What we do

SmithGadzik helps organisations achieve better results through highly effective communications and marketing.

About

I’m Sara Gadzik, founder of SmithGadzik. After spending more than 20 years in communications and marketing roles, primarily in the education and not-for-profit sectors, I made the exciting decision to set up SmithGadzik communications and marketing consultancy in 2016.

Throughout my career I‘ve developed relationships with a select group of hugely talented individuals, who now work closely with SmithGadzik to provide a full service marketing and communications agency.

Through this network of PR, marketing and design specialists, SmithGadzik works with organisations to help them improve their results through targeted and fit-for-purpose communications and marketing activity.

My expertise lies in strategic planning, content and editorial, and PR and media activity. From 2005 to 2016, I was Communications Director for the Association of School and College Leaders, with responsibility for all recruitment and marketing. Prior to that I was involved in the start up and growth of the National College for School Leadership, serving in a number of roles including Corporate Communications Manager. Previous roles included working in fundraising and recruitment for a university in the US for six years and as a project manager for a marketing research company.

Services

Working with a network of specialists in graphic and web design, editorial, public relations and media, SmithGadzik provides a full range of marketing and communications services.

 

Strategy
How secure is your reputation? We work with organisations to audit their marketing and communications and implement action plans to make sure that their reputation is what it should be.

  • Marketing and communications audit to assess reputational risks and strengths
  • Follow up strategies and action plans to address gaps and potential weaknesses
  • Developing a distinct and consistent brand and voice for your organisation, across your website, social media and print material
  • Interim marketing and communications support

 

Content
What sets you apart from your competitors? We can help you to make sure that your marketing and communications content resonates with your target audiences and makes you stand out from the crowd.

  • Website audit, refresh and ongoing content management
  • Profile raising activity, including press releases, blogs and social media content
  • Internal communications including newsletter writing
  • Editorial and content for magazines
  • Social media management and targeted campaigns

 

Media
Don’t make the headlines for the wrong reasons. We provide high quality training and advice on dealing with the media, both proactively and in tricky situations, as well as hands on support when something goes wrong.

  • Training for key spokespeople on media interviews
  • Crisis communication readiness planning
  • Media handling and hands on support in difficult situations

 

Especially for education
With extensive experience working with the education sector, there are a number of ways we can support growing multi-academy trusts and organisations looking to engage with schools.

  • Community and parental engagement activity
  • Reviews of governance structures and support for MAT governing boards
  • Writing free school bids, including research and consultation exercises

Testimonials

Responsive and proactive

“Sara first worked with DYT as a mentor for a junior marketing colleague. She was subsequently commissioned to review our marketing and communication strategy and then to directly support DYT’s work and briefly lead our external facing work. At all these levels, Sara excelled. She quickly adapted to our needs and was responsive and proactive in her work. Sara is a pleasure to work with, and I am sure we will use her services again.”

Karen Wespieser | Director of Operations, Driver Youth Trust


An achievable plan

“When we launched the new Inspiring Governance service, we engaged Sara to develop the communications for the launch and beyond. She created a communications and engagement strategy, turned it into an achievable plan and then made sure it was delivered to a high standard. She continued to work with us to develop the content for the website, working closely with our web and graphic designers to make sure that messaging was strong and consistent. I then asked Sara to develop a suit of marketing materials, including leaflets and case studies, for the service.  I have subsequently commissioned her to help launch a similar service for the FE sector.

“No matter what the task at hand, I know that I can always count on Sara to deliver what I need and to be a helpful, reliable and professional representative when liaising with my internal and external stakeholders.”

Charlotte Coleman | Director of Governance Programmes, Inspiring Governance


An in-depth understanding

“We approached Sara to help with a communications strategy and action plan to raise awareness of the role trees play in mitigating flooding. She delivered the project from start to finish, from engaging internal stakeholders and developing the strategy to writing briefing notes to use with targeted audiences. She got up to speed with our organisation very quickly and really understood what we were trying to achieve. She was enthusiastic, easy to work with and clearly knows her field. I would be confident in recommending her to any organisation.”

Ruth Hyde | Director of Brand and Communications, Woodland Trust


Raising our profile

“We asked Sara to lead on the media launch for a new report we published on careers education. I was delighted with the coverage we received in both the national and trade press. From that success, we have asked her to support us with a number of other profile raising initiatives.”

Nick Chambers | CEO, Education and Employers national charity


Many strengths

“Throughout my time as a senior elected officer and General Secretary of ASCL, Sara was responsible for communications and marketing. The fact the association enjoyed a high profile, growing membership and a highly influential voice with policymakers was in no minor way due to her skills and expertise. Amongst her many strengths I would highlight her outstanding editorial skills exemplified by the association’s magazine Leader , her strong understanding of print and broadcast media and her expertise in marketing. I am under no illusions that the profile I enjoyed as General Secretary was greatly enhanced by her wise advice and support. I would recommend her services without any hesitation whatsoever.”

Brian Lightman | Director, Lightman Consulting Ltd; formerly General Secretary, Association of School and College Leaders


Wealth of experience

“Sara really knows her stuff. She brings with her a wealth of experience of the education sector which means she understands how to engage with and support schools and colleges. She has excellent communication skills and a calm professionalism that makes her a pleasure to work with.”

Geoff Barton | General Secretary, Association of School and College Leaders