Uniquecorn Strategies opens UK office, adds industry professionals to advisory board

Uniquecorn Strategies, a Philippines-based PR agency focused on startups has formally opened local operations in the United Kingdom, under the corporate name Uniquecorn Worldwide. As part of its global expansion plans, Uniquecorn has also bolstered its local operations in the Philippines by adding two media industry professionals to its advisory board.

The two media industry professionals are RJ Ledesma (pictured right), a seasoned marketing expert, serial entrepreneur, and Consul of Monaco to the Philippines, along with John Aguilar (pictured left), a serial entrepreneur, author, founder and host of CNN Philippines’ The Final Pitch. Both have been appointed to the board. In their advisory roles, they will offer support and strategic guidance to the company.

In the UK, Uniquecorn Strategies has since represented event technology startup, Tevent, and has worked on a Europe-wide PR remit for Butter, a platform for interactive workshops. With the opening of its local office, the company seeks to expand its services to more startups and technology companies based in the UK.

Don't miss: Uniquecorn Strategies appoints Irene Manansala as associate director of new Web3 marketing arm Blockceler8

The UK office will be overseen by Dean Bernales (pictured middle), founder and CEO of Uniquecorn Strategies, who recently moved from Manila to London to lead the expansion. Before establishing Uniquecorn Strategies, Bernales held various consultant and leadership roles in PR agencies worldwide, including Top Agency in the US, Luna PR in Dubai, and Joint in Hong Kong. He also served in several Singapore-based PR agencies, such as Pinpoint PR and Flame Communications to name a few.

"Uniquecorn Strategies sees the UK as a strategic gateway to facilitate our ambitious worldwide expansion plan, providing our exceptional PR services to a broader range of startups. We are thrilled to leverage the UK's growing startup ecosystem and economic progress to extend our successful representation of Tevent and Butter and make a significant contribution to the UK startup community,” Bernales added.

Bernales said that as a fast-growing PR firm, the firm is fortunate to have Ledesma and Aguilar, two accomplished media industry veterans and serial entrepreneurs, on its advisory board. "Their expertise will prove to be invaluable as we strive to achieve our business objectives and foster the growth of our company. Their strategic guidance and valuable insights will enable the firm to navigate the intricacies of the media industry and make informed decisions that drive growth and success."

Bernales also has nine years of experience working with global brands across the technology, entertainment, and web3 verticals. At the young age of 26, he was invited as a guest mentor on the seventh season of The Final Pitch, a Shark Tank-inspired business reality TV show airing on CNN Philippines. This makes him the youngest and the only under-30 business mentor featured in the show's six-year history.

In the Philippines, the agency do not have any direct competitors as it caters to a specific niche, the agency said to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE. However, in terms of indirect competition, Uniquecorn would consider legacy agencies such as EON, Greenbulb, and GeiserMaclang, as competitors which have a wide range of technology companies in their portfolio.

Apart from the UK, the agency interested in the US market. Its roadmap also includes opening an office in either New York or San Francisco by 2026. Currently, the UK agency is in the process of recruiting individuals. 

While the UK has a mature economy, it lags behind the US and India in terms of its startup ecosystem, Bernales said to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE. Therefore, the agency sees great potential for growth and addressing unmet market needs. 

Bernales added that the agency aims to take a leading role in launching the next generation of startups in the UK. "Additionally, I have been fortunate enough to establish personal industry connections in the UK, which we can leverage to acquire local clients."

The agency's primary strategy is to pitch to local startups in the UK market. However, the agency has received feedback from some of its existing clients who have expressed interest in exploring the UK market as well. As a result, it has three strategies in place, including pitching the local UK clients locally, pitching the local UK clients to the Philippine market, and pitching Philippine clients to the UK market.

In August last year, Uniquecorn Strategies launched a new PR and marketing arm, Blockcele8, as part of a larger effort to expand its offering focused on blockchain, crypto, NFT, Web3, GameFi, and Metaverse projects.

Uniquecorn Strategies also promoted co-founder Irene Manansala to associate director late last year, a step up from her position as public relations manager. In this role, she will lead all Uniquecorn Strategies’ communications, including building the company's reputation, managing client relationships and long-term partnerships, and developing sustainable communication strategies.

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