Curzon Chronicles: Looking Back At 2023

From the highlights of impactful client work to noteworthy accomplishments within the dynamic Curzon team, let us take a captivating journey back through the remarkable milestones that defined our year at Curzon as we bid farewell to 2023.

January

Kicking off the New Year with a bang, we joyously celebrated our client Dragonfly Aerospace’s remarkable achievement: the successful launch of the world’s inaugural agriculture-focused satellite, EOS SAT-1, from SpaceX’s launch site in Cape Canaveral, Florida. This cutting-edge satellite was a game-changer for the Agriculture and Forestry sectors, offering top-tier data that fuels effective and sustainable practices such as the reduction of carbon emissions, pesticide and fertiliser overuse, and food waste to mitigate an upcoming global food crisis.

At Curzon, we take pride in amplifying our clients’ dedication to sustainability and addressing global challenges while ensuring an authentic narrative that goes beyond the surface.

February 

Our client, the City of London Corporation’s Guildhall Art Gallery, unveiled the exciting The Big City exhibition, which featured the world’s most extensive collection of large-scale paintings of London by 19 exceptionally talented artists such as Terence Cuneo, who was the Royal Family’s artist of choice for several decades!

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Culture, Heritage, and Libraries Committee, Wendy Hyde, said: “Given the scale of some of these huge masterpieces, some may even feel that they are in the painting rather than viewing it.”

The exhibition was open to the public by the 10th of February — here is our Account Director, Eloise Keightley, attending the press preview one day prior.

March

We flew our valued colleagues from Mumbai and Delhi to London for the first-ever Curzon PR Summit 2023, where we held various thought-provoking strategy sessions, insightful masterclasses, and wellness workshops — but not before sharing the most important meal of the day: breakfast!

Though our digital connections fuel flexibility and efficiency, there is a unique type of synergy that only develops outside the screens. Commenting on the experience, our Talent Director, Ameya Warty, said, “It was such a lovely experience to meet everyone in person, and I am truly happy that none of us felt that we were meeting for the first time. It talks a lot about the amazing bond we have as a team.”

April

Our founders, Farzana Baduel and James Ollerenshaw, visited Little Rock, Arkansas, to meet with our newest client at the time, Lifeplus — a brand focusing on high-quality supplements, skincare, and a truly holistic approach to wellness. During their visit, they toured the Lifeplus manufacturing facility, where products are formulated, tested, manufactured and packaged.

It is always an exciting time to connect with our clients, as it gives us the best possible opportunity to create an impactful and effective strategy that aligns with their needs.

 

May

On the 16th of May, we joined our client, Cristiano Berti, at the London College of Communication to listen to him talk through his new book, Boggiano Heirs,  and support him throughout the book launch.

Boggiano Heirs is an artist’s book that focuses on the intangible legacy of Antonio Boggiano, a wealthy merchant who owned hundreds of enslaved people. The surname Boggiano, imposed on enslaved individuals and still widespread in the Afro-Cuban community, is at the centre of the book’s attention. Read the compelling book to unravel a hushed history of entrepreneurship, travel, exploitation and aspiration.

 

June

On the 26th of June, we launched the return of the week-long, highly anticipated Care Home Open Week 2023, a campaign aimed to highlight the incredible value of the social care sector to society for our client, Championing Social Care.

Over 5,200 care homes across the UK representing 165,000 residents participated throughout the week by hosting various exciting activities such as beach-themed picnics, cocktail making, mini-festivals, Elvis tributes, pride parties, and so much more! 

That’s not all — this year’s Care Home Open Week marked the first-ever ‘Great British Care Cycle Relay,’ where our clients travelled from the North to the South, visiting care homes along the way that are at the heart of each community.

 

July

As part of the Mayfair Times Literary Festival 2023, our CEO, Farzana Baduel, was found in Grosvenor House conversing with the Royal Television Society (RTS) award-winning broadcaster turned author Anita Rani regarding her debut book, Baby Does A Runner. The book follows the protagonist, Baby, on her plans to visit India, where she uncovers family secrets and embarks on a fulfilling journey of self-discovery.

After hearing the engrossing chat, the Curzon team could not resist the urge to grab a copy of the book!

 

August

Curzon CEO Farzana Baduel took the stage to deliver an insightful talk at the University of Sunderland London. These engagements play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of PR professionals, offering valuable insights, mentorship, and real-world perspectives that contribute to their professional development. 

However, what made this experience even more enriching was the diverse backgrounds of the students. They shared inspiring learning journeys and articulated their ambitious future dreams in the PR field, highlighting the importance of fostering inclusivity and embracing various perspectives within our industry. Our commitment to engaging with academic institutions reflects our dedication to shaping and inspiring emerging talent, ensuring a vibrant and diverse future for the public relations landscape.

 

September

Our CEO, Farzana Baduel, took the center stage as a keynote speaker at the PRAXIS 2023 conference in Chennai, India. The conference is the world’s largest festival of Reputation Management professionals and Public Relations practitioners, with over 600 attendees.

She illuminated the audience with vital insights on ‘Horizon Scanning,’ uncovering the role of PR in utilising the numerous methods of strategic forecasting to anticipate future trends, and participated in a visionary panel discussion alongside industry luminaries such as Shayoni Lynn of Lynn Global and Arun Sudhaman of Provoke News.

 

 

October

Embarking on a trip to Andhra Pradesh, our CEO, Farzana Baduel, delved into the realm of sustainable practices during a visit to our client Apollo Tyres‘ state-of-the-art plant. Farzana’s tour showcased the plant’s commitment to environmental responsibility, spotlighting biofuel supplies that power steam-run boilers. 

The industrial landscape, adorned with over 20,000 trees, challenges conventional notions of manufacturing facilities, presenting a visibly green metamorphosis. As PR professionals, we must navigate the nuanced terrain of constructing sustainability narratives, emphasising the need for transparency and authenticity in countering potential greenwashing accusations. 

November

We celebrated our Finance Director, Adel Steyn’s splendid five years at Curzon. Over the course of these years, Adel has made substantial contributions to the finance department, exemplified by her adept implementation of an accounting software system. This integration has facilitated seamless access to financial data, enabling us to make well-informed decisions. Furthermore, Adel has played a pivotal role in optimising our debt management procedures, diligently monitoring debtors, and ensuring the timely dispatch of invoices. Her dedicated efforts have undeniably enhanced the efficiency and efficacy of Curzon’s financial operations.

When asked about her favourite aspect of working for Curzon, Adel said, “One thing for me would be the team itself. I think for me, it really feels like we are a work family. We care about each other, and we want to see the company grow and prosper.” Here’s a short interview with Adel here

December

Our Talent Director, Ameya Warty, was recognised with ‘The Great Indian Talent Empowerment Leader Award’ at the Employee Empowerment Conclave. The prestigious award was bestowed upon him during the awards ceremony held in Mumbai on the 6th of December.

Curzon’s positive and supportive work environment is a testament to Ameya’s outstanding leadership and contributions. We are incredibly proud of him for this achievement!

As we turn the page to a new chapter, we express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of our journey. Join us as we eagerly anticipate the next chapter in the Curzon story—a tale that continues to unfold with purpose, passion, and unwavering dedication. Cheers to 2023!

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Curzon PR is a London-based PR firm working with clients globally. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Business Development Team bd@curzonpr.com