Shaun Reynolds: Five years with Fortitude

Intros typically come naturally when writing a media release or blog, and you’d hope so after five years reporting as a journalist and now an equivalent time in PR.

But this one took some thinking, and that’s likely testament to the varied nature of our work at Fortitude Communications which genuinely makes time fly – a good thing in my opinion. 

PR seemed the natural step for me in March 2020 when joining Fortitude. It was clear the agency was ambitious, progressive, forward-thinking and well connected across Oxfordshire and its surrounds.

Those traits were invaluable when exactly three weeks after my first day, the UK went into lockdown. It wasn’t an ideal start, but just over a year after joining I was back up to full-time hours. 

Since then, our reputation as Oxford’s go-to agency for PR, marketing, video, social media, photography, copywriting and influencer marketing has grown to a point where our team has trebled in size. We’re a small team, but a determined, close-knit, one – which I love. 

Breaking down highlights from the past five years isn’t easy, but there are a few standout moments:

Oxfordshire Business Awards

‘And the winner is.. Fortitude Communications’ – cue a great roar from our table at the John Henry Brookes Building at Oxford Brookes University as we scooped our first industry award. 

Winning the JackFM sponsored Marketing Excellence Award was a gamechanger for our team. It rubberstamped everything we set out to achieve when representing a client – going that extra mile, creative thinking, quality content and making a positive impact on the business. 

Our submission was based around our work at Oxford Stadium, a venue which reopened in April 2022 after a decade under lock and key. Our team led the marketing, communications and PR of the venue’s regeneration as speedway and greyhound racing returned to the city. 

Personally, this was my first flavour of account management, so for the team to receive the award at a black-tie ceremony was a great moment. 

Growing team

I alluded to it earlier, but watching our team grow in numbers and bringing in new skillsets and services as a consequence has provided all the motivation a person could need. 

In recent months, Vicky and Miranda have joined with extensive experience in PR and journalism which has been an invaluable add. And Rosie’s design and creative thinking skills have taken our output on shared and owned platforms to new levels. 

For anyone interested in a career in PR, I’d always recommend joining our team.

Clients and personal development

We represent some excellent organisations, work with plenty of good people and strive to deliver an exceptional service. 

Strong relationships and rapport are so important to get the best results in PR, I find. It assists across all levels of our work – planning, briefing, pitching, writing etc. That’s something I’ve valued highly from my time at Fortitude.

Beyond that, opportunities presented to myself have advanced my working knowledge of how to operate as an affective communications advisor. I’m always learning at Fortitude, which again is something I value highly.

Supportive culture

Probably outweighing all the above – just – is Fortitude’s ability as a great employer and workplace. 

It was underlined last year when losing one of my whippets, Willow, to an incredibly rare disease called Alabama Rot. Willow spent two weeks in intensive care with the best veterinary team in the country, sadly it wasn’t to be. 

As horrendous as it was to lose her, there were practical consequences to overcome after her death which Fortitude supported without question. And the team continue to support my fundraising efforts to try and find a cure for Alabama Rot by sponsoring A Celebration of Willow which will run on June 29 at Lambourn Sports Club later this year. 

That level of support from my colleagues was invaluable at the time and won’t be forgotten. The five years have flown by, here’s to the next five!