Regional newspapers have launched an annual industry-wide campaign to boost local businesses – with the help of a star of Dragon’s Den.
Organised by Local Media Works, the marketing body for the local press industry, the Local Business Accelerators campaign will see local newspapers up and down Britain join the hunt to find the best local businesses.
The winner will scoop the LBA national prize of business mentoring from LBA campaign ambassador, Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden, pictured above left, and free local newspaper advertising.
The campaign launched for the first time in 2011 with backing from 500 local papers.
Said Deborah: “Since its inception, LBA has consistently demonstrated that local media advertising can accelerate local businesses, energising and invigorating local economies.
“That is because people trust local news brands more than any other media, and are much more likely to engage with, and act upon, the advertising within them.
“I am delighted to be fronting LBA once again and would encourage all businesses out there to contact their local newspaper to find out how they can get involved.”
Entries for LBA close on the Friday 29 January 2016.
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It would be interesting to follow up the winners of past years to see where they are now, I know of at least two whose business closed soon after winning and apparently interest from local business wasn’t there so the local paper had to ‘find’ a suitable winner.
Its clearly a PR piece aimed at getting local businesses to advertise in local papers and for many it’s seen as just that ,a stunt.
Far better for an independent and respected business association or specialist to work with a few small businesses from each area to develop them properly rather than using a tv ‘celeb’ fronting a blatant promotion for local paper advertising, however if they did the advice probably wouldn’t be to advertise in local papers.
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