TMPR celebrates commitment to a real living wage

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Written by: Daisy Babbage

We are happy to announce that Technical Marketing and PR (TMPR) has been accredited as a Living Wage Employer. This Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at Technical Marketing and PR receive a minimum hourly wage of £10.90, higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at £10.42 per hour.

TMPR is based in Wales, a region where more than a tenth of all workers (11.8%) earn less than they need to get by, with around 144,000 jobs paying less than the real Living Wage.

 

Although TMPR has recently been accredited a Living Wage Employer, this is far from the start of the company paying its employees higher than the minimum wage. Even those on internships at TMPR earn a fair wage, as the business believes in nurturing and rewarding future talent. “We value all our employees at TMPR, and therefore believe this should be reflected not only in competitive salaries, but also wider benefits,” explains Louise Morgan, Director of TMPR.

“We’ve consulted closely with the team over the years to identify, above salary, what benefits are most valued. As a result of that, we now have private healthcare, flexi time, hybrid working, birthdays and Christmas shopping days off plus regular team building – the rugby always being a favourite!

“We want our team to be the best versions of themselves, so if we can help with that, then we will.”

 

The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to the costs of living. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that wish to ensure their staff earn a wage they can live on, not just the government minimum. Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 450,000 people and put over £2 billion extra into the pockets of low paid workers.

Katherine Chapman, the Director of Living Wage Foundation, said: “We’re delighted that Technical Marketing and PR has joined the movement of over 12,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on.

“They join thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Everton Football Club and many more. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and they, like TMPR, believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.”

Say hello to the new Marketing Intern, Daisy!

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Written by: Daisy Babbage

Hot off the tail of our most recent hire is our new Marketing Intern, Daisy Babbage. Currently studying psychology at Cardiff University, she describes her interests as being in human behaviour and decision-making. “I’ve always wanted to go into marketing from a different perspective, thinking about why a marketing strategy is more persuasive than another, or what catches the attention of potential consumers, as well as wanting to understand how to implement it.

“Because of my degree, I am well versed in research and analysis. But what I am eager to expand on is my creative writing skills. As someone who loved English literature and creative writing during my A Levels, I’m excited to develop my written communication once again.” 

Alongside her internship and degree, Daisy enjoys keeping herself busy – whether that be through her retail job, running a weekly university radio show, or as a proactive member and publicity manager of an acting society. In what is left of her downtime, Daisy loves to paint, go on walks with family and friends, and listen to all genres of music.

“Everyone at TMPR has been so welcoming, friendly and helpful, making it feel like a really encouraging atmosphere to learn and develop my knowledge of the marketing and PR world. I can already tell how much of an impact this internship will have – not just for my understanding of marketing and PR, but also because of the people here.

“I love learning about the world, and ultimately, I would love to work in marketing for a technology company. I can’t wait to get stuck in and get hands-on insight into marketing, and I am so happy to be doing this with TMPR.”

Welcome to the team, Daisy!

TMPR getting ahead of the curve at FIREX

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Written by: Mimi Deen

Attending industry events is crucial for keeping up with the latest regulation changes, product launches, and market trends. TMPR believes in ongoing professional development as this provides an excellent opportunity for on-the-job training and continuous learning to stay ahead of the curve. Earlier this year, we were fully engaged in EdTech at Bett which was held at the ExCel London Exhibition Centre.

TMPR returned to ExCel again last month, this time to learn more about the latest developments in fire safety and protection at FIREX. The three-day event was a great development opportunity as it brings together fire safety professionals and showcases the latest product, services, and technologies in the industry. Representing TMPR at the show were Tom Martin and Oliver Thorne. Having attended a fire safety event previously, this was their first time at FIREX. Despite having to navigate some tricky train delays on their way back, they both gained valuable insights and ideas to share with the wider team. 

“My first experience of FIREX was a very positive one. It was a brilliant opportunity to check in with the fire protection industry, and see a wide range of passive fire protection solutions up close, including product demonstrations and installs,” explained Tom.

Oliver also had the opportunity to visit various exhibitor stands and to learn about the latest products and services at FIREX. Here’s what he had to say about it:

“It was great to see the enthusiasm all around for fire safety from early on at FIREX. We attended a few live demonstrations on how to install fire-stopping solutions into various apertures, which was great viewing for beginners and experts alike.”

Tom was particularly excited to be there in-person, having supported a client with stand design and event planning for the show. Here are some of his highlights:

“We also attended some thought provoking seminars which will undoubtedly support our future projects. A particular highlight for me was checking in with our client, having been heavily involved with the preparation of their event planning and design. Seeing the stand come to life was very satisfying, and clearly resonated with its many visitors.”

What industry events are you looking forward to attending or hosting this year? If there’s a construction, manufacturing, or engineering related one you think we should know about, drop us a line at hello@technicalmarketing-pr.com.

Hwyl Fawr Carys!

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Written by: Mimi Deen

We recently said goodbye to another one of our interns, Carys Williams, who joined TMPR for an initial three-month internship which was then extended. Here’s what she had to say about her journey of balancing studying and working with us:

“My TMPRship has been so insightful and I’m very grateful to Louise and the team for this invaluable opportunity. It was very important for me to gain experience in the industry, ahead of graduation. Completing my internship allowed me to develop my knowledge, experience and confidence, which are all essential to me, for when I enter the labour market after my studies. 

“Everyone within the in-house and wider team has been so patient and guiding, which I am really grateful for. My favourite tasks have been news round ups and blog writing, and I now even have tangible pieces of copy to add to my portfolio.

“I’ve also been lucky enough to become accustomed with tools used in this field of work; Cision, Smartsheet and WordPress, to name a few.”

If you’re a student or recent graduate looking to gain experience in marketing and PR, give us a shout at hello@technicalmarketing-pr.com or visit our LinkedIn to connect.

TMPR welcomes an international student: ‘Selamat Datang’ Mimi!

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Written by: Mimi Deen

April is blossoming to a positive start with Mimi Deen joining us as our newest Marketing Intern. She was born and raised in Malaysia, but her family once lived in Cardiff in the 90s, making it a walk down memory lane when she decided to pursue her MA at Cardiff University.

As a postgraduate student, Mimi juggles her time between work while pursuing her International Public Relations & Global Communication Management degree at the School of Journalism and Media Communications. She was then connected to TMPR via the Career Confident programme, leading her to work for us where she will support the team with regular marketing, PR activities, and client projects.

Before TMPR, Mimi was heavily engaged with corporate stakeholder engagement while working within a CSR organisation’s planning team. Mimi is passionate about enriching life with a sustainable approach to things as she believes in the long-term impact of it. She starts from home by educating her family about the simplest green alternatives, such as DIY-ing nature-friendly household solutions. Moving forward, she hopes to instil the habit within the working environment at the office. We value her keen interest, as sustainability is a key theme for TMPR and its clients.

Mimi had the opportunity to join the team, visiting screen-printing company and TMPR supplier, Screentec, on her second day. Upon seeing the printing house, she was thrilled to witness something close to her heart. “We travelled to Ferndale and I was especially interested when the Managing Director mentioned their business recycling approach. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip as it was also my first time going the Welsh valleys”. Adding that her transition into the workplace went seamlessly, “I felt comfortable since the first day; the team were very friendly and ensured to give me that sense of belonging from the get-go”.

We look forward to working with Mimi and seeing her develop skills and expertise in the PR industry. On behalf of all the team, we wish her a warm welcome and congratulations on a great start!

So long, and thanks for all the fish, Charlie

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To quote Douglas Adams, it may be time to say goodbye, but farewell is by no means forever… Charlie says hello to a whole new adventure!

Marketing Assistant Charlie Buckland joined us last June as a Marketing Intern, fresh from her studies at Cardiff University and finding her feet in the working world. She quickly established herself as a member of the TMPR team and was promoted to Marketing Assistant by the end of the summer.

From jumping straight in to support a national PR campaign, to finessing her copywriting skills crafting client blogs, case studies and press releases, Charlie has come on leaps and bounds from the graduate who first entered our doors.

While we’re sad to see Charlie leave, we look forward to continuing to cheer her on from the side-lines as she pursues her passion in Journalism.

But don’t just take our word for it, Charlie took the time to look back upon her time with the TMPR team:

Although my time at TMPR might be ending, the lessons I’ve learnt from my experience here will always stay with me. I’ve been put at ease since my very first day, the team could not have been more encouraging and it’s with a heavy heart that I leave them. To commemorate all that TMPR has done for me this past year, here are some of my highlights…

Crafting new copy

My role at TMPR has involved developing copy on a daily basis, from short and punchy social posts to more weighty case studies. It’s been an iterative process, but I’ve become self-assured in my writing and the experience has allowed me to grasp more about the world of technical marketing and public relations.

CIPR Training

TMPR prides themselves on investing in regular training to gain new skills and motivate new ways of approaching tasks. During my time at TMPR I underwent two training courses with the respected Chartered Institute of Public Relations, both in mastering the art of copywriting and press releases. The courses were so insightful, and the skills learnt reinspired my approach to writing and will transpire beyond the world of PR.

Growing in confidence

When I first joined the team, I had limited experience working within the business world, but TMPR soon showed me the ropes. Through 1 to 1 support with Director Louise Morgan and on-hand assistance from everyone in-house, I never felt like I was left high and dry.

From sitting in on meetings to now leading case study interviews for clients, I’m positive that I leave TMPR confident in my capabilities. It’s been so great to learn from applied experts within the industry who I am now fortunate enough to consider friends.

So finally, diolch yn fawr pawb at TMPR, for your constant guidance and encouragement. I truly could have not wished for a better team to mentor me through my first graduate role – I’ll be an onlooker forever in your favour.

And Charlene…I will always share your banana with you!

Introducing Emily Palmer: Our latest Marketing Intern 

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Undergraduate student Emily Palmer began her journey at TMPR this February, becoming our newest Marketing Intern to join the team. Emily is currently in her final year of a BA Media and Communications Degree at Cardiff University and is looking to develop marketing skills to kick start her career.

Alongside her keen interest in marketing, Emily enjoys a variety of sports, including netball, cycling, swimming, and spends time organising social events for the Cardiff University JOMEC Netball Society. Sports aside, she’s a budding photographer too, developing creative and technical skills in her free time.

Enthusiastic to begin her internship with TMPR, we asked Emily about her aspirations within the industry and what she’s hoping to gain from this internship.

Here’s what she had to say…

“My A Level studies in Media piqued my interest early on, and from my time at Cardiff University, I’m now certain I would thrive within a marketing role. That’s why this programme seemed like the perfect fit for me. It allows me to learn more about working in this industry alongside my degree.

“The team here are all really welcoming and friendly, I felt very comfortable from the get-go. It’s really important for me to gain an insight into working in this industry before graduating – which is exactly what this internship is offering me! 

“It’s impressive how much the team at TMPR do. I find many aspects of their work both inspiring and interesting and I’m eager to learn from the experts at this agency. From this internship, I’d love to develop my writing skills, particularly around blog writing and press releases. Having previous experience in digital and social media marketing, I’m keen to delve into other aspects of marketing and PR too, such as print advertising and campaign analytics.

“My motivation to work in marketing came from my mum, who always spoke highly of her time working in the industry. Growing up hearing about the excitement of this profession encouraged me to pursue a career in this sector. This summer when I graduate, I hope to be able to secure a full-time role in marketing. 

“I cannot wait to get involved, to learn and grow from this experience – thank you so much to the team for giving me this opportunity.”

Fluent in Welsh, English and passionate about PR: Introducing Carys Williams

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One of the Marketing Interns that TMPR welcomed in January is undergraduate student at Cardiff University, Carys Williams. Bilingual in both Welsh and English language, Carys is currently completing her BA Degree in Media, Journalism and Culture and looking to develop her skill set.

As well as being a budding marketeer, Carys is a music enthusiast who loves to get stuck in with Cardiff University’s dance society in her spare time. Excited to work with TMPR alongside her studies, we asked Carys what she’s most looking forward to sinking her teeth into over the course of the internship.

Here’s what she had to say…

“I’ve been passionate about building my career in this sector for years and whilst completing my A Levels at home in Swansea, I had two part-time roles which involved PR and Marketing tasks, which I really enjoyed. So, this opportunity with TMPR seemed like the perfect fit for me!

“I’m interested in all aspects of TMPR’s work but if I had to choose one, I would say I’m particularly keen to develop my creative writing skills. I have previous experience working in social media marketing but I’m hoping to build upon my written communications through creating blogs and press releases with the guidance of the team.

“I instantly felt comfortable and motivated after meeting the team and I’m eager to learn from experts at a contemporary agency. It’s so important to me to gain invaluable knowledge and experience of the industry and work with a range of different clients – all ahead of graduating. My Internship with TMPR will allow me to do exactly that, which really excites me!”

Thank you so much for having me, I can’t wait to get involved.

Juggling a Masters and Marketing Internship: Introducing Rubie Barker

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In case you may have missed our first instalment of this series, be sure to head back to catch up here. But to kick off the introductions to our internship programmes, this blog will shine a light on our new recruit Rubie Barker, who has joined us as one of our Marketing interns on a three-month placement with TMPR.

Having graduated from Cardiff University last summer with a BA Joint Honours degree in English Literature and History, she’s continued her studies in Cardiff by embarking on a Masters degree in English Literature!

As she takes her first few steps with TMPR, we asked her what she was most looking forward to and here is what she had to say…

Developing my writing

While I have spent the last three years of my degree consistently writing, creating copy in the technical marketing world is a whole new challenge that I can’t wait to tackle.

I’m looking forward to learning more about the marketing needs of the engineering, construction, manufacturing and edtech industries. Everyone here has such valuable experience that I can’t wait to learn from and develop a new style of writing!

Assisting with social media campaigns and posts

The team here does such a broad range of work, but I’m keen to learn more about the use of social media and LinkedIn particularly. From making sure that the right prospective clients are reached, to best displaying the products companies have on offer, I want to learn how to use these platforms to their full potential. Learning about its effectiveness and how best to use the platforms will be such a valuable experience for me.

Working with the whole team

From my first chat with Louise, I knew that the whole team would be lovely, and they have been so welcoming! Settling into a new work environment can be daunting at times but it really hasn’t been. I can’t wait to spend more time working alongside them, getting to know them and learning from their experiences.

In the hot seat with…a trio of new interns! 

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We’re especially excited to be expanding our TMPR-ship programme by welcoming not one, but three new Marketing Interns to the team.

Two of our previous Marketing Interns have gone on to join us full-time over the last two years, both Oliver and Charlie started out on our internships and are now Marketing Assistants helping to deliver cutting-edge campaigns.

We’re keen to give back, and the paid internships support students with developing industry experience and skills on the job, giving them the chance to learn more about potential careers before they graduate.

Not only that, but we’re very happy to be continuing our longstanding partnership with Cardiff University’s student futures programme. With all three new interns currently completing their studies at Cardiff University, we’re proud to support and upskill young talent by providing the opportunity to delve into agency work. 

From an English Literature Master’s student to both second and third-year Journalism students, they’ve all already shown their drive in getting a head start in the world of PR and Marketing. 

So, to get the lowdown on how they’re finding their feet in the TMPR office, make sure to keep your eyes peeled as we shine the spotlight on Rubie Barker, Carys Williams and Emily Palmer in the coming weeks!