Teamwork – Journalists and friends Sarah Dale ( left ) and Sarah Walker have combined their skills and experience to launch their successful business , SASS media .
PICTURE : TOM BANKS
Bringing a touch of SASS to businesses across Teesside and beyond
FORMIDABLE
DUO
Two friends who met as journalists on the Teesside Evening Gazette ' s business and features desk are bringing a touch of SASS to businesses across Teesside and beyond , with their successful public relations and communications company SASS media .
Sarah Walker and Sarah Dale chose the moniker for their business based on their shared first name – and the definition of SASS as lively , spirited and bold !
The Sarahs both enjoyed successful careers in journalism before Sarah W moved into public relations in the NHS and Sarah D moved into education .
They stayed in touch and their combined experience provided them with a firm foundation for their successful business , as they now provide a retained public relations service to Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust and a hospital charity , as well as at least 10 other clients across the UK . The Sarahs are also available to provide public relations support to more businesses of all sizes , from start-ups to large blue-chip organisations across the UK .
Sarah Dale said : “ Our business started trading in September 2022 and we ’ ve had a very successful period since then , achieving regular positive press coverage for the Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust , as well as producing a regular newsletter for Our Hospitals Charity at South Tees and regular B2B publications for our client Benham Publishing .
“ We ’ ve also achieved successful press
56 coverage for the charity Autism Parents Together , including two radio interviews and newspaper coverage , which involved us supporting the charity ’ s founder by accompanying her to radio interviews .
“ With our support she came across really well and attracted enquiries from potential trustees and supporters looking to be involved with the charity .”
Sarah W added : “ We ’ ve also enjoyed working with hospital trusts , as well as the Gaming Hideaway in Thornaby and the Association for Consultancy and Engineering ( ACE ), demonstrating our ability to work across both the public and private sectors .
“ We offer tailor-made public relations support to businesses of all sizes and cater for every budget , essentially acting as an extension to your team through our retained monthly services , which enables us to continuously identify opportunities for positive publicity for your business .
“ We are also available to provide one-off press releases and media relations support as and when organisations require it , including those who may be facing reputational damage .”
The fact both are former journalists is a key strength , as they are able to write compelling copy journalists love and want to include in their publications .
The pair continue to write for Tees
WHAT SASS MEDIA OFFERS : Public relations strategy Media relations
Press release writing , distribution and liaising with journalists
Website copy and blog writing Newsletters
For more information , visit sassmedialtd . co . uk or contact them for a no-obligation chat on 07896 894538 .
Business magazine and a range of other B2B publications , including Aycliffe Business and several Chamber of Commerce magazines , keeping their journalism skills sharp .
They are also keen to network with other like-minded business professionals across the North-East .
Sarah W is president of the BNI Premier Chapter , which meets in North Ormesby , Middlesbrough , every Wednesday morning , and both Sarahs regularly attend Power of Women and other networking events .
Although they set up to shout loud and proud about the success of SMEs on their doorstep , the Sarahs also have clients in Coventry , Warwickshire , London , Kent , Durham , Tyneside , Sunderland and Newton Aycliffe .
Sarah W says : “ We particularly enjoy using our skills to promote and support businesses on our doorstep and celebrate what a great place to live and work Teesside is in whatever way we can .
“ There ’ s so much that is positive happening on Teesside at the moment and hopefully we can play a big part in that in the future .”