Former McCann man joins drp as creative head

CARL Turner, former creative group head for McCann Birmingham has joined Worcestershire based agency drp.

He will be creative head at the Hartlebury-based firm.

His move follows 18 years at Solihull-based McCann Birmingham, working across major brands such as Bentley, Lotus, Vauxhall, Stanley Tools, Sunseeker and Harley-Davidson.

His role at drp will be to support director of communications Julie Davidson and group creative director Richard Hingley.

He will head up a team of seven creative specialists.

Group CEO Dale Parmenter said: “Carl will head up a team of extremely talented creative and strategic specialists all dedicated to really understanding and getting to know a brand including its USPs, culture and values before delivering the most appropriate and efficient creative solution.”

Turner added “I’m extremely excited to join the team, drp have a unique offering and a refreshing perspective.”

ORB grows with four new clients and hat trick of hires 

BIRMINGHAM brand agency ORB has boosted its roster after securing new contracts from professional services firm KPMG; sexual health initiative Umbrella, global supplier of industrial parts, EU Automation, and and Birmingham law firm Anthony Collins. 
 
Last year ORB doubled both its turnover and staff numbers, with plans to grow by a further 60% in 2015 well on track.
 
The team worked on a research project for KPMG Enterprise, using its expertise to help with the understanding and positioning for a product tailored for the growing small business market. The project enabled KPMG Enterprise to identify its place in the market and understand how to better connect with this target audience.
 
The boost to ORB’s client roster comes after a hat trick of hires across the company.
 
Jodie Price joins the team as account manager, Helen Page as designer and Ricky Malhi as creative strategist.

RBH adds to automotive client list with epyx win

REES Bradley Hepburn (RBH) has been appointed as strategic marketing communications agency by epyx.

The Coventry firm’s appointment follows a competitive pitch with another agency, during which RBH presented a marketing strategy and creative concepts for the launch of a new offering from epyx.

epyx specialises in creating technology solutions for the automotive sector.

In October 2013 it was acquired by FleetCor Technologies, a multi-billion dollar, independent, global provider of fuel cards and workforce payment products and services to businesses, commercial fleets, major oil companies, petroleum marketers and government entities worldwide.

David Goodyear, sales director at epyx, said: “RBH had the edge throughout the pitch process, their understanding of the automotive market place coupled with a brilliant strategic approach made them the clear winner.”

Advent Communications brings in new blood

COVENTRY’S Advent Communications has recruited Christie Garratt after expanding its client base in recent months.

Garratt, an English Studies graduate, has experience working both in-house as well as agency side.

Adam Dent, managing director of the firm, said: “We are delighted to be expanding the Advent team as we continue to win new work and expand our offer to existing clients.

“Christie’s joining the team is part of our vision to further establish ourselves in the wider area and beyond, as a trusted communications agency that consistently achieves outstanding PR coverage.”

The agency was founded in 1998 and provides media services to a range of industry sectors, including construction, entertainment, business management, hospitality, law, travel and commercial as well as the public sector.

Garratt will work across the client base in traditional and social media.