New additions at BCU

BIRMINGHAM City University is expanding its online team following a relaunch of its digital activities. Sharon Smart and Saulo Menezes de Oliveira have joined the institute as web marketing manager and social media officer respectively. Ms Smart trained as a multi-media journalist at Bournemouth University before working at local newspaper the Heartland Evening News for nearly five years. She moved into the PR sector where she worked for the British Psychological Society and the Amateur Swimming Association. Her responsibilities include raising the profile of Birmingham City University regionally, nationally and internationally through web marketing. Mr Menezes de Oliveira has worked in marketing and communications for several year in the legal and charity sectors. He graduated in journalism in Brazil and later qualified in multimedia at MSc level in the UK.

Agency signs ‘ink’-redible deal

MARCOMMS agency McCann Erickson Central has signed a deal with Cartridge World to handle its media activities. The firm has appointed the Solihull-based agency to develop and implement a local media strategy for its 220 franchises and also run an overarching national campaign. The media strategy will be led by Kevin Murphy, the managing director of the firm’s ‘Universal McCann’ division.

Business expert hosts rookie comms seminar

A SEMINAR aimed at helping rookie communications professionals boost their sector knowledge is being hosted at Aston University. Dr John Rudd, from the institute’s business school, will be discussing how PR can lead the marketing mix and factors influencing a relationship between a client and agency among others. The event, organised by membership group PRCA FrontLine, takes place on June 8 at Urban Coffee Company in Birmingham’s Church Street.