resources & news

You heard it here first. Whether it’s the latest social media trend or headline-grabbing industry data, we’re sharing the knowledge - and our opinion.

First things first – one lump or two? However you like your news, we’ll deliver it to you in a digestible format. Keep your eye on our expert speakers at industry events, or flick through our blog for useful hints and tips.

And don’t forget, we always like to explore new topics – so if you’re looking for inspiration and insights, get in touch.

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PR & Comms

PR News

We’ve got the blue light on a new PR brief

NEW CLIENT: Smoking Gun is leading an engagement campaign for Blue Light Card, the leading discount service for the emergency services, NHS, teaching community, social care sector and armed forces. The brief will see the Guns lead a media relations charge to transform awareness into action among Blue Light Card’s 5.7 million UK members, who … Continued

How To Guides

Influencer marketing

THE NEW INFLUENCER BATTLEGROUND: How parasocial psychology, storytelling and measurement are reshaping the creator economy. Download our report now.

Smoking Gun's strategic research and insight division, The Intention Unit, introduces The New Influencer Battleground - a landmark report that gives marketers the tools to design and evaluate creator storytelling with greater clarity.

Comms strategy

Why short-term wins are no substitute for strategy

It’s that time of year when comms strategies get dusted off, reworked, applauded – and then quietly abandoned. Here, Smoking Gun’s Strategy Director, Hayley Peters, shares her thoughts on why the threat of strategic drift is greater than ever. We’ve all been there – the deck lands beautifully. Everyone nods. The work feels smarter, but … Continued

Public Relations

AI is making brands boring – how PR can stop it

Brands are at their most memorable when they’re distinctive. We know that brave work commands attention. But the latest PR battleground is a place where creative courage is outranked by other factors. Here, Smoking Gun’s Chief Storyteller, Carl Stroud, shares his thoughts. This is, of course, the wild world of Large Language Models. It is inside … Continued

Marketing

PR & Comms

Technology

How AI Is Reshaping Brand Discovery

The New Era of Brand Discovery Through AI Since the late 90s, Google has been the dominant way people discovered brands online. Ranking on the first page meant visibility, and for more than two decades, businesses have invested heavily in SEO to secure their place at the top. During the early years of the internet, … Continued

B2B

Our News

PR & Comms

‘GRO’ IS THE WORD – OUR NEW B2B CLIENT

Welcome to our new client, GRO Retail, the UK’s biggest retail property event business. The partnership marks the latest client win for our growing B2B division, which also recently scooped the briefs for business acquisitions firm Hilton Smythe and the launch of Gary Neville’s Business of Football degree at University Academy 92. We’ll be raising … Continued

How To Guides

Create memorability – and win share of wallet – with humour in your marketing communications. Download our report now

The neuroscience backed approach for brands to win mental availability and share of wallet through marketing with humour

How To Guides

The Rise Of The Shrewd Shopper

Introducing Smoking Gun’s brand playbook to make it onto the nation’s shopping list.

Travel PR

Why Media Reviews Still Matter for Luxury Travel Bookings

In luxury travel, money is rarely the biggest concern. Confidence is. That is why media reviews still matter for luxury travel bookings, which remains such an important question for brands and travellers alike. Even with endless guest reviews, social media content and comparison tools, editorial coverage still plays a critical role in how people research … Continued

PR

Cause and Trend in Reactive PR: Strategies for Real-Time Engagement

Reactive PR has become one of the fastest ways for brands to get noticed. When handled well, it can bring media coverage, links, authority and cultural relevance within hours. The challenge for larger companies is not deciding whether to use reactive PR, but how to build systems that spot opportunities, respond quickly and add real … Continued

Travel PR

How to Build Travel Loyalty That Actually Lasts

Understanding how to build travel loyalty is no longer optional. It is a commercial necessity. Customers expect more choice, more flexibility and more relevance than ever before, and they are far less forgiving of brands that get it wrong. Loyalty points and airline perks might still have a role to play, but on their own, … Continued

Snapchat for influencer marketing

Influencer marketing

Building Influencer Relationships Part 4 – Influencer Marketing Reporting

Influencer Marketing Reporting: Turning Data into Long-Term Growth Reporting is often seen as the endpoint. But in advanced influencer marketing strategies, it’s just the beginning of the next phase. Strong reporting goes beyond numbers on a slide. It interprets results, surfaces key takeaways, and points toward practical next steps. It helps stakeholders understand how influencer … Continued

PR Measurement

Influencer marketing

Building Influencer Relationships That Last Part 3 – Measuring Success

Measuring Success in Influencer Marketing Knowing whether an influencer marketing campaign is working isn’t about counting likes or watching followers tick up. As influencer marketing becomes more embedded in serious marketing strategies, brands need better tools, smarter thinking, and a refined approach to measuring what matters. We believe that tracking the impact of influencer marketing … Continued

Influencer marketing

Building Influencer Relationships That Last Part 2 – Influencer Gifting

Influencer Gifting Influencer gifting is a marketing approach that has matured well beyond sending out a free product and hoping for a tag. For brands with established influencer programmes or those looking to elevate their performance, a sophisticated influencer gifting campaign can serve as a highly effective mechanism for generating content, building long-term relationships, and … Continued

Influencer marketing

Building Influencer Relationships That Last Part 1

Building Influencer Relationships That Last We’ve seen the shift firsthand: modern audiences don’t respond to marketing the way they used to. Glossy ads and overused sales slogans just don’t cut through anymore. What does? Real people sharing honest experiences, especially when those people are trusted social media influencers. But here’s the catch. You can’t just … Continued

Social Media & Marketing

Why Your Business Needs a Social Media Strategy – Part 6: Integrated Social Media Strategy

Integrated Social Media Strategy A successful strategy demands more than regular posting. It requires meaningful integration across channels, ensuring every message, campaign, and interaction serves a broader purpose. This article is part six and the final instalment of our six-part series, A Complete Guide to Why Your Business Needs a Social Media Strategy. In this … Continued

Social Media

Why Your Business Needs a Social Media Strategy – Part 5: Techniques for Tracking Social Media Performance

Techniques for Tracking Social Media Performance Tracking social media performance has evolved far beyond simply counting likes and shares. It now involves using smart techniques to gain deeper insights, adjust your strategy in real time, and refine your marketing campaigns based on clear data. This article is part five of our six-part series, A Complete … Continued

Our Awards

Why stop at global stardom and incredible sales? When our clients work with us, they get the silverware to boot. We’re not into tooting our own horns, but the awards we’ve won with our clients are too good to miss…