MRM Update – Christmas edition
‘Tis the season to be jolly… and here at MRM HQ with our Christmas tree a-twinklin’ and seasonal songs playing at full blast, we’re certainly full of festive cheer.
As well as looking forward to our annual end of year bash (who wouldn’t be excited at the chance to see Andy Appleyard and Richard Wheat in Christmas jumpers!?), we’re delighted to announce the launch of a new forum for debate in the financial services industry – MyFS Events. Powered by MRM and hosted by former BBC journalist and financial expert Declan Curry, MyFS Events will bring together industry leaders from the world of financial services to debate the key issues of the day.
To kick things off, the first event will take place on 17th December and will focus on retirement funding. With just months left until the 2015 pension reforms come into effect, the financial services industry is in the process of making the necessary adjustments needed to adapt to the pension flexibility and the liberation of the retirement savings market. This month’s panellists will be asked to consider whether the aspirations of those approaching retirement are still realistic and explore the ways in which retirement can best be funded in today’s changing world.
The prestigious panellists taking part in the first debate, include Minister for Pensions, the Right Honourable Steve Webb MP; Neil Lovatt, Director, Scottish Friendly; Stephanie Condra, Retirement Spokesperson, AXA Investment Managers and ‘Pensions Guru’ and founder of Jargonfree Benefits Steve Bee.
To find out more about the event or to participate in future ones, please contact MyFS@mrm-london.com or call 020 3326 9901 to speak to David Stewart. You can also find out more by visiting the MyFS website here, or by following us on Twitter here.
Corporate and Consumer
The Scottish Friendly Disposable Income Index will celebrate its first anniversary early next year. The index, which began at the start of the year and which has seen regular updates released each quarter, has proven a huge success in the media, generating over 20 pieces in the national press (including the Express, the Mirror and The Independent), over 100 regional articles and numerous online and broadcast coverage. With a total reach nearly 10 million people and a cost /AVE ratio of 1:29, the index will continue to go from strength to strength as annual comparisons start to be drawn in 2015
Our Corporate and Consumer team organised a media roundtable in London for Legg Mason subsidiaries Western Asset and Brandywine looking at the outlook for fixed income. Attended by journalists across the key publications in the UK and Europe including the Financial Times, Les Echos and Expansión, the panel discussed the outlook for inflation in the UK, and which fixed income assets offer investors the best prospects in 2015. The initiative was part of a wider campaign to promote Legg Mason’s Global Investment Survey, now in its second year.
We helped Bankhall, which is part of SBG, launch a raft of additional services for its members as it embarks on a new phase of expansion. It means members can now access a much broader range of support than purely compliance and regulatory guidance. Firms are offered outsourced auto-enrolment proposition, data management services, adviser technology and legal services.
MRM powers-up public affairs division
Following its launch in August 2014, MRM continues to expand its public and regulatory affairs division. Following a formal application process, MRM has been admitted to the industry regulatory body, the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC). As well as growing its client portfolio, the division has also expanded its team with the hire of Brittney Parker, a US grassroots campaign specialist, who will be bolstering campaigning, monitoring and research capability ahead of the General Election. You can read more here.
WeeEEeeEEeeeeEee!!!
That’s the sound the digital team make when we’re excited!
It’s also the sound electric cars make when they’re hurled around a track at 150mph, as we discovered during our social media support of the Amlin Aguri Formula E team in their first two races.
We were tasked with helping a brand new team in a brand new sport make a big impression on the world of racing and a quick Google search for “Amlin Aguri” will show you that we’re now working with the most engaging team in the sport. Race three takes place in Punta Del Este on the 13th December. Join us on Twitter for all the fun!
It’s not all been fast cars though. We pulled on our serious trousers to respond to the FCA’s latest document on social media communications. After discussing the many pros and occasional cons of the guidance consultation with forward thinking heads of communications, digital and marketing at respected financial institutions, we penned a joint response straight to the FCA for inclusion in their next steps.
Team digital is going into the new year bigger, as well as better than ever before, with our latest hire. Eirini Gialou joins our award winning team with a Master’s degree in digital marketing, ready to put her skills in research, measurement and reporting to good use!
Phew! Well, that’s all from us for 2014. It just remains for us to say a big thank you to all our clients for their support over the last year and we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
The MRM team