Media mix: Tangerine gets techie; Biss Lancaster launches sports division; and more…

TANGERINE has launched a new technology division with the appointment of  Vicky Prior as head of technology PR.

The division will target IT, telecoms and new media companies and Ms Prior will work with Russell Hirst, Tangerine’s head of digital.

She worked in-house at AOL UK in London , as a consultant and copywriter for companies including IBM and Vodafone.

Sandy Lindsay, group managing director at Manchester-based Tangerine, said: “The UK is home to a number of exciting technology brands and the North West has a particularly thriving technology sector. We want to offer support for B2B and B2C brands in this fast-moving sector and to help raise their profile through innovative PR programmes.”

The agency has also recruited two new PR account executives and an account manager, bringing the team to a total of 26.

Lucy Meadmore and Becky Roberts join Tangerine from Communique and Vicki Lamb from Mere PR.

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BISS Lancaster has joined forces with sister agency Havas Sports to launch a specialist sports marketing and PR division in Manchester.

The new department will be headed by Biss Lancaster board director Melissa Hinds and Havas account director Nick Lockwood.

Clients jointly managed by Havas and Biss Lancaster include Chewits Sports Courses, which operates over 100 holiday sports courses for children aged 5 to 12, ASDA Kwik Cricket, ASDA Sporting Chance and Chewits sponsorship of Lancashire Cricket Club’s Thunderbolts. Biss Lancaster also handles Meccabingo.com’s sponsorship of Wigan Warriors RLFC.

New accounts wins for the firm include fitness instructor training company Premier Training Solutions for Biss Lancaster, and a consultancy contract for Chill Factore for Havas.

Ms Hinds said: “We’ve been working closely with Havas Sports for over 12 months and the synergies were clear from the outset. As more and more of our clients align themselves with the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle, they’ve had the unique opportunity to access us as a one stop shop. I’m thrilled to be able to formalise the relationship, as I believe it will prove to be a huge business driver for us over the next few years and adds weight to our expertise in this growing sector.”

The Havas Sports team will share office space at the Manchester offices of Biss Lancaster.

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PAVER Smith has been appointed by Camelot to manage consumer PR in the North West for the National Lottery.

Responsible for the North West with some overlap into North Wales, it is one of eight regional PR consultants appointed to assist its London-based press office.
 
Paver Smith will work with Camelot’s in-house team to manage press conferences for winners who choose to take publicity. It will also manage regional consumer PR campaigns such as the promotion of unclaimed prizes, game launches and support jackpot rollover activity.
 
Incumbent Paratus Communications handled regional PR for the National Lottery since 2003 co-ordinating the six figure account from its London head office. As Camelot has taken the day to day management of its regional PR in house, the agency did not participate in the pitch.

The contract is the latest in a series of recent wins by the agency, which says its first quarter turnover is 68% ahead of last year.

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RMS PR has been appointed by The Office of The Duchess of York to support the launch of a regeneration project in Wythenshawe.

The agency will help to find corporate sponsors for a new £40,000 community centre for the residents of the Northern Moor Estate.

Ruth Shearn, managing director of RMS PR, said: “We’re looking for local companies that will support this valuable initiative. There are plenty of businesses that would love to lend a helping hand and we’re looking to target them through a mix of PR, direct mail and online campaigning.”

Local residents are holding a fundraiser on May 25th, at Rackhouse Primary School.

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Design agency The Market Creative has created a national campaign to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bounty Parenting Club.

A friendship theme and new branding will run throughout the parenting club’s marketing. The campaign’s development includes the creation of the Bounty Friendship Awards and a recommend a friend scheme as well as a series of online competitions and forums.

Sue Benson, marketing director at The Market Creative said: “The challenge was to capture the essence of Bounty’s history whilst uniting all areas of its business by appealing to both businesses and consumers. All of the 50th anniversary materials have a real celebratory feel to them and the friendship theme is broad enough to work across all audiences.”