The Fox and Duck.
Digital marketing that rebuilt reputation and drove weekly bookings.
The brief.
When a new landlord took over The Fox and Duck in Therfield, Herts, the pub’s reputation was at rock bottom. An appearance on TV’s Four in a Bed had caused untold damage, its Facebook page had just 50 followers (mostly friends and family) and bookings were thin. The aim was to rebuild its profile, showcase its food, drink and events, and re-establish the pub as a popular community hub and destination.
The strategy.
We built an integrated plan spanning social media, PR, TripAdvisor management and digital activity. Eye-catching photography, seasonal campaigns and regular posts gave the pub a strong online presence, while storytelling brought the team and community to life. We secured local and regional coverage to amplify award wins and seasonal activities, and encouraged the landlord to enter industry awards, drafting the submissions to strengthen credibility. Over 12 years, until landlord Ivan Titmuss moved on, our support set new standards for how a pub could market itself online.
The point.
The Fox and Duck went from reputational damage to becoming a thriving local brand. Social media reach grew dramatically – Facebook followers rose from 50 to around 8,000, with reach increasing by 493 per cent to 533,000 people. Instagram reach grew by 221 per cent to 33,600 people, and top-performing posts reached audiences of nearly 200,000. Crucially, social media became a direct driver of bookings, helping the pub generate £10,000 a week in revenue. Award wins added another layer of credibility, giving the pub recognition on the national stage – twice – and helping to drive bookings.
Testimonial.
“The results were outstanding. At least 50 per cent of bookings came through social media.”
Ivan Titmuss, former landlord
