2019 marks seven years since the Popcorn kernels first started popping; our founder Louise’s vision for an agency that would deliver truly creative campaigns grounded with commerciality has seen us explode from a lone client – Walkers Shortbread, whom we still retain today – to a roster of household names and industry trail blazers. With a 100% pitch success rate in 2019, we’ve welcomed the likes of THORPE PARK Resort, Cartoon Network, SHS Drinks, Maui Moisture, RH Amar and Giggling Squid to the business, whilst also retaining all existing clients including Jessops, Panasonic and Bel UK. So, as we wave farewell to a truly popping year gone by, here’s the team’s highlights from a year like no other…
“This has been a standout year for me. No longer a ‘new’ agency, we not only enjoyed a 100% pitch success rate in 2019, we also received exemplary feedback from each of our new clients. Whilst every PR person or agency creative has taken an ‘it was close’ call during their career, the quality of the feedback this year (that we absolutely nailed the brief and demonstrated genuine chemistry within our own team) is proof to me that our approach, which is to always underpin creativity with commerciality to deliver insight driven campaigns, continues to be the winning formula. Add to that a brilliant and committed team, and there is a lot to look forward to in 2020.”
Louise Lloyd, Founder
“2019 has been an incredible year for Popcorn, and I have a fair few highlights that have really made it special. Firstly, executing our OGX event which brought together a wonderful group of influencers to showcase the brand’s partnership with LGBT Foundation, a hugely inspiring cause to be involved with. Personally, I also received two promotions in 2019, which was a huge achievement and testament to the vast opportunities on offer and brilliant agency culture at Popcorn – not to mention how enjoyable it is to be part of such a fantastic team of likeminded and motivational people.”
Lily Morris, Senior Account Manager
“My personal highlight was joining this amazing and empowering agency nearly one year ago. I’ve never worked with a more talented bunch, and genuinely leave the office at the end of the week with a huge smile on my face just looking back at the amazing results we’ve achieved – it’s incredible and I have not had job satisfaction like it. THORPE PARK has also been a huge highlight. The end of year results are amazing, with the team smashing them by +570%…WOW!”
Laura Morris, Director
“Picking one highlight is always hard, and 2019 is no exception. Having been a fan of THORPE PARK FRIGHT NIGHTS for many years, I would say hosting Popcorn’s first FRIGHT NIGHTS launch event and orchestrating gruesome VIP invite deliveries are amongst 2019’s peaks. We’ve also delivered a number of standout campaigns for Panasonic across a broad product portfolio including a truly gram-worthy event to launch the new Nanoe + Double Mineral Hairdryer and worked with some fantastic influencers building really authentic relationships that I’m looking forward to continuing in 2020 and beyond- I have a feeling 2020 is going to be one to watch…
Sophie Durrant, Account Director
“Wow, what a year. Having been back at Popcorn for over a year now following a short break from agency life, seeing the growth of not only our roster of incredible clients, but the wider Popcorn team too, makes me truly proud to be a Popstar. I’ve seen every member of the agency develop both personally and professionally over 2019, showing true understanding of the fact that with great PoweR comes great responsibility. Furthermore, being part of the Bel UK trade team where we’ve doubled the volume of coverage compared to last year, secured the prestigious front cover of The Grocer and seen Boursin win at The Grocer New Product awards has been a real highlight. Here’s to an even bigger and better 2020!”
Katherine Chambers, Content Manager
“2019 has been a special year with some spectacular Popcorn popping – babies, corks and creativity! My highlight has to be the birth of my beautiful baby girl Amelie in February, the latest mini popstar to join the team, but there’s also been lots of reasons to celebrate since returning to work, adding some fabulous new clients to the Popcorn family, generating showstopping coverage and gearing up to launch an industry-leading trends campaign in January.”
Kate Harris, Director
“One of my favourite moments from this year was the Walkers Shortbread advent calendar campaign, from presenting the idea, all the way through to launch where it sold out within 27 days with national coverage directly resulting in such stand out sales. The fact it was all derived from an insight driven and commercial PR initiative is a real highlight.”
Sophie Collier, Account Director
“My highlight and personal Popcorn achievement would have to be being promoted to Account Executive. It’s such an amazing feeling knowing your hard work is being recognised. I have also loved working on OGX’s Bed Hair Don’t care campaign, organising and attending the influencer sleepover. It was such a fabulous night where we got the chance to meet and strengthen relationships with such a breadth of influencer attendees.”
Megan Hughes, Account Executive
“I am beginning to understand how people feel when they’re asked to choose ‘their favourite child’! 2019 has quite simply been explosive for us and there are genuinely just so many celebrations, successes and highlights to choose from. What really hits the top spot for me are the new wins and clients we have welcomed this year. A 100% success rate is certainly something to celebrate, but even more so has been the outstanding feedback we have received from each and every one of those pitches, substantiating the creativity that runs through the agency alongside our continued commercial grounding and, at times, courage to challenge and strategically shape with insights driven thinking.”
Sara Howard, MD
“A 2019 highlight for me would have to be our Cartoon Network win and campaign for Apple & Onion. An integrated campaign to drive awareness of the new series saw us working with a top choreographer to create a dance challenge and then galvanise key influencers on TikTok, YouTube and Stagecoach performing arts kids to take part.”
Vic Coppin, Social and Digital Director
“My personal highlight would have to be the Jessops influencer events. Firstly, the Halloween event at Jessops’ Oxford Street store where guests had their makeup done by a special effects artist and were then photographed professionally in-store to create engaging spook-tecular Halloween content. Secondly, the influencer event at Blenheim Palace, enabling Jessops to communicate with influencers and their audiences in a unique way, and to target a younger audience demographic. As if that’s not enough, winning Popstar of the Month in November really made me proud and it’s always so motivating to know your work is being recognised.”
Joey Guedes, Senior Account Executive
“My biggest achievement as a Popstar this year was being promoted to Account Executive within a year of being a Popstar. My favourite agency moment of the year was Popcorn winning THORPE PARK and being on the THORPE PARK team, with the FRIGHT NIGHTS press event being a stand-out highlight.”
Alexa Joel, Account Executive
