|
|
In 2014, Lesley Wilkinson embarked on a journey to establish Stirling PR, driven by a lifelong passion for storytelling and a belief in using PR as a force for good. As the company celebrates its ten-year anniversary, we caught up with Lesley to reflect on the past decade.
Q: What inspired you to start Stirling PR?
A: My career has always revolved around amplifying Stirling’s voice, beginning with my role as a reporter at the Stirling Observer and later managing communications for the University of Stirling. Frustrated by national media’s tendency to overlook my home city, I had a vision to create a PR company dedicated to telling Stirling’s stories. Over the past ten years, I’ve worked on some fantastic features, such as the world’s first Royal Navy Sea King Helicopter Glamping experience which appeared on Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces and was picked up by newspapers across the globe.
Q: You believe in using PR as a force for good. How has that shaped your work?
A: It’s no coincidence that most of my clients are not-for-profit organisations. I thrive on creating feel good campaigns that have a positive impact for society. From encouraging people to be more active to improve their health and help the environment, to promoting volunteering as a way to connect communities and alleviate social isolation. I also recently did some pro bono work for a charity football match in memory of Murray Dowey which raised nearly £20,000 for local mental health projects – a cause that I’m particularly passionate about.
I also love supporting Stirling’s thriving business community, encouraging people to shop local and boost their local economy. One of the ways in which I do that is through Forth Valley Food and Drink – a regional food network showcasing local food and drink.
Last year, my ‘Like a Local’ social media campaign was a finalist for Digital Community at the Scotland Loves Local Awards, and I’ve also justproduced a series of food and drink films celebrating Stirling’s culinary heritage, Forth Valley Food Tales, which will soon feature in a new Stirling 900 exhibition at The Smith: https://tinyurl.com/ForthValleyFoodTales
Q: Can you give us some examples of campaigns that have put Stirling on the map?
I’ve worked on several high-profile campaigns including Stirling’s bid for City of Culture 2025. I’m particularly proud of the community project we ran alongside our bid submission ‘25 words for 25’, which saw locals contribute to a collective poem celebrating Stirling’s rich culture and creative spirit. I was lucky enough to collaborate with talented filmmaker Bill Bruce, who shares my passion for Stirling, to make my directorial debut. Together with Makar Laura Fyfe, we translated the words of the people into a moving short film. We might not have been crowned UK City of Culture this time around, but the video and poem give an insight into what an incredible city Stirling is. You can watch it here: https://tinyurl.com/stirling25wordsfor25
Q: Looking ahead, what excites you about the future of PR?
The media landscape is evolving, especially with the rise of AI, but the essence of what makes a great story is still the same. My approach focuses on what makes a story stand out: is it new, unusual, or does it offer a fresh perspective?
In today’s content driven world, being a ‘jack of all trades’ is essential. It’s no longer enough to be able to write a compelling story; you also need to able to take eye-catching images and create videos that capture attention.
A decade ago, I never imagined I would be producing films – but adapting to change and mastering new skills is an essential part of the job and it’s what keeps my passion for storytelling alive.
Follow Stirling PR on https://www.facebook.com/stirlingpr/
