Why smart businesses invest in marketing (especially during challenging times)

By Stephanie Prior, Director of Prior Media & Marketing.

When times get tough, marketing can feel like an easy cost to cut. But history and data show that businesses who continue to invest — wisely and creatively — during downturns not only stay relevant, they often grow stronger, more visible and more connected to their customers.

Marketing isn’t a luxury. It’s your lifeline.

According to Forbes, businesses that maintained or increased their marketing during economic slowdowns saw up to 3.5 times more brand visibility and significant long-term gains in market share compared to competitors who pulled back.

At Prior Media & Marketing, we specialise in helping businesses navigate these moments with purpose-driven campaigns, creative strategy and high-impact storytelling. The good news? You don’t need a full in-house team to do it. As a consultancy, we deliver the same – if not better – results without the overheads.

Here are just a few reasons why our clients work with us:

1. Communication that connects

Clear communication is essential. Whether you’re inviting guests to an event, updating clients with a mailshot, or launching a new service, how you say it matters just as much as what you say.

At Prior Media & Marketing, we help clients improve their external communications across channels — email campaigns, digital newsletters, press announcements, invitations and more – to ensure consistency, clarity and impact.

We also help bring your story to life visually. Posts with strong imagery and video content drive up to 650% more engagement than text-only updates (MDG Advertising). That’s why we partner with expert photographers, fashion creatives, and trusted videographers to create visual content that empowers people and makes your brand impossible to ignore. We even collaborate with Latest TV to create professional interview content, digital ads, and brand storytelling pieces that go beyond the basics.

2. Brand building that stands the test of time

Your brand is more than a logo, it’s how people feel when they engage with your business.

We support clients in enhancing and evolving their brand identity through partnerships with some of Sussex’s top graphic designers, web developers, and content creators. From developing compelling websites to refining tone of voice, campaign messaging and visual identity, we help ensure every touchpoint reflects the real value your business delivers.

Whether you’re a new business launching into the market or an established company looking to refresh your image, we ensure that your brand is built with substance, not just style.

3. Strategic marketing that saves time and money

One of the biggest advantages of working with Prior Media & Marketing is agility and efficiency. Instead of managing multiple agencies or recruiting an internal team, we provide all-in-one marketing support tailored to your business goals.

We deliver the full benefits of a senior marketing function, without the overheads of employment. That means no pension costs, no onboarding, and no lengthy contracts. Just streamlined, expert-led campaigns delivered quickly and with measurable results.

4. Smart networking: get in the right rooms

Business doesn’t just happen online, it still happens on the network (and in the right rooms). In the past 12 months, Prior Media has delivered over 15 events, including launch parties, professional networking sessions and strategic brand showcases. Many have sold out, and all have attracted the kind of guests that spark opportunity.

We also work closely with one of Sussex’s leading business event platforms, Best of British Events, and other high-profile local networks to ensure our clients are seen, heard and remembered. For those who are new to networking or want a more strategic presence, we offer on-the-ground support and can even attend events with you to facilitate introductions.

5. Marketing with meaning

At Prior Media, we care … and this is what sets us apart. Everything we do is underpinned by a desire to show our clients in their best light.

We don’t believe in marketing for the sake of it. We believe in meaningful marketing; that communicates why your business exists, the value you provide and the trust you’ve earned. When people understand what drives you, they’re far more likely to want to work with you. That’s how we help convert attention into loyalty, and loyalty into results.

Brand building takes time … But it’s worth it

Marketing isn’t always about immediate results. It’s a lot like going to the gym: the work you put in today lays the foundation for results you’ll see 6–8 weeks down the line. Stay consistent, and the visibility, trust and business leads will follow.

If you’re ready to raise your profile, attract the right audience, and future-proof your business, we’d love to help. Contact Stephanie Prior, Director of Prior Media & Marketing, at:

stephanie@prior-media.com.