PR, influencer and social media agency Smoking Gun joined client Blue Light Card at Downing Street, turning a reception recognising frontline workers into a message for the rewards service’s six million-plus members.
The reception, hosted by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, recognised those who responded to this summer’s heatwaves and wildfires.
During the event, Burnham recorded a personal message for Blue Light Card members, describing them as “the very best of this country.”
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Manchester-based Smoking Gun said the activity formed part of nine months of work putting the service’s members at the centre of its communications, generating more than 700 media stories.
Rick Guttridge, CEO of Smoking Gun, said: “Recognition from the Prime Minister is third-party validation at the highest possible level, and that’s the kind of earned authority PR exists to build on. Our job was to make sure the moment worked as hard as possible for Blue Light Card’s members, turning a single afternoon at No.10 into a message the whole community could see, share and feel part of.
“It’s also the latest chapter in nine months of work putting Blue Light Card’s members front and centre. More than 700 media stories, across titles as diverse as The Sun, The Telegraph and ITV’s This Morning, have helped build national awareness of the role Blue Light Card plays in championing the people who serve.”
Blue Light Card supports serving and retired members of the teaching community, NHS, emergency services, armed forces and social care. More than 15,000 national and local partners offer members discounts, experiences and events.
In his recorded message, the Prime Minister said: “Blue Light Card members are the very best of this country. You step forward when people are in danger. You stand with the most vulnerable. And when communities are going through the worst of it, you’re the ones who bring a bit of hope.
“And it doesn’t stop when the emergency does. The value you bring can be felt long afterwards. You give people reassurance. You bring people together. You show what it actually means to serve.
“It was a real privilege to welcome some of you to Downing Street today. You make this country stronger. Thank you for your heroics this summer, and for everything you do, day in, day out. The whole country saw it, and the whole country is grateful.”
Alidad Moghaddam, chief executive officer at Blue Light Card, said: “For the Prime Minister to describe Blue Light Card members as ‘the very best of this country’ is a powerful recognition of what our frontline workers give back to Britain.
“We often see that service most clearly at moments of crisis, when people step forward and do extraordinary things. But the Prime Minister is right that it doesn’t stop when the emergency does.
“Every day, across our NHS, emergency services, armed forces, teaching and social care, people are looking after us, educating our children, protecting our communities and supporting people when they need it most.
“That is why Blue Light Card exists: to make sure that contribution is recognised, not just on extraordinary days like today, but every day.”
