NC Creative recruits experienced PR & Content Director

 SOLIHULL-based marketing communications agency, NC Creative Group, has announced the appointment of Sarah Burton as its new PR & Content Director.

Ms Burton will assume overall responsibility for the service delivery across the agency’s PR, social media and media monitoring income streams.
 
Her arrival follows that of another recent appointment, Paul Roberts as Creative Director, and continues the firm’s strategy of growing the business by expanding its areas of expertise across a wide range of different sectors.
 
Having held a number of senior positions with agencies such as Wyatt International, Bright PR and Seal Communications, Ms Burton brings more than 20 years’ PR and marketing expertise to NC Creative, as well as client-side experience with vacuum technology specialist Busch (UK) in Telford.

While she has a strong track record in the technical B-2-B sector, her background also extends to consumer sectors such as retail, food & drink and healthcare, further broadening NC Creative’s experience base.
 
A former chair of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Midlands’ Group, Ms Burton has also led her team to several CIPR Pride Award wins, including ‘Best Trade and Technical Campaign’ and ‘Best Event’.  Under her direction, her team also received a client ‘Supplier of the Year’ Award from a leading regional brewery.
 
NC Creative managing director, Åsa Walker, said: “Sarah’s appointment adds another piece to the jigsaw of our five year strategy plan, designed to move our business up to the next level.”
 
Ms Burton said: “Following my time in-house, I was keen to get back into an agency environment as I particularly enjoy the variation of working with a range of different clients and sectors.  NC Creative has a very vibrant atmosphere and a sound business ethos and it’s good to be joining such a talented team of people.  I’m very much looking forward to adding my experience and expertise to the agency’s offering as it continues to build the business for the future.”
 

Green Room strengthens digital offering with new appointment

GREEN ROOM retail design consultancy has recruited Chris Chubb (left) from Capgemini to be its new Digital Director.

Based at the consultancy’s Birmingham studio, he brings with him over 13 years industry experience; nine years of which were at Capgemini as Head of Digital Concepts Lab where he worked with a range of high street retailers from high-end fashion to supermarkets and consumer products.

Green Room said his appointment would help integrate its digital team into its commercial and client-facing offering.

Green Room founder and CEO, Richard Ash said: “I am delighted to welcome Chris on board at what is an extremely exciting time for Green Room. As an industry expert, he will influence our creative output and ensure that we deliver cutting edge digital solutions for our clients. Digital integration is more than just a passing trend in our industry, and is one area Green Room are committed to growing and developing.”

Chubb added: “Digital is no longer a novel addition to the retail environment; consumers are increasingly expecting a more connected and engaging experience. At Green Room we are continually challenging our clients and ourselves by ensuring that seamless digital integration is something that improves customer experience.”

In the last six months, the agency has increased its office space at Fort Dunlop and seen significant growth to the teams at both the UK and Amsterdam studios.

The agency specialises in store design, retail branding and strategy, experiential design and visual merchandising. Clients include Nike, Timberland, Mercedes-Benz and British Gas.

Market Avenue takes the fifth

CANNOCK-based social media company, Market Avenue, has celebrated its fifth anniversary with a further expansion of its team.

Started by Anna Woolliscroft in 2009, Market Avenue has grown to become an in-house team of five members of staff and three freelancers. The latest addition to the team is Social Media Engager Abbi Walker.

Ms Walker, aged 21, from Great Haywood in Stafford, graduated from Durham University with a degree in Psychology.

Her role will be to engage in conversations on various social media platforms, respond to comments and be proactive.

The team consists of mainly degree level graduates from a range of subjects, including marketing, English language, psychology and mathematics. At least two people monitor and manage every social media account, including after-hours management. The agency also has a professional proof reader responsible for all outbound content.

Creative director Ms Woolliscroft said: “I’d been working within marketing for about 15 years, but as an employee I felt limited to where my career could go and also the methods I could explore to work with clients.

“I never envisaged growing as we have done, but we still have several clients who have been with us from the start and continually get offered more work from new clients.”

Market Avenue provides businesses with an in-depth service, focussed on quality content, engagement, lead generation and analytical evaluation. Its service offering includes social media set-up, strategy and management.

The company has supported top brands such as Bavaria, Bibby Maritime and Centro, and has recently won the contract to manage Twyford Bathroom’s social media.

Pictured celebrating their fifth anniversary are, from left: Abbi Walker, Hannah Dunbar and Maxine Chamberlain. Bottom row, from left: Claire Cottrill, Anna Woolliscroft and Georgina Wells.