HTPR strengthens with two appointments

BIRMINGHAM PR consultancy HTPR has added to its ranks with two new appointments. The agency has strengthened its digital offering with the recruitment of online consultant Stephen Trenery, while Kate Cheesman joins as Account Executive.

Trenery, who has more than 10 years’ marketing experience and a Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma, has been tasked with driving the consultancy’s digital division forward, while providing strategic social media advice to HTPR’s portfolio of consumer and B2B clients.

Cheesman will offer support on a range of consumer accounts including house builder Taylor Wimpey.

The agency has also promoted Maria Edwards to role of account manager.

Denver Coulson, director for HTPR, said: “I am delighted to welcome Stephen and Kate to the team. They both bring extensive experience and in-depth knowledge across a variety of areas which I’m sure will prove invaluable going forward. In particular, digital communication is constantly evolving and presenting new challenges, and it is vital that PR agencies remain at the forefront of this fast paced media channel.”

Homecoming for Clarke old boy

PR and comms agency, Clarke Associates, has re-appointed Rob Langley-Swain after five years away from the company.

Langley-Swain had previously worked for Clarke Associates as Account Manager in 2007/2008 and has since built on his CV of experience, including three years at the NEC Group heading up the Marketing and Communications for the LG Arena, National Indoor Arena and The Ticket Factory.

He has been a Birmingham Young Professional of the Year finalist twice, was previous marketing chair of Birmingham Future and has been a trustee and committee chair for The Birmingham Civic Society since 2008.

As Account Director, he will be bringing his entertainment, retail, leisure sector, social media and creative experience in to the mix.

Commenting on the re-appointment, managing director David Clarke said: “We have always kept in touch with Rob since his first stint here; we are really pleased to have him back in the office and believe he adds another dimension to our growing team, which will only benefit our clients.”

Traffic takes care with new platform

BIRMINGHAM digital agency Traffic has launched a digital collaboration platform to assist organisations with remote-based staff.

The platform, called Workspace, has recently been taken on by Future Home Care, a leading supported living provider which employs over 800 staff nationwide.

Future Home Care selected Workspace to improve collaboration and communication between its carer network and multiple office locations.

Carers and staff are now able to access a broad range of information including ‘how to’ videos, polls and procedure updates and can collaborate on new projects and ways of working.

A training application features a range of modules to assist with continuous professional development while a mobile and tablet version enables staff to check information on site or on the move.

Phil Elwell, director at Traffic said: “Workspace is helping carers and staff to get more out of their careers with Future Home Care and vice versa. Previously staff were reliant on one-way communication such as email, but now they’re able to interact, collaborate and build new relationships with colleagues across the organisation. Every Workspace platform is developed bespoke to an organisation’s needs and we’re finding clients appreciate its flexibility compared to ‘off-the-shelf’ products.”