Interview with Cleo Anderson, Founder of The Anderson Media Group
The Anderson Media Group are an award winning PR agency based in London and Los Angeles and we work primarily in the health, beauty, lifestyle and fashion arenas. PR can mean anything from placing a great article about a client in a mainstream or niche magazine to organising a product launch event and getting editors to attend. It’s all about raising the public awareness of the company we are working with, and we’re very good at what we do.
Who is your business aimed at?
The wonderful thing about PR is that every kind of business needs it. Great PR can mean the difference between a product or service doing “ok” and the same product or service hitting the public domain and becoming way more in demand. We have worked with all kinds of companies, anything from a small skincare line start-up to tech gadgets, 5* hotels to frozen yogurt franchises. We’re also great at getting individuals column inches. The diversity of clients is the aspect of the job that I love the most, because it means that we get to launch PR campaigns for such a wide range of businesses. It keeps things interesting.
How does your business stand out against it’s competitors?
I think we’re great at giving that little bit extra. We’ve been told, for example, that our proposals are often more detailed than other agencies, and that it’s clear we really listened to the brief. As the CEO I am very hands on, I feel that’s also important – we don’t just sign a client and hand them to a junior member of staff with no experience. I like to get involved and really make the client feel that we “get” them and have their best interests at heart. A lot of our business is repeat business because of that.
Where did the idea for The Anderson Media Group come from?
I would say that the lesson is this; it’s always worth following your vision and your gut instincts. Don’t be too scared to go for it! Many people don’t believe that I learned the ropes just by observing someone over a short period of time, but it’s true. I just had the guts and confidence to make the agency happen and I think many of us are capable of doing similar things if we just give ourselves the chance.
What has been your biggest challenge so far as a business owner?
I would say the biggest challenge is growing as an agency whilst still keeping that “personal” touch. It’s what has made us successful, so I don’t want to lose that.
In the coming year, what would you like to achieve with your business?
I think it would always be great to win more awards, and just become more and more known for what we do. We want to be seen as a leader in our field.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about starting a business, what would it be?
Just start! Take the first step and start – if you can find some kind of mentor, someone who works in the field you want to get into, then invite them out for coffee and pick their brain. The next steps will become apparent…
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