Cool new promotion initiative for Visual PR

Motorsports commentator and founder of marketing company Visual PR, Chris Dawes, is getting his skates on for a new venture – as an ice hockey sponsor.

From the new season, starting in September, the Bespoke Guardian Swindon Wildcats ice hockey team will be proudly sporting Visual PR logos on their sleeves.

Chris launched Wiltshire-based Visual PR earlier this year, as an innovative new way for businesses, charities, organisations and sports teams to reach their audiences. The company produces live or as live, chat show style broadcasts, which clients can broadcast or post on their YouTube channel, social media platforms, or website. They can also be turned into audio-only podcasts.

The programmes can be one-off or regular (such as weekly, fortnightly, or monthly) episodes. The whole show is produced through a virtual studio suite, and can include interviews, multiple guests at the same time from their own locations, on-site, and even live from events. Just like regular TV shows, there is the ability to incorporate different camera focuses, angles, and mobility, stings of other videos and there is even a green room for guests waiting to come on.

Already, organisations are queuing up to engage Visual PR to create shows for them, and Chris has plans to take on an apprentice to train in the business.

Chris uses his skills as an award-winning motorsports commentator, a voiceover artist, awards night presenter and trainer, to mastermind the shows and make those appearing on them feel more relaxed by interviewing them, compared to just being given the ‘action’ clapper board to start speaking to camera on their own. Visual PR runs in parallel to his longstanding business, Open Dawes Training, which offers public speaking and presentation skills training.

As a Wildcats fan, sponsoring the side to promote Visual PR was a no-brainer for Chris.

“We started going along to the games as something for us to do as a family,” said Chris, who is married to Claire and has an 11-year-old daughter, Lauren.

“We were all soon hooked. Lauren loved it, because it is so child-friendly and when she was younger, she would get fist bumps from the amazingly family friendly players and then go off and play with the other children, rink-side. Now she’s really engaged and we sit up in the stands to watch. Claire enjoys it too, and for me, it is fast-paced, just like the motorsports that I love.”

Excitingly, Visual PR is also working with the Wildcats to create an episode of their own chat show style programme, which is likely to be broadcast in the run up to the new season. The ’Cats play in the Planet Ice NIHL National Division.

Chris already produces similar shows, such as Castle Combe TV (CCTV), broadcast on Castle Combe Circuit’s YouTube and social media channels, which he launched during lockdown to keep the momentum and interest going for motorsports fans.

“Visual PR is a totally new way of reaching audiences, and complements existing PR and marketing communications and strategies,” added Chris. “By using this style of video and audio communications, businesses maximise integrity, authenticity and engagement, and can be in control of how their information is received and perceived.”

Wildcats Commercial Manager, Sally Fox-Price, said: “I'm excited to welcome Visual PR on board as sponsors for the 2023/24 season. I have been connected with Chris for some years now through local networking and it’s been great to see him attending the ice hockey when he’s not busy commentating on motorsports.

“Visual PR is a creative, unique and quite brilliant new business venture for Chris and I cannot wait to help push the brand forward and to build on our already great relationship. Here’s to a successful season.”

For more information about Visual PR and its authentic, engaging chat show productions, or to arrange a virtual studio tour, please visit www.visual-pr.co.uk.