PR firm agrees merger with stablemate

BIRMINGHAM-based PR agency, Smarts Illuminate has announced it is to merge with digital specialist, twentysix.

The two firms are already part of the MSQ Partners stable and the new entity will be called twentysixPR.

It will form a new full-service offering bringing together the combined offices in Birmingham, Leeds and London.

The agency already has longstanding expertise in consumer, corporate and B2B communications, having worked with some of the UK’s blue-chip organisations over recent years.  

The new offering will bring together these services along with the existing digital specialisms of the wider twentysix group, including web development, UX design, consumer communications, search marketing, social media, and content creation.

The integration of multi-discipline PR team completes an ambition set out by twentysix, to add depth to its total offering and create a full-service digital marketing and communications operation.

Ryan Scott, managing director of twentysix Search, said: “We have been bringing together some of the best talent from across the industry to ensure our clients have what they need, when they need it, to overcome their marketing challenges. This merger marks the next chapter in that journey.  

“The twentysixPR team will play a huge role in this; they have outstanding credentials, a burgeoning client roster, and a talent pool that adds a great deal of value.”

Mr Scott will oversee all commercial activity as part of his role, with former freuds Associate Director, Matt Eagles heading up the Edgbaston office.

Following two stints in London working for the likes of BMW, Purplebricks, TalkTalk and Mars, Mr Eagles returned to Birmingham and served with several Midlands-based agencies working on major projects across the city such as delivering the launch of Grand Central last year.

He has been tasked with growing the twentysixPR service offering and taking the firm into other sectors.

He said: “twentysix has a reputation for developing brilliant digital production, excellent search marketing, and producing industry-leading creative work so to become part of their offering is a hugely exciting prospect.”  

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