Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Issue 44 | Page 15

Social media workshops
hit the back of the net
RESULT!
Thrive is delighted to be
sharing its mojo with a
succession of well-received
social media and digital
marketing workshops in
recent months.
Aycliffe firm Thrive has delivered workshops
for the Tom Craddock Football Academy,
run by the ex-Boro player.
A
s a long-standing digital marketing
agency, Thrive has long held the
key to the secrets of the world
of social media management,
engagement and advertising,
with numerous Aycliffe Business Park-based
businesses benefiting from its expertise over
the years.
However, the digital landscape is changing,
as Thrive has recognised, and one year on from
launching its social media training sessions
with in-house specialist, Rachael Farley, the
company is seeing a real uptake in workshop
sign-offs and having incredible results for
customers.
Seven years ago, two former Enterprise
House tenants, Echo Graphics and Au Fait,
worked side-by-side so successfully they
decided to merge to form Thrive, as it remains
today, in its new Xcel Centre location.
While Echo Graphics offered graphic design
and web design expertise, Au Fait brought
social media and digital marketing expertise
to the table, meaning it has been at the edge of
social media developments for a considerable
time.
Having to respond to the changes to the
social media landscape isn’t always easy, and in
an era where lead generation and PPC are key
growth areas for businesses, social media has
fallen in its credibility as a ‘need to hire’ service.
Instead, companies are keen to bring social
media management in-house and Thrive is
only too happy to support their decision by
offering key advice for getting up and running,
managing ads, or levelling-up in-house
Thrive digital marketing executive Rachael Farley
has been an important element of the agency’s
marketing expertise since she joined as an
apprentice more than three years ago.
marketers’ social media performance.
The workshops are led by Rachael Farley,
Thrive’s digital marketing executive, who
has been an important element of Thrive’s
marketing expertise since she joined the agency
as a Baltic Apprenticeships Digital Marketing
apprentice more than three years ago.
Rachael’s growth and newfound footing,
both within networking circles and delivering
professional workshops for various clients
across the region, is testament to the exciting
progression and development opportunities
within Thrive.
Rachael says: “It’s been an exciting year
developing my personal confidence and
workshop delivery, meeting new clients
and being able to support local businesses
improving their in-house specialisms.”
Most recently, Rachael has delivered a
workshop for budding new business, Thomas
Craddock Football Academy, run by former
Middlesbrough FC footballer, Tom Craddock.
Tom says: “As a start-up business the
workshop was very useful for me, and Rachael’s
delivery of the content was excellent.
“It has given me lots of insights that I’m
already planning on putting into action when I
get properly up and running.”
The workshop has been delivered as part of a
start-up business package introduced by Thrive
for 2020 to support local start-ups, offering the
essential marketing elements required by most
small businesses to get their online presence up
and running.
Sarah Burns, digital marketing manager
at Thrive, says: “As we steamroll through the
early part of 2020, we’ve been lucky to have the
opportunity to revise and refine our company’s
offering and future growth goals, ensuring we’re
delivering the latest services and support that
adds genuine value for organisations of all sizes
and in all industries.
“Our digital marketing team is making real
waves in the inbound marketing and PPC
arenas, ensuring we’re building an exciting
future for the business, proven, not least,
by Rachael’s enthusiastic and value-adding
workshop programme.”
Thrive offers a variety of digital marketing solutions, as well as in-house design and website
support, for organisations across Newton Aycliffe and beyond. Speak to them for advice
and guidance about building your digital presence.
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 15