PR man sets up new agency in Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM PR consultant Clive Reeves has founded his own agency in the city – Clive Reeves Public Relations.
With more than 25 years experience in marketing communications, Mr Reeves has founded the firm after leaving Ward Lovett Advertising & PR, where he held the role of PR Director. His new agency is based at Birmingham Science Park, Aston.
“There is a fantastic opportunity within this region to practice what is perhaps best described as a ‘boutique’ style of public relations,” said Mr Reeves.
“Our industry has worked hard to elevate itself away from spin and puffery and into a board level discipline. Increasingly what clients want is a consultancy with a small, experienced team who will work in true partnership with them and offer strategic advice and the practical application of effectively communicating with their customers, the media, and the communities in which they operate.”
He said this approach was far removed from being a traditional press release factory, firing out badly targeted emails.
“You only need to log onto Twitter and you’ll see very senior journalists complaining about the daily amount of rubbish bombarding their inbox,” added Mr Reeves.
“This can only be damaging to a company’s long term relationship with the media, yet sadly it’s something even the largest agencies seem to be accused of an awful lot.
“Technology has made it too easy to fall into the trap of mass distribution. Thankfully, for the savvy PR person, it’s a lesson quickly learned.”
Described by the Daily Mail as ‘almost shameless’ in pursuit of publicity for a client, Mr Reeves said he planned to bring a combination of technology, personality and old fashioned conversation to the Midlands media circuit.
The agency has enjoyed early client wins including Altecnic, Aston Business School, Birmingham Science Park Aston, Bradin Trubshaw Solicitors, Dunlop Motorsport, Entrepreneurs for the Future, Goodyear Dunlop, Intaeco and Intatec.
Mr Reeves began his career in 1986 as account executive at Barry Rhodes Advertising. He left in 1989 to work as a self-employed marketing consultant, advising Compagnie Générale des Eaux (now Veolia Environnement) on its entry to the UK waste management industry.
Between 1996 and 2001 he served as account director at RTA Advertising, then moved to Connect Advertising & PR, developing accounts across marketing and PR disciplines.
After spending three years working on a freelance basis, in 2004 he joined Ward Lovett Advertising & PR as director.
He helped to build up the Staffordshire agency’s PR division, winning accounts including Aston University, Aston Business School, Claimar Care and the Greyhound Racing Association. During his time at the agency he was invested as a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
