Wednesday 30 January 2008

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

Tuesday 29 January 2008

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

Thursday 24 January 2008

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

Friday 18 January 2008

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.

Friday 11 January 2008

All set to Pedal to Dieppe

Details have been announced of a three day sponsored cycle ride to the French port of Dieppe to raise funds for the Hastings Sierra Leone Friendship Link.

Pedal for Sierra Leone will cover some beautiful countryside on both sides of the Channel and take in many places of historic interest en route. There are also a number of refreshment stops along the route making the event suitable for cyclists of all abilities. The overnight base in Dieppe will also 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 allows for relatively easy cycling, with most of the route in France using a purpose-built cycle roadway.

If you can raise the minimum amount in sponsorship, your place on the Pedal is fully funded.
Organiser Martin Burke from event managers Nice Work, a Diligence sister company, says “This should prove a really popular event and as well as being a great weekend away, is a superb opportunity to demonstrate support for the Hastings Sierra Leone Friendship Link.”

The Pedal for Sierra Leone takes place over the second May Bank Holiday weekend with a departure from Hastings Pier on Saturday May 24th – returning to the town by the Monday evening.

Back-up vehicles will carry basic first aid and cycle repair resources and refreshments will be available at regular stops along the way. Your ferry crossing, all meals, accommodation and refreshments for the duration of the cycle are provided.

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

Monday 7 January 2008

We're movin' up!!

Diligence Media and Marketing is gearing up for further expansion with a move to larger premises in Wellington Square, Hastings. Since the launch of Diligence in late 2007, business levels have been such that the new company requires additional staff and larger premises.

However, the company isn't moving far - the new offices are just next door and up one floor! The move from 18 to 20 Wellington Square, in Hastings, means the company is now able ato accomodate additional staff and resources, whilst maintaining its convenient town centre location.

Since the new company - formed, following the merger of two long-established local companies, Nice Work and Pixel Puppet - was launched, it has experienced rapid expansion. Recent growth has come from both new clients and increased business from existing customers.

The new new offices are located at 20, Wellington Square, Hastings – in the centre of Hastings, close to the central station and with parking facilities nearby.

Diligence will continue to maintain its rural office in Peasmarsh.

Ends

Contact details:

Telephone: 0844 544 7278

Diligence in Hastings
20 Wellington Square,
Hastings,
East Sussex,
TN34 1PB
Direct Line: 01424 447858

Diligence in Rye
Unit 4,
Malthouse Business Park,
Peasmarsh,
TN31 6ST
Direct Line: 01797 230730

Click here to visit the Diligence website.

Thursday 3 January 2008

A Happy New Year for Diligence!

Hastings-based marketing and communications company Diligence Media and Marketing is celebrating a Happy New Year with news of three important new business wins.

In a lively start to 2008, the company have been appointed to three important new projects.

Caseco, a leading supllier of quality spectacle cases, accessories and eyeware have appointed Diligence to construct a new website and online shop. This is the second time the Kent-based optical company have shown their faith in Diligence staff, with the existing site provided by Pixel Puppet - one of the two companies who joined to form Diligence in November 2007.

JAG Press and Publicity is a PR and media consultancy providing leading organisations with PR, editorial and journalist services. Diligence is constructing a website for the consultancy and has also provided the company with a new corporate identity.

The British Pharmaceutical Nutrition Group (BPNG) have also selected Diligence to provide the membership organisation with a new website plus develop a new series of membership marketing materials, including a new branded exhibition presence.

Martin Burke, Marketing Director of Diligence Media and Marketing said "We believe in value for money and believe too that working better rather than working differently makes us stand out from the crowd. Its because of that philosophy that so many organsiations are now selecting us to help them develop their marketing communications".

For more information on how Dlilgence can help your company to communicate better with its customers, call Gareth Jones today 0n 01424 447858.