Google Partner work pays dividends for Pepperneck PR specialist

WORCESTERSHIRE integrated marketing agency, Pepperneck, has seen PR specialist Hannah Haffield named winner of the British Chamber of Commerce ‘Young Person in Business’ award for the West Midlands region.

Awarded for the successful implementation of the Google Partner programme at Pepperneck and the additional opportunities this has created for the business, Ms Haffield will now go on to represent the region against other regional winners for the National title at the British Chamber Awards 2014, which take place in London on November 27.

Pepperneck has been a Google Partner since February 2014, a move which has enabled the agency to differentiate itself from its competitors by offering a comprehensive and dedicated AdWords service backed by Google.

PR and Social Media Manager, Lydia Barber, said: “Thanks to Hannah’s efforts, Pepperneck was the third agency in the whole of Worcestershire to secure Google Partner status, and the first in Malvern and surrounding areas. This has been vital in supporting Pepperneck’s growth plans in a number of key areas including AdWords, SEO, and PR and social media – even the best looking websites in the world are no good if no-one knows they exist.”

Despite being the mother of two young daughters and working full-time, Ms Haffield completed the Google Partner accreditation process in record time at the beginning of this year and was notified of her Chamber Awards success exactly 12 months to the day since she started at Pepperneck.

Lyme Communications expands after LEP support

NEWCASTLE-under-Lyme’s Lyme Communications has expanded its public relations and copywriting services after securing support from the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Enterprise Partnership’s Small Business Grant Fund.

The funding has enabled the firm to equip its new premises and take on an additional employee. The grant will also help to support future growth and development.

The Small Business Grant Fund is operated by the Staffordshire Business Innovation Centre and funded by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund through Lancaster University. It is designed to support the development of small businesses and create sustainable employment.

Director of Lyme Communications Limited Danielle Bourne said: “We have the experience and contacts to achieve targeted press and media coverage for small start-ups and also larger, more established businesses, helping them to boost their profile and build their brand. The business has grown to the stage of requiring space to accommodate an additional employee and the grant will really help to take this next step in our expansion.”

New recruit for Shepherd as demand grows for services

SHEPHERD PR has appointed a new account director to meet growing demand for its services.

Ex-journalist and media relations expert Jo Hine (right) joins Shepherd’s 10-strong team and brings a wealth of experience in consumer, education, financial and business-to-business media relations.

Her former PR clients include leading ceramic brands Emma Bridgewater and Steelite International as well as regional universities, colleges and professional services across Staffordshire.

Shepherd’s clients include Crown Paints, an impressive range of national trade associations and innovative Staffordshire-based organisations such as Lucideon and Motiva Group.

Founding director, Jane Shepherd (left), said: “Our aim is to make Shepherd PR the agency of choice across the Midlands and beyond.  Jo brings new expertise to the team and takes our combined journalistic experience to more than 60 years, which is probably unparalleled within our industry.”