More new business wins for Diligence

Diligence Media and Marketing has confirmed its growing status as one of the fastest growing design and communications companies in East Sussex with more new business wins.

Since its launch in November 2007, Diligence has been appointed to oversee major design projects for companies covering a wide range of industry sectors.

JAG Press and Publicity, a PR and press consultancy based in Horsham appointed Diligence to construct its new website. The new site went live last month and is seeking to boost the profile of this long-established company in the highly competitive press and PR marketplace.

International web directory Seascape International has also appointed Diligence to construct a major new web-based shipping directory, whilst Battle restaurant Nobles selected the company to help reinforce its presence in the local community with a revised website and marketing support.

Caseco was established to provide high quality products to the optical market throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. A refreshed web presence plus the launch of a new online shopping facility is being created by Diligence for launch in April.

In addition to other new business wins from companies such as Legal & General, Rootgrow and Aeromet International, the company's Event Division has been appointed to provide conference entertainment for three trade union conferences – Prospect in Torquay and PCS in Brighton – both in May and the Bakers and Food Workers Union in Bridlington in June.

To find out how Diligence can help your business grow, contact our Client Services Director Gareth Jones on 01424 447858.

All set for Lydd Classic

Runners from all over the south east – and some from even further afield - will be descending upon Lydd on Sunday March 9th for the return of the Lydd Parish Half Marathon.

The race was once a popular part of the south east road running calendar but has been absent now for a number of years. Race organisers Nice Work, sister company of Diligence Media and marketing, are anticipating around 250 runners of all standards - from novice joggers to seasoned competitors - to line up for the main event. "The return of the race seems to have been well received and we’ve attracted a healthy number of entrants already” says Race Director Martin Burke “But there will still be spaces available for those who want to sign up on the day – and we’re also hoping for a strong entry in both the 2 mile Fun Run and Children’s Race”

The Half Marathon race is over a flat, route along towards Dungeness before joining the Coast Road to Greatstone. The course is proving popular both for those in training for this year’s London Marathon and for those looking for a fast time.

Proceeds from the race are being shared between local good causes allocated by the Mayor of Lydd and to the Kent MS Therapy Centre.

The Half Marathon starts at 10.00 am with the Fun Run at 10.15. Both races will be preceded by a Children’s Race at 9.30.

All finishers will receive a medal and a Goody Bag and there are prizes for the leading runners. Any enquires to Martin Burke 01797 230730 or visit http://www.nice-work.org.uk/

Stroll from Boulogne to Le Touquet for charity

Details have been announced of the next overseas sponsored walk for local charities in Deal and Hastings.

The Stroll for St Michaels and Martha – is a three day overseas sponsored walk which raises funds for St Michaels Hospice and Martha Trust.

Boulogne to Le Touquet is the 5th sponsored walk overseas for St Michaels Hospice and 2008 will be the third time that funds have also been raised for Martha Trust. This year the walk takes in some stunning countryside as it wends its way along the coastal footpath between Boulogne and Le Touquet.

The walk will cover some beautiful French countryside and pass many places of historic interest en route. There are also a number of refreshment stops along the route and the overnight base will provide ample opportunities to sample the local cuisine.

The event is perfect for people of all ages and families are welcome to participate. The route is primarily flat and with a longest day mileage of around 15 miles, only a basic minimum level of fitness would be required.

If you can raise the minimum amount in sponsorship, your place on the Stroll is fully funded.
Martin Burke, from Diligence sister company Nice Work, says: “This is now a really popular event and as well as being a great weekend away, it’s a superb opportunity to demonstrate support for both St Michaels Hospice and Martha Trust in a healthy and fun way.”

The Stroll takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend with a coach departure from Hastings and Dover on Saturday morning – returning to the towns on Monday evening.
In addition to the coach, back-up vehicles will also carry basic first aid facilities and refreshments will be available at regular stops along the way. All meals, accommodation and refreshments for the duration of the walk are provided.

For more information, contact organisers Nice Work on 01797 230730; email info@nice-work.org.uk or visit www.nice-work.org.uk

Lydd returns to the road running stage

Event management specialists Diligence Media and Marketing has announced plans for the return of the Lydd Half Marathon.

The race was once one of the most popular road running events in the Kent, regularly attracting large numbers of runners from all over the world, until the race ceased in the mid 1990;s.

The event, organised through Diligence sister company and specialist road racing organisers Nice Work takes place on Sunday March 9th. The event is being held in conjunction with Lydd Town Council and will be looking to raise funds for the Mayor of Lydd's designated local charities and good causes.

Nice Work already organises a number of races in Kent and East Sussex as well as organising groups travel to major road racing and marathon events throughout Europe.

Entries are available for the Lydd Half Marathon from organisers Nice Work on 01797 230730; by email at info@nice-work.org.uk or by visiting the Nice Work website www.nice-work.org.uk

Next Holiday for Diligence!

Local businesses celebrate the launch of an exciting new website - NextHoliday.co.uk!
BP Travel Marketing is celebrating the launch of Next Holiday, BP's latest online product dedicated to helping consumers find their Next Holiday which has its First Edition live this morning. Next Holiday joins BP's other consumer focused websites TravelOwl.co.uk and Brochurebank.co.uk.

Next Holiday was created by BP's online services manager Phil Taylor working closely with Sussex-based communications company Diligence Media and Marketing, whose design skills were put to the test to create such a simple but effective communication platform. The result is a unique mix of user-generated content (from TravelOwl.co.uk BP's online travel community) and classified advertising from Tour Operators and Travel Agents. Excitingly, Next Holiday takes a number of online and offline forms. Next Holiday (.co.uk) is the main website where visitors link to TravelOwl, Brochurebank and Advertisers' websites. In addition, registered users receive an html email introducing the features of each month's edition plus there is also a printed version which accompanies all brochures dispatched from Brochurebank making this a unique opportunity to target consumers through a variety of media.

The current Next Holiday database is 50,000 consumers who are actively looking to book their Next Holiday and substantial growth is being targeted with numbers estimated to triple over the course of the year.

Phil Taylor, BP's product manager, Online Services, commented: "This is a hugely exciting product, combining traveller's experiences from TravelOwl with some excellent holiday offers to tempt people into booking their Next Holiday." He added: "This month we've got first time cruisers, amazing photos from Churchill in Canada of the polar bears, ski reviews from Panorama in British Columbia and video from the Maldives. It's so exciting to be able to share people's experiences in such a unique way."

James Marchant, Creative Director at Diligence Media and Marketing said: “The growth in the use of technology and emarketing offers an excellent opportunity for BP Travel Marketing, which has a strong reputation for developing high quality travel marketing products, to build its brand and expand its market.”

He added: “BP Travel Marketing is an important account for Diligence. Alongside our recent work for some of the region’s leading companies, it is a step forward in our strategy to increase our presence in the south east business community.”

Ends

Note to Editors (1):

Diligence Media and Marketing is a traditional marketing, design and communications agency with two offices in Hastings and Rye. Amongst the services we offer are:

- Traditional branding, design and print
- Website design and build
- Internet marketing and net optimisation, including a low-cost Blogging service
- eMail, database and direct mail marketing
- Marketing services and support
- Event management

Contact details:

James Marchant
Diligence Media and Marketing
20 Wellington Square,
Hastings,
East Sussex,
TN34 1PB

Tel: 01424 447858
James@diligencegroup.co.uk

From Calais to Boulogne - on foot!

Diligence sister company Nice Work has announced plans for another of its popular overseas walks with a three day walk between the two French ports of Calais and Boulogne.

The walk, which enables participants to raise money for their own favourite charity, will take place between April 18th and 20th.

The towns of Calais and Boulogne are around 25 or so miles apart by road - but a comfortable but more interesting walk of two to two and a half days separates them. They are linked together by a coastal footpath which provides for a breathtaking walk with views over the surrounding countryside and, of course, across the English Channel. In addition to walking, there's time for sightseeing incorporated into the programme as the route passes many places of historic interest and there are a number of museums en route.

There are also a number of refreshment stops along the way and the two overnight stops will provide ample opportunities to sample the local cuisine. The event is perfect for people of all ages and we would encourage families to participate. The route is undulating and with a longest day mileage of around 15 miles, only a basic minimum level of fitness would be required.

The cost of just £145 per person includes:

Transport to and from France
Accommodation, meals plus drinks and refreshments en route
Back- up transport throughout the duration of the stroll
Celebratory lunch in Boulogne
The services of a back-up crew and guides
A daily goody bag plus a commemorative tee shirt

Organiser Martin Burke says “The Calais to Boulogne route has always been our most popular overseas walk and those who join us can expect some stunning scenery, some good company and a great social experience. The walk has already attracted a number of particpants, including one group of younger walkers loooking to raise funds for a once in a lifetime exchange visit to Beijing."

Nice Work has organised the annual three day sponsored walks over the August Bank Holiday Weekend in France and Belgium for both St Michaels Hospice and Martha Trust. This year sees the 5th Stroll for St Michaels which will be from Boulogne to Le Touquet.

The Calais to Boulogne walk takes place from Friday 18th April to Sunday 20th April, with a coach departure from both Hastings and Dover on Friday morning – returning to the towns on Monday evening.

For more information, contact organisers Nice Work on 01797 230730; email info@nice-work.org.uk or visit the Nice Work website

Air Ambulance site passes the test!

The new website designed and built for Kent Air Ambulance by Diligence Media and Marketing has been put through its paces by influential trade mag Third Sector.

Third Sector is the UK’s leading publication for the voluntary and not-for-profit sector. Many of its 80,000 readers are chief executives, trustees and senior managers in charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Others are parliamentarians, lawyers, finance professionals and private sector executives concerned with corporate responsibility.

Each issue features a new website which is 'road tested' for navigation, accessibility, content and innovation. The new site was awarded a glowing testimony and a 16/20 score "There's an impressive level of content here" says the reviewer.

"Considering I have only ever seen one at 18/20 and most national charities get 16. I think we’ve done very well. I’m pleased and our Chief Executive is really chuffed." said Kate Duddell , Media Coordinator, Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance.

To see the full review, click here.