New appointment for Grayling

PR agency, Grayling, has continued to grow its expanding team in the Midlands. Following a series of high profile new business wins in the region, established Account Manager, Penny Thorp, has joined the firm.

With five years’ experience in the B2B and B2C PR sector, she offers a particular specialism in public sector work. Previous clients have included Students Communication for BBC TV Licensing, Warwick Music Group and Birmingham City Council.

She will work across Grayling’s B2B and B2C client base on a number of high-profile clients such as Marks & Spencer, Carillion and HSBC.  

Ms Thorp is also currently chair of the mentoring committee of BPS Birmingham Future and is responsible for two mentoring schemes; Future Mentoring and Aspire Mentoring.  

Craig Ling, who leads Grayling Midlands alongside Hayley Longdin, said: “We’re delighted to have Penny join the team in the Midlands, with her background in the B2B sector – she is a great addition to our expanding team.”

Top CIPR role for Liquid MD

MANAGING director and co-owner of Birmingham-based public relations consultancy Liquid, Jason MacKenzie (pictured left), has been elected as the 2017 national president of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

The CIPR is the professional Institute for public relations practitioners in the UK. With more than 10,000 members involved in all aspects of PR, it is the largest body of its type in Europe.   

Mr MacKenzie, who is a Fellow of the Institute and a Chartered Public Relations Practitioner, is a board director, member of the national council and chairman of the CIPR Professional Practices Committee. He is also a visiting lecturer at Birmingham City University.  

He said: “The PR industry has become increasingly professional and is now recognised as a discipline that must be considered at board level. I want to ensure that professionalism remains at the heart of our agenda and that the CIPR delivers value to members and engages meaningfully with all of its stakeholders.

“Becoming president-elect in 2016 and president in 2017 will require drive, energy and commitment – and I am looking forward to delivering results.”  

Brace of appointments for Miromedia

KENILWORTH-based digital marketing agency, Miromedia, has made two new appointments to its team.

The first sees Andrew Male become the company’s Technical Director, having been at the firm since 2007. He will join Mike Quinn and Ian Hancock as company directors.

Previously the company’s Head of Technical, Male will strengthen the technical side of the business.

The second appointment sees Ashley Mason join the team as Head of Online Marketing.

With almost a decade of experience providing online marketing solutions to SMEs, Mason will be focusing on developing the company’s online marketing service.

Pictured from left are: Mike Quinn, Ashley Mason, Andrew Male, Ian Hancock, Elliott Clarkson.