Down at the Social
Down at the Social (DATS) is a Manchester-based PR and social media agency delivering integrated campaigns in earned media, social, influencer marketing and content production for UK hospitality, food and drink, and purpose-led brands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersManchester, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Down at the Social does
Down at the Social (DATS) is a Manchester-headquartered, privately held PR and social media agency operating in the UK since 2010 under founder and Managing Director Daisy Whitehouse. The agency delivers integrated campaigns spanning earned media relations, paid social account management, influencer marketing, and in-house content production (photography, video, design) for hospitality, leisure, food and drink, and purpose-led brands. Its client base includes enterprise names such as Chopstix Noodle Bars, JW Lees (Boddingtons), LEGOLAND, SEA LIFE and ITV alongside mid-market and growth-stage accounts like Bridgewater Home Care, Macknade, Supersmith and Pop Specs.
The agency's core differentiator is a senior-led, audience-first delivery model codified through its proprietary 'DATS Love Languages' client experience framework, which it cites as a driver of multi-year client retention. Operationally, DATS runs on standard industry tooling (Asana for project management, Squarespace for web, Invyted for influencer activation) with no proprietary technology platform. Documented campaign outcomes include 1.3B earned reach for Chopstix, 120M PR reach for the Boddingtons cask relaunch, and 32-186M reach figures across other client work, with revenue generated through monthly retainers and project-based campaign fees.
Commercial model is professional services: custom retainer arrangements for ongoing PR and social activity, billed monthly, alongside project-based campaign pricing for defined-scope launches and activations. Distribution is direct, via website inquiry, named-founder email outreach, and referral from existing clients. Headcount sits at six named professionals plus an open Operations Manager hire as of November 2025; the agency is privately held with no external funding, parent company, or institutional ownership disclosed.
Down at the Social firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Down at the Social
- Legal name
- Down at the Social
- Website
- https://downatthesocial.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Down at the Social (DATS) is a Manchester-based PR and social media agency delivering integrated campaigns in earned media, social, influencer marketing and content production for UK hospitality, food and drink, and purpose-led brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Down at the Social industry classification
Industry- Product category
- PR and Social Media Marketing Services
- NAICS
- Public Relations Agencies (54182), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Social Media & Community Management (PR-led) (BPAFADAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Social Media & Community Management (BPAFAAAE), Digital PR & Social Media Communications (MPAAADAJ)
Keywords
Where Down at the Social is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manchester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Down at the Social business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- PR and Social Media Retainers: The agency operates on retainer-based engagements with clients, providing ongoing PR and social media services. Retainers include always-on PR activity, media relations, thought leadership development, and social media strategy execution. Work is delivered across integrated campaigns spanning PR, social, content, and influencer marketing.
- Campaign-Based Projects: The agency delivers project-based campaigns including product launches, brand relaunches, store openings, and cultural activations. Examples include JW Lees Boddingtons cask relaunch, Chopstix store openings, and Supersmith 3Scooter launch. Campaigns typically span defined timeframes with specific deliverables.
- Content Creation Services: The agency offers content creation services including video production, photography (product, food, event, editorial), and design for print, digital, and outdoor advertising campaigns. Services are provided as standalone offerings or integrated within broader PR and social campaigns.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Custom retainer arrangements |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Project-based campaign pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
Down at the Social product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Down at the Social is a boutique PR and social media agency that delivers integrated campaigns blending public relations, social media management, influencer marketing, and content creation (photography, video, design). The agency works with hospitality, leisure, food and drink, and purpose-led brands on retainer-based and project-based engagements, producing newsworthy campaigns that earn media coverage, build brand awareness, and drive commercial outcomes such as footfall and sales.
Product overview
Down at the Social (DATS) is a PR and social media agency offering integrated marketing services for hospitality, leisure, food and drink, and purpose-led brands. The agency provides a unified service combining PR, social media management, influencer marketing, and content creation as its core offering. The portfolio spans strategic campaign development, media relations, social account management across major platforms, influencer research and activation, and full-scale content production including photography, video, and design. Services are delivered through a senior-led team approach, with specialization in hospitality PR, newsworthy brand campaigns, and regional/national store opening activations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PR Services Media relations, press office function, reactive commentary, and thought leadership positioning across national, regional, trade, and sector media to build brand awareness and credibility for brand clients.
- Social Media Management Full-service social media account management including strategy development, content creation, copywriting, and campaign delivery across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for brand clients.
- Influencer Marketing
Quantifiable outcome
- Brand awareness increased by 9% among under-45s for Chopstix
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Down at the Social
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Down at the Social technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Down at the Social partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SupersmithcoreAppointed to deliver Supersmith's 2026 PR and social media programme built around the 3Scooter launch. The partnership covers full press office function, proactive media relations, thought leadership, reactive commentary, organic social content, and influencer campaign. The 3Scooter uses F1-inspired EverLevel stability technology. DATS is working to change perceptions about mobility scooters through digital-first PR.
- Chopstix Noodle BarscoreLong-term strategic partnership delivering PR, social media, influencer marketing, and content for Chopstix's national expansion. Over 3 years, the partnership has opened 60+ sites across the UK. Current Flavour Cravers campaign running for 18 months has achieved 1.3B earned reach.
- JW LeescoreLong-standing relationship with Manchester's oldest brewery (family-run since 1828). DATS relaunched Boddingtons Cask in 2025 with 'By 'Eck It's Back' campaign. Currently delivering PR for both JW Lees and Boddingtons Cask including press office, reactive commentary, and activations. St. Patrick's Day campaign for JW Lees Stout delivered.
- WondrwallcoreLeading consumer PR launch of Battery PowrPlan, Wondrwall's first consumer-facing battery product. PR-first campaign translating technical innovation (AI-powered energy management, time-of-use tariffs) into compelling stories for national media. Coverage in Sunday Times and TechRadar.
- Bridgewater Home CarecoreAppointed to deliver fully integrated PR and social media strategy supporting national growth and franchise expansion. Focus on brand awareness, social presence on LinkedIn/Instagram/Facebook, and positioning as trusted voice in care and franchising sectors. Always-on PR with thought leadership and franchise success stories.
- SpiritbridgeminorOutsource capability business offering drinks new product development and marketing services. DATS appointed by Spiritbridge to deliver media launch campaign and influencer marketing strategy for Angel Above Portobello restaurant.
- Distinctly AwareminorPartnered with drinks brand marketing specialists to deliver integrated campaigns for MEDAHUMAN functional drink brand and Amaro Montenegro's Vero Bartender competition. Combined PR, marketing, and social media services.
- Lancashire Women's Enterprise Steering GroupminorDATS Managing Director Daisy Whitehouse is a founding member of this steering group working to increase women business owners (targeting 30%) and senior women leaders (targeting 45%) in Lancashire. Group formed from Wendy Bowers' 'Growing Women, Growing Lancashire' report showing £3 billion economic opportunity.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Down at the Social competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bottle PR: UK boutique PR and social agency specialising in food, drink and hospitality brands. Closely comparable to DATS in vertical specialism, senior-led model and integrated PR-plus-social proposition for F&B and leisure clients.
- W Communications: UK consumer and lifestyle PR agency with strong food, drink and hospitality credentials. Comparable to DATS in targeting bold consumer brands and delivering earned-media-led campaigns across hospitality and leisure verticals.
- Milk & Honey PR: London boutique PR and social influence agency serving challenger brands across food, drink, retail and lifestyle. Comparable integrated earned-media-plus-influencer model targeting purpose-led and consumer brands similar to DATS's 'newsworthy' positioning.
- Hope&Glory: UK boutique consumer and corporate PR agency working with challenger and newsworthy brands across food, drink, retail and lifestyle. Directly comparable to DATS in targeting 'newsworthy' brand clients and integrating PR with social and influencer activation.
- Frank PR: Manchester-headquartered consumer and lifestyle PR agency known for campaigns across hospitality, food & drink, and entertainment brands. Direct competitor given shared Manchester base and overlapping hospitality/leisure client roster.
- Prohibition PR: Leeds-based boutique PR, social and content agency serving consumer, hospitality and B2B brands. Closely comparable to DATS in size, regional UK positioning outside London, integrated PR-and-social model, and hospitality/F&B client focus.
- Tigerbond: London-based independent PR and communications agency focused on consumer, lifestyle, food and hospitality brands. Comparable to DATS in integrated PR + influencer + social offering for hospitality and F&B clients, though operating at a larger scale.
Broad incumbents
- Beattie Group: UK-wide integrated communications group offering PR, social, influencer and content services across consumer and B2B sectors. Larger and broader than DATS but directly comparable in service mix and client overlap in retail, hospitality and consumer.
- Havas Red: Global PR and social agency within Havas, with strong consumer, lifestyle and hospitality credentials. Comparable in integrated earned-media-and-social offering for newsworthy consumer brands, but operates at significantly larger scale and global footprint than DATS.
Emerging players
- Influencer.com: Global influencer marketing agency with a heavy F&B, hospitality and lifestyle client base. Comparable to DATS in the influencer-marketing component of the integrated offering, including use of creator activations to drive earned-style reach.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Down at the Social social profiles
Digital presenceDown at the Social financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Down at the Social leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Down at the Social funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Down at the Social M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Down at the Social
What does Down at the Social do?
Down at the Social is a boutique PR and social media agency that delivers integrated campaigns blending public relations, social media management, influencer marketing, and content creation (photography, video, design). The agency works with hospitality, leisure, food and drink, and purpose-led brands on retainer-based and project-based engagements, producing newsworthy campaigns that earn media coverage, build brand awareness, and drive commercial outcomes such as footfall and sales.
Is Down at the Social a public or private company?
Down at the Social is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Down at the Social founded?
Down at the Social was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Down at the Social based?
Down at the Social is headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Down at the Social make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. PR and Social Media Retainers are the primary driver. The others are campaign-Based Projects and content Creation Services.
Who are Down at the Social's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bottle PR, W Communications, Milk & Honey PR, Hope&Glory, Frank PR, Prohibition PR and Tigerbond. Broad incumbents are Beattie Group and Havas Red. Influencer.com is listed as an emerging player.
Does Down at the Social have an API?
No public API is recorded for Down at the Social.
What industry is Down at the Social in?
Down at the Social's product category is PR and Social Media Marketing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFADAM, Social Media & Community Management (PR-led), with a secondary code of BPAFAAAE, Social Media & Community Management. Its NAICS code is 54182 and its SIC code is 7311.