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Here to help you think big, be brave and stay real when communicating for social impact. We’ve been embracing change over recent months. Welcome to Agenda.

You may know us as Slack Communications; you may have worked with us over the last 10 years, heard us speak at events, or followed us on social. Our leadership team has grown. We’ve got new services, new skills, new knowledge – all of which we’re looking forward to sharing with you under our new name, Agenda. Our name and look are different, but you can expect the same energy, culture of cooperati

on, and commitment to your success that we’ve always offered. When you work with us, you get:

* Your very own team of comms professionals who have exactly the skills you require, built around your goals and budget.

* A programme of work tailored to your specific needs. We always work with you, rather than doing stuff to you, drawing on the latest insight, learnings from others, and our collective experiences to create significant and sustainable impact.

* A partner in comms whose values match your own, acting as a compass for all we say and do. You can read more about what we stand for. For more details on the range of services offered, please visit our website:
https://your-agenda.com

18/12/2024

2024: It’s been a big year. Half the world headed to the polls in elections that will have consequences for more than just their local populations.

Human rights have been lost and those fighting to protect them have faced backlash and punishment. War has caused tremendous suffering in too many places to mention, and climate change has wreaked havoc on millions of people.

Yet, in the midst of all the trauma and challenges, there has been much to celebrate. People have used their power to vote, protest and act in support of others and shared values.

Arrest warrants have been issued for leaders believed to be committing war crimes. Millions of pounds have been invested in clever technologies designed to protect the environment, save lives and strengthen livelihoods.

And all over the world, charities, NGOs, trade unions and membership bodies have been steadfastly and expertly creating positive social change.

We’re honoured to have been able to play a role in this important work. Over the course of 2024, we have helped our clients achieve some ambitious goals.

From bold approaches to comms strategy and narrative, to new brand identities and inspiring creative content, our team has covered a lot of ground.

Core policy areas have included medical and healthcare, education and SEND, transport, international relations, human rights and crisis response in the UK, EU and further afield.

Along the way, we’ve secured global media coverage, dealt with comms crises, and implemented new ways of working that have strengthened skills and confidence across the board.

More people now have access to valuable advice and support, attitudes and behaviours have been changed, power redistributed, and polarization and disinformation tackled.

It’s been epic.

We couldn’t have done any of this without the trust of our clients and the dedication of our team.

Thank you.

What follows in the link below are some of our highlights, and a celebration of our joint effort and shared commitment to creating sustainable social change.

We’re looking forward to seeing what we achieve together next year.

https://your-agenda.com/latest/blog/2024-end-of-year-review

16/12/2024

We couldn't do what we do without our team of brilliant associates - we managed to get some of them all in the same room for our Agenda Christmas drinks in London. We missed those who couldn't make it. Thank you to you all.

12/12/2024

Back by popular demand 👏

Our ‘Changing hearts and minds’ event will take place again in June 2025.

We’ll be bringing together communicators from social impact organisations who want to tackle, polarised views.

The event will be structured so you can think, do and network, thanks to our unique programme.

⏰Save the date for Wednesday 4 June 2025

Sign up now to secure your spot – and we'll be in touch with more information about the speakers and themes.

Click this link to register your interest: https://your-agenda.com/register-interest-page-chm25

09/12/2024

What are the best strategies for approaching new MPs?

New MPs offer an opening for organisations to make their causes known and build long-lasting relationships. With the new intake finally settled in, how should charities and trade unions go about approaching newly-elected MPs now?

Matt Ball, our senior associate for strategy and campaigns, breaks it all down for you:

💡Do your research.
💡Personalise your approach.
💡Focus on constituency impact.
💡Be clear, concise and action-oriented.
💡Follow up with a personal meeting.
💡Be patient.

You can read his full blog by clicking this link: https://your-agenda.com/latest/blog/how-to-build-relationships-with-new-mps-and-help-your-cause-stand-out

05/12/2024

Have you subscribed to our newsletter yet?

It’s where we share insight on the comms issues we care about – like how to include men in tackling misogyny, and how far right politicians get elected when they present the world’s complex problems as simple to solve.

It also offers our expertise and advice when it comes to solid and innovative comms practice.

Plus, we share other comms and leadership-related content to spark your ideas and creativity or just help you in your daily work.

Our next edition is due out in early 2025.

You can sign up here using this link: https://your-agenda.com/latest/our-newsletter

03/12/2024

The power of collaboration, piquing the media’s interest and honing key messaging all featured in our work this last month. Here’s our November round-up:

📌Plan for the worst, don’t hope for the best. This is our mantra when managing your organisation’s reputation and a message Vic shared at Air Ambulance UK’s annual event in Coventry.

📌Vic chaired sessions on trade and investment and private-public sector collaboration at the The New Statesman’s Politics Live event. Panelists included long-standing Parliamentarians Liam Byrne and Daisy Cooper, and new MPs Dan Tomlinson and Chris Curtis.

📌How do teachers want unions to communicate with decision-makers? Findings from NASUWT ’s recent Teacher Tapp survey are informing our Comms Lab media and discourse analysis to shape the union’s positioning among members, decision-makers and the media.

📌‘Our patients deserve better' was the repeat message from Matt and Adi at the The Society and College of Radiographers reps’ conference where they discussed which stories capture the media’s interest.

📌We’ve been analysing ’s member feedback on how and when they want to hear from their union and what would encourage them to get active. As with many organisations, the comms routes keep growing. We’ll explore which channels and messages have the greatest impact.

📌Matt and Vic were delighted to meet staff from British Airline Pilot Association (BALPA) to kick off the communications strategy project with a workshop on what constitutes a good membership experience for the union’s members.

📌A mum raising vital funds for medical equipment to support her daughter with a rare medical condition featured in regional press thanks to PR from Catherine and charity Tree of Hope . Also in the headlines were a record-breaking Alpine cycle and a superhero-inspired wheelchair challenge.

📌‘The bombs fall and then drones pick off survivors.’ Conflict surgeon Nizam Mamode, a medical volunteer for Medical Aid for Palestinians, featured in the local press after PR from Catherine. With extensive experience in conflict zones, his time treating patients for the charity led him to describe the situation in Gaza as ‘the worst he has ever seen'.

📌Plus, there’s been plenty going on behind the scenes, helping clients gather insights, influence powerful people and achieve impact for the people they serve.

28/11/2024

The historic venue is booked and another stellar line-up of experts is being assembled. 🚀

Come and collaborate with other like-minded comms professionals who are looking for insight and practical solutions on tackling polarised narratives.

Sign up now for ‘Changing hearts and minds’ on Wednesday 4 June 2025 - and be the first to know about our new line-up and access our early bird tickets when they go on sale.

Register your interest by using this link: https://your-agenda.com/register-interest-page-chm25

26/11/2024

The challenge of making a film about the lives of aid workers in Gaza 🎥

Medical Aid for Palestinians wanted to tell a different story to that which people see in the mainstream media.

The story needed to show the courage and steadfastness of those who live and work in Gaza, yet not shy away from the trauma they are experiencing or the need for international intervention.

You can read about the full project and how we were involved here.

https://your-agenda.com/our-work/all-case-studies/a-short-film-on-the-lives-of-aid-workers-in-gaza

21/11/2024

You have built a solid comms strategy, but how do you know it’s working? 🤷‍♂️

In part one of our three-part series on measuring success, Duncan Robertson explains how to set effective KPIs so you measure what matters.

Here’s a snippet:

A Key Performance Indicator is a top-level description of the success you want to achieve through your activity. You should aim for a handful of comms KPIs, each aligned to your comms objectives and feeding up into your organisation’s objectives and KPIs.

👉For example, your organisation wants to acquire more members in a particular sector or donors from a particular demographic.

👉Your comms strategy will therefore have one or more objectives which will raise the profile of your brand and/or your cause in order to acquire those certain members and donors.

👉Your comms KPIs will describe what success looks like in terms of, for example, brand recognition, membership numbers or types of donations.

👉Progress towards achieving these KPIs can be measured, and your approach adapted, on a regular basis against more specific, quantifiable outcomes, say, research which shows a percentage shift in perceptions, increase in members from a particular sector or demographic or conversion from one-off to regular giving.

Want to read more about KPIs? Read our blog by clicking this link:
https://your-agenda.com/latest/blog/how-to-create-kpis-for-your-comms-part-1

13/11/2024

Are you worried that the result of the US election will embolden far-right movements?

Concerned about what polarised politics means for the communities you serve?

Looking for narrative and campaign ideas which will counter divisive messaging?

Our event, ‘Changing hearts and minds’, is for you.

Taking place on Wednesday 4 June 2025, we invite you to collaborate with other like-minded comms professionals who are looking for practical solutions in these testing times.

Be the first to know about our expert line-up and get our early bird tickets when they go on sale.

Register your interest here:

https://your-agenda.com/register-interest-page-chm25

12/11/2024

From the launch of a powerful film to finding ways to engage younger audiences, a lot happened in October – hence this round-up arriving a little later than usual.

📌Are you looking for ways to tackle challenging narratives? We’ve opened registration for our 2025 ‘Changing hearts and minds’ event, which will offer a stellar line-up of neuroscientists, campaigners and comms professionals from across civil society. Register here: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/changing-hearts-and-minds-1

📌 The launch of ‘Gaza: One Year In’ was a proud moment. Produced in partnership with Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and Palm Media, the aim of the film was to enable MAP’s aid workers to tell their own stories and provide viewers with much-needed context about Israel’s current military offensive. Read about it here: https://your-agenda.com/our-work/all-case-studies/a-short-film-on-the-lives-of-aid-workers-in-gaza

📌 On the PR front, Catherine helped MAP secure around 200 articles about its emergency medical teams returning from Gaza, leading to many broadcast interviews on regional and national media.

📌 After we worked with The Society and College of Radiographers for 18 months to raise the profile of radiography, the Budget brought welcome news of investment in new scanners and radiotherapy machines. Vic and Matt ran a workshop with Society of Radiographers colleagues on how they can lobby for more radiographer professionals.

📌 How can a union involve younger and more diverse members? Vic and Martin have been considering how ASLEF’s current success at engaging members aged over 50 can evolve to reach a broader demographic.

📌 Duncan continues to steer professional pilots' union BALPA through a tendering process to replace a 20-year-old database. With three strong suppliers now preparing for face-to-face meetings, a new CRM is on the horizon.

📌 ‘Are we ready to get members and build power in new and emerging sectors?' This was the big question at the Unions 21 annual summit. Ed Dorrell from Public First brought headline stats on what young and non-unionised workers think, while Vic offered ideas on how data could underpin unions’ comms strategies.

📌 An article outlining Tree of Hope's ambitious new three-year strategy written by their CEO Becky Andrew featured in Fundraising Magazine thanks to Catherine Cooper. With a current £2.1 billion funding gap in healthcare, the charity will now focus on using partnerships to increase funds and alleviate pressure on families.

📌 Post-election governmental changes have created new opportunities for influencing Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) policy. Vic and Sarah spent the day at Gesher School updating their comms engagement strategy and refining their tactics to showcase the ‘Gesher Way’ of working to a wider audience.

📌 White saviourism, redistributing power and how to be more accountable were the focus of our latest ‘In Conversation With...’ online event. Becky spoke with Deborah Doane, author of ‘The INGO Problem: Power, Privilege and Renewal’, with attendees from around the world.

07/11/2024

The US election has been run on polarised politics, on issues which divide families and communities and can turn many people off voting.🧨

Yet bumper turnout figures show Americans care who’s in the White House.

So how can people with such diverse views come together for the good of the country? And how can we avoid such extreme political stances in the first place?

If you’re pondering the same questions, why not register for our Changing Hearts and Minds event?

Back by popular demand, we’ll be bringing together communicators from social impact organisations who are interested in, or want to tackle, polarised views.

⏰Save the date for Wednesday 4 June 2025

Sign up to secure your spot – and we’ll be in touch with more information about the speakers and themes.

https://your-agenda.com/register-interest-page-chm25

30/10/2024

Join us tonight. 🌔

In conversation with... Deborah Doane, author of The INGO Problem: Power, Privilege and Renewal.

Wednesday 30 October, 19.30 GMT

👉Do you want to redistribute power and privilege?
👉Are you interested in how to tackle white savourism?
👉Are you looking for new ways to be accountable, manage risk and ensure funding reaches those who need it most?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, we have just the event for you.
White savourism, the need to ‘decolonise’ aid and tackle racism – these are all issues that charities and INGOs are grappling with. And rightly so: for decades, these organisations have dominated the civil society ecosystem, marginalising and excluding local actors in the process.

In her new book, The INGO Problem: Power, Privilege and Renewal, Deborah Doane discusses all these issues and much more. At the same, she offers practical and sometimes radical ideas for reimagining the INGO so that power can be redistributed and structural inequalities overcome.

Becky Slack will be chatting to Deborah about her book, the stories it contains and the ideas it offers.

All are welcome. Come with an open mind and a willingness to test traditional beliefs about charity, power and international development.

Register for free here: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/in-conversation-with-deborah-doane

"If INGOs want to travel the path of radical transformation for reimagining their future, they would need to earnestly engage in the tough conversations raised in this book.”
Amitabh Behar, acting ED of Oxfam International.

About Deborah Doane
Deborah has held leadership roles in civil society and philanthropy for over 25 years, across the humanitarian, development, human rights and environment sectors. She is a partner of Right CoLab and a co-convenor of the RINGO project, a systems-change initiative to reimagine the international NGO and its relationships in civil society.
Buy the book: The INGO Problem: Power, privilege, and renewal: Doane, Deborah:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/INGO-Problem-Power-privilege-renewal/dp/1788534409

28/10/2024

Have you booked your place?🔥

In conversation with... Deborah Doane, author of The INGO Problem: Power, Privilege and Renewal

Wednesday 30 October, 19.30 GMT

👉Do you want to redistribute power and privilege?
👉Are you interested in how to tackle white savourism?
👉Are you looking for new ways to be accountable, manage risk and ensure funding reaches those who need it most?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, we have just the event for you.
White savourism, the need to ‘decolonise’ aid and tackle racism – these are all issues that charities and INGOs are grappling with. And rightly so: for decades, these organisations have dominated the civil society ecosystem, marginalising and excluding local actors in the process.

In her new book, The INGO Problem: Power, Privilege and Renewal, Deborah Doane discusses all these issues and much more. At the same, she offers practical and sometimes radical ideas for reimagining the INGO so that power can be redistributed and structural inequalities overcome.

Becky Slack will be chatting to Deborah about her book, the stories it contains and the ideas it offers on Wednesday 30 October at 19.30 GMT.

All are welcome. Come with an open mind and a willingness to test traditional beliefs about charity, power and international development.

Register for free: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/in-conversation-with-deborah-doane

"If INGOs want to travel the path of radical transformation for reimagining their future, they would need to earnestly engage in the tough conversations raised in this book.”
Amitabh Behar, acting ED of Oxfam International.

About Deborah Doane
Deborah has held leadership roles in civil society and philanthropy for over 25 years, across the humanitarian, development, human rights and environment sectors. She is a partner of Right CoLab and a co-convenor of the RINGO project, a systems-change initiative to reimagine the international NGO and its relationships in civil society.

27/10/2024

Sign up for our next event

In conversation with... Deborah Doane, author of The INGO Problem: Power, Privilege and Renewal

Wednesday 30 October, 19.30 GMT

👉Do you want to redistribute power and privilege?
👉Are you interested in how to tackle white savourism?
👉Are you looking for new ways to be accountable, manage risk and ensure funding reaches those who need it most?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, we have just the event for you.
White savourism, the need to ‘decolonise’ aid and tackle racism – these are all issues that charities and INGOs are grappling with. And rightly so: for decades, these organisations have dominated the civil society ecosystem, marginalising and excluding local actors in the process.

In her new book, The INGO Problem: Power, Privilege and Renewal, Deborah Doane discusses all these issues and much more. At the same, she offers practical and sometimes radical ideas for reimagining the INGO so that power can be redistributed and structural inequalities overcome.

Becky Slack will be chatting to Deborah about her book, the stories it contains and the ideas it offers on Wednesday 30 October at 19.30 GMT.

All are welcome. Come with an open mind and a willingness to test traditional beliefs about charity, power and international development.

Register for free here: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/in-conversation-with-deborah-doane

"If INGOs want to travel the path of radical transformation for reimagining their future, they would need to earnestly engage in the tough conversations raised in this book.”
Amitabh Behar, acting ED of Oxfam International.

About Deborah Doane
Deborah has held leadership roles in civil society and philanthropy for over 25 years, across the humanitarian, development, human rights and environment sectors. She is a partner of Right CoLab and a co-convenor of the RINGO project, a systems-change initiative to reimagine the international NGO and its relationships in civil society.
Buy the book: The INGO Problem: Power, privilege, and renewal: Doane, Deborah:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/INGO-Problem-Power-privilege-renewal/dp/1788534409

25/10/2024

What we learned from the Labour Party Conference and what this means for organisations looking to exert more influence on policy. 🎈

The elephant in the room, a raft of new MPs, the inclusive growth agenda and some interesting whispers from the fringes - Shamik Das, Becky Slack and Vic Barlow reflect on what they learned from the Labour Party Conference – and what’s next.

Read the full blog here https://your-agenda.com/latest/blog/labour-conference-2024-what-we-learned

23/10/2024

Seven days to go ⏳

Join us

In conversation with... Deborah Doane, author of The INGO Problem: Power, Privilege and Renewal

Wednesday 30 October, 19.30 GMT

👉Do you want to redistribute power and privilege?
👉Are you interested in how to tackle white savourism?
👉Are you looking for new ways to be accountable, manage risk and ensure funding reaches those who need it most?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, we have just the event for you.
White savourism, the need to ‘decolonise’ aid and tackle racism – these are all issues that charities and INGOs are grappling with. And rightly so: for decades, these organisations have dominated the civil society ecosystem, marginalising and excluding local actors in the process.

In her new book, The INGO Problem: Power, Privilege and Renewal, Deborah Doane discusses all these issues and much more. At the same, she offers practical and sometimes radical ideas for reimagining the INGO so that power can be redistributed and structural inequalities overcome.

Becky Slack will be chatting to Deborah about her book, the stories it contains and the ideas it offers on Wednesday 30 October at 19.30 GMT.

All are welcome. Come with an open mind and a willingness to test traditional beliefs about charity, power and international development.

Register for free here: https://your-agenda.com/latest/events/in-conversation-with-deborah-doane

"If INGOs want to travel the path of radical transformation for reimagining their future, they would need to earnestly engage in the tough conversations raised in this book.”
Amitabh Behar, acting ED of Oxfam International.

Buy the book here
https://www.amazon.co.uk/INGO-Problem-Power-privilege-renewal/dp/1788534409

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Videos

The historic venue is booked and another stellar line-up of experts is being assembled. 🚀 Come and collaborate with other like-minded comms professionals who are looking for insight and practical solutions on tackling polarised narratives. Sign up now for ‘Changing hearts and minds’ on Wednesday 4 June 2025 - and be the first to know about our new line-up and access our early bird tickets when they go on sale. Register your interest by using this link: https://your-agenda.com/register-interest-page-chm25 #ChangingHeartsAndMinds #SettingTheAgenda #LondonEvent #CharityEvents #StrategicComms

Want to know what life is like in Gaza? We were honoured to help make this short film that provides a first-hand account of what it's like to live and work under indiscriminate bombardment - told from the perspective of @medicalaidpal aid workers. You know where to find the link. #ceasefirenow #gaza #palestine #shortfilm #filmmaker #charitycomms

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Our Story

Slack Communications helps businesses, charities and individuals tell their stories more effectively so they can reach their full potential. We do this by:

Reviewing your current communications and marketing activities to help you understand what’s working and what’s not.

Writing communications and marketing strategies that will help you reach bigger and better audiences and to sell more products and services.

Providing you with advice, support and training so that you and your team achieve your potential easily and effectively.

Our work falls in three key areas:

Editorial We make multiplatform magazines and newsletters; we report the news and shout about successes; we write features, speeches, reports and presentations.

PR and Communications We help people reach new audiences and start conversations; we build and strengthen brands and reputations; we organise briefings, receptions, conferences, and parties.

Training We train people in how to tell their stories more effectively; how to work with the press and how to make the most of tools such as newsletters and social media.

Since 2013, our talent collective has worked with businesses, charities, media outlets and government bodies. We have working knowledge of social affairs, business and charity management, and tourism, among others.

We have helped secure our clients coverage on TV and radio and in the pages of newspapers, websites and magazines in more than 20 countries around the world. We have enabled them to grow their digital presence, reach their target audiences via websites, email and social media, and have trained them so they can secure the best possible bang for their marcomms buck.

How can we help you today?