We are a dedicated network of marketers, designers, videographers and media relations experts who are passionate
about the education sector.

 

We are not an agency, meaning our costs are low. This is not to the detriment of quality or expertise. We have a core team of talented employees, and we call on the skills of trusted partners as and when they are required. The people who work for Diddu are also expected to volunteer at their local schools and trusts.

Collectively we have decades of experience working at the highest levels of the education sector - so can draw on what has worked and learn from what has not come off. While we may not be a “typical” marketing company, we are a modern and credible one. Our set-up means that we can see the whole picture and deliver campaigns that are cost-effective and successful.

 
 

Every organisation should have values, it helps form who you are and how we communicate.

For Diddu, however, we think there is one key one that is at the heart of our team:

Empathy - the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Education is not about processes and structures, it is about people and lives. That is why, to do our job effectively, we need to understand the people and communities we work with. There are no set formulas, as every person we talk to, and every school, college and institution we deal with, is different. Getting under the skin of that is the building block of every piece of work that we do.

Furthermore, it helps us to appreciate and celebrate diversity, and acts as the basis of how we work as a team. Nobody is a machine. We all have families, personal lives and backgrounds – and respecting that makes us good colleagues, friends and clients.   

 
““Ben and his colleagues at Diddu are the best of their kind in the country. I call them our “little secret” as I don’t want any other local school knowing the impact that their work has had.

“They have made a huge impact on how we are seen by our community. They are a key part of our journey.””
— Executive Headteacher, North West

Ben Peck - Director

Ben established Diddu Communications in 2017 after over ten years working for schools, trusts and universities across the country. During this time, Ben has:

  • Helped schools move from having less than 100 first choice preferences to over 240

  • Supported the development of free schools, ensuring there was both need and demand for them

  • Worked with a MAT to help its growth from one school to over 30 academies

  • Managed the internal and external communications for significant news and announcements

  • Ben has managed the media for almost every eventuality, from helping schools deal with some of the harsh realities they have to face to enabling them to champion and celebrate their successes

Ben is also Vice Chair of a multi-academy trust and a governor at a local authority primary school.

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Emma Wallace - Director

Emma has a passion for comms in the education sector, and has worked with Diddu for four years. Her experience has seen her:

  • Working directly with headteachers and principals to deliver marketing programmes for 35 primary and secondary schools across England.

  • Combining her PR and marketing expertise with her flair for operational detail, Emma’s work has led to a significant increase in pupil numbers, particularly at Sixth Forms.

  • In 2017, Emma was part of the team that launched a brand-new free school in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Emma has also delivered a national adult learning campaign that was shortlisted for both the UK Public Sector Communications Awards and the PRCA Awards.

Jon Butterworth - creative guru

Jon has been in the creative industry for over 30 years, working at award-winning marketing agencies. Through his work with Diddu, Jon has:

  • Branded and re-branded numerous MATs.

  • Developed branding and guidelines for over 40 academies and schools.

  • Delivered campaigns to increase application numbers for schools, academies and universities.

  • Constructed brand and marketing strategies for an international charity.

Jon also has significant consumer experience, having worked on some well-known brands including Selfridges, Hasbro, RedBull, Hilton Hotels and Kraft foods.

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VICTORIA BUNDOCK - Marketing EXECUTIVE

Victoria has a passion for digital marketing, social media and data crunching. She can most often be found:

  • Managing social media accounts and updating website content.

  • Drafting, editing and publishing blog posts.

  • Supporting schools and trust with website compliance issues.

  • Conducting regular research and analysis of analytics data

In her spare time, Victoria is also a talented photographer and shares her work extensively through social media.

REBECCA MESSENGER - FE Lead

Rebecca’s passion is the FE sector, but prior to that she was a Senior Press Officer at Sainsbury's and in Government (DCLG and the MoD). As part of this she has:

  • Identified, shaped and managed high profile opportunities for CEOs, Ministers and Senior Executives

  • Media trained spokespeople.

  • Overseen press office teams managing a wide range of reactive issues

  • Developed and delivered proactive plans to promote core values and ventures – at Sainsbury's this included the growth of online and digital.

Rebecca is also a keen advocate for SEND awareness.