Whitefoot-Forward recruits to support new client wins

WHITEFOOT-FORWARD PR has expanded with the appointment of a new account manager. Porcha Treanor joins the Hartlebury agency after its success in securing two new clients.

Ms Treanor has a strong background in journalism, both in the newspaper and magazine industries, and also worked as a media and communications officer for West Mercia Police.

Worcester-based accountancy practice Richards Sandy Partnership has chosen the agency to represent it for 2012, strengthening the agency’s representation in the professional services sector.

The agency will manage a proactive and reactive media relations campaign for Richards Sandy with local, regional and specialist national media.

Kingswinford-based garden products manufacturer Garland Products has selected the agency to run a consumer campaign for a product launch to the UK market.

Michelle Whitefoot, managing director of Whitefoot-Forward PR Ltd, said: “Porcha’s appointment, added to these two new clients, is a wonderful way to have started the year.  We feel extremely lucky that the past two years have seen significant growth for our business, and we plan to continue to build on the skills and services we offer our clients in 2012.”

The Whitefoot Forward PR team are, from left: Kimberly Hornby, Clare Farquhar, Porcha Treanor, Lauren Keer and Michelle Whitefoot.

drpgroup enjoys award success

THE drpgroup has picked up eight prizes at this year’s IVCA Livecom awards. The awards celebrate excellence and creativity in live and experiential communications, both in the UK and overseas. The group picked up three outright wins and five highly commended nods at the ceremony held at the Brewery in London.

The awards were won for projects delivered in 2011, including work for clients Sainsbury’s, Chiltern Railways, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Thomas Cook and Lloyds Banking group.

The drpgroup picked up the top prize for the Wolverhampton Wanderers Hall of Fame Event in the Heritage category, the Chiltern Railways Customer Focus Event in the Seminars & Conferences category and Sainsbury’s Our Conference in the Internal Experience category.

Dale Parmenter, group managing director, said: “It’s a great reflection on the whole team’s hard work throughout last year. Each of our award winning and highly commended entries delivered above and beyond our client’s expectations.”

ExtraMile Communications boosts graduate opportunities

ONLINE marketing company ExtraMile Communications has teamed up with several Staffordshire and West Midlands universities to create five new positions for local graduates.

The Eccleshall-based firm has grown from four to six employees in the past three months, and is to continue its development by taking on another three staff this year.
The firm is also looking for larger premises to cope with the expansion.

Three of their new positions have been filled through partnerships with Keele University and the University of Wolverhampton. The most recent recruit, web designer Matt Preston, came through the Step Programme at the University of Wolverhampton.

ExtraMile managing director Gabrielle Hadley said: “Having seen Matt’s work at close quarters during his internship, organised through the Step Programme, we knew he would be a major asset to the company.

“Effectively, this is a try-before-you-buy scheme. There is a huge amount of creative talent in Staffordshire and we are committed to offering as many opportunities to local individuals as possible.”

ExtraMile Communications supplies international multi-lingual email marketing for businesses wanting to trade with companies around the world in their own language.