Steele provides solid foundation for Stone Junction

STAFFORD technical PR agency Stone Junction has appointed Adam Steele as a new Account Executive to help with recent client wins.

Before attending university, Steele enjoyed notable success as an online marketing manager for Stoke-based record label The Soul of North Staffordshire.

In 2008, three of the five bands on the label charted in the National Independent Record Charts, earning the bands extensive radio play. Furthermore, Steele’s own band earned a coveted live session on Radio 1’s In New Music We Trust at the infamous Maida Vale Studios.

Steele attended Newcastle University to study English Literature and graduated with first class BA honours in 2013.

Prior to joining Stone Junction, Steele worked as an administrative assistant for an online music media company. His responsibilities spanned from media relations to technical research.

“I’m always eager to learn interesting new concepts,” he said. “I’m really excited to work as part of an innovative and progressive team. I’m sure my technical knowledge and marketing experience will come in handy in my new role.”

Richard Stone, managing director of Stone Junction, said the agency was benefiting from the rise in industry confidence, which has resulted in significant business growth for the firm.

“Adam’s experience will certainly help us cope with the increasing number of inquiries we’re getting. Our confidence in Adam has also inspired us to add one more person to the team. We want to be able to provide the best level of service to our clients,” he said.

Delicate balancing act for Gung Ho

BIRMINGHAM creative agency, Gung Ho Communications underlined sports brand New Balance’s sponsorship of North West music festival Kendal Calling, with a video to promote the world record attempt for the biggest moonwalk.

The partnership between the two brands, which was brokered by Gung Ho, also extends to retailers Schuh, Foot Asylum and ASOS, which gave away tickets to the festival including entry to an exclusive New Balance hosted gig with a mystery artist.
 
Gung Ho promoted the sponsorship for New Balance across social media and experiential activity at the festival. The campaign was expected to reach 20,000 people at the festival via the moonwalk video – which was played on screens around the festival and during the world record attempt.

Paul Phedon, Gung Ho managing director, said: “When tasked with emphasising the New Balance Made in UK range during festival season we immediately thought of working with Kendal Calling, which is located just a stone’s throw away from the brand’s UK factory in Flimby.

“We’ve worked together to create an integrated campaign that covers retail, social media, PR and experiential to spread the Made in UK message and create strong engagement with the New Balance brand.”

Abbots Bromley School contract for Ian Strachan

ONE of Staffordshire’s leading private schools has appointed Lichfield-based Ian Strachan Communications to handle its PR and press relations.

The 140 year-old Abbots Bromley School provides day and boarding education for pupils from around the world. The highly-regarded school is made up of a senior school for girls from ages 11 to 18 and a co-educational prep school which includes an Early Years Foundation Stage for children aged three to five.

The agency has been brought on board to provide PR support to the school as it builds on its reputation to attract new pupils from the UK and internationally.

School executive head Victoria Musgrave said: “This is an exciting time for the school. We have an excellent reputation in the region and aim to build on that, both locally and internationally, to grow our pupil numbers.

“As well as first class academic provision evidenced by our exam results which are on an upward trend, we have a class-leading dance and drama studio and a magnificent equestrian centre. We have a great story to tell and we chose Ian Strachan Communications because of Ian’s businesslike approach to PR.”

The agency was set up 14 years ago by Ian Strachan, formerly corporate affairs director at Birmingham commercial vehicle manufacturer LDV and corporate communications director at Rover Group.  ISC clients cover the manufacturing, automotive, high-tech, retail, construction, environmental and education sectors.

Strachan said: “Abbots Bromley School is well-known in Staffordshire as one of the best schools in the county, but that message needs to be reinforced to a wider audience. The school has magnificent facilities which are probably unequalled in the region, and concentrates not solely on academic excellence but also on producing students who are confident and can enhance the world outside of school. I look forward to helping the school achieve its objectives.”