Connect secures second client from Golley Slater

WOLVERHAMPTON based Connect PR has secured its second client win at the expense of Birmingham rival Golley Slater.

After winning the massive Persimmon account, Connect has also been appointed by the Tipton and Coseley Building Society to handle its regional PR. The society operates from four branches in Tipton, Coseley, Bilston and Sedgley.  

Fort Dunlop-based Golley Slater had previously looked after the account for more than 10 years.

Lee Judson, the Tipton’s general manager sales and marketing, said: “I’m extremely excited about this new partnership which brings together two successful Black Country businesses.

“Finding the right partner to develop and deliver our communications strategy is paramount and Connect PR has the right blend of expertise and experience to help communicate our messages to savers and borrowers across the Black Country.”

Hazel Crawford-Upton, Connect PR’s MD said, “We have strong roots in the housing, property and legal sectors and have a good understanding of the market that the Tipton operates in.  We are really happy to have added the organisation to our growing client portfolio and start the year on a real high.”

The account will be headed up by account director, Sarah James.

Prova enters the fast lane with latest Fresh awards

PROVA, the specialist automotive, logistics and environmental PR consultancy in Warwick, has picked up five awards at this year’s Fresh PR Awards including the Grand Prix for the best campaign.

The Grand Prix was awarded for the agency’s Triumph Motorcycles campaign featuring comedian and ‘super fan’ Ross Noble. Prova picked up two Gold Awards for the project including ‘Freshest Use of Celebrity’ and ‘Freshest Digital Media or Social Networking Campaign’.

The campaign saw the comedian embark on a seven-day Sit Down Tour around Great Britain on board Triumph’s 500,000th bike, guided by fans on Twitter. The move introduced the client to thousands of people around the country.

The judges praised Prova’s work as “A great example of how to use a celebrity to harness the media, this quality campaign delivered fantastic audience engagement. With something new to look at every day, this was a living, breathing campaign which echoed the brand and the story perfectly.”

Prova was also awarded a Silver in Public Affairs or Lobbying for Delivering The Vision for PDM, a campaign to eliminate food waste from landfill, and a Bronze Award in Community Relations for Jet’s ‘20 is Plenty’ road safety initiative.

Big lands Balance Activ campaign

BBI Healthcare has appointed Midlands agency Big to rebrand its flagship feminine health brand, Balance Activ, for a new campaign due to launch in April.

The work is under way and will be rolled out across press, online, leaflets and other marketing collateral, targeting both consumers and healthcare professionals.  

Big chief executive and executive creative director, Dylan Bogg, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Balance Activ on the rebrand and look forward to driving awareness of the product and its benefits through various communications channels, both on and offline.”