March 2026 marks another milestone in our growing collective of cultural communications experts. We’re excited to be announcing 4 new associates to the team, bringing expertise across publishing, arts marketing, digital storytelling and creative production. We’ve also been working on some exciting new projects, from the launch of a brand-new publisher to a premiere at SXSW.
Maya Amin-Smith is an award-winning director and creative producer with over a decade of experience developing and delivering narrative content across film, audio and digital. Starting her career at the BBC, she has since worked with major broadcasters and platforms including Netflix, Channel 4 and Spotify, delivering high-profile projects including Emma: One Last Dance, Heartstopper: The Official Podcast, and Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution. Maya has collaborated with a wide range of stakeholders, from local councils to Premier League football clubs and in 2025, she co-founded the women’s football podcast Screamers, which won Best Sports Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards 2025.
Jo Finn is a freelance arts marketing and communications professional with over 20 years’ experience. Her client list includes British Museum, Royal Ballet and Opera, Wellcome Collection, British Library, Charleston, Glyndebourne, Old Royal Naval College, Chiswick House & Gardens, Friends of the Earth, London Coliseum, Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, Brixton House, Whitechapel Gallery and many more. She is a trusted and creative project manager with a proven track record in developing clear communications strategies and delivering successful integrated marketing campaigns.
Claire Maxwell is a publicist and writer with a background in journalism and over a decade in the publishing industry. She has worked in-house at Canongate Books and Icon Books, and later served as Director of Read Maxwell Communications, leading strategic campaigns for a wide range of authors and presses. She has worked on campaigns for publishers such as Hodder, HarperCollins, Peninsula Press, Bonnier and Elliott & Thompson, and with authors including Matt Haig, Bear Grylls, Lynne Tillman and Derek Gow.
Jen Richards is a Digital Producer & Social Media Strategist with experience working in a range of digital formats, from social media content to audio production. She produces engaging, on-brand and accessible digital content, having led on projects including: the creation of over 30 new digital pieces of in-gallery interpretation for the National Portrait Gallery, developing films & podcasts for Sadler’s Wells’ Digital Stage, and creating social media content for the Foundling Museum & Women’s Museum.
This month we supported in the launch of Pansy Books, a new independent LGBTQ+ publisher specialising in mainstream fiction for adult readers, both from within the queer community and allies. Launched by novelist Matt Cain, who was recently awarded an MBE for services to LGBTQ+ culture, and businessman Harry Glasstone. Pansy’s inaugural title will be The Castle of Stories by Matt Cain, publishing on 4 June 2026. The Collective Wisdom team worked on the launch strategy, website design and social media assets which resulted in over 1K followers within the first 24 hours. You can read more about Pansy Books in this Bookseller article.
The UK government recently published the Schools White Paper on SEND reforms, proposing changes to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. We worked with our client, Big Creative Academy to put out a reactive press release offering the principal, Sacha Corcoran MBE’s reaction to the reforms and what it means for them. The Educator covered the story with a quote from Sacha.
Recently our client British Underground announced four groundbreaking AI and immersive projects premiering at SXSW as part of its award‑winning Future Art and Culture programme. The line-up includes The Baby Factory is Closed, a VR experience reframing menopause as rebellion; Ascended Intelligence, an emotionally responsive XR journey exploring agency in a surveillance age; loss·y, a sculptural and multichannel installation reflecting on the loss of the physical body; and Lost Love Hotline, an intimate audio work inviting messages of heartbreak. Together, they showcase UK artists using emerging technology to deepen empathy and human connection. Deepa Man-Kler was interviewed by Eastern Eye for an article exploring the topic of menopause.
Stratford Literary Festival revealed its full lineup for their Spring 2026 festival, running from 7-10 May. Additional names include former Bake-Off judge and cook Prue Leith, writer and presenter Rev Richard Coles, actor and writer Mark Gatiss and former minister Sajid Javid. Other highlights include a discussion between film critic Mark Kermode and radio producer Jenny Nelson on the stories of movie music and a first-hand account of the Post Office Scandal from former subpostmaster Jo Hamilton. BookBrunch covered the announcement alongside Stratford Herald.
Appledore Book Festival announced its dates for their 20th Anniversary festival, running from 18-27 September. Though the line-up hasn’t been announced yet, we are excited for the festival which attracts world-class authors, speakers and performers across the 10 days, hosting almost 100 events in the small picturesque maritime village. Last year’s speakers included Martin Clunes, Frank Gardener, Fern Britton and Rose Ayling-Ellis. Festival patrons Jeremy Vine, Ann Cleeves and Veronica Henry will continue their support of the festival with talks and events. The date announcement was seen in Exeter Today, Torbay Today, The Moorlander, North Devon Today and InYourArea.
