Specialising in business-to-business, consumer and online PR, 80:20 Communications works with clients across many industries and is particularly known for its work in aviation and travel, technology and financial and professional services. The company serves major multinationals and growing businesses alike and has clients including Cessna Aircraft Company, The Stationery Office and Puttenham-based FiscalReps.

80:20 Communications was founded by managing director Marc Cornelius, formerly a country manager with Hill & Knowlton, one of the largest PR agencies in the world. He says: “We offer the skills and professionalism of an international agency with the attentiveness of a local firm.”

80:20 client Cessna Aircraft Company, the world’s largest private jet manufacturer, has its UK office in nearby Farnborough. Cessna’s vice president for International Sales Trevor Esling says: “80:20 has really helped raise Cessna’s profile in Europe and the Middle East. We’ve had an excellent relationship with the company for several years. It’s great to have their advice so close at hand in Guildford now.”

Cornelius adds: “We still operate a satellite office in London, but Guildford is very attractive as our main base for a range of reasons. It’s a vibrant commercial centre with a high concentration of quality businesses. It’s convenient for London, with the station only a short walk from our office at 1 Farnham Road. And, crucially for a service business, it’s a very pleasant place to work. Many locally-based PR professionals commute reluctantly to London every day, so there’s a deep talent pool to tap as we grow.”

According to 80:20 Communications, any company looking to improve its PR in 2010 faces two major challenges. “Things have changed hugely of late as a result of large-scale media redundancies and the impact of the Web,” says Cornelius. “Good press coverage now depends on tailoring PR to the individual needs of frazzled, overworked journalists. One size no longer fits all. It’s never been more important to understand the media and create publication-ready copy, so it’s a real advantage that our team includes professionally-trained journalists.

“At the same time, it’s essential to be visible on the Web. Whether you develop software or sell toffee, your customers’ best chance of finding and sizing you up is via a search engine. Your PR therefore now needs to use search engine optimisation and social media to ensure you can be found online.”

To learn more about the latest trends in PR, sign up for the 80:20 Communications newsletter or call Marc Cornelius on 01483 549020.

1. Guildford Cathedral features in a number of key scenes in the classic 1976 horror film ‘The Omen’, starring Gregory Peck.

2. Ford Prefect, one of the heroes of Douglas Adams’ sci-fi blockbuster ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’, claimed to come from Guildford (but he actually came from a small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse).

3. Lewis Carroll, author of ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ and ‘Through The Looking-Glass’, owned a house in Guildford (although, like Ford Prefect, he never really lived here; he spent most of his time at Oxford University).

4. Many ghosts live in Guildford, though; spooky night-time walks are a regular part of tourist life (or should that be ‘after-life’?) in the town. (Despite having a cathedral, Guildford is not a city; you need a Royal Charter for that.)

5. Nonetheless, residents of Guildford enjoy one of the highest average life expectancies in the UK. Or does it just feel like a long time?

Guildford makes an ideal location. It’s only 35 minutes from London Waterloo, close to Farnborough Airport and in the heart of the south east’s high-tech zone. (Did you know that Guildford is a hotspot in Britain’s booming computer games industry? Click here if you don’t believe us!)

We’re based in modern offices right next to Guildford railway station. Full details are here – we hope to welcome you soon.