Smoking Gun P R

Business Details

Award-Winning PR & Marketing Agency for Challenger Brands

We are Smoking Gun, a strategic communications agency redefining the boundaries of public relations and marketing. Our mission is to craft disruptive, data-driven campaigns that shift behaviour and build trust for challenger brands. With decades of combined experience, our team of ex-Fleet Street journalists and digital innovators specialises in creating immersive content, viral social media moments, and award-winning PR strategies. We employ a rigorous three-phase approach: Inspired Insights to uncover market opportunities, Ingenious Ideas to develop emotionally resonant narratives, and Intelligent Measurement to demonstrate tangible business impact through boardroom-ready metrics.

Recognised as PRCA measurement champions, we've secured global media coverage and delivered over 100 peer-judged award-winning campaigns. Our expertise spans B2B and B2C sectors, from automotive innovation to vegan lifestyle movements, always prioritising authenticity and measurable outcomes. We maintain strict accountability through clear KPIs while fostering adaptability across agency partnerships, and reinvest 1% of annual profits into community causes to demonstrate our commitment to social responsibility.

Services

Communications Strategy Digital PR Social Media Marketing Influencer Marketing Content Creation Reputation Management Crisis Communications B2B PR Automotive PR Pet Industry PR

Highlights and features

Award-winning team with over 100 peer-judged campaign wins
Data-driven strategies with measurable business impact metrics
Specialists in challenger brand positioning across diverse sectors
Proven 3-phase approach combining research, creativity and measurement
Recognised PRCA measurement champions with boardroom-ready reporting

What people say

Scarily creative Impressed by creativity Tenacity and perseverance Game-changing results Boardroom-ready metrics

Website

Update Listing

Services

Digital PR

Our digital PR campaigns combine media relations expertise with modern techniques to build brand authority. We train AI models, create shareable content, and secure high-impact media placements that improve search visibility. Clients benefit from strategic journalist outreach and data-informed storytelling that generates both immediate coverage and long-term brand equity through measurable digital footprints.

Social Media Marketing

Data-first social media campaigns drive precision audience targeting while fostering emotional connections. We create scroll-stopping content tailored to platform-specific behaviours, developing viral potential through strategic timing and format optimisation. Our approach balances creative storytelling with analytics to ensure campaigns deliver measurable business outcomes beyond mere engagement metrics, focusing on meaningful audience conversion.

Influencer Marketing

We connect brands with sector-specific influencers who authentically amplify messaging through trusted relationships. Our strategic partnerships extend beyond simple endorsements to create integrated campaign narratives that leverage influencer credibility. This approach ensures genuine audience resonance while maintaining brand alignment, delivering measurable impact through both reach metrics and conversion tracking.

Crisis Communications

Proactive crisis management strategies prepare organisations for unexpected challenges while protecting brand integrity. Our team combines media training with scenario planning to ensure rapid, coordinated responses that maintain stakeholder trust. We develop comprehensive communication frameworks that address both immediate concerns and long-term reputation recovery, using earned media channels to control narrative direction during critical periods.

Communications Strategy

Research-led communications strategies identify market opportunities and audience insights to shape brand narratives. Our Intention Unit conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis to inform strategic direction, creating frameworks that align business goals with audience expectations. This evidence-based approach ensures all campaign elements work cohesively towards measurable business objectives while maintaining brand authenticity and market relevance.

People

Rick Guttridge

Founder and CEO

Award-winning PR professional with decades of experience in strategic communications and crisis management. Recognised industry leader who has driven over 100 award-winning campaigns for global brands.

Hayley Peters

Strategy Director

Marketing expert specialising in data-driven communications strategies with particular expertise in B2B sector brand development and measurement frameworks.

Sarah Twyman

Head of Consumer & Client Services

Consumer PR specialist with extensive experience in brand storytelling and client relationship management across multiple industry sectors.

Carly Chell

Social Media & Influencer Director

Digital marketing leader focused on social media strategy and influencer partnerships, delivering viral campaigns for both B2C and B2B clients.

Carl Stroud

Chief Storyteller

Creative strategist specialising in narrative development and content creation, with a background in journalism and brand communications.

Questions

What services do you offer?

We provide integrated communications services including digital PR, social media marketing, influencer campaigns, crisis communications, and strategic brand positioning across multiple sectors.

Which industries do you specialise in?

While we work across sectors, we have particular expertise in B2B technology, automotive innovation, pet industry PR, and vegan lifestyle campaigns.

How do you measure campaign success?

Our PRCA-recognised measurement framework uses boardroom-ready metrics combining media coverage analysis, audience engagement data, and business KPI tracking.

Can you handle crisis situations?

Yes, our crisis communications team develops proactive strategies and rapid response protocols to protect brand reputation during challenging situations.

What makes you different from other agencies?

Our unique 3I approach combines research insights, creative storytelling, and rigorous measurement to deliver campaigns that shift behaviour and build lasting brand trust.

Do you work with startups or only established brands?

We partner with both challenger startups and established corporations, adapting our strategies to each client's specific market position and growth goals.

Reviews (4)

Write a Review

Max Hoppy

Nov 09, 2021 Report

I used Smoking Gun PR when I was the marketing director at a high growth startup TyresOnTheDrive.com (now acquired by Halfords). They did a wonderful job. Got to know my business. Made sure my brief really did line up to our biz objectives. And then they executed. Their work had material P&L impact and made the investment in them a no brainer. Highly recommend.

Mya Woodall

Oct 09, 2021 Report

Smoking Gun have taken our business to the next level. The team have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and have used this to elevate our brands, challenge our thinking and completely reimagine our brand identity. Couldn't recommend them enough!

Esther George

Sep 26, 2021 Report

I have worked with Smoking Gun PR across a few roles now and they always smash it out of the park. My experience has spanned digital content, social, campaigns, crisis, BAU press office and everything in between. They are a team of exceptionally talented individuals, who always deliver, become a part of your team and want to go above and beyond.

Martin Shaw

Sep 23, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality
Since we started working with Smoking Gun PR we achieved a step change in our PR effectiveness, with more national press coverage in a year than we'd achieved in the previous 10. This is down to a disciplined but imaginative approach, which has given us a stream of great content, and helped build strong media links.