Expansion at Barques following client wins

BIRMINGHAM PR agency Barques PR has expanded its team following a series of new account wins.
 
Chris Brown joins the Barques team as PR account manager where he will look to expand the digital capabilities of the agency as well as bringing a wealth of experience from the culture and heritage sectors.
 
Formally of the Ed James Group, Brown has managed PR and social media for a number of award winning campaigns including The Voyage, an outdoor dance spectacle and Jamaica Live, a one-day festival celebrating 50 years of Jamaican independence. Over the course of his career he has worked with brands such as Birmingham Hippodrome, Library of Birmingham, Punch Records, Colmore Business District, University of Birmingham, The Cube and Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse Bar & Grill. He has also recently managed the regional communications strategy for 2013’s Young Rewired State Festival of Code.
 
Barques PR has also taken on Katie Long as PR intern. Ms Long is currently studying Strategic PR & Communications Management at Lund University, Sweden. Her time at Barques PR is a vital part of her course providing hands on experience of the public relations industry.
 
Brown said: “Birmingham’s creative industries is a thriving hub of activity. You don’t need to go to London or Manchester; we have it all right on our doorstep. I’m incredibly excited about my future at Barques PR. Having known Paul Skipp and Jilly Cosgrove for some time, I know there are countless opportunities where I can not only learn from them but assist with the company’s venture into new markets.”

Paul Skipp, director of Barques PR said: “Barques PR has grown steadily since launching in 2010. Our expanding client base means more support is needed so we can continue to provide the high levels of service we are known for.
 
“Chris not only brings a wealth of media experience, but his specialities in the cultural and digital sectors will enable us to broaden the company’s offering and enter new markets. His interest and knowledge of digital media will enable us to enhance all our campaigns, ensuring they reach an even larger audience.”
 

Altodigital secures Library of Birmingham print work

KINGSWINFORD-based document solutions firm Altodigital has been appointed to help the Library of Birmingham improve its digital print services.

Altodigital has enabled library users to benefit from a more streamlined print service, via 30 new multi-functional print devices, fully integrated with the library’s computer fleet. Each device has been equipped with INEPRO software together with coin-operated terminals, meaning users simply need to hit print, make their payment, and enter an authentication code to collect it.

The library’s environmental credentials have also been improved with the installation of an Equitrac ‘pull print’ facility on the staff’s printer network.

Rebecca Bostock, Head of Business Management at the Library of Birmingham, said: “Working with Altodigital has allowed us to move further towards our goal of becoming a forward-thinking multimedia institution. Being able to print work in full colour and high quality will be of huge benefit to our library users. Not only that but we are on course for significant cost and environmental savings when it comes to our staff’s own printing.”

Tim Hubbard, Regional Director for Altodigital, said: “There has been a huge amount of investment into the new Library of Birmingham and we are glad to be part of this exciting opportunity. Our work forms part of a larger project with Birmingham City Council.”

Pukka deal for McCann

CREATIVE agency McCann Birmingham has added Pukka Pies to its client portfolio following a competitive four-way pitch.

McCann will be responsible for all above-the-line creative, with a TV, outdoor and PR campaign scheduled to go live in February. The integrated communications house will also be managing media buying for Pukka Pies as part of the brief.  

Wayne Greensmith, Marketing Manager for the Leicester-based food company, said:  “We are incredibly excited to have appointed McCann Birmingham as our lead creative agency; we were impressed by their clear understanding of the Pukka Pies brand and the high level of creativity they demonstrated.”

McCann Managing Partner, Jon Marchant, added: “We are absolutely chuffed to bits with this win.  Pukka Pies is an exciting brand with a rich heritage and strong values; we’re very much looking forward to working with them.”

The client win comes off the back of a string of new business successes and the agency’s portfolio now includes brands such as Sunseeker International, Triumph Motorcycles and Vauxhall.