'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.'

Dr Fiona Thompson, Dean of the Faculty of Media, Business and Marketing

'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.'

David Peel, on behalf of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, 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."

John Bates, chief executive, BSIA, 2009

"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."

Sarah Pinch, Head of Communications, First Capital Connect, 2008

"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."

Bill Blakemore, Registrar, Royal Entomological Society, 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 Treddenick, Operations Director, Lorien Engineering, 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 introduced us to some excellent networks."

Jonathan Riley, Managing Partner, Grant Thornton Leeds, 2009

"We are always confident that Cicada will deliver a successful event, and this year was no exception. From the very early stages of planning, Cicada provided expert advice, confident support and detailed strategies which all paid off when they delivered an organised and professional event for the fourth consecutive year."

John Thompson, Regional Director, IoD Director of the Year Awards 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. "

Amanda Cains, Head of HR at Damart UK, 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."

Beverley Webster, Managing Director of Prosperis Limited, 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."

Chris Pavlosky, Chief Operations Officer, MFI, 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”

Michaila Hill, Media and Communications Officer, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, 2008

"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."

Nikki Beckett, on behalf of Paramount Pictures, 2007

"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 Castle, group marketing director, Smart & Cook, 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."

Peter McCormick, senior partner, McCormicks Solicitors, 2006

"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."

Robert Astick, campaign director, Henshaws College Living Life Campaign, 2007

"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."

Nick Butler, executive director, Connect Yorkshire, 2006

"As a diverse firm of property consultants we have a wide range of stories to tell across the region. I have found the insights of the Cicada team very useful and informative. As a PR firm they listen carefully to us and have worked hard to help raise our profile as the leading firm of property consultants in the area. Cicada is hard working and conscientious in their approach and I believe this has contributed to the firm's increased profile in Yorkshire."

Ann Fairweather, marketing director, Carter Jonas, 2005