Midlands firms beaten to Library PR contract by London agency

A LONDON literary PR firm whose clients include the Man Booker Prize and Jeffrey Archer has won the £292,000 account  to represent the new Library of Birmingham.

The agency replaces incumbent PR firm S&X Media, which was beaten in a competitive tendering process alongside a number of other West Midlands agencies by Bloomsbury-based Colman Getty.

Colman Getty also works with the Saatchi Gallery, J K Rowling, Nigella Lawson and the Lowry Centre in Manchester.

Subject to legal confirmation, the agency will now work alongside Birmingham City Council’s in-house media relations and marketing teams to deliver a regional, national and international campaign for the library as it moves toward opening in 2013, and into the first months of operation.

Brian Gambles, the council’s assistant director of culture, said: “I’d like to thank our incumbent supplier, S&X Media, for the fantastic job they have done over the past three years. They set the bar very high and ultimately it was a very close decision as to who would be awarded the new contract moving forward.

“I have little doubt that Colman Getty will prove an invaluable addition to the library team and greatly look forward to working with them to enhance the reputation and success of this city.”

Liz Sich, managing director of Colman Getty, said: “We are very proud to be part of the team that will deliver this terrific project and look forward to working with Birmingham City Council and our partners, Writing West Midlands.”

But there was some consolation for S&X this week when the Jewellery Quarter-based firm was appointed UK PR agency by global trainers brand New Balance.

The appointment, which was made following a four way pitch, will see S&X deliver the communications strategy and media relations for New Balance’s UK subsidiary. S&X also represents global swimwear brand Speedo.

Samantha Matthews, UK marketing manager for New Balance, said: “S&X’s experience working with international sports brands and at major sporting events will be an invaluable resource in helping us strengthen the New Balance brand in the UK market.”

S&X director Paul Phedon said: “We are on the cusp of a thrilling time for sport in this country, and we look forward to working closely with New Balance to leverage the many opportunities through creative communications.”