A Gloucestershire entrepreneur, who took the reins of a leading equine marketing agency just over a year ago, has been appointed to look after one of the UK’s biggest equestrian events.
JB Promotions, which already oversees the press operations for Gatcombe Park’s Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing in August, has been chosen to look after the public relations, marketing and media for the illustrious Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, taking place in September 2023.
April Coate, who took over the role of managing director at the equine marketing and PR agency last year, at just 29 years old, relocated from Somerset to run the business in Gloucestershire because she said it is ‘the most important in the country for equestrian events’.
And she based based herself at The Growth Hub beside the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester to plug into its services to develop and grow her business – and together with her team's marketing expertise, specialist equestrian knowledge, and close proximity to major equine events, it is proving to be a winning formula.
She says: ‘Gloucestershire is the epicentre of the equine world, so moving here has really broadened our horizons.
‘I think in terms of why Gloucestershire is so important, you only have to look at some of the events it has here – they are staples of the equine calendar: Cheltenham Festival, the Magic Millions at Gatcombe and the Badminton Horse trails just over the border.
‘These events used to be just for the enthusiast, but have had to broaden their appeal. As well as top class sporting events, they are now also about being a great family day out and championing all the great business in the sector.’
Coate has more exciting projects under wraps, too, saying: 'This year is going to be a really exciting time for JB Promotions, having the support not only of The Growth Hub workspace, but also one of its business navigators Stephen Meyer, who is a great sounding board for advice.'
JB Promotions has also managed campaigns for some of the most prestigious names in the equestrian and country sectors, including MSD Animal Health, Petplan Equine and British Horse Feeds.
