Media mix: Agency goes Fourth; Apadmi & more
THE Manchester division of PR agency Fourth Day moved into 2015 with three technology sector firms on board as new clients.
The new deals have helped close the year on target with revenues increasing by more than 35% over the past 12 months, the company says.
Fourth Day, which also has offices in London and Paris, was joined by retail technology specials One iota, parcel delivery comparison site My Parcel Delivery and Risk Technology, a telematics provider bidding to drive down insurance premiums and improve road safety.
Fourth Day Group also launched its content services division in 2014, headed up by former journalist Paul Maher.
Director of Fourth Day’s Manchester office, Nikki Scrivener, said: “It’s been another great year for us and we feel like we’ve been able to broaden our services even further to a diverse range of North West companies.
“We’ve got big plans for growth in 2015 and we’re proud that our work and results we achieve are making such a big difference to regional businesses. We haven’t looked back since we opened our office here at the end of 2011.
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THE boss of a Preston-based digital media company has delivered an insight into the booming sector to University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) students in a packed lecture theatre.
Gary Bennion, digital strategy director of Bespoke Web Specialists, gave real life examples of work the firm does for local businesses to help them prosper and grow online, such as conversion analysis and user journey.
The talk’s objective was to encourage students to stay and work in Lancashire, with the North West digital sector suffering a growing skills shortage.
“Many graduates are drawn to the bright lights of Manchester and Liverpool, which takes talent away from here,” he said. “It is crucial we show students the successful work taking place right on their doorstep to encourage them to stay and work in Lancashire,” he said.
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A MANCHESTER mobile app developer has developed the ‘Happy for Life’ app for the Guardian’s in-house content agency.
Apadmi in Trafford Park’s app suggests daily activities to help boost happiness levels as well as keep track of people’s moods.
It forms part of the wide Happy for Life campaign – a branded campaign between Guardian Labs and life insurance brand Beagle Street, which is investigating what makes the nation happy.
Guadian Labs approached Apadmi to develop the app following previous work with the Guardian, including building the Android version of GuardianWitness.
Marketing manager at Apadmi, Hannah Pym, said: “We believe in creating mobile experiences which are genuinely engaging rather than just building an app for pa’s sake.
“Our philosophy is that apps always need to be designed with the end user in mind and that guiding principle governs every project we work on.”
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MANCESTER software company Wax Digital is implementing web3 eSourcing to help PRS for Music, the global music licensing body, drive contract negotiations, consolidate the number of suppliers it deals with and apply better control over supplier contracts.
PRs’s new purchasing strategy will see the music royalties company rationalise its 700 suppliers within the next 12 rot 18 months and increase collaboration among departments.
Web3 eSourcing will replace the existing decentralised paper-based system which PRS says will empower its staff to make informed supplier choices.
PRS operates out of two sites and needed a way for employees in different departments to collaborate on the sourcing of suppliers.
Procurement manager Lizzy Daniel said: “Wax Dgital’s web3 eSourcing solution ticked all the boxes because it’s web-based employers can access it from whichever office they’re in and it’s very user friendly so easy to bed into the organisation.
“It also offers full source to pay functionality so we can seamlessly add to our capabilities over time.”
Wax Digital’s business development director Daniel Ball said: “Web3 eSourcing was designed to be intuitive and simple to use so that non procurement professionals can just as easily benefit form its features as those responsible for buying within an organisation.”
PRS represents more than 100,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers and has more than 350,000 active licenses which allow businesses, including live venues, radio and TV stations, to play music.
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TWO North West PR consultants have launched a new company offering a 24/7 crisis response service.
Richard Clein and Mark Perry, who both run their own communications agencies, have set up CM Consultants, providing specialist crisis response packages, with a dedicated team on call across the UK.
This includes Cardiff-based former Good Relations Wales director Paul Shackson and North West marketer Geraldine Turner.
Working with airlines, NHS, Government, PLCs, football clubs and high profile individuals in business, sport, politics and entertainment, the founding directors have dealt with some of the biggest crises to hit the headlines in recent years.
Mr Clein said: “It takes years to build a good reputation and as many companies, businesses and individuals have experienced to their cost, it takes only seconds to ruin it.
“Many companies are simply not prepared and believe ‘no comment’ is the most appropriate way to deal with media enquiries.
“By offering clients affordable specialist packages, we guarantee that someone is always available to offer expert advice and on the ground support.”
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DIGITAL marketing company Bring Digital has kicked off the new year hiring three new members of staff.
The new faces will take up positions across the business in the Bolton-based firm’s marketing and Google search teams.
It takes the overall numbers at the agency to 22, a 65% increase in employee numbers over the last 12 months.
Bring Digital was founded in 2012 by managing director David Ingram and offers digital marketing and website development services.
Its revenue grew 180% in 2014 to more than £500,000 and this year it is forecasting a turnover in excess of £1m.
Its clients include wallpaper makers Graham & Brown – suppliers of B&Q – and DW Fitness Clubs
