PR in the Real World offers a unique perspective into the world of PR through the lens of a regional PR agency, Viva – recently named the CIPR's UK Small PR Consultancy of the Year.
The podcast offers insights into PR, marketing, and communications and it is shaped by the communities Viva serves—both geographically and across key sectors such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, education, and the public sector.
The podcast highlights Viva's ethos that PR should be impact-driven, and guests offer tips on how to gain real-world results without necessarily relying on huge budgets or celebrity names.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
PR in the Real World offers a unique perspective into the world of PR through the lens of a regional PR agency, Viva – recently named the CIPR's UK Small PR Consultancy of the Year.
The podcast offers insights into PR, marketing, and communications and it is shaped by the communities Viva serves—both geographically and across key sectors such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, education, and the public sector.
The podcast highlights Viva's ethos that PR should be impact-driven, and guests offer tips on how to gain real-world results without necessarily relying on huge budgets or celebrity names.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this latest episode of PR in the Real World, host Tony Garner is joined by Jessica Cooper, Marketing Director at VEKA plc - a leading supplier of PVCU window and door systems - to talk about her unconventional journey from managing social media campaigns for artists like Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia to shaping strategic marketing in the heart of Burnley’s advanced manufacturing sector.
Jess opens up about the early days of her career in music management, learning her trade in a pre-Facebook digital world, and how that hustle shaped her bold approach to marketing leadership today. She reflects on her transition from agency life to client-side, explaining how her time at AMP and other firms taught her the value of deep customer understanding, tailored campaigns and the importance of treating every client like they’re the most important person in the room.
Now at VEKA, Jess leads both internal and external communications for a business with more than 50 subsidiaries worldwide and a vital footprint in the Burnley community.
She discusses the strategic importance of aligning marketing with commercial goals, how her team delivers industry-leading product launches like OMNIA, and why genuine co-creation with customers delivers better outcomes than top-down thinking or 'surprise and delight' campaigns.
This episode also dives into the evolution of the fenestration industry, how VEKA is embracing digital transformation through tools like VEKA Edge and the ongoing challenge of attracting the next generation into manufacturing. Jess explains how VEKA's marketing now extends beyond brochures, offering installers everything from point-of-sale assets to immersive showroom experiences, while also supporting internal comms that empower over 400 employees across the UK.
From championing local agency partnerships and buying Burnley-first, to leading with honesty, transparency and impact, Jess shares a passionate and practical view on what real-world marketing looks like when you leave the fluff behind.
It’s a must-listen for anyone navigating B2B marketing, PR in manufacturing, internal communications, or regional agency life - packed with insights on agency-client relationships, commercial alignment and the mindset required to lead a team while managing imposter syndrome.
🔗 Mentioned in this episode:
📲 Find Jess on LinkedIn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
