HiQ to switch to “nearly all” online promotion

HiQ will move “nearly all” of its promotion of the HiQ fast fit network away from traditional newspapers, radio and trade press to more online exposure, the network’s Wolverhampton PR agency Connect has revealed. The move follows the revamp of HiQ’s website for a new look and engagement strategy. Social media streams will be important to the brand’s new marketing strategy, with its website introducing a multi-media blogging channel from the end of March.

Having worked with HiQ since 2003, Connect says it was given the new brief of switching 80 per cent of HiQ’s future campaign, Brand and promotional work to digital media. The PR agency says it will drive its client’s business forward with “more emphasis on blogs as well as using other social media platforms such as Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.”

HiQ marketing manager, Geraldine McGovern, said: “The rise of social media in the last few years has been staggering and it has become part of a wider business strategy for many brands. While we appreciate traditional PR and the value it brings to HiQ, we want to focus on digital media and brand awareness in the online marketplace.”

Hazel Crawford-Upton, MD of Connect PR, said: “All of our clients have an online presence and varying levels of social media engagement, with campaigns working at several levels. HiQ, with a six figure budget, is the first to turn off the majority of traditional heritage PR and focus on digital PR and social media engagement. It’s a fantastic brief and we look forward to identifying new opportunities for HiQ as a result.”