Full Profile : Urban was established in 2004 and is based in the heart of Birmingham’s Colmore Business District. Our mission is to be the premier strategic communications consultancy in Greater Birmingham by the end of 2012.
Urban’s vision is that all organisations - of all shapes and sizes; public, private and third sector - recognise communication as a core strategic function and establish reputation management and relationship building as strategic priorities. Our philosophy is reflected by our positioning line: Enhancing Reputations • Building Relationships.
Our specialist client sectors are publicly funded; professional and commercial; creative and digital.
We operate as a communications think tank at Board level, providing counsel and strategic input.
We believe the future of communication lies in conversation and communities; not cuttings and celebrities. Reputation management, rather than simply PR; stakeholder communication and digital media are the future of our industry and we are well placed to exploit these trends.
Building stakeholder relationship programmes is the lifeblood of Urban. We maintain an unrivalled database of decision makers and key influencers. We know who shapes opinions and changes attitudes – and how to engage them.
Our clients include: BBC, Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Hippodrome, Gateshead Council/ONE North East, Genting UK, Harris Lamb, Homes and Communities Agency, Mimosa Healthcare and The University of Warwick.
Services : Reputation Management
Stakeholder Communications
Public Affairs
Lobbying&Advocacy
Issues & Crisis Management
Media Relations
Event Management
CSR Policy
Speechwriting
Internal Communications
Testimonials :
"I have worked closely with Urban since its creation. The team provides clear strategic thinking set against demanding objectives. They understand key issues in the public sector, HE, business as well as the stakeholder and media environments. Urban have very quickly become key advisers" Ian Rowley, Director of Development, Communication and Strategy, University of Warwick
"Birmingham Future’s hugely successful Graduate Apprentice scheme was Urban’s idea, and the evolution from an annual Graduate Fair to a package of regional activities used Urban’s creative, but practical, thinking. Urban are a jewel in Birmingham’s crown." Baz Chapman, Former Chairman of Graduate Employment Committee, Birmingham Future
"Without their work, I doubt very much whether we would have been able to secure the Admin Court. I cannot recommend them too highly. They are consummate professionals." Alistair Wyvill, Barrister, St Philips Chambers
"When I was the editor of BBC’s Omnibus, I interviewed the American writer Stephen King at his home in upstate Maine. He told me he knew that part of the world well. ‘I know where the roads go,’ was the way he described it. The same is absolutely true of Urban. They know the patch - the political world, the regional administration, the arts, business and commerce and especially the media. They know where the roads go….. in some ways they drew the map." Ian Squires, Controller of Regions and Current Affairs, ITV