Leader’s PR campaign takes
Magazine Week to new heights
November 2008

Henley-in-Arden based PR consultancy Leader Communications took the media by storm recently with a Dalek-led PR campaign which launched Magazine Week in the national media.

Working on behalf of the Periodical Publishers Association (PPA) Leader spearheaded a national media campaign to find the greatest ever British magazine cover to raise awareness of national Magazine Week (29 September to 5 October 2008).

Almost 11,000 people voted for their favourite magazine cover in what was quickly dubbed ‘The Great Cover Debate’, choosing from a selection of iconic magazine covers including; The Patrick Demarchelier photograph of Princess Diana by Vogue, the Beckham’s wedding on the cover of OK magazine, and the first ever issue of The Face.

Overwhelmingly the British public voted for the iconic ‘Vote Dalek’ Radio Times front cover from May 2005 which launched the return of the Daleks to Dr Who.

Leader developed a comprehensive media relations campaign which catapulted Magazine Week into the national media. The team secured coverage across the board including BBC Breakfast, The Times, Metro, BBC radio, the Guardian and Telegraph online, and countless features in magazines and newspapers across the country.

Amy Kiernan, account manager at Leader said: “When we realised the Dalek front cover was in the lead we decided to stage a bold and creative photo opportunity on Westminster Bridge with a full size Dalek outside the Houses of Parliament.”

Nicola Rowe, circulation director of PPA, stated: “We had many outstanding entries, but Vote Dalek captured the popular vote: it is sharply observed, funny, and to the point. It is, in its own way, a truly inspired reflection of the British sense of humour.

“The overall PR campaign for Magazine Week reached millions of people and helped to raise the profile of magazines across the UK.”

As the Midlands’ longest established independent PR, marketing and design consultancy Leader continues to work with a wide range of clients including Greggs the Bakers, Dockers San Francisco, the Institute of Directors, and Antiques for Everyone at the NEC.