Co-operatives Fortnight 2012 was a peak of activity during the International Year of Co-operatives and once again a success, a time when co-operatives across the UK demonstrated how co-operative businesses are providing alternatives to austerity and kick starting a new economy.
The credit goes to co-operatives and their members up and down the UK, and in particular to those societies who have contributed to the programme Co-operatives UK is running for the International Year of Co-operatives.
Our analysis shows that our PR campaign for Co-operatives Fortnight generated 107 direct pieces of media coverage, including BBC Breakfast and Sky News, BBC Radio 2 and 5 Live, and the Sunday Telegraph and Financial Times.
Using the industry standard measure of 'advertising value equivalent', this coverage generated £692,603 of value for the sector - a return of £13.80 for every £1 given by our members for promotion over Co-operatives Fortnight.
As the FT said in a special supplement Co-operatives UK sponsored to mark the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives, "the co-operative movement still thrives in an internet age."
From hundreds of events across the country and the launch of the co-operative sector’s first mobile app to widespread media coverage of the co-operative sector's performance, a four page Financial Times supplement and three government announcements, Co-operatives Fortnight 2012 highlighted the performance and ethics of co-operative business.
From hundreds of events across the country and the launch of the co-operative sector’s first mobile app to widespread media coverage of the co-operative sector's performance, a four page Financial Times supplement and three government announcements, Co-operatives Fortnight 2012 highlighted the performance and ethics of co-operative business.
Here, in numbers, are some highlights:
3 – the number of government announcements on co-operatives and mutuals during Co-operatives Fortnight
6 – the number of slots on BBC Breakfast on 28 June
19.5 – the percentage growth of the UK co-operative sector since 2008
25 – the number of pieces of positive national media coverage of the co-operative sector during the Fortnight
45 – the number of events run by The Midcounties Co-operative during Co-operatives Fortnight
50 – the number of community shops that celebrated during Co-operatives Fortnight
425 – the number of miles covered by Lincolnshire Co-operative staff during their Co-operatives Fortnight relay
14,000 – the number of outlets on the Co-operate app
4,500 – the number of ‘Co-operatives make the world smile’ packs distributed to The Co-operative outlets
380,000 – the number of people reached on Twitter on the day of the launch of the UK co-operative economy 2012
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK said:
“Co-operatives Fortnight has once again been fourteen days of activism and engagement. Through the help of our sponsors and the activities of co-operatives, their members and supporters across the country, millions of people have had the chance to see how co-operatives help build a stronger, ethical economy.
“At a time when people are searching for alternatives to austerity, co-operatives are outperforming the wider economy and providing a successful and fair approach to business. From local and regional events to a four page Financial Times supplement, Co-operatives Fortnight has showcased the resilience of co-operative business.”
About Co-operatives Fortnight
Co-operatives Fortnight is the co-operative sector’s national campaign, bringing together co-operatives up and down the country to highlight how co-operatives share their profits, give people an equal say and help build a better world.
Co-operatives Fortnight 2012 is part of Co-operatives UK’s International Year campaign, which is generously supported by
The Co-operative Group,
The Midcounties Co-operative,
Midlands Co-operative Society,
Scotmid Co-operative,
The Southern Co-operative,
Anglia Regional Co-operative Society,
East of England Co-operative Society,
Benenden Healthcare,
Lincolnshire Co-operative,
Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society, Heart of England Co-operative,
Channel Islands Co-operative Society,
HF Holidays and
CDS Co-operatives.
