Media mix: Fusionworks, Polaris and MC2

UP to 40 new jobs are to be created in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

The vacancies have arisen after digital agency Fusionworkshop announced it is opening an office in the city on the back of its success in marketing automation, CRM and e-commerce based on Sitecore – a digital experience platform.

The new office will add to the expanding Cardiff design and build office, and London’s sales presence and take them up to an 80 strong workforce from the current level of 50.

The firm’s currently turnover is more than £3.2m and its expects revenue growth above £4.75m in 2015/16.

Managing director Chris Short said:  “We have ambitious growth plans, and want to better serve our customers in the North and Midlands.
 
“We looked at a number of locations, but it was a simple decision. Manchester has an impressive mix of digital, creative and technical talent.”

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NORTH West PR firm Polaris Media has completed a deal to supply its services to support the 300th drydocking undertaken by Oman Drydock Company (ODC), one of the newest and biggest shipyards in the world.

Polaris directors Ben and Sam Pinnington attended a special ceremony to mark the milestone at the new port and logistics city of Duqm where ODC is based. The event saw representatives of ODC joined by the Omani Government and the Korean shipbuilder DSME which operates the state owned shipyard.
 
The ceremony marked the handover of the Greek owned Oil Bulk Ore (OBO) carrier, the Olympic Luck, which ODC converted to a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) in a multi-million pound contract.

The longship is owned by Springfield Shipping and the Onassis Foundation.  

The event saw representatives of ODC joined by the Omani Government and the Korean shipbuilder DSME which operates the state owned shipyard.

Ben Pinnington said so far Polaris has generated media coverage for the story in Omani national newspapers including the Muscat Daily and Oman Observer as well as maritime trade press in Dubai, the USA, China, Russia, Greece and the UK.

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MARKETING and communications agency MC2 has been appointed by Dawsonrentals vans to design and deliver a brand strategy.
 
Dawsonrentals is part of Dawson Group, the asset management, leasing, sales and finance business established in 1935 with an annual turnover in excess of £150m.
 
Manchester-based MC2 has been tasked with developing the brand identity for Dawsonrentals and implementing a go-to market plan which will include marketing, advertising, external and internal engagement.
 
Managing director at Dawsonrentals, Gareth Jones, said: “MC2 has a proven track record in the business to business sector, with credentials and recommendations beyond compare.
 
“We are embarking on a market disruptive journey that will see us revolutionise our industry. MC2 offered a unique combination of creative thinking with proven ability in execution. It’s a rare combination and one which made them the obvious choice for our business.”

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PR firm Weber Shandwick Manchester is celebrating its latest corporate account win – a place making campaign for Burnley.
 
The year-long national multi-channel campaign, spearheaded by Burnley Bondholders – a powerful network of more than 150 organisations based in the East Lancashire town – follows a period of significant regeneration in the borough.

Weber Shandwick says the campaign seeks to change and challenge perceptions, positioning Burnley as a key place to live and do business.
 
Burnley was named Most Enterprising Area in the UK by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in 2013, and has continued to build on this in an effort to drive inward investment to the town and highlight the phenomenal progress Burnley has made in recent years. 
 
Bosses at Weber Shandwick say the win will play to the agency’s strengths, with the corporate team’s strong experience in place making.
 
Burnley Council’s chief executive, Mick Cartledge said: “This is an exciting time for Burnley, a town that makes things, consistently delivers on quality, wins awards and delivers on infrastructure, developments and investment. Burnley is a desirable place in which to live, work and invest – we just need to shout about it.
 
“The Weber Shandwick team impressed us with its proven track record of delivering against similar objectives for some of the North’s most famous towns.”

Jo Leah, managing director and chair English regions & Wales for the firm, added: “2014 saw a huge focus on the North of England and its future as an economic powerhouse.
 
“2015 is about galvanising this ambition for the North further; challenging national perceptions of northern towns and cities, shouting about our successes and championing innovation. Weber Shandwick is passionate about the North West and is very excited to tell Burnley’s story on a national stage.”

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LIVERPOOL-headquartered PR and communications agency Influential has struck a deal with UK bus operator Stagecoach for its operations across Merseyside and South Lancashire.

Stagecoach is the second largest bus operator in the region and employs 784 people in the North West with depots based in Chester, Preston, Liverpool, Chorley, and Birkenhead.

The company, which bought out the First Bus operations in the Chester and Wirral two years ago, is enjoying significant growth and is expanding and widening its services across the region.
 
The brief will see Influential work to deliver positive regional and trade sector PR for the business; engaging local communities and raising awareness of its activities locally and within the transport trade sector media – ensuring peer recognition and sector awareness at a national industry level.
 
Sara Wilde-McKeown, Influential managing director, said: “Stagecoach is experiencing sustained growth and it’s great to be getting involved with the business at such an exciting time.”