Word Association – where communication changes lives
Word Association – where communication changes lives
Word Association is always in the news. Being a PR company we like to practice what we preach and have been featured in the Mail on Sunday, business publications, the trade press and in our local press on numerous occasions. Please click here to see some of these cuttings.
We also keep in touch with our clients, prospects and suppliers through a regular ezine. View our latest edition or read each story or look at back copies.
Keep in touch with Word Association and subscribe to our ezines. You can unsubscribe whenever you like through a link on the ezines.
Click on a headline to read the full story:
Your Welsh team – March 2008
The Word Association team are ready to work with you. With over 100 years experience between them, our team can now offer a complete marketing and PR service to organisations across Wales from its new Cardiff base.
Tai 2008 – March 2008
We are looking forward to meeting up with you at Tai 2008 in Cardiff next week. The Word Association team will be on hand to discuss how our services can help boost your organisation.
Effective Communications - In the Bay – March 2008
Public affairs is a crucial element of the work for any housing association in Wales in the light of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. Word Association offers an effective communications strategy for your organisation.
Welsh Housing Quality Standard – March 2008
Public Relations Director Perry Buck looks at how the Welsh Housing Quality Standard will impact on communities across Wales.
Cymraeg Clir – Welsh Clear – March 2008
Plain, simple, effective communication through both the mediums of Welsh and English is the hallmark of all our work. Word Association knows just how important communication and consultation with tenants and other stakeholders is.
New recruits lead the Way – February 2008
Word Association has expanded its team with the appointments of new Marketing Manager Rav Jagdev and PR Executive Jane McCarthy.
The Word Association team are ready to work with you. We are now offering help and advice to organisations across Wales from our new Cardiff base.
With over 100 years of experience between them, they represent an experienced full service marketing and PR agency that specialises in the housing sector and tenant communication in Wales. Founded in Cardiff by Chief Executive Mark Thomas, Word Association shares your passion for communities and for making a difference to people’s lives. Mark has previously worked with Hendre Housing Association, and with House Mark Wales.
Public Relations Director Perry Buck says: ‘The way we work is to place people at the heart of everything we do. Whether it is in images, in interviews, in stories, or on the web, it is about using people to drive the communications messages. Whatever your housing or communication challenge – whether it is stock transfer, sheltered housing, regeneration, or shared ownership – we are the team who can help.'
Perry has over fifteen years experience in Welsh public affairs, PR, and the media. His in-depth knowledge of the Welsh media and public affairs makes him a politically-savvy operator with all the right contacts. He has also been closely involved in both options appraisal and stock transfer communication, and has worked exclusively in housing for the past five years.
As well as Perry and Mark, Word has over a dozen communications experts ready to work for you. We are the local agency with national reach, and with over 16 years experience within the housing sector at all levels, the company is the natural partner for new and existing housing organisations.
The WA team are here to help you in Wales.
The Word Association team are looking forward to meeting up with you at Tai 2008 in Cardiff next week.
Word Association Chief Executive Mark Thomas, PR Director Perry Buck, and Marketing Manager Rav Jagdev will all be at the conference talking about how Word Association can help your organisation.
As well as being an opportunity to meet and talk with fellow housing professionals, Chief Executive Mark Thomas also says it is a chance to hear from those making the decisions in Wales.
‘Tai 2008 is the biggest event of the year, and I am pleased that myself and Perry and Rav will be there to talk with new and existing contacts and clients from across Wales,’ says Mark. ‘Tai 2008 is also an opportunity to see and hear from those who are leading the housing sector in Wales and will be setting the agenda over the coming twelve months,’ he adds.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS – IN THE BAY – March 2008
Word Association PR Director Perry Buck firmly believes public affairs is a crucial element of the work for any housing association in Wales in the light of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.
Working with government advisors and Assembly members is an important part of this. That doesn’t mean that local councillors and communities leaders should be left out, however.
Perry Buck says: ‘Good public affairs is about being inclusive; about people receiving the same information at the same time. Ensuring that there is an open dialogue with local politicians and other community leaders is a crucial part of any successful communication strategy, both pre and post ballot.
‘People, whether they are tenants, employees, or any other stakeholder, hate to feel they’ve been kept in the dark. Being honest and open with people, even if they disagree with you, is a huge strength, and should never be seen as a weakness,’ adds Perry.
Word Association can offer an effective communications strategy for your organisation in Wales.
WELSH HOUSING QUALITY STANDARD – March 2008
Word Association looks at how the Welsh Housing Quality Standard will impact on communities across Wales.
Public Relations Director Perry Buck has spoken this month about his belief that the WHQS will have an enormous impact on communities across Wales. He says: ‘The investment to reach WHQS is bigger than the funding for Objective One. The job of talking about that and helping to make sure that people benefit from it in every possible way – through increased local employment and training opportunities for example – is one of the exciting things about the WHQS.’
‘One of the things we can do better over the Decent Homes Standard in England is to make sure people understand that holistic approach and what it will mean for them and their community. Making sure that we tell the story of WHQS not just through investment in people’s homes, but through massive investment in training, re-skilling, education, and employability, will have a huge impact on communities across Wales,’ he says.
Perry also adds that any new organisation will need to grasp, from day one, its new role with the community it serves: ‘Stock transfer is a way to bring an organisation closer to its grass roots – its tenants. It is a huge opportunity to become a different kind of organisation, one which can deliver investment and beneficial change to people and communities.’
Public Relations Director Perry Buck.
CYMRAEG CLIR – COMMUNICATION THROUGH WELSH AND ENGLISH – March 2008
Word Association is now able to offer effective communications through both the mediums of Welsh and English.
Plain, simple, effective communication through both mediums is the hallmark of all our work. Word Association’s experience in the field means that it knows just how important communication and consultation with tenants and other stakeholders is.
Having confidence in the team working for you is paramount. The people communicating your messages and speaking with your tenants can make or break a project. Through PR, public affairs, newsletters, face to face interviews, and stakeholder management, the Word Association team is ready to work for you to deliver class-leading communications through both Welsh and English.
Effective communications is the key to success for any organisation.
NEW RECRUITS LEAD THE WAY – February 2008
Word Association has successfully expanded its public relations and marketing team with two new appointments.
The company welcomes 30-year-old Jane McCarthy as its new Public Relations Executive, while Word Association’s youngest recruit, 25-year-old Rav Jagdev, takes on the role as Marketing Manager.
A former PR Account Executive, Jane brings to Word knowledge and experience of the housing sector, which enables her to provide support to Word’s public relations activity.
‘Working for Word Association is fantastic as this great opportunity offers a new challenge in an environment which I find extremely stimulating and enjoyable,’ says Jane. ‘The team is very supportive and the communication between everyone is great. My role within WA allows me to get involved in various projects and campaigns, which excites me as everyday is different,’ adds Jane.
Meanwhile, the consultancy’s newest recruit, Rav Jagdev, is a former journalist, sub-editor and web-editor for B2B magazines publishers and newspaper houses. Rav joins the consultancy as Marketing Manager and brings to Word a wealth of journalistic experience.
‘I’m very excited to be joining Word Association as this new challenge offers a fantastic opportunity to inspire my passion for people and communication,’ says Rav. ‘This is an exciting industry and I am proud to be a part of it as I aim to make a difference in how communication literally changes lives,’ adds Rav.
Mark Thomas, Chief Executive of Word Association, adds: ‘Rav and Jane give a double boost to the company bringing journalistic experience, knowledge of trade journals and strong administrative skills. Between them they will improve the service we present to clients, both old and new.’
Word Association welcomes new Marketing Manager Rav Jagdev and PR Executive Jane McCarthy.
NEW WELSH BASE – October 2007
With extensive experience of supporting stock transfer housing associations in England both before, during and after transfer, Word Association is now offering help and advice to organisations across Wales from its new Cardiff base.
Following the launch of the Welsh base, Word Association exhibited at the ‘Xcellence Factor’ CIH housing conference in September. This follows chief executive Mark Thomas' presentation about stock transfer communications to the HouseMark Wales conference earlier this year.
Although the process of stock transfers is now complete in England, it is only just starting in Wales and the Word Association team is keen to share its in depth knowledge and experience with organisations across the country.
The consultancy can offer support and advice on all aspects of communicating the ballot and the whole consultation process, to ensure both tenants and housing professionals are informed and involved at all stages from our new Cardiff base.
To discuss how Word Association can help your organisation through the stock transfer process, contact Mark on 01455 614333.
PR Director Perry Buck greeting visitors to our exhibition stand at September's CIH conference in Llandudno
NEW PR DIRECTOR LEADS THE TEAM – October 2007
Word Association has expanded its team with the appointment of Perry Buck as public relations director.
The 35-year old joins the consultancy from Dudley Council to head up public relations activity, as well as helping Word Association look after its major clients.
Perry comes to his first agency post after 10 years of working largely in-house in the public sector. His journalism background spans 18 years of staff and freelance work including feature and travel writing for The Birmingham Post. He has written for over 20 newspapers and magazines around the world, as well as presenting on radio.
Perry has also been short-listed for five awards for his public relations and journalism work including The Observer/British Airways Young Travel Writer Of The Year.
“I’m very excited to be joining Word Association,” says Perry. “The consultancy’s ‘where communication changes lives’ ethos fits exactly with my own approach to good public relations and marketing which I believe should always be about people.”
Mark Thomas, chief executive of Word Association, adds: “Perry will help us reach out to new organisations and to grow our business.
“His fresh ideas and creative energy are already having a positive impact on the company and its clients.”
Contact Perry to chat about how innovative PR can raise your organisation's profile.
THE PR APPRENTICE – October 2007
Word Association is searching for a new star recruit.
As one of the leading PR and marketing agencies within the housing and public sector, Word Association is currently looking to expand its team. And as well as a new full time Marketing Manager and Designer it is also looking to recruit an apprentice.
The company has won a number of industry awards and is one of only a handful of PR firms to be Work-Life Balance accredited. It is also an Investor In People. Its firm ethos of producing communication which changes lives has led it to taking the step of launching its own apprenticeship scheme to help encourage and nurture the brightest new talent.
Word Association Chief Executive Mark Thomas, said: "We’re looking for someone with passion for people, and passion for communication. Our agency is looking for the kind of person who can make a difference.
"This is an exciting industry and we want someone who can share that buzz with others and communicate ideas well. It may suit someone who wants to gain highly valuable work experience, or join us on a part-time basis while studying, for example."
Anyone interested in the role should contact central services director Melanie Moore.
THE WAY FORWARD – October 2007
While clients have always been guaranteed first class standards, Word Association has recently launched a comprehensive manual which sets out what makes the consultancy unique and is the embodiment of its slogan, ‘Where Communication Changes Lives’.
‘The Way’ sets the standards that Word Association will continuously meet, such as creating clear, high quality design work and delivering people focused media relations activity.
It also outlines the consultancy’s business plan, mission and goals, along with the strategies for achieving them.
When new staff join the consultancy, ‘The Way’ will ensure that they immediately understand the Word Association ethos, creating a strong, dedicated team.
‘The Way’ is being developed all the time as Word Association evolves. Although it has been designed for staff, the team would be happy to share it with any interested clients, please contact central services director Melanie Moore.
The WA team launching The Way at our away day in Birmingham