CELEBRATION
Partnership – former Middlesbrough FC colleagues Dave Allan ( left ) and Martin Walker are celebrating 10 years of Tees Business . PICTURE : TOM BANKS
THE PERFECT MATCH
WORDS : PAUL FRASER
Former football PR professionals celebrate 10 years of ‘ Talking Up Teesside ’
Ten years ago , two local PR professionals with a passion for publishing and Teesside embarked on a venture that would change the landscape of how businesses get their messages heard across the area .
Dave Allan and Martin Walker , whose career paths first crossed in the Middlesbrough FC media team 25 years ago , launched Tees Business in spring 2015 – and the magazine has gone on to shape the Teesside business scene .
“ The truth is we both had successful small PR agencies , and we were trying to make a little more time for the magazine in those early days ,” said Dave . “ It was our passion that drove us on to keep it going .”
Dave has no problem admitting it was Martin ’ s original idea , given the latter ’ s experience of previously launching Aycliffe Business . That provided the template to take forward .
Martin said : “ After collaborating on a couple of projects – again in football – I took Aycliffe Business to Dave and said we should do this here in Middlesbrough .”
The vision at that time was focused on Middlesbrough . After lengthy discussions , the scope broadened to target Teesside as a whole .
The first issue , a modest 36 pages , with the former Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston on the cover , earned Dave and Martin a share of £ 1,500 .
Dave said : “ For the first ever issue , we didn ’ t have a magazine to show anyone , so we just approached clients we already knew . They were supportive .
“ Cornerstone Business Solutions , I should really mention . They have been a supporter from day one , featuring in all 41 issues to date .”
But it was the time shared at Middlesbrough FC by Dave and Martin , directors of parent company Resolution Media and Publishing , that really laid the foundations of their partnership .
Dave ’ s 17 years at Boro heading up media and communications started with the Bryan Robson era in 1994 and finished with Tony Mowbray ’ s time in charge .
He worked with managers Terry Venables , Steve McClaren , Gareth Southgate and Gordon Strachan in between , with highlights including the Carling Cup win and Boro ’ s foray into Europe , culminating in the UEFA Cup final .
“ There ’ s no doubt that role gave me the passion for the region I have , combined with the skill and experience as a writer and that passion for publishing ,” he said .
Martin ’ s five-year stint at the Riverside Stadium under Dave , arriving just as Alen Boksic , Noel Whelan and Joseph Job joined Robson ’ s team in the summer of 2000 , provided him with invaluable experience .
He later moved to Sunderland AFC during the Roy Keane and Niall Quinn era , working in the media team at the Stadium of Light , followed by consultancy work with Darlington FC and then working with Phil Wilson , the former Labour MP for Sedgefield .
It was during this time the seeds of Aycliffe Business were sown and that , ultimately , led to the birth of Tees Business soon afterwards .
“ When we launched , I don ’ t think we could have predicted that in 10 years we would have a really successful publication , associated events and the network we have now ,” said Martin .
“ And with the awards and networking events we hold , we ’ ve created a strong , supportive and collaborative business community . But we are always looking at ways to evolve and expand .”
Their commitment to quality has been a crucial factor in their success .
12 | Tees Business