PRCA Midlands appoints new chair and vice chair

PROFESSIONAL PR body PRCA Midlands has appointed a new chairman and vice chairman – Haslimann Taylor’s Bron Eames and Clive Reeves, of Clive Reeves PR respectively.
 
The PRCA’s remit is to raise the profile of the industry, promote best practice and encourage staff development.
 
Ms Eames said: “Our first job is to thank the previous team, Kate McNamara and Andrea Benn for all their input.
 
“In terms of 2012, we want to run a programme that will appeal to both in-house and agency teams and are planning meet the media events, debates, and some pure social activities, for starters.

“We will also looking to hold plenty of Frontline activity for younger practitioners with their chairman David Kuczora.”
 
Clive added: “It is an interesting time for our industry which employs around 61,000 people nationally. Over 7,000 of those are in the East and West Midlands, working across in-house, agency, public and private sector. We would like to see a much higher percentage of them getting involved with the PRCA.”
 

Severn Communications wins Stratford pitch

SEVERN Communications has been appointed to promote Stratford-upon-Avon by the town’s Business Improvement District, Stratforward.

The Worcestershire-based marketing communications agency won a nine-way competitive pitch to secure the contract which will see Severn handling all of Stratforward’s marketing and communications activity.

Key activities will include the delivery of a comprehensive marketing strategy, coupled with the creation of a new brand position and identity, geared towards re-engaging local audiences with the town’s retail and leisure offer.  

In addition, Severn will deliver media planning and buying, creative, design, public relations and digital services to Stratforward as part of its integrated campaign for the town.

Chris Gregory, project director for Stratforward, said: “We were impressed with Severn’s insight into the challenges we face and the agency’s bold proposals to reinvigorate perceptions of Stratford’s distinctive retail and leisure offer among local audiences.”

Sue Bown, director at Severn Communications added: “We are delighted to have been awarded this opportunity to work with Stratforward to promote a town with such a diverse and engaging retail and leisure offer.”

The move to a single agency approach and the accompanying cohesive approach to the town’s communications is expected to bring real benefit to Stratforward’s member businesses.

NC Creative secures Swedish client

SOLIHULL-based NC Creative Group has been appointed by Swedish steel firm Ovakoto to handle their international PR trade programme.
 
With its head office in Stockholm, 11 production units across Europe and seven sales offices in Europe and the United States – including one in Dudley – Ovako produces an extensive range of bar, tube and ring steel products which are used in a diverse variety of applications, covering sectors such as automotive, hydraulic, mining, oil and gas, wind generation and general engineering.
 
NC Creative Group is an independently owned marketing communications business serving a broad range of regional, national and international clients. There is a strong Scandinavian pedigree within the company, not just with a number of Nordic-based clients but also because it is headed up by Swedish-born managing director, Åsa Walker.
 
Working closely with the in-house marketing communication team, as well as the individual production facilities and product areas, NC Creative Group’s brief will be to raise the awareness of the Ovako brand and its products across a number of sector niches and global markets.
 
Commenting on the appointment, Göran Nystöm, SVP Head of Group Marketing & Technology at Ovako, said: “We approached NC Creative Group following a recommendation and were impressed with their track record of working with brands such as Volvo and Sandvik. We are looking forward to working with their team on a number of interesting projects over the coming months.”