Building category winners. An interview with Simon Corbett.

Simon Corbett - Founder & CEO of Jargon PR

Building category winners
an interview with
Founder
Simon Corbett

Miron Bykov London - 20/01/2020

Jargon PR, founded in 2008, which helps corporate and technology companies grow brand awareness communicate key messages and drive sales. Their core line of business involves designing and implementing media relations campaigns and content creation & distribution.
 
Tell me about the day the idea was born.
I ‘d been working for three of the largest global PR agencies in London for over 10 years, one day I got the chance to work for ‘Blanc Otis.’ and was offered the role of deputy managing director, a huge step up for me – I was excited. Additionally, this was a 20-person agency with around 12 clients, I would be managing a team of 20!
However, does anything ever go to plan? Out of the 20 people that supposedly worked there, the team was down to 4. Can’t get any worse, right? Well, 2 had already handed in their notice. The clients? There were only 3 of them. I stayed for 3 months looking if I could help them rebuild. Unfortunately, it was a lost cause. I left and decided to launch Jargon PR.
 
What was the biggest turning point in the life of Jargon PR?
It was around 12 months into the business, we were renting a terrible Regus serviced office in Reading. I was on my own, it was a one-person office, the opportunity to acquire a barn conversion suddenly came along. More importantly, it was a couple of minutes from where I lived and a hefty 1600 sq feet - all for me! We were able to Sub LET it to bring in some strong income, we then used this to grow the team. With more manpower and brains, we were able to attract more clients, and this led to the growth of the business overall. The barn was key and helped us build into the 20-person agency we are today.
 
Three top tips for aspiring entrepreneurs:
1. The best investment in life will be in yourself.
2. Have positive paranoia.
3. The best teacher in life is experience.
 
What gets you out of bed every morning?
The opportunity to do great work for our clients to grow their business.
 
What did you want to be when you were little?
I wanted to run and own a cocktail bar! I had seen the film ‘cocktail’ with Tom Cruise and that just seemed way too cool.
 
Favourite Disney character:
Woody (Toy Story)
 
What is Jargon PR planning for the world next?
We have helped a number of founders/entrepreneurs exit and sell their business; we have now got an established methodology of raising the valuation of a business through PR. We are going to proactively push this campaign to other B2B businesses looking to exit to help them receive the highest valuation possible.

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