Services range from press releases and media campaigns to writing text and stories for magazines, websites, film scripts, advertising promotions, brochures and online marketing.

What’s your role?
Owner/writer

What sort of services do you provide?
Creative, clever, compelling content across a broad spectrum of communications.

Why is your business special?
Because I always go the extra distance to ensure clients get want they want, whether that’s in a PR or advertising campaign, in the press, or wherever.

Language is my passion. Short, punchy relevant messages my trademark. I want to make my clients stand out – and be noticed.

What sort of clients do you want to appeal to?
Anyone who needs content that is going to work for them.

I’m privileged to have among my client list: the EU, Arts Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, Lake District National Park, National Trust, University of Cumbria, Lancashire County Council, Forestry Commission, Swedish state-owned energy giant Vattenfall, CN Media, Temple Heelis Solicitors, various charities and numerous others.

What are the jobs/commissions you have been most proud of and why?
I love jobs where I can make a real difference to my clients. My Vattenfall film script was shown on BBC television,I managed media during the Queen’s visit to Brockhole, was part of the media team for the Lake District’s UNESCO World Heritage success – and wrote the press release proclaiming victory.
I’ve interviewed and written about film icons, leading politicians, rogues, rebels and luminaries, but helping charities and great causes gives me the biggest boost.

What do your clients say about you?
Positive, complimentary feedback is the norm. Thankfully, if any issues arise they are sorted long before my work reaches the public domain – leaving client, and me, happy.

If you could choose a strapline, what would it be?
Creative, clever, compelling communications.

Do you have any evocative stories?
I’ve witnessed the aftermath of war, starving children, trauma, tragedy and fantastic triumphs. I’m not fazed by anything much. People trust me and that matters more than anything.

Testimonials:

Karen is first-class; personable, sincere and very hard working with a determination to produce work to the highest quality. She has a love of the Lake District and its communities and much of the publicity surrounding the English Lake District World Heritage Site inscription and Local Plan Review are testament to her desire to make these very complex projects relevant to the everyday audience.’
Steve Ratcliffe, acting CEO, Lake District National Park Authority

A very generous and well-written lively piece. Many thanks for it. Warmest wishes, Melvyn’
Melvyn Bragg

Karen Barden has worked with Temple Heelis Solicitors on a number of advertising and media campaigns, including a crisis management issue for a client. Her work is of the highest standard, she is professional, dedicated and produces excellent work. We are very happy to recommend her to our clients and business network.’ Richard Moore, head of business services and litigation, Temple Heelis Solicitors

It has been a pleasure working with Karen on the EU Culture Programme. Although she has been involved in a number of projects, her input on CHANTICA saw her bring together 52 case studies from 32 European countries to produce a magazine that was very well-received in Brussels.
Karen is competent, driven, with an overarching commitment to getting the best out of people and producing superb work. She completely understands what is needed and pulls out all stops to achieve tremendous results.’
Martin Clark, EU Culture and Creativity Projects