Graduates transform third year project into successful PR Agency

A final year project that was originally created for University purposes, has become a successful start-up company for three graduate students.

Contrast Relations LTD was founded in 2019 by two Birmingham City University students, Jestina Davies and Megan Waddilove who were completing their last year of University during the launch.  

                                 

Both Jestina and Megan are graduates of BCU, Jestina completed a BA (Hons) in Public Relations & Media, whilst Megan has a BA (Hons) in Media and Communication. Although both women are co-founders, each have a dedicated role that supports the business. Megan is Head of TikTok and social-media and Jestina is the Account Executive.

Contrast Relations is a creative consulting agency that offers a various amount of services such as social media management, influencer marketing and brand management for their clients.  

The brand originally started as an agency focused more on public relations, but the team then made the decision to put their social media services at the forefront of the business, whilst obtaining the required experience needed to expand their full-scope public relations services.

“We all love the idea of social-media, so we thought lets get into social media. So we transformed into this social-media agency, and that was just myself and Megan to begin with. We were just running the social-media pages of different businesses.”

Jestina Davies

                                                      

Now realising the skill-set amongst all creatives, the entrepreneurs decided to transition from a social-media agency, to what is now known as the creative-consulting agency, Contrast Relations.

The visual creative said:

“We can do so much more than just social-media management with our clients. We can do branding, events, campaigns. A lot more things”

Emma went on to say:

“We didn’t anticipate how quickly our business would grow. Yes, there is a lot of challenges that come with the business, but because we enjoy what we’re doing, it’s fun and makes us want to try new things.”

The women ran company also have a niche for restaurant marketing in the Birmingham area where ‘online visibility and digital presence’ transform food services into a virtual experience.

Providing proof of this, Soul Chicken an independent restaurant located in King’s Heath, Birmingham has been working with Contrast Relations since February. The founder expressed his gratitude for the professionalism and dedication the start-up agency offered his business.

Contrast started by delivering social-media management for Soul Chicken’s Instagram and Facebook Account, then expanded to all marketing material, such as their menu design & in store ads.

                                       

Sergio Spadano, founder of Soul Chicken said:

“My overall experience with Contrast Relations LTD was 10/10. They are very honest, reliable good people and they are great at what they do…

I am very happy with the service provided, and I have already recommended them to 2 other businesses.”

                                    

The entrepreneurs are really excited about the future of their company. They are enjoying the journey to success, and when asked what advise they would give to those who want to start a business they had this to say:

“Showcase your worth so that you are confident when entering a business like this.

Especially as a person of colour, if you let your work speak for itself, when you walk in that room you won’t feel at a disadvantage because of what you look like.”

“And it’s OK to go back to the drawing board if it doesn’t work out the first time. We believe in bounce-back ability, and once you fall you will get back up.”