ClearStory International

ClearStory International We work with the world’s most promising startups to build their profiles across new and existing markets.

We are a team of public relations and digital marketing professionals delivering media relations, social media management, branding and digital marketing at affordable rates.

Big thank you to  for their feature today on our announcement!
30/06/2025

Big thank you to for their feature today on our announcement!

🚀 Big News: ClearStory Has Been Acquired!We’re excited to share that ClearStory has officially been acquired by Core Opt...
30/06/2025

🚀 Big News: ClearStory Has Been Acquired!

We’re excited to share that ClearStory has officially been acquired by Core Optimisation, one of Ireland’s top digital performance agencies.

This marks the start of an ambitious new chapter built on a shared vision to scale internationally and deliver even greater value to our clients. Together, we’re combining ClearStory’s global PR expertise with Core’s digital performance strength to expand deeper into North America, the Middle East, and beyond.

With a stronger team and broader capabilities, we are focused on what we do best: helping ambitious brands grow, break into new markets, and tell their story to the world.

To everyone who has been part of the journey so far, thank you.
Now let’s go build something even bigger. 🌍

The mistake most companies make when expanding internationally? They wait until they have boots on the ground before bui...
06/06/2025

The mistake most companies make when expanding internationally? They wait until they have boots on the ground before building local credibility.

Smart companies are flipping this approach. Before spending on office space or hiring teams, they're using strategic PR to soften the ground in target markets.

This localisation strategy ensures that when potential customers or partners Google you (or ask ChatGPT about you), they find local coverage that establishes your presence and credibility.

We've implemented this for companies expanding from Europe to Asia, the Middle East to the US, and across various regions. The approach changes depending on whether you already have local connections through investors or partners, but the goal remains the same: establish credibility before major investment.

This strategy becomes even more crucial with the shifting trade landscape. As European companies increasingly look to the Middle East and Asia for growth, those who establish credibility first will have a significant advantage.

Is your international expansion strategy still following the old playbook?

05/06/2025

Strategic Announcements: Linking Content Marketing and PR

Media coverage for partnerships, office openings, and funding announcements only gives you limited space to tell your story. The real conversion opportunity happens when interested people visit your website - that's where content marketing takes over from PR.

If you're an early-stage startup competing against established players, there's a new battlefield you can't ignore.Your ...
04/06/2025

If you're an early-stage startup competing against established players, there's a new battlefield you can't ignore.

Your competitors are being recommended by AI tools while you remain invisible. This isn't just theoretical - it's happening right now as more users turn to ChatGPT and other LLMs for company and product recommendations.

The market education happening through these AI systems is massive, but if your core messaging isn't being picked up by credible sources, you're missing out on this entire segment.

We recently helped an EdTech startup implement this strategy. After six months of strategic PR in relevant trade publications across Europe, they were featured by TIME as one of Europe's fastest-growing EdTech companies.

This doesn't happen by accident. It happens when you deliberately seed your messaging in credible publications that AI systems trust.

What opportunities are you missing by ignoring this shift?

03/06/2025

Authenticity in Diversity: Moving the Needle Forward

Corporate responsibility in diversity isn't about checking boxes with themed events - it's about authentic commitment to change. The companies genuinely helping disadvantaged communities access employment opportunities rightfully earn reputational benefits.

Credibility is the New SEOYour Newswire service is wasting your money.I've seen startups spend £10,000+ on press release...
02/06/2025

Credibility is the New SEO

Your Newswire service is wasting your money.

I've seen startups spend £10,000+ on press release distribution services, thinking those syndicated links will boost their visibility. Here's the brutal truth: LLMs don't care about those low-ranking, non-editorial sites.

In the AI era, credibility trumps quantity. One mention in an independent, editorially-led publication like The Wall Street Journal or even a respected trade journal carries more weight than 100 syndicated press releases.

This shift is happening because AI models like ChatGPT are trained on what they consider high-quality, trusted sources. They're not counting your backlinks - they're assessing if reputable third parties are talking about you.

The companies that understand this are already winning the AI visibility game. Are you still investing in outdated digital PR tactics, or are you building real credibility?

Stop worrying about repeating yourself. Your audience has forgotten what you said yesterday.The most common mistake I se...
30/05/2025

Stop worrying about repeating yourself. Your audience has forgotten what you said yesterday.

The most common mistake I see companies make is inconsistent messaging. You send one press release, get excited about the coverage, then go silent for months. Meanwhile, your competitors are consistently planting their key messages in the market.

This matters more than ever with AI search tools. LLMs prioritise current, consistent messaging from credible sources. The companies investing in regular, strategic PR are seeing dramatic increases in discoverability - not just on Google, but through AI recommendations.

Your narrative needs to evolve with your business, but the core message requires repetition. If you're pivoting or refining your offering, you need to ensure that new messaging is discoverable too.

What message do you need the market to remember about your brand?

29/05/2025

Attracting Investors: Educate, Don't Just Ask for Money

Your investor relations approach isn't working because you're talking about yourself instead of educating investors. Discussing sector challenges from a founder's perspective creates more inbound interest than any pitch deck.

Nobody's talking about how LLMs are changing the PR game right now. While you're still focused on Google rankings, your ...
28/05/2025

Nobody's talking about how LLMs are changing the PR game right now. While you're still focused on Google rankings, your competitors are winning the AI search battle.

Week by week, more people are turning to ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI tools for recommendations. These systems don't just scan keywords - they prioritise credible, third-party sources. If your brand isn't appearing in reputable publications, you're becoming invisible to the next generation of search.

We recently worked with a client who ranked on page 10 of Google. After one strategic press release in mid-tier trade publications, they jumped to page 1 AND became discoverable via LLMs. This isn't just about visibility - it's about survival in the AI PR era.

Is your brand prepared for this shift? Or will you be left behind as your competitors capture this growing traffic source?

27/05/2025

Recession Growth Strategy: Why PR Is Your Secret Weapon During Economic Slowdown

Your startup isn't failing in this recession - you're just missing the counter-cyclical opportunity to build market position. This strategic approach reveals why investing in public relations during economic downturns creates FOMO and credibility that supplements reduced marketing budgets and positions you for accelerated growth when markets recover.

When Your Platform Fails: The Crisis Communication ChecklistPlatform failures can devastate your reputation if handled p...
26/05/2025

When Your Platform Fails: The Crisis Communication Checklist

Platform failures can devastate your reputation if handled poorly - but they can actually build trust when managed correctly.

One client's booking platform failed for nine hours during a bank holiday, causing significant revenue loss for thousands of business customers. Their crisis response followed a critical sequence that preserved relationships:

1. Acknowledge the problem immediately (never gaslight affected customers)
2. Clearly communicate steps being taken to resolve the issue
3. Provide frequent updates to all stakeholders
4. After resolution, assess damage to customers and make meaningful amends
5. Be honourable - put your hands up and make it right

Unlike big tech companies that increasingly avoid making things right after failures, smaller businesses don't have this luxury. Your customers are your lifeblood, and how you handle crises determines whether they remain loyal or leave permanently.

The media becomes a crucial communication channel during crises - using it strategically to validate that action is happening builds confidence among affected customers. The tone must be empathetic, action-oriented, and transparent.

What systems do you have in place to rapidly communicate with customers, media, and stakeholders if your service experiences catastrophic failure?

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