particular I would like to thank Harriet for her patience and calm approach which undoubtedly helped make the event such a success.
Mark Oglesby
Owner, Goldsborough Hall
Di,
As one friend of mine commented, I can't open a magazine without seeing Goldsborough Hall in it, which proves just how hard you and the girls have worked to get us coverage.
Vitha Shepard
Communications Manager, Riverford Organic
We started working with Cicada in early 2010 to help raise our profile in the North East. Harriet and Lizzie quickly tuned into our brand and ethics, as well as understanding the key figures in the business. They immediately secured some fantastic coverage for Riverford on Home Farm as the fastest growing vegbox scheme in the UK, and have thrown themselves into promoting our Travelling Field Kitchen restaurant with an intelligent approach and tons of enthusiasm. Harriet and Lizzie are a pleasure to work with – friendly, efficient and brilliantly proactive.
Mark Chandler
Independent Financial Adviser, Ellis Bates
Over the years I’ve worked with Cicada, I have found a team that is hardworking and dedicated to providing excellent results. Cicada has taken on the role as communications advisor to Ellis Bates for the firm’s 30th anniversary this year with enthusiasm and gusto, providing a stream of opportunities and a platform for Ellis Bates to promote our services and people in key markets and the media.
Steve Wainwright
Chief Executive, Profiled.com
I chose Cicada to help me launch Profiled.com because of my long-standing association with Di Burton and the team. Their ties with regional media and the top tier of Yorkshire’s business community were essential for reaching my target demographic.
Cicada quickly digest information and turn around targeted, topical press releases that are well received in the media. As well as the media successes, I feel that Cicada really adds value through their connections and personable approach, while constantly providing a responsive, professional service.
Helen Goodman
Senior Communications Executive, CPP
Cicada has a wealth of experience in local media relations and one of the reasons CPP appointed the team, to drive our communications with key stakeholders in the communities we serve. Always proactive and dependable, we are happy with the recommendations the team make and the resulting outputs which support our local PR objectives.
Sarah Pinch
Head of Communications, First Capital Connect, 2008
Cicada advised First Capital Connect on a key internal communications strategy and campaign to enable the company to achieve significant cultural changes. (First Capital Connect had recently won the new train franchise from the Department of Transport to operate the Great Northern and Thameslink routes).
Thanks to Cicada's expertise, knowledge and initiative the resulting 'Big Picture' campaign was hugely successful and went on to win a number of awards.
Without Di's hard work and dedication we would not have been able to successfully implement this campaign. Di Burton remains a 'must have' contact for me and I would not hesitate in working with her again, or recommending her unique insight and knowledge to others.
Bill Treddenick
Operations Director, Lorien Engineering, 2009
We have worked with Di and her firm since 2001, providing us with a press relations and communications service. I have found the service to be reliable and forward thinking, providing the business with much-needed prompting to get things published from time to time. Di in particular provides 'blue sky thinking' for us when it comes to PR and media marketing and provides a good insight into the world of press and media in general. She is also a network 'par excellance'. I would, and do, recommend Di and her colleagues to other people in business.
Bill Blakemore
Registrar, Royal Entomological Society, 2009
When I appointed Cicada as PR consultants in 2003, the Royal Entomological Society had very little public profile. From the outset Di and the team took a pro-active and inclusive approach to developing a communications strategy, firstly by engaging directly with our Fellows and Members, and consequently by developing National Insect Week, an awareness campaign with mass appeal that linked directly with the Society's commitment to disseminating information about insects. More than that, National Insect Week brings the work of the Royal Entomological Society to a much wider audience, and succeeds in enthusing and inspiring a new generation about the importance and wonder of the insect world.
The team has always been a delight to work with and over the years has developed a true understanding of the Society, it's staff and its aims and objectives.
Jonathan Riley
Managing Partner, Grant Thornton Leeds, 2009
Cicada has a can-do attitude and is great at getting us to engage with our key media and market place movers and shakers. The team brings fresh perspectives to our thinking about our product placement and they are commercially aware, yet good fun. They've also introduced us to some excellent networks.
Amanda Cains
Head of HR at Damart UK, 2008
Whilst we felt confident that Cicada could deliver our annual employee event, we had no idea quite how successful and enjoyable this would be. Their support and hard work from the initial planning to the final stages of the evening was fantastic and we could not have managed without them.
Cicada have also re-ignited our Internal Communications by reviewing and updating our current internal communications processes, therefore resulting in a fresh approach to our company magazine, which has had great feedback from the employees.
John Thompson
Regional Director, IoD Director of the Year Awards 2010
Once again the team from Cicada delivered a seamless event for our sixth IoD Director of the Year Awards. I can always rely on them to deliver everything on time and with consummate professionalism.
Beverley Webster
Managing Director of Prosperis Limited, 2008
We appointed Cicada as our PR consultants in October 2007 as part of our marketing drive to promote our firm both to existing and potential clients and to raise our profile in the local region.
The whole team at Cicada readily embraced our culture, gaining an understanding of our business and objectives and has been successful in obtaining positive media coverage in the regional press. They have further supported our efforts by ensuring our attendance both as guests and speakers at a range of business events hosted by key organisations including the Yorkshire Post and the Institute of Directors.
We meet on a monthly basis to review past activity and ongoing strategy and to date have been satisfied by the level of input and support offered by the entire Cicada team who have shown themselves committed to deliver the levels of service promised at the outset of our relationship.
Michaila Hill
Media and Communications Officer, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, 2008
The Internal Communications Review undertaken by Cicada has proved invaluable for stimulating debate within the Council. Whilst some recommendations are not being taken forward at present, internal communications within the Council is now considerably strengthened
Chris Pavlosky
Chief Operations Officer, MFI, 2008
Cicada Communications was appointed to launch our new National Distribution Centre in South Yorkshire in December 2007. They were chosen because of their track record and regional knowledge. Working to a very tight deadline, the company pulled together both the event management for the official opening and handled all media relations with regional, national and trade press in a very professional manner.
Over an eight week period Cicada engaged with a range of our key stakeholders, came up with creative solutions to a number of challenges, and delivered a highly successful outcome for all concerned.
We have no hesitation in recommending them as an extremely competent PR agency.
Nikki Beckett
On behalf of Paramount Pictures, 2007
It has been a joy to work with Cicada over the last few months. The team have delivered a high quality schools campaign that is delivering all the key objectives for the RES and Paramount. It is great to work with an agency who are so professional, efficient, creative, passionate and friendly.
Peter Castle
Group marketing director, Smart & Cook, 2006
We have been working with Cicada since 2004, tasking them with reviewing our corporate brand and communications strategy, primarily through design and print. Cicada quickly grasped the key aspect of our operations and our target audiences, resulting in a suite of professionally designed literature, produced at speed and within our budget targets.
Peter McCormick
Senior partner, McCormicks Solicitors, 2006
Cicada has a rare understanding of the requirements of professional services businesses and of the legal marketplace. I have been particularly pleased by the number of speaking and networking opportunities Cicada has been able to secure.
Nick Butler
Executive director, Connect Yorkshire, 2006
Cicada has generated great regional press coverage for our events and they support and advise us on a broad range of marketing and public relations issues such as programme launches. Their enthusiasm and dedication make them a valuable part of our team.
Robert Astick
Campaign director, Henshaws College Living Life Campaign, 2007
Liz writes from the heart about the College and manages to capture the ethos of both progression and care of our students in her work, resulting in some outstanding press releases and the creation of some innovative and interesting photo opportunities. Her approach to her work has combined the sensitivity needed when working with adults with extremely complex special needs with the ability to spot and promote a newsworthy event or story to the right media outlet.
John Bates
Chief executive, BSIA, 2009
As the leading trade association of the British security industry (BSIA) it is important to constantly review our strategic direction, to ensure we always deliver value for money to our members together with sound judgement on relevant topics to the benefit of partners and other stakeholders.
Having recently been appointed Chief Executive of the BSIA, I invited Di Burton to help facilitate discussions abut current issues facing the Association. Di was objective and presented a robust point of view which challenged management decision making and provided a valuable focus for our future plans.
David Peel
On behalf of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, 2009
Di, on behalf of the President, the Society and delegates very many thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to come to the International Centre and speak at our Congress. Your talk was not only engaging but inspired many of our members to take some action if the flurry of emails to my office is anything to go by. Your contribution added greatly to the success of our event.
Dr Fiona Thompson
Dean of the Faculty of Media, Business and Marketing
Di Burton joined LeedsTrinity University College in 1994 as a Senior Lecturer in Public Relations. As her business has grown over the past 14 years she has moved to Consultant Partner status. Di was instrumental in setting up the highly successful Postgraduate/MA in Public Communication, which she now continues to direct. Designed specifically for information staff in the public sector, in partnership with Government Communicators, this is the first PG Dip/MA of its kind. Di’s role is to design programmes that are academically and practically rigorous. Through her powerful list of contacts she secures speakers from government and from the professions. The continued success of this unique course is largely down to her drive and networking abilities.