Behind the Stripes
The Bluestripe Team Blog
Making Industry Panels More Powerful
This industry thrives on its events scene. You can get to an industry event any week of the year and learn from some of the experts in the industry, giving insightful and erudite opinions. At least, that’s the idea.
What the rise of independent agencies tells us about the current industry landscape
There’s one theme that seems to be running through many of the new business conversations I’ve been having lately: "How do we get in front of the independent agencies?” When you break this down, the appetite for the indies stems from brands seeking greater transparency in their media buys.
My First Media Pride Event
Media Pride isn’t driven by business goals or profit margins. This event exists purely to make a difference, to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community, and to make a small but meaningful contribution. Yesterday was a powerful reminder of why it matters, and why it must continue.
Diving Into DMEXCO: A First-Timer’s Take
Walking into DMEXCO for the very first time last week was a whirlwind - I really didn’t know what to expect. The instructions from my team to wear comfy shoes indicated I was in for a marathon, and they weren’t wrong!
Retail Media Age becomes official with successful London launch event
Taking place on the back of New Digital Age’s Foresight conference, the “Welcome to the (new) Retail Media Age” event – in partnership with Trainline and MiQ – featured two hours of insights from a stellar lineup of experts.
Cracking the French Market: Culture, Media, and Business Insights
As companies consider expanding into new geographies, several key factors come into play. For the purposes of this blog, and drawing on more than 20 years of experience in the French market, I will focus specifically on France and b2b companies.
Time Management in PR
Managing time is one of the most essential aspects of PR; it ensures that deadlines are met and, consequently, that clients remain satisfied. It also prevents burnout and keeps a balance with the workload.
Turning Data into Headlines: How Research Gives PR its Edge
Journalists love data. Faced with hundreds of pitches each day - of which only a few ever make it into print - a story needs something extra to stand out. One of the best ways to give it that edge is evidence. That’s where research comes in. Data doesn’t just strengthen a narrative; it adds the credibility and originality editors are looking for when deciding which stories deserve attention.
Why Global Media Coverage Matters
Whether your business is completely new to doing public relations or it’s been getting coverage in just its core market, there can be a lot to consider when deciding to expand into other territories.
Meet the Team - Nell Martin
Next up in our Meet the Team series is Nell, the office organiser with a pencil case ready to solve any problem.
PR People Pick Up That Phone!
There was a time, not so long ago, when the phone never stopped ringing with PRs keen to tell their clients’ stories. And yes, of course, that was sometime difficult to manage. But you always took the calls and they often led to something interesting or useful.
Meet the Team - Nkechi Agu
Next up in our series spotlighting the brilliant team behind the scenes is Nkechi, whose creativity and drive help bring our clients’ stories to life.
Are Events Still Worth It?
If you look at the 2025 calendar, there’s something to attend almost every week. In fact, if there’s only one or two in that timeframe, you’d see that as slow.
What Makes the Perfect Roadshow?
Well, I wouldn’t claim to have cracked the code on the perfect roadshow - but after running quite a few, I’ve learned some practical tips that can make yours far more successful.
MAD//Fest 2025 - Our Takeaways
MAD//Fest 2025 was a whirlwind of creativity, innovation, and connection, and our team was right in the thick of it. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite moments, key takeaways, and honest reactions to what made the event such a standout.
5 questions for branded opinion and thought-leadership pieces
The technique I’m about to share with you allows non-writers to create compelling thought-leadership articles simply by answering 5 questions. This time, your answers will provide you with the content of your article and help you to construct a solid argument, capable of engaging your target audience.
Cannes 2025 - Festival of Accountability?
Last week I attended the Cannes Lions Festival. As it was my first time on the Croisette in person, it’s difficult to benchmark against previous years (though it was a scorcher), let alone distill its many themes into a few paragraphs. But across the panels, pub debates, and poolside conversations, one undercurrent ran strong: accountability.
The Importance of Building Relations with Journalists
Building relationships with all journalists matters. Not just the editors, but the staff writers, junior reporters, freelancers and new starters who are shaping tomorrow’s newsrooms.
SXSW London - A New Era
South by Southwest has officially made it across the Atlantic. The iconic US festival brought a blend of tech, music, film, and culture over to London last week, holding sessions, performances and pop-ups across East London. But did it succeed in translating that spirit to a new city? Here’s what the team thought…
How to prepare for your first Cannes Lions
Last year, I had the chance to attend Cannes Lions for the first time, and it was a truly unforgettable and extremely tiring week. This year, I’ll be watching it all unfold from afar, but it’s made me reflect on what I wish I had known before I went.
Success starts with meaningful conversations.
What’s yours going to be?