Shining a light on our Highland stars
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HIGHLAND businesses can be pretty modest about their talents and achievements but helping local entrepreneurs and organisations shout out from the mountain tops is public relations firm Whale-like-fish.
Based at Killearnan, Inverness, the business specialises in delivering personal and bespoke PR services to a diverse range of organisations and individuals across the Highlands, from the biggest of whales to the smallest of fish!
“Our inspiration was to try and support other Highland businesses because a lot of the time Highland businesses are microbusinesses so a lot of them are priced out of the market for accessing PR services,” explained co-founder Helen Ross, who established the firm in 2019 with Eilidh Marshall.
“We wanted to make it more accessible to any kind of business – whether you’re a one-man band or you have a team of a couple of hundred. We wanted to make services accessible for all.
"Our client portfolio stands up to that now, our biggest client is Mowi – the biggest salmon farming company in the world.
"And we’ve also helped a one-woman band start a B&B in Kingussie, we work for GlenWyvis Distillery and lots of others in between. The model works.”
It definitely does.
The firm offers the full range of PR services, including copywriting for web and print, blogging, social media, press releases, newsletters, crisis communications, campaign launches, media training and video, all with a pay-as-you-go option allowing clients greater flexibility when their needs and budgets dictate.
There is a clear price list and repeat customers are rewarded through a loyalty scheme.
The model has been a huge success and the diversity of the client portfolio is testament to that, from food and drink producers, and the tourism sector, to sports organisations, the local authority, trade associations and charities.
The firm worked on the Raigmore Active Travel Link project, and is currently involved in the public consultation process on the proposed redesign of Academy Street, engaging with the public and special interest groups.
Sports and leisure is also a key market for Whale-like-fish. The firm has handled the outreach and media relations for Highland Rugby Football Club which celebrates its centenary year this year and has held a number of celebratory events and activities, including its first ever Highland Whisky, Beer and Gin Festival in June.
The firm also does all the local, national and social media relations for some of the biggest annual events in the Highlands including Etape Loch Ness and the Inverness Half Marathon.
Helen and Eilidh also provide pro bono services to charity fundraising event, Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards, set up by Kelly Macrae to honour her daughter Amelia who was born at only 32 weeks and placed on a ventilator. Amelia was then diagnosed with global development delay, autism and being non-verbal.
Ms Macrae wanted to create the awards to recognise Amelia’s ongoing fight and each year raise money for charity.
The awards this year marked Amelia’s eighth birthday and took place at the Drumossie Hotel on August 26.
So far the family has helped raise over £70,000 for NHS Play Specialists, Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), the renal unit, and Drummond School.
One of the biggest profile stories the firm broke was for the Scottish Plant Owners Association on the impact of changes in legislation concerning red diesel.
The association’s president is from Drumnadrochit and the firm was able to secure appearances on the BBC and other national broadcasters to raise awareness.
“We like to shine a light on the Highlands. We like to take the pockets of gold and get them as much exposure as we can whether that’s whisky, a change in legislation that’s going to have a real impact, or a very good news story. It is diverse, that’s why we like it. It’s something different every day.”
Looking ahead, Helen and Eilidh are expecting to be even busier as businesses and organisations adjust to the post-Covid world.
“A lot of businesses took the opportunity to diversify after Covid,” said Helen.
“For tourism, now there is more choice, it’s about shouting about what you’ve got. Because now, people can go anywhere. When there’s more choice for consumers, you have to work harder to get your share. We are seeing that, after lockdown, more businesses are saying ‘we need to get back out there’. The enthusiasm and appetite is definitely evident up here.
“We saw a lot more conscious consumerism during Covid and I don’t think that’s going away.
"And as we move into a more challenging autumn, there’s an opportunity for businesses to really focus on their values as a brand. That’s what really sets businesses here apart.”
Killearnan, Bogbain, Inverness IV2 5BD
E: hello@whalelikefish.co.uk
T: 01463 830 390
