Mediamix: BJL opens in London; MC2 embraces Bitcoin; win for theEword

MANCHESTER-based marketing and advertising firm BJL has opened an office in London.

Paul Bentley, who left BJL for London seven years ago, will head the Shoreditch-based operation.

The senior team includes head of content Alex Dandeker and account planner Guy Ainsworth, supported by creative director Tom Richards who will move between both offices. BJL said it was continuing to recruit.

Chief executive Nicky Unsworth said: “The opportunity to launch in London and combine the energy, anticipation and optimism of a start up with the scale and support of an existing operation is rare. It’s fair to say we’re all very excited about it.

“With a fantastic team already in place, we’re looking forward to bringing on board a new generation of BJL talent drawn from our proximity to Shoreditch’s Silicon Roundabout as well as bringing through talent from outside London.”

BJL’s client list includes British Airways, Subaru, Isuzu, Asda, Silentnight, Betfred, Yorkshire Building Society and Swinton Insurance.

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MANCHESTER marketing firm MC2 said it will accept the virtual currency the Bitcoin as payment.

It believes it is the first communications agency in the UK  to do so.

Technology account manager Jonathan Saatchi said: “We live and breathe technology and constantly adapt to the latest innovations, so it makes sense for us.
                                                 
“It’s a globally recognised currency. We’ll just have to make sure our clients pay a couple of months in advance, just in case there’s a market crash and they lose everything.”

Huge swings in the value of Bitcoin mean profits on goods or services supplied can be wiped out when it depreciates.

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SEO agency theEword has been appointed by Manchester-based sports insurance specialist, The JRW Group, to manage SEO and pay per click (PPC) activity on four of the company’s key brands.
 
The Trafford Park-based agency won the accounts for Golf Care, Insure4Sport and The Golfers Club – previously handled by Lakestar McCann – following a competitive eight-week pitch.

Daniel Nolan, managing director of theEword, said: “It was a competitive pitch against some tough opposition, so we’re delighted that The JRW Group felt that our strategy was a good fit for its suite of brands. Our team is looking forward to implementing the campaign and continuing to establish a productive relationship with the company.”