PPC114 | Pests in the press
BPCA’s ongoing engagement with the media, positioning the organisation as the go-to voice of authority on pest issues and incorporating a focus on broadcast in 2023, all proved to have been successful when bed bugs in Paris hit the headlines in October.
As well as being inundated with enquiries from print journalists, the team also received a huge number of requests for staff and members to talk about bed bugs across the broadcast spectrum from local radio to television shows both at home and abroad.
Activity in Q4:
Following a speech by Emmanuel Macron which highlighted concerns around bed bugs in Paris at the very start of October, BPCA issued a media update to journalists across the UK, which resulted in a spike in enquiries from major outlets including:
- BBC News
- Press Association
- The Times
- The Independent
- Mail on Sunday
- Bloomberg News
- GB News.
We then had further enquiries into November and December from:
- CNBC
- BBC Radio 4
- The Jeremy Vine Show
- ITV
- Sky News
- Channel 5
- The Vanessa Feltz Show
- TBS – a South Korean TV and Radio station
- BBC Newsbeat
- The Guardian
- Scottish Sun
- LBC.
Further swift reaction to the news – a press release raising awareness around rats and flooding issued as Storm Babet hit the UK – secured further coverage in the media.
In October alone, more than 260 news items across print, digital and broadcast featured BPCA.
Further press releases in Q4 included a reminder to check lofts for signs of pests when fetching Christmas decorations, advice on the difference between rats, mice, voles and shrews and a press release highlighting Silverfish as an indicator of potential damp problems in the home.
Work with specific titles catering to associated trades continued in Q4 with articles provided for Cleaning Matters, Food & Drink Manufacturing and Tomorrow’s Cleaning.
In 2024, BPCA will aim to build on the success of 2023 by continuing to focus on broadcast opportunities as well as continuing our work in raising awareness around pest issues and the value of professional pest management.
Top 3 headlines
▶ Sleeping with the enemy: get ready for the bed bug invasion - Saga Exceptional (link)
▶ EEW LA LA - Daily Mirror (pdf)
▶ RODENT HELL AND HIGH WATER - Daily Star Sunday (pdf)
Total articles 2023: 1,026
Total circulation 2023: 865,000,040
Read all about it!
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