How ‘staying on the pitch’ kept Derby in the game

A new report has revealed how Marketing Derby kept its community of Bondholders together through the coronavirus crisis thanks to a series of innovative online events.

The investment promotion agency’s Annual Report also shows that despite the lockdowns, it has now supported and attracted more than £400 million of investment and 1,500 jobs into the area.

In terms of events, the report states that over the past 12 months, Marketing Derby has hosted more than 30 online events, which have attracted over 100 panellists and been watched by more than 2,500 attendees.

When the first lockdown hit a year ago, the company quickly adapted its offer, coming up with a suite of new online events and products, designed to keep the business community supporting and talking to one another.

Just after the first lockdown came into force on March 23, Marketing Derby launched Talking Business Live and the Live Lounge.

Since then, 15 Talking Business Live events (and counting) have taken place, covering a wide range of topics including arts and culture, supply chains, funding and skills.

Each of the ten Live Lounge sessions brought together two Bondholders for an informal conversation about how they started their businesses, inspirations, and amusing anecdotes.

In July, more than 200 people attended the online Derby Property Zoommit, hosted by business broadcaster Declan Curry, and heard the chief executive of Derby City Council, Paul Simpson, outline the ambitions of the city’s Economic Recovery Task Force to restart, revive and renew Derby.

In September, Marketing Derby hosted the Bondholder Innovation Week, which celebrated entrepreneurial flair, innovative ideas for new products and services and the collaborative spirit. Sixteen Bondholders were showcased online, with luxury doughnut firm Project D emerging as the winner.

In October, in partnership with the University of Derby, the first virtual Innovation in Hospitality event took place in lieu of the annual Marketing Derby Food and Drink Awards.

And in November, Derby made a big impression at the first ever Midlands UK Forum for Growth, a trade and investment event held entirely online.

A new online prospectus, showcasing Derby’s investment opportunities, was compiled and launched at the event, supported by a new film put together by Marketing Derby and Purpose Media.

That same month, Marketing Derby helped organise the online Chesterfield Investment Summit, in partnership with Derbyshire Economic Partnership and Destination Chesterfield – and the year was rounded off with some much-needed fun in the form of Marketing Derby’s Quizmas Big Night In.

In the report’s introduction, John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, wrote: “Our first decision was to ‘stay on the pitch’. We decided that our mission in supporting and attracting businesses and investors would be needed more than ever.

“And now, one year into the pandemic, we can look back with some pride.

“We have kept the show on the road. Bondholders remain vibrant, investors are active and we play a full role with our stakeholders in the economic recovery to come, in both the city and county.”

Bob Betts, chair of Marketing Derby, said: “I thank our Bondholders, Derby City and Derbyshire County Councils and the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, for their continued funding which has helped us successfully support and attract over £400 million of investment and 1,500 jobs into the area.

“I also thank my board director colleagues but, most especially, our fantastic staff team who have kept their heads up, innovating through the crisis, continuing to deliver our mission and achieving our targets.”

To read Marketing Derby’s Annual Report click here.