Creative: Digital agency continues expansion; Coca-Cola calls on ResearchBods; and more

A TRIO of appointments have been made at Enjoy Digital as it continues its expansion.

Amanda Greenwood comes on board as digital account manager, Dylan Kowalczyk as senior paid search executive, while Emma Draffin joins as senior PR account executive.

Having previously worked as an account manager for MadeByPi in Leeds and The Blueprint Partners based in London, Ms Greenwood will be managing the delivery of digital projects and campaigns across a variety of sectors.

Mr Kowalczyk joins from Leeds agency All Response Media and will be working on the optimisation and maintenance of paid search accounts.

With experience as a senior social media manager for The Hut Group, Ms Draffin will be focused on Enjoy Digital’s PR, search marketing and social media, delivering campaigns for a range of B2B and B2C clients.

Jonathan Filewood, managing director at Enjoy Digital, said: “It’s fantastic news for the business that we’ve taken on more talent in these key areas. Amanda’s breadth of experience will be invaluable whilst Emma and Dylan strengthen our rapidly growing integrated search marketing and PR offering. I’m confident that these recent additions to our team will be real assets to our continuing expansion in the year to come.”

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DRINKS giant Coca-Cola has appointed ResearchBods for a consumer insight campaign to help it gain a deeper understanding of people across Europe.

Alistair Millar, insight director at The Coca-Cola Company, said: “It is great to get a tool in place that will provide us with near instantaneous feedback from people across Europe.  The speed at which consumer attitude changes is accelerating, so we need to be at the top of our game in order to hear the subtly shifting nuances of what drinkers are telling us from one moment to the next.

“We knew we needed to create a partnership with a company experienced in facilitating rapid, regular and relevant feedback.  The passion ResearchBods brought to the pitch, their experience in working with global brands, alongside their innovative ‘technology driven’ techniques meant they really stood out.”

Jonathan Clough, director at ResearchBods, added: “Coca-Cola are undoubtedly one of the most iconic brands in the world and we’re extremely proud to be working in partnership with them across Western Europe. We were up against some of the industry’s best talent in a rigorous tender process, so to be chosen by Alistair and the team is a great compliment.

“We’re excited to provide our innovative tools and expertise to deliver a new channel of understanding for the Coca-Cola insight and marketing teams.”

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SHEFFIELD agency Über has just worked with the London East Asia Film Festival, creating brand identity and collateral for the festival’s first edition.  

Taking place until October 30 at various venues across the city, the festival champions the growing collaboration and diversity in East Asian filmmaking.

Working on both design and production, the project saw the new brand identity applied to a major London poster campaign along with supporting collateral, including invitations, leaflets and brochures.

Über’s managing director Richard Benjamin said: “Über has a long history in the visual arts from our long-term relationships with BAFTA and BFI to our work with 20th Century Fox, Universal and Warner Bros. It’s been a great opportunity to apply our expertise in the sector to such a fresh, emerging and vibrant festival. East Asian film is so diverse and exciting, it’s a real privilege to help bring it to a UK audience.”

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DESIGN and brand agency The Engine Room is preparing to launch Bootstring, an initiative offering early start or pre-start companies an opportunity to compete to access up to £30,000 worth of services provided by the agency’s team.

The Engine Room’s team in Huddersfield includes designers, photographers, web developers and copywriters who would help with the branding and marketing of the winning business.

The Bootstring initiative will see startup businesses who wouldn’t usually have the funds to work with large businesses competing against one another to gain access to professional branding and design.  In return for this assistance, instead of an upfront fee, The Engine Room ask for a minor equity investment in the start-up business.

The agency will deliver up to £30,000 of strategic brand insight and brand development work.

Managing director Lesley Gulliver said: “We developed the Bootstring scheme for young businesses who we believe have the potential to flourish through our support. We love the passion and energy new business owners possess and our team love getting involved with inventive brand concepts.”

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THE management team at MK Public Relations has expanded with the appointment of PR account manager Krissie Akrill.

Sheffield Hallam University graduate Ms Akrill joins MK after a career within the events and marketing industry working for The Albert Kennedy Trust, Barnsley Football Club and Plug Night club.

She will work with directors Caroline Woffenden and Ashlea McConnell to deliver communication strategies on behalf of local, regional and national clients.

MK Public Relations continues to represent some of the region’s leading brands within their individual fields with Meadowhall Shopping Centre, telematics experts The Floow, and leading online grocer Approved Food remaining on its portfolio.
The Botanist, Brocco and Commercial Property Partners are among the clients to have recently joined MK’s line up.

Managing director Caroline Woffenden said: “MK Public Relations continues to move from strength to strength with a raft of recent client wins and the appointment of a new Account Manager. Krissie’s background and skills will add to MK’s offering as we embark on a very exciting year ahead.”  

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A HARROGATE PR and content marketing agency founded 18 months ago by three former journalists has announced ambitious growth plans after expanding its team.

The Content Market, which launched early last year and expanded several months later following the merger of two regional PR firms, has appointed film and media expert Abi Hindmarch to the role of social media manager.  

The agency has since won contracts with companies across the North of England including sportswear brand Akoa, Revolution Bars Group and retailer Baa Ram Ewe, prompting the search for a media specialist to focus on online content and social engagement.
 
Jenni Moulson of The Content Market said: “Abi’s role is to add flair to our clients’ online and social profiles to achieve high impact results.

“Abi’s experience of working in the film and media industry in Los Angeles, before returning to her native Yorkshire, makes her a valuable addition to our creative PR team.”

The Content Market has seen its annual turnover increase by £50,000 in the first half of this year and Ms Moulson said the company was on target to double its turnover and head count by the end of 2018.

“Our decision to focus on developing intelligent and creative journalistic content across multiple platforms has proved to be a winner and we are really enjoying producing innovative content marketing strategies that are helping our clients win more business,” she said.

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LEEDS and London-based PR, social media and content agency The Lucre Group has announced two tasty new account wins for its food and drink division from one of the UK’s biggest food companies, 2 Sisters Food Group.

The agency won pitches for both Holland’s Pies, based in Lancashire, and Derbyshire-based Matthew Walker Puddings.

Holland’s Pies is a retained client, with Lucre tasked with building brand awareness in key sales areas as well as through digital and social media. A key area of focus will be highlighting Holland’s Pies’ innovation and product development, while also celebrating its heritage.

Matthew Walker is the oldest Christmas pudding maker in the world and also makes premium sponge puddings, cakes, party food and seasonal desserts. It initially appointed Lucre to support its own-label and branded festive pudding ranges however, has subsequently enlisted Lucre to also launch its Matthew Walker Gluten Free sponge pudding range across social, consumer and trade media.

Vickie Rogerson, The Lucre Group’s food and retail director, said: “Matthew Walker Puddings and Holland’s Pies are iconic brands with iconic products, so we’re really excited to be working with them. Who doesn’t love puds and pies! It’s an exciting time for our Food & Drink division as we accelerate its growth with these two account wins.”