Businesses at the University of Southampton Science Park met with Southern Daily Echo Editor, Ben Fishwick, at a “Meet the Editor” event on Tuesday – highlighting the vital role of local media in supporting regional business growth and community engagement.
The event brought together companies from the tech, energy and science sectors, based both at the Science Park and across the wider Central South region. Attendees heard from Ben who shared insights into how local newsrooms operate, what makes a strong story, and how businesses can work more effectively with journalists.
The session was hosted by PR Guru Lee Peck, founder of leepeckmedia, one of the Central South’s leading PR agencies who have been based at the science park since the summer. Drawing on his extensive experience in communications, Lee led a lively discussion on the value of earned media and the long-term benefits of strong relationships between businesses and local press.
With more than eight million hits a month to its online platform, the Southern Daily Echo remains one of the region’s most influential media outlets – reaching over 73 per cent of people in Southampton across both digital and print. Ben highlighted how local journalism continues to play a crucial role in telling the stories of the area’s businesses, innovators and communities.
Ben Fishwick said: “Local media has a powerful impact. It connects people to what’s happening around them, supports local enterprise and provides a trusted platform for businesses to share their stories with audiences who genuinely care about their region.”
Lee Peck added: “We were delighted with the event – all the attendees were incredibly engaged, too. So much of effective PR is about understanding how journalists think and what they need. Events like this help demystify the process and show businesses how local media can be a strategic asset, not just a promotional tool.”
Axis House at the University of Southampton Science Park regularly hosts events designed to support collaboration, knowledge sharing and growth across the region’s innovation economy. The ‘Meet the Editor’ session reinforced the importance of local media as a cornerstone of both business success and community connection.
For the businesses in attendance, the message was clear: in an increasingly global and digital world, strong local media still matters – for credibility, visibility and building meaningful relationships with the communities they serve.