CN Group – publisher of The Cumberland News – is about to launch Business Accelerator.

This is a brand new, customer-engagement, marketing and brand-awareness programme that will offer unique solutions to local businesses.

The group’s commercial team has spent the last month conducting in-depth marketing diagnostics with more than 500 local businesses.

Commercial director Frank Stretton said: “The intention is to gain a better understanding of the needs and wants of our customers in this evolving multimedia market, and allow us to offer the most relevant, strategic solutions that maximise brand awareness and business growth.

“Our aim is for this consultative approach to help businesses in Cumbria thrive.”

The research has inspired the company to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds into ensuring it is best placed to support the acceleration of local enterprises.

As part of the programme, Business Accelerator seminars are taking place in Carlisle, Workington, Barrow and Hexham, each featuring award-winning marketing speakers, experienced in the strategic growth of businesses from start-ups to plcs. The presentation will address the issues faced by local businesses and offer guests compelling multimedia solutions, unlike any that CN Group has previously been able to bring to the market.

Business Accelerator manager Emily Wood said: “This is an exciting time for CN’s evolution as we aim to get closer to our customers and offer the kind of consultative approach they need.

“With so many media outlets available to them, it’s vital we tailor our approach and maximise their return.’


Miller Hogg Chief executive Miller Hogg added: “CN Group has always been at the heart of the local community, and this will allow us to continue to partner and support local and regional businesses, offering ongoing insightful advice, supported of course by our expertise in the print, digital and social media markets.

“It is sometimes assumed, given the recent ongoing developments in media consumption habits, that our audiences are shrinking.

“In reality, when you combine our print, digital and social media channels, this is far from the case.

“We are broader reaching than ever before.

“Our research shows we need to sit closer to businesses to advise them on how best to engage with all these channels.

“Business Accelerator is designed to achieve this.”

Carlisle-based CN Group publishes newspapers and magazines, operates radio stations and websites, and sends out digital newsletters.

Its other titles include the News & Star, Times & Star, Whitehaven News, North West Evening Mail, The Advertiser, Hexham Courant, Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser, in-Cumbria, Cumbria Life, Carlisle Living, Dumfries & Galloway Life, the Bay Radio and Lakeland Radio.

The Carlisle seminars take place at The Halston, in Warwick Road, on April 27, 28 and 29, and those in Workington at Hunday Manor on May 9 and 10.

For more information, email emily.wood@cnmedia.co.uk .