Chamber members' collaboration shortlisted for marketing award

A collaboration between several Chamber members has been shortlisted for a Midlands marketing award.

Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber members Ian Covey, a communications specialist at crowww, and Michael Wood, managing director at video production company Embrace Video, teamed up with Sutton Coldfield Chamber member Anita Ellis from copywriting agency Lexicomm, to give pro-bono support to the fundraising of two sixty-something, cycling sisters from Staffordshire.

In May of this year, the sisters, Dawn Stakounis and Sharon Atkinson, a.k.a. the LEJoG Sisters, pedalled 1,000 miles from Land's End to Jon o' Groats - raising more than £25,000 for Children with Cancer UK along the way.

Their amazing feat of endurance was inspired by the memory of Dawn's son, Christopher, who died of a brain tumour aged just six.

To help them reach their fundraising target, crowww created a brand identity, honed their messaging, built and optimised a website, ran social and PR activity across radio, news sites, and blogs, and organised a fundraising event in Lichfield city centre.

All of this activity was supported with copy written by Anita and two films shot and edited by Michael.

Ian Covey, of crowww said: “I'm delighted that the LEJoG Sisters campaign has been shortlisted for this award. Not least because it's been the perfect example of how Chamber members can collaborate to create something with genuine impact.

“Thanks to Anita and Michael, we captured the sisters' sparkling personalities and share their important story with 100s of thousands of people in an incredibly emotionally and powerful way.”

Michael Wood, a former BBC TV director and founder of Lichfield-based Embrace Video, said: “At Embrace Video, we're passionate about using the power of video to raise awareness of charitable causes so it was our absolute pleasure to produce the fundraising films for LEJoG Sisters.

“I defy anybody not to moved by Dawn and Sharon's story and their fantastic fundraising efforts, and we are delighted to have played a very small part in their incredible achievement.”

Anita Ellis, a copywriter from Sutton Coldfield, said: “A strong marketing campaign relies on so many different elements, but collaboration is where the real creativity happens. As a Mum, I was really moved by Dawn and Sharon's story about losing a child.

“And as a copywriter, I knew the importance of telling their authentic story to generate the support needed to reach their goal.”

The Midland Marketing Award winners will be announced on 27 September.

You can donate to the LEJoG Sisters' fundraising online.

Pictured: Cycling sisters Dawn Stakounis and Sharon Atkinson were filmed during their challenge