PETER DRIVER TO RETIRE FROM RANSOMES JACOBSEN
PR & Marketing specialist
Well known industry figure Peter Driver is to retire from Ransomes Jacobsen next week, following 16 years' involvement with the company's PR and marketing.
Peter Driver at BTME 2016
Before being directly employed by Ransomes Jocbsen in 2007, Peter previously worked with Command Publicity, who served as the company’s external Marketing and PR agency for the seven years prior.
He began his career in the Marketing business in 1988 as a studio manager in a design agency, before migrating to a PR role in 1995. Previously responsible for all PR for Jacobsen globally, he has recently focused on Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Pacific Rim and South America territories, following the employment of a PR specialist in Charlotte to cover the Americas.
He has travelled extensively and has many industry contacts around the globe. Speaking prior to his retirement he said,”At Command we won the Marketing and PR account just after the coming together of the two businesses in 1999. It was a trial for everyone involved, but the dust eventually settled and we came through it. As I began to establish credibility with the media, it became a lot easier and over the years there are many editors that I look upon as friends, rather than industry colleagues. “I’ve always loved the shows and exhibitions; they’re always hectic for the marketing department and we’ve had some great times at SALTEX in Windsor and BTME in Harrogate, where you really appreciate the camaraderie that’s endemic in this business. Long days building the show stands, long days manning the stand during the show, long nights entertaining clients after the show, followed by a flurry of intense activity to get everything dismantled and off site as soon as possible. Yes, it’s hard work, but hugely enjoyable. “Some memorable moments include a visit to South Africa and writing the feature article about Legends golf course with a helicopter ride up the Hanglip mountain to the tee on the special 19th hole. Being involved with the introduction of the Future Turf Managers’ Initiative, helping to shape what is becoming a global programme to educate deputy greenkeepers as they take the next step into course management. That gives me a buzz. The TV coverage over the past few years that included visits to our Ipswich manufacturing plant by Michael Portillo for his Great British Train Journeys programme and the separate visits by the former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osbourne and former Prime Minister David Cameron. Winning the TOCA international writing award last year for a feature article on Askernish, a lost golf course that was rediscovered on the Outer Hebrides. “But my memorable achievement is remaining employed after breaking managing director Alan Prickett’s ribs in several places during the company’s football tournament. And, we were both on the same side! “Summing up my time in the industry is really very simple; it’s been a blast!” Service Dealer Consultant Editor Chris Biddle who has known Peter for many years said, "The relationship between journalists and PR people is always based on mutual trust. Without trust and confidence, the reader can be short-changed and let-down when fed stories that were inconsequential or irrelevant. That was never the case with Peter. He consistently put out information that was well-written, interesting - and most importantly put together with the reader in mind. Believe me, that is a rare skill - and what shone through was his love of the industry.
"Thank you Peter for your friendship and your huge contribution to magazines I have been involved in and the turfcare industry at large. Happy retirement!"
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