Run Communications UK
Run Communications UK is a purpose-driven sports communications agency founded in 2012 in Brighton, serving rights holders, governing bodies, and brands like The National Lottery, UK Sport, and parkrun with campaign development, media relations, creative social, and influencer engagement services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersBrighton & Hove, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Run Communications UK does
Run Communications UK is a purpose-driven sports communications agency founded in 2012 by Steve Chisholm and headquartered in Brighton and Hove, England. The firm delivers integrated communications services to sports brands, rights holders, national governing bodies, and purpose-driven organisations across four core capabilities: campaign development, media relations, creative social content, and influencer engagement. Its client roster includes The National Lottery, UK Sport, ParalympicsGB, parkrun, British Athletics, Swim England, MCC/Lord's, and the EFL, with documented campaigns reaching 39,000+ positive media pieces, 3bn+ combined OTS, and £77.5m AVE for the Paris 2024 National Lottery work.
The agency's distinguishing assets are two proprietary sub-brands: Run X, a dedicated women's sport practice launched in 2024 and led by hires including former FA Director Kelly Simmons OBE and Zoe Wishman; and Run Represented, a network of community leaders, former athletes and content creators that provides authentic grassroots insight for campaigns. A third digital sub-brand, Run Digital, houses influencer engagement work. In March 2025 the firm opened its first international office in Tokyo, led by Charlie Benny, to pursue Asia-Pacific opportunities around major events.
Run Communications is privately held with no disclosed external investment or parent company. It operates a project- and retainer-based professional services model with bespoke pricing tied to campaign scope. Headcount stands at approximately 13 employees, with active hiring through 2026. Revenue is not disclosed; the firm operates as an independent, founder-led B2B agency with no proprietary AI, API, or software platform products.
Run Communications UK firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Run Communications UK
- Legal name
- Run Communications
- Website
- https://runcommunications.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Run Communications UK is a purpose-driven sports communications agency founded in 2012 in Brighton, serving rights holders, governing bodies, and brands like The National Lottery, UK Sport, and parkrun with campaign development, media relations, creative social, and influencer engagement services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Run Communications UK industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sports Communications Services
- NAICS
- Public Relations Agencies (54182)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sports Media Relations & Rights Support Services (Press Ops, Rights Packaging Support) (MPAKAKAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Athletics Marketing, Communications & Fan Engagement (EDALAIAM)
Keywords
Where Run Communications UK is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brighton & Hove
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Run Communications UK business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Sports Communications Services: Run Communications generates revenue as a professional services agency providing integrated sports communications services including campaign development, media relations, creative social content, and influencer engagement. Revenue is generated through project-based fees and retainer arrangements with sports brands, rights holders, and governing bodies seeking to increase participation, drive engagement, and deliver measurable campaign results.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Run Communications UK product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Run Communications UK is a purpose-driven sports communications agency that provides integrated campaign development, media relations, creative social content, and influencer engagement services to sports brands, rights holders, and national governing bodies. The agency helps clients unite communities through sport, inspire participation, and engage fans via authentic, insight-driven campaigns supported by its proprietary Run Represented community network and dedicated Run X women's sport practice.
Product overview
Run Communications UK is a purpose-driven sports communications agency offering integrated campaign services rather than a unified software product. The core offering consists of four primary service areas: Campaign Development, Media Relations, Creative Social, and Influencer Engagement. Supporting these are two specialized divisions: Run X (dedicated women's sport practice) and Run Represented (community leader and content creator network). Additional service capabilities include Strategy, PR, Reputation & Influence, Social Media, Creative Content, and Influencers & Ambassadors. The agency operates as a full-service communications firm providing strategy, storytelling, and measurement across PR, digital, and social channels.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Run x: Dedicated women's sport practice offering strategy, PR & campaign delivery and social to brands & organisations who want to connect with women & girls through sport.
- Run Represented
- Run Digital
Products and services
- Campaign Development Strategic planning and development of impactful sports communication campaigns that position sports brands and governing bodies ahead of competitors through authentic, community-driven approaches using industry knowledge and consumer insight.
- Media Relations Building and maintaining relationships with major media brands across online, broadcast, and print channels to deliver media partnerships, run live event press offices, and manage crisis communications for sports clients.
- Creative Social Storytelling-driven social strategies that develop innovative, shareable content for meaningful audience connections, leveraging the Run Represented network of community leaders and content creators for sports clients.
- Influencer Engagement Strategic digital and social campaigns connecting sports brands with relevant ambassadors and content creators aligned with brand values to drive authentic engagement and reach new audiences.
- Run X Dedicated women's sport practice offering strategy, PR, campaign delivery, and social services to brands and organisations seeking meaningful connections with women and girls through sport.
- Run Represented Network of inspirational community leaders and authentic content creators providing deep community insight to inform authentic, high-impact sports communications campaigns that create lasting change.
Quantifiable outcome
- 39,000+ positive media pieces with 3+ billion combined OTS and £77.5m AVE for Paris 2024 campaign
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Run Communications UK
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Run Communications UK technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Run Communications UK partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Invictus Games Birmingham 2027coreAppointed alongside Goodform and Champions (UK) plc to deliver fully integrated communications, marketing & data services for Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. Run Communications leading on PR and campaign delivery as part of the integrated team.
- Allwyn (National Lottery Operator)corePartnership with Allwyn, UK Sport, Team GB and ParalympicsGB on ChangeMakers programme supporting athletes in social impact projects. First-of-its-kind editorial partnership with MailOnline & Sir Steve Redgrave delivered during Paris 2024.
- UK CoachingcoreOngoing strategic counsel and communications campaigns to raise profile and celebrate benefits of effective sports coaching in the UK. Includes UK Coaching Awards, UK Coaching Conference, and Coaching Week initiatives.
- ParalympicsGBcoreSupport for launch of ParalympicsGB Athlete Community reuniting every athlete who has competed for Great Britain & Northern Ireland since 1960. Ongoing earned media and social content support.
- Coach Core FoundationminorAppointed to support Coach Core with media relations and thought leadership activity including launch of new strategy. Coach Core provides sports coaching apprenticeships for young people.
- Women in FootballminorPro bono support for Women in Football's Open Doors Agenda promoting policy change for gender equality. Supporting championing key policy changes around football governance.
- The National LotterycoreLongstanding partnership working on campaigns showcasing National Lottery's role in supporting elite and grassroots sport. Delivered Olympic & Paralympic Games campaigns, World Championships promotion, and ChangeMakers social impact program.
- UK SportcorePartnership on Olympic & Paralympic sport visibility campaigns. Worked together on Inspiring Communities and Paris 2024 campaigns connecting elite athletes with community sport.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Run Communications UK competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Two Circles: Sports marketing agency combining data, digital, and comms for sports rights holders and brands. Comparable as a UK sport-specialist agency serving NGBs, leagues, and major events with integrated campaign work.
- M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment: UK-headquartered sport and entertainment marketing/communications agency offering PR, influencer, and campaign services to sports brands and rights holders. Closely comparable in service mix, UK base, and sport-specialist positioning.
- Curve (Curve Research & Strategy): UK sports research, strategy and marketing consultancy working with governing bodies and brands. Comparable in sport-specialist positioning and NGB client base.
- Seven League: UK-based sports digital marketing and content agency serving governing bodies and sports brands. Directly comparable in serving UK NGBs with digital-first campaigns and content strategy.
- Pitch Marketing Group: UK marketing and communications agency with a dedicated sport practice. Comparable in serving sports brands and rights holders with integrated campaign and PR work.
Broad incumbents
- Hill+Knowlton Strategies: Global PR and communications firm with a substantial sports practice. Comparable as a senior PR competitor for major-event and rights-holder RFPs, but offers sport as one of many verticals rather than as a specialist focus.
- Edelman: Global communications firm with sports and purpose-led brand work. Comparable for high-profile sports campaigns but operates as a multi-vertical incumbent rather than a sport-specialist.
Regional players
- Mailman Group: Global sports digital and social agency with strong APAC presence. Comparable as a sports-specialist digital/comms agency and a credible competitor for APAC expansion clients, though primarily Asia-headquartered.
Emerging players
- Two Halves: UK sport-focused PR and communications agency. Comparable as a smaller sport-specialist competitor targeting similar NGB and brand clients.
- Think Sport: UK sports marketing and PR consultancy working with governing bodies and purpose-driven brands. Comparable niche positioning in sport communications.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Run Communications UK social profiles
Digital presenceRun Communications UK financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Run Communications UK leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Run Communications UK funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Run Communications UK 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 Run Communications UK
What does Run Communications UK do?
Run Communications UK is a purpose-driven sports communications agency that provides integrated campaign development, media relations, creative social content, and influencer engagement services to sports brands, rights holders, and national governing bodies. The agency helps clients unite communities through sport, inspire participation, and engage fans via authentic, insight-driven campaigns supported by its proprietary Run Represented community network and dedicated Run X women's sport practice.
Is Run Communications UK a public or private company?
Run Communications UK is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Run Communications UK founded?
Run Communications UK was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Run Communications UK based?
Run Communications UK is headquartered in Brighton & Hove, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Run Communications UK make money?
One revenue line is on record: sports Communications Services.
Who are Run Communications UK's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Two Circles, M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, Curve (Curve Research & Strategy), Seven League and Pitch Marketing Group. Broad incumbents are Hill+Knowlton Strategies and Edelman. Mailman Group is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Two Halves and Think Sport.
Does Run Communications UK have an API?
No public API is recorded for Run Communications UK.
What industry is Run Communications UK in?
Run Communications UK's product category is Sports Communications Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKAKAN, Sports Media Relations & Rights Support Services (Press Ops, Rights Packaging Support), with a secondary code of EDALAIAM, Athletics Marketing, Communications & Fan Engagement. Its NAICS code is 54182 and its SIC code is 7311.