PGP Corporation is a technology leader in the data encryption industry.  Having positioned the company over the past 18 months as an expert commentator on the problem of data breaches, Johnson King was keen to raise PGP Corporation’s profile even higher – and looked to the birthplace of modern encryption as inspiration for the next phase of the PR campaign.

The National Museum of Computing (TNMOC) at Bletchley Park is home to Colossus, the world’s first programmable electronic computer which played an integral part in World War II by cracking the Lorenz code, used by the Nazi high command.  However, the site is in urgent need of funding to repair the infrastructure and secure the future of the museum. 

Given the nature of PGP Corporation’s business, its connection with TNMOC and the cryptographic work carried out at Bletchley Park was obvious.  PGP Corporation was keen to help raise awareness of TNMOC’s plight, particularly within the technology industry, and looked to Johnson King to develop and drive the PR campaign.

Working closely with Palam Communications – TNMOC’s PR agency – Johnson King organised a launch event at Bletchley Park in September 2008, with both media and academics invited.  As well as a press release, a dedicated microsite hosted by PGP Corporation was also created to boost donations and sell a special fundraising t-shirt.

The day-long event was a major success, with over forty people in attendance – including journalists, prominent members of the academic community and members of industry – who heard speeches from PGP Corporation, IBM, TNMOC, and the Bletchley Park Trust.

In the week following the press launch, the campaign received over one hundred pieces of coverage – broadcast, national, corporate IT press, and blogs – including BBC Online, TV and radio, ITV, Five, The Times and The Independent.

The campaign microsite has had over 2,000 hits since the launch, and donations to TNMOC have increased substantially, with $15,000 raised in the first three weeks following the campaign launch.   A number of other technology companies have also come forward since the launch to help support the campaign.

Coverage highlights include:
BBC
ITV
The Independent
The Times
The Register
ZDNet