New PR division for Superdream

WORCESTERSHIRE full service communications agency, Superdream has launched a new PR division to meet the needs of clients requiring a fully integrated communications service.

Gill Holtom, former journalist and PR Director at Prova and Wyatt International, has been appointed as head of PR.  She is joined by senior PR account manager Lisa Ellams, who brings significant in-house and agency experience to the team, Francesca Evans, who has been delivering PR at Superdream for more than a year and recent recruit account executive Laura Townsend, formerly of Headline Communications.
 
The launch of the PR division coincides with Superdream’s second anniversary. The Stoke Prior agency has seen strong growth since its launch in 2012, currently employing 50 people across creative, account management, digital, PR and social media.  

2014 also saw the recruitment of an ambitious senior management team to drive the future direction of the agency including Doug Laird (ex McCann’s) as creative director, and Jo Scott (ex Havas Worldwide) as digital director.
 
Gill Holtom said: “In 2015, we believe that collaborative marketing is the way forward for PR.  Social media, online and PR are closely entwined at Superdream to ensure we leverage every opportunity, treble the impact of our messaging and produce streamlined and highly effective campaigns.”
 
Superdream’s managing director, Jason Manning said: “The addition of in-house PR means we can make our media, digital and social media campaigns more impactful and engaging, creating more beneficial content with meaning.  I’m delighted that Gill has joined Superdream at such an exciting time for the agency.”
 
As well as Superdream’s growing UK client portfolio it is also working on multi-national projects with clients in Europe, America, Japan and Australia.

Clutch of awards for drp

EVENTS agency drp has been recognised for its work with a clutch of awards. drp won the prestigious Laurus Award at the 2014 EVCOM Eventia Awards and Silver for Agency of the Year.  

The awards recognise the leading projects, suppliers and agencies in the events industry and saw drp also pick up bronze for its work with JCB in the UK Conference category and Silver in the Best Internal Engagement category for Chiltern (Rail) Senior Leadership Development Programme.
 
The Laurus Award is awarded to the most outstanding event achieved with a budget of £15,000 or less, drp met the criteria and produced Chiltern Railway’s Senior Team development programme event.  

Dale Parmenter, Group CEO of drp, said: “It’s great to pick up awards for the work we do with clients such as JCB and Chiltern Railways. The entire team has been working extremely hard throughout the year to deliver outstanding projects and our creativity and focus on tangible results has been recognised by EVCOM in the Eventia Awards and the judging panel of our industry peers.”

drp also won Best Event Internal at the Corpcomms awards for its work with Sainsbury’s.

Kevin Jackson George P Johnson is pictured presenting the Laurus Award to drp board members Jane Jones, Director of events and Richard Hingley, Group Creative director, with awards host Ed Bryne.

GBW helps South Staffordshire College up student intake

FULL service marketing agency, Gough Bailey Wright has added to its design portfolio by being appointed to help South Staffordshire College with its student take-up.

The Bromsgrove agency was appointed to develop a prospectus that would attract students and profile a wide range of courses following a competitive pitch.
An edgy, magazine style, based on in-depth research into the various types of literature consumed by teenagers, greatly impressed.

Jamie Smith, Director of Strategy & Infrastructure at South Staffordshire College, said: “Every year more than 4,000 young people choose this college and our prospectus plays a big part in this.

“We’re always looking for something new and different; if it doesn’t make you go wow then it’s not worth doing.

“GBW really made an impact on me. The minute I saw their creative I knew I wanted it. It really suits the personality of South Staffs.”

Michelle Wright, GBW’s Creative Services Director, said: “We’re so pleased with this piece of work, our creatives have excelled themselves.”

Pictured from left are: Jamie Smith, Michelle Wright, Katie Hall and Rhodi Burridge.