BlueJayCommunication

The art of communication is the language of leadership.

James Humes

About us

Blue Jay Communication is a global consultancy specialising in the blue economy, providing expert counsel to businesses and partners on sustainable growth within this area.

Collectively, our team has more than 50 years’ experience in telling scintillating, reliable and impactful stories to establish, improve and manage our partners’ reputations. We have strong corporate connections and links throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and work closely with corporates, NGOs, multilateral organisations and governments.

Our ambition

is to be a leading global provider of innovative communication and consulting solutions within the blue economy sector, transforming businesses through strategic and sustainable approaches, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusivity.

Our purpose

is to empower organisations and individuals via holistic, tailored solutions that drive sustainable growth while protecting our planet.​

Our values

are to share knowledge, experience and expertise, to contribute to a better life for generations to come. Blue Jay Communication considers the impact of its work today on tomorrow, and values sustainable projects that benefit local and national communities.

What’s in a name?

The blue jay is one of the most intelligent and beautiful birds in the world. It is a great mimic and communicator. This bird is also a symbol of long-lasting bonds between friends and family. These characteristics well describe our team – hence the name!

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.
If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.

Nelson Mandela

Services

Blue Jay Communication offers a wide range of specialist services, tailored to meet specific needs.

Corporate communications

We work closely with our partners to identify goals and what success looks like, then develop short-, or long-term communication strategies across a range of platforms, to raise the profile of our partners and help develop their business.

PR & media relations

We develop and deliver PR strategies that encompass storytelling, drafting and distributing press releases and securing media interviews. Our team includes former journalists and public relations executives with a wide network of media contacts and thought leaders around the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Digital and social media

We integrate digital and social media into our partners’ wider communications strategy, to ensure seamless delivery of on-brand messaging, with measurable results.

Branding

A trusted brand is vital to every business, making it stand out from competitors and generating trust to the target audience. We ensure that branding is on message, shaping the identity and story of each business to create a strong, positive perception.

Events management

We manage B2B events of any size, around the world, from initial concept to implementation. Services range from delivering a full agenda, to identifying and securing speakers, inviting delegates to moderate, and promoting events on social and traditional media.

Consultancy

We provide expert tailored consultancy in the following fields:

Sustainability

In today’s world, with dramatic shifts in climate change and subsequent threats to our oceans and planet, sustainability is no longer an option, but a necessity. We have extensive expertise in the field of sustainability and can advise businesses on how to implement sustainability within the corporate strategy.

Blue economy

Around 90% of global trade is carried by sea and more then 50% of the oxygen we breathe originates from the ocean. Oceans are a plentiful source of food, health and wealth; hence the need to protect our marine resources to ensure sustainable growth. Our team works alongside companies in the blue economy sector to integrate best practice, with a focus on incorporating roles and development for women and the youth.

Diversity, equity and inclusivity

We advise on gender mainstreaming, addressing associated challenges and ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth, particularly for businesses engaged in the maritime sector. Our network extends to collaborations with NGOs, banks and fintech companies, where, among other deliverables, we help to empower women in business through financial inclusion.

 

Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.

Steve Jobs

Leila Ben Hassen

Founder & CEO, Blue Jay Communication

Leila Ben Hassen established Blue Jay Communication in December 2017, driven by the Ikigai concept for business. This Japanese concept brings together four elements: work one is good at, work that one loves, work the world needs and work that creates wealth. With these four elements in place, one can find their Ikigai.

Leila brings more than 20 years’ experience of working in communications and business development, across, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. She has particular expertise in sustainability, the blue economy and gender mainstreaming within this sector.

In 2018, Leila launched the Africa Blue Economy Forum (ABEF) in London, the first pan-African event to raise awareness of the business opportunities that the blue economy can offer to the youth and women in Africa. ABEF brought together more than 200 policy- and decision-makers, experts and thought leaders from around the world, resulting in the formation of various dedicated Blue Economy departments in governments around the world; plus, a renewed business focus on hiring more women and providing better working conditions for women in the sector.

Leila is a renowned moderator and expert speaker at international events, such as the UN’s Sustainable Blue Economy Summit; Arab Women in Maritime – Biofouling Management Workshop; Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) webinars; Medthink 5+5 African Union; Saison Blue; and the Financial Afrik Forum & Awards.

“At Blue Jay Communication, you will meet story shapers who cultivate relationships with influencers through thought-provoking, relevant and compelling content,” says Leila.

“Our work, passion and full commitment are about helping our stakeholders to embed sustainability within their day-to-day work practices, establish ongoing ties with their team and partners, communicate in a dynamic media landscape and achieve goals based on creative strategies.”

Leila’s motto is: “You don’t need to be perfect to start, but you need to start to be perfect”.

The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.

Ralph G. Nichols

Trusted Us

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.

Mother Theresa