Jonathan Akerman Email & Phone Number

London, United Kingdom

I set up CROW Communications to provide PR, media relations, web content and copywriting services to businesses. Clients included an electric bicycle retailer, a technology start-up and a specialist mortgage provider.

London, United Kingdom

Responsible for Santander UK retail bank media relations and PR, specifically banking and current accounts, within the media relations and PR team. Includes proactive product and service promotion via personal finance and news media channels (print, online, broadcast), working on major new product delivery campaigns (including the now well-known 123 World range of products, including the 123 Current Account and 123 Credit Card), which continues to secure widespread positive media coverage.Also responsible for dealing with reactive issues relating to service, product changes, and wider industry issues, including a near run on the bank caused when one of the ratings agencies mistakenly said Santander UK had been downgraded. The Santander UK media relations team was galvanised into action and tackled the media head-on. A feared run on the bank was prevented successfully.

Responsible for delivering strategic communications. Includes longer term corporate planning, campaign planning, events delivery, media relations, strategic messaging, third party relationship development and management, and engaging communities and people, with various teams across the business.This comprises PR, media relations, internal communications, marketing, government relations, public policy, events, CSR, and social media. It also involves reputation management (mainly reactive), plus elements of reputation-building among advocates, government, influencers, media and others.I have 15+ years experience in multi-channel external and internal communications working for UK companies in the private and public sectors, including global businesses. I have worked with multiple teams across these businesses to provide guidance and counsel in PR, media relations, crisis/issues management; together with support for corporate communications, internal communications and CSR.

Responsible for insurance media relations and PR within a team of five, securing positive coverage in national media and IFA trade media, specifically regarding retirement savings and annuities. Included proactive product and service promotion via mainstream news media (print, online, broadcast) and insurance trade media, working on product delivery activity and retirement savings campaigns. Also responsible for dealing with reactive issues relating to service, products, and wider industry issues.