Media mix: Corp Pop makes council list; Rippleffect scores again; Context picks up Lifeline charity; and more…

BOLTON Council has appointed Corporation Pop onto the framework of design suppliers it uses across a number of marketing channels.

The Manchester design agency has been taken on for a three year agreement, following a procurement process that started in January 2008. 

Dom Raban, managing director at Corporation Pop, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been signed-up for the three year agreement. The last few years have seen us working ever more closely with the public sector so we’re really looking forward to supporting Bolton Council in its creative development.”

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BOLTON Wanderers Football Club has appointed digital agency Rippleffect to create a series of microsites to raise awareness of its non Premier League activities.

Accessible via the club’s main homepage, the five new interactive sites cover a range of innovative club activities away from the core operation of Premiership football, including Bolton Wanderers Coach Education Programme; Bolton Wanderers International Programme; Bolton Wanderers Football in the Community; under 18s membership scheme Junior Whites; and The Reebok Stadium, for hospitality.

Craig Johnson, commercial director at Rippleffect, said: “Bolton is a great acquisition to our football portfolio and it cements our position and strength in the area. 

“The web is a major route to market for football clubs and the improvements to Bolton’s online presence will seize the opportunities and allow the club to increase traffic and revenue.”

Mike Needham, marketing manager at Bolton Wanderers Football Club, said: “It’s important our online activity is an extension of the club and helps to raise awareness of our facilities and expertise that exist alongside the work we do as a professional football club.

“For instance, it’s essential we are recognised for our exceptional coaching programmes and we establish The Reebok Stadium as one of the leading venues for events, conferences and accommodation in the north-west.”

This is the fourth football contract Ripple has won in six weeks, after Fulham FC’s webpages, designing the new Daily Mirror football site, and The Everton Way site for Everton FC.

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NATIONAL drugs and alcohol charity Lifeline Project has appointed Context Public Relations to manage its media relations throughout the UK.

Macclesfield-based Context will focus on promoting Lifeline’s support and education work in its initial campaign, with a particular focus on International Overdose Awareness Day at the end of this month.  

Context will also be working with Lifeline to publicise the charity’s new educational film Mr Mange Goes Over, which discusses the dangers of heroin overdose in drug users and was recently premiered at Cornerhouse in Manchester.  

Michael Linnell, communications director of Lifeline Project, said: “The results Context has secured for other not-for-profit organisations was a key factor in our decision, as we were confident in their ability to handle sensitive issues carefully, while achieving fantastic results.”

The charity was founded in 1971, when it opened its first day centre for drug users in Manchester.

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MANCHESTER public relations firm SKV Communications is to handle the publicity for the World Street Dance Championships in Blackpool later this month.

The event, organised by the Cardiff-based United Dance Organisation, will showcase dance talent from around the world.

SKV said it had helped to secure Kimberley Wyatt of the pop group the Pussycat Dolls to judge performances at the event which starts on August 28.

Heather Price, senior account manager at SKV, said: “UDO is the biggest Street Dance organisation in Europe and we’re delighted to be involved.”