Communication & Content Strategies
Strategic communication for ocean science, technology, research, and innovation.
Why a strategy matters
For ocean research projects and initiatives, a communication strategy is the difference between work that influences and work that goes unnoticed. Good strategy starts with understanding what you are trying to change, not just what you want to say. We work with you to clarify your goals, your role in achieving them, and how communication can actively support that process.
Two common needs are a communication strategy and a content strategy.
A communication strategy defines the big picture – your goals, audiences, messages, and the outcomes you want to drive.
A content strategy is more operational – deciding what to create, when, and for whom, so your output is purposeful and sustainable rather than reactive.
The two often go hand in hand, and we can support either or both depending on your needs.
Who this is for
Ocean research projects needing clear, consistent messaging across partners and funders
Teams experiencing communication drift, misalignment, or unclear priorities
Organisations or businesses launching new initiatives or repositioning their work
Ocean research initiatives wanting communication that helps drive real-world outcomes
Groups who know they need a strategy but aren't sure where to start
How we support you
Understand your goals
Clarify what you want your communication to do and why. We help you define outcomes, objectives, and the impact you want to create.
Know your audience
Identify who you’re speaking to, what they need, and how to reach them effectively.
Develop your core massaging
Develop clear, consistent core messages and a messaging framework that reinforce your identity and purpose across all audiences and channels
Choose your channels
Find the right mix of communication formats, such as articles, blogs, social media, podcasts, events, and more.
Plan your delivery
Create a communication strategy document, a content strategy, or an editorial calendar – or a combination of all three.
Set your foundations
Support your team with brand guidelines, visual identity guidance, attribution practices, and responsible data handling.
Explore further
The Communication Brief
Thoughts, research, and perspectives on communications for the ocean world.
You might also need
Many clients combine strategy work with other support. Depending on your needs, you might also be interested in:
Written and visual content: If you need support to produce the content your strategy calls for
Summaries, briefings, and explainers: If your strategy involves reaching non-specialist audiences with complex research
Digital presence: If your strategy identifies a need to create or strengthen your online presence
FAQs
What's the difference between a communication strategy and a content strategy?
A communication strategy defines the big picture – your goals, audiences, key messages, and the outcomes you want your communication to drive. A content strategy is more operational, focusing on what to create, when, and for whom. The two often go hand in hand, and we can support either or both depending on what you need.
How long does a strategy engagement typically take?
It depends on the scope and complexity of your work. A focused strategy for a single project might take a few weeks, while a broader organisational strategy takes longer. We'll give you a clear timeline after an initial conversation.
Do I need a strategy if I already know what content I want to produce?
Possibly not, but it's worth a conversation. Many clients come to us knowing what they want to produce but find that a light-touch strategy helps them prioritise, avoid duplication, and make their content work harder. Others are ready to go straight to production, and that's fine too.
Can you help with a strategy for a multi-partner or EU-funded project?
Yes. We have experience supporting complex, multi-partner initiatives, including Horizon Europe projects, and understand the particular communication challenges these involve, diverse audiences, partner alignment, funder reporting, and more.
What does the process look like from first contact to delivery?
We start with a conversation to understand your goals and context. From there, we'll scope the work, agree on a timeline and approach, and work closely with you throughout. Strategy work is collaborative. We need your knowledge and input to make it effective.
