MediaMix: Custard to grow; Lakestar; Peppermint, Market Creative
BOLTON marketing agency Custard is planning to double its workforce.
The agency, which employs 25 staff, has invested £200,000 in a move to Middlebrook Retail Park and hopes to take on a further 25 people in the coming year.
Chief executive Sam Allcock said: “Our growth has allowed us to attract a certain calibre of staff that we felt we would find in the Greater Manchester area, hence the move to Middlebrook. We are determined to work with local businesses to contribute to the local economy and the opportunity to create so many jobs in the area is very exciting for us.
“We have made great strides in the digital marketing space over the last three years and our expansion into traditional marketing and design will allow us to provide clients with a full-service marketing package.”
Tim Newns, chief executive of MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, said: “It’s great that high growth digital companies such as Custard are continually choosing Greater Manchester as a base to grow their business. The new base in Middlebrook will give them access to local talent from Bolton University, which has a strong reputation in the creative industries.”
::
DIGITAL marketing agency Lakestar McCann has won the Best Use of Search (Travel) Award at the UK Search Awards 2012.
The Manchester and London-based firm, part of McCann Manchester following a deal in June, was recognised for its work with Warner Leisure Hotels at a ceremony held at Arsenal football club’s Emirates Stadium.
Chief executive Neil McKay said: “To receive recognition for the quality of the work we’ve produced for Warner Leisure is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with the account.
“Lakestar works extremely closely with the team at Warner Leisure and it’s this collaboration, making use of all the available skills and talents on both sides, which has helped push the brand forward and generated growth through a variety of channels.”
::
MANCHESTER-based The Market Creative is launching shutter and blind specialist Thomas Sanderson’s first TV campaign in six years.
Adam Tregaskis, account director at The Market Creative said: “The ad has been created and will go on-air within one month of us being appointed. To meet a tight timeframe and budget constraints, we have used existing still images – a rarely used approach in TV – and incorporated inspiring post-production techniques such as animated brochures and naturalistic camera movement, to add texture and depth.
“The end result appears as a full-motion ad. Stitching and sticky tape add to the scrapbook style, which helps to drive home the individual design and handcraft qualities of Thomas Sanderson’s product range.”
Natalie Thomas, marketing director at Thomas Sanderson said: “The Market Creative has helped ease our move back into TV with a creative approach that we are sure will help us to connect with our audience.”
::
HALE-based Peppermint PR has been hired by the developer Citybranch.
It will manage marketing and communications for Citybranch, also based in Hale, and will promote several projects over the coming months, including the development of Altrincham Hospital and the new Market Quarter proposals for Altrincham.
Adam Gross, managing director of Citybranch, said: “Citybranch is involved in a number of key developments in South Manchester and is keen to communicate with the local community, authorities and potential tenants in a clear and constructive manner.
“Peppermint will look at all elements of our development plans, including some aspects of public affairs and public consultation. Their team understands precisely what Citybranch requires for the entire lifespan of these developments and they share our passion and enthusiasm for bringing them to fruition.”
