Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
Which PR agencies do drinks-industry founders recommend, and what results have members achieved with them?
Members report mixed experiences with PR agencies, with some achieving strong results and others choosing to bring work in-house. **Recommended practitioners:** - **Lauren Auty** (https://www.lmapr.com/) — secured national press coverage and positioned clients as industry voices; has worked with drinks brands including Black Lines and Allday (knives); F&B-focused; track record over 6–9 month engagements. - **MPR Comms / Amanda** — multiple members use this agency; one reported approximately 30 media placements over Nov/Dec including several nationals. - **In-house PR** — some members have terminated agency relationships and moved work in-house, reporting better control and cost efficiency. **Caveats:** - Results vary significantly; at least one member described their agency experience as "mixed success" and was considering stopping in the New Year. - Early-stage brands should expect a 6+ month lead time to see results. - The decision between agency and in-house often depends on brand maturity and budget.
Who are recommended PR agencies and practitioners for food and drinks brands, especially affordable options for smaller producers?
Members recommend a small number of specialist drinks PR practitioners rather than large agencies: - **Tom Stannard** — recommended as a go-to for food and drinks PR; noted for leading the Discarded range work. Members can potentially facilitate introductions. - **Lauren Auty** — recommended as a drinks PR specialist. - **Alia** — mentioned as a recommendation for drinks PR support, positioned as a more affordable option for smaller brands seeking specialist help without prohibitive costs. Members emphasise using personal connections within the community to get introductions to these practitioners, rather than going through large agency structures. The consensus suggests that specialist individuals operating independently or in small teams offer better value for emerging drinks brands compared to traditional full-service PR agencies.