GOOD year, bad year? With 2013 having drawn to a close, we ask John Crawford, director of public relations, Halogen Communications: ‘How had it been for you?’.
Briefly, what is it that you do?
I am a founding partner of Halogen Communications, an Edinburgh-based agency specialising in public relations, public affairs, crisis management and stakeholder management.
Choose three words that sum up 2013, from a professional point of view.
Busy, busy, busy
In 2012, what was your biggest ambition for 2013, and to what extent did you achieve it?
To complete the buyout of a former partner without it affecting our core business, our staff and our existing clients, and hoping to add some new clients to our roster. We surpassed our expectations and we landed some very exciting accounts this year, including Philip Morris International, Morrisons and EnergyUK, helping clients make connections in the US, through our Washington, D.C. office, as well as somehow finding the time to redevelop our website.
How has 2013 been for you, personally?
It’s been challenging for sure, particularly in trying to juggle all the things that have been going on with the company as well as being dad to two very active five year-olds. Overcoming these challenges is very rewarding and I feel very fortunate to be where I am and wouldn’t change a thing.
Any changes this year in technology, legislation, the economy, etc that have had a relatively significant impact on the business?
The biggest change, or possible change, is what happens to Scotland after the independence referendum. Scotland’s future will be decided in September next year and we’re finding there is a significant increase in businesses and organisations coming to us to find out what the potential repercussions would be. I believe that, as 18th September approaches, that this will increase yet further and, whatever the outcome, interest in Scotland, and its changing dynamic, will remain high.
What looking forward to, in 2014 – personally and professionally?
If 2014 is as successful as this year was, then I’ll be ‘over the moon’. We’ll certainly strive to make it so.
