Building Momentum: Summer in the Park and Our Partnership with Sundae PR
Summer in the Park and Our Partnership with Sundae PR.
At Arts Trust Productions, we believe festivals should do more than entertain, they should bring people together, create pride in place, and shine a spotlight on the communities we serve. Our flagship programme, Summer in the Park, is all about that mission. This year, thanks to our continued partnership with Sundae PR, we reached more people than ever before and secured national recognition that puts our community firmly on the cultural map.
National Reach and Local Impact
The 2025 communications campaign delivered outstanding results. 25 pieces of high-quality coverage across national, regional and trade press gave Summer in the Park a potential reach of more than 20.9 million people…. Coverage spanned outlets such as The Times, Festival Insights, Muddy Stilettos, BBC Radio Essex, Essex Live, and Yahoo News.
One of the standout moments was seeing Summer in the Park included in The Times’ “What to Do in London This Weekend”… a clear sign that our community festival is resonating on a national stage.
A Partnership Built on Trust
We’re proud of our strong working relationship with Tom McGarva and the team at Sundae PR, who have been alongside us on this journey. Reflecting on this year’s results, Tom said:
“There were 25 pieces of coverage with a potential reach of over 20.9 million, which is a big improvement on last year, including that national recognition from The Times, which is incredible progress, and shows that we are building something press wise.”
This collaboration is about more than numbers. It’s about creating narratives that reflect the heart of our work, celebrating local voices, giving visibility to grassroots talent, and reinforcing that culture belongs to everyone.
Looking Ahead
Sundae PR summed it up perfectly in their debrief:
“It’s been a pleasure to support Summer in the Park once more, you really are doing something amazing — as ever, we’d love to continue the journey next year.”
We feel exactly the same. Together, we’ve built a press presence that mirrors the growth of our festivals: from hyperlocal events co-designed with residents, to a programme that now draws 18,000 people across London parks and attracts national attention.
As we look towards 2026 and beyond, we’re excited to keep developing Summer in the Park as a cultural milestone, free, accessible and community-driven — with Sundae PR continuing as a valued partner in telling that story.
Photos (c) Roswitha Chesher