Peter James
Turning a challenge into an opportunity
THE CHALLENGE
Best-selling author Peter James is a long-standing client, much loved by crime and thriller fans for his fast-paced page-turners full of unexpected plot twists, sinister characters, and accurate portrayal of modern day policing. He has sold over 21 million copies worldwide and has won over 40 awards for his work including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award and Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger. Since 2018, we have orchestrated media relations campaigns for each of his novels as well as managing his profile to focus on his outstanding writing skills.
With a new Roy Grace novel, Left You Dead, due to be published and an adaptation of his Roy Grace books for TV about to premiere, there was a clear opportunity to expand James’ audiences. A famously sociable writer, a big part of James’s success is due to the connections he makes with his fans, the people who adapt his work, the real life people who inspire his plots and characters but the pandemic turned publication and TX plans, including in person events, set visits etc, on their head.
RIOT SOLUTION
Working closely and collaboratively with ITV throughout the production of Grace, we positioned Peter and his work at the centre of ITV’s press materials with a view to capturing new fans for his books. As well as doing interviews in general media to promote the TV series, Peter also spoke about the adaptation in literary publications reaching as broad an audience as possible.
To connect the publication of Left You Dead and the Grace TV series, we secured the lead actor of the Grace series, John Simm, for a virtual in-conversation event with Peter for independent booksellers. The launch party for Left for Dead was hosted online by longtime fan of Peter’s work, presenter and actor, Laura Whitmore, who was chosen to appeal to a younger fanbase. Both events were enjoyed by thousands of viewers worldwide.
THE RESULTS
Left You Dead went straight in at number one on the Sunday Times best-seller list with five star reviews from media. The virtual events for Left You Dead and the Grace series were attended by thousands of fans and the first episode of Grace was seen by over 7 million viewers in the first week.
WHAT WE DID
EVENTS · COPYWRITING · MEDIA RELATIONS · STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT · TALENT MANAGEMENT .