New recruit for Clarke Associates

BIRMINGHAM-based communications consultancy Clarke Associates has recruited a new team member under an initiative set up by trade body the Public Relations Consultants Association.

The initiative commits companies to pay interns a fair wage and recently attracted its 100th supporting agency.

Ash Dhindsa has joined Clarkes as Communications Executive. His six-month internship will see him working across a range of disciplines as part of the company’s integrated communications approach. He originally undertook a two day a week work placement with the firm – having won an award at Birmingham City University, sponsored by Clarke Associates.

He said: “In just over a month, I have already built myself a long list of experience, being involved in the more imaginative side of PR through to the fundamentals that keep the ball rolling.”

Clarke Associates’ managing director David Clarke said it was the firm’s ethos to support young entrants to the sector.

“The PRCA campaign is a great initiative and one that looks towards shaping the future of the industry, which is something we strongly support.

“In a challenging economic environment, it’s important that we reward interns and nurture their growth. Our team has a diverse mixture of personalities and skills and we want to continue to build on that by supporting the PRCA initiative,” he said.

Pressvine goes Dutch to ensure growth

MIDLANDS-based PR software firm Pressvine Worldwide and Dutch company PressPage, a supplier of search-engine-optimised social media newsroom technology, have formed a strategic partnership.

By merging their products, the companies are now able to provide a unique tool kit for organisations looking to manage their news output.

Pressvine has recently unveiled its new cloud-based software suite which allows for integrated functionalities from a host of partners. It is aiming to attract business by offering complementary services.

Jason Pitt, director at Pressvine, said: “Many companies refuse to collaborate with firms in the same space as they are afraid of giving these businesses a competitive advantage when, in fact, it is the fear that prevents them from innovation and success.”

The tactic of shared resources is supported by Utrecht-based PressPage. Already an official partner of the CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations) and IPRA (International Public Relations Association), the company works with a wide range of partners.

Describing modern corporate news distribution as a “triple S strategy”, consisting of sending, searching and sharing news content, Pressvine will now perform the sending part for the Dutch company.

Bart Verhulst, CEO at PressPage, said: “We’ve talked to several possible providers for the UK market, but Pressvine not only have the most advanced distribution product out there, it is also the company we felt most comfortable with in terms of ideology, modern approach and history.”

Pressvine is now planning to expand the company with additional software developers, aiming to take on some of the sector’s media database and PR distribution software suppliers.

Modus Creature with web design acquisition

WORCESTER-based Modus Creative has acquired local web design agency Blue Tesla Marketing.

Following on from the creation of Modus Print Ltd in 2007, the newly acquired company has been renamed Modus Digital Ltd, and will be run as part of the Modus group of companies.

Speaking about the acquisition, Guy Marson, director of Modus Creative and Modus Digital, said: “Taking on the new company expands our dedicated online team and gives us an even greater range of talents and skills to draw from. With the digital market continuing to grow at a rapid pace, this move puts us in an ideal position to deliver cutting edge digital services including web design, app development and online marketing to clients of any size or sector.”

Ray Gillespie, director of Modus Digital, added: “Web design and online marketing services are progressing all the time, and we are constantly taking our design and development into new areas. We’re seeing a huge increase in the number of people viewing websites on devices other than desktop PCs, so our designs and strategies reflect this.

“In addition to the growth of mobile web design, mobile marketing is also developing rapidly, and continuing to tap into this growing market is a high priority for the new team.”

Pictured from left: John Keane, Guy Marson, Ray Gillespie, James Algar and Roger Marshall.