When you hear two top PR experts are teaming up, you know whatever project they’ve been working on is sure to be noteworthy. With 20 years of combined experience in the PR industry, Anna Stark and Tahira Matthews are excited to reveal they are launching their own agency - STARK MATTHEWS. Here, we sit down with the pair to discover everything about the STARK MATTHEWS agency...
Can you tell me a bit about the STARK MATTHEWS agency?
STARK MATTHEWS is a boutique public relations and events agency specialising in beauty, lifestyle and homewares, headed up by co-directors Anna Stark and Tahira Matthews. Having represented some of the top beauty brands for many years, we’ve now come together to offer clients a senior level public relations service with expertise in developing strategic public relations campaigns, memorable launch events and creative campaigns for social media.
Why did you decide to launch your own PR agency?
We both come from agency backgrounds and have always loved the fast-paced, exciting environment that goes with the territory. Our recent in-house experience at amazing companies has given us an understanding of beauty businesses from the inside. We both really missed the agency environment and thought, “What if we could open our own agency that is backed with our agency experience and coupled with the understanding of the in-house environment?” And here we are!
Was it a hard decision to make?
Tahira: It was one of the most exciting decisions I’ve ever made. I met Anna about six years ago while working at a beauty PR agency and we clicked straight away. We’ve been friends ever since and I jumped at the opportunity to work with her again. I knew that together we could offer clients something really special. Of course it was hard to say goodbye to our old jobs and the amazing people we worked with, however, this is something I’m really passionate about and I knew Anna was the perfect business partner for me.
Anna: Absolutely - turning your back on a great job and monthly salary is never an easy decision! However, for me, this is the right decision. It’s something we’ve been toying with for years over a couple of wines, but it’s all about timing - and for us, the timing is right. I could not be happier. It’s an absolute pleasure working with Tahira again and I can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings.
Why do you make the perfect partnership?
Tahira: Anna and I have the same business ethos and core values that make running a business together an absolute blessing. However, we also bring different and complementary strengths to the table, which I feel is really important in any partnership.
Anna: Not only does Tahira share my views on business, she’s amazing person all round. She’s an incredible source of inspiration and we share the same energy and enthusiasm for STARK MATTHEWS. What’s more, her knowledge of the industry is unlike anyone else’s I know!
What areas of PR and events will you be looking to work on?
We both specialise and have a passion for the beauty industry, so we’re not going anywhere. We envisage the bulk of our client base to be in this area; however we also love working with lifestyle and homewares brands.
Why should brands, bloggers and influencers want to sign on with the Stark Matthews agency?
With 20 years of combined experience in public relations working on over 60 brands (with most of them from the beauty industry), we have the expertise to lead start-up companies to develop their brand, increase their awareness and stand out from the market. We also have the experience to create new opportunities for established companies and reinvigorate household name brands. However, most importantly, we’re people who love what we do and pride ourselves on being open, transparent, results-driven and strategic thinkers.
