Harry adds a touch of magic to Clive Reeves PR

BIRMINGHAM PR firm Clive Reeves Public Relations has done its bit to support National Apprenticeship Week by growing its businesses with the appointment of a new trainee.

The PR consultancy said apprentices could often be far more beneficial than graduates when growing a business.

The new recruit is 19-year-old Harry Jenkins, who was born and bred in Kings Heath and attended Old Swinford Hospital School in Stourbridge.

Although a notive he already has some PR experience having worked as a Social Media and Business Development Manager at an interior design and furniture shop, as well as to tweeting and updating Instagram for Birmingham’s popular street food event Digbeth Dining Club.

With the help of Clive Reeves PR, he is now being given the opportunity to build the vital skills and knowledge needed to excel in the public relations sector.

Clive Reeves, managing director at Clive Reeves PR, said: “Skills, talent and aptitude are sometimes far more important than a degree and these elements are easier to develop with an apprentice then a graduate. An apprenticeship allows people to go into the world of work, learning current and real skills that are needed in a workplace right now, as opposed to being shown them in what can be an out-of-touch classroom.

“There is no need for talented teenagers to commit to the financial burden of university to make themselves attractive to employers, if they don’t want to. Training is an essential part of anyone’s career, but putting it in context in the workplace can make the world of work far more attractive.

“Our team is made up of those with and without formal qualifications in what they’re doing now. My own training as an architectural technician does sometimes hold me in good stead, but only for construction clients and in getting quotes for building work done. That irrelevance has been neither help nor hindrance to 35 years in advertising, communications and media.”

He said the new addition to the team had been writing press releases, contributed ideas in client meetings, assisted on photo shoots and even took a client to a radio broadcast.

He was selected from more than two dozen applicants who applied through the PRCA, the trade association for the public relations sector.

Wolverhampton PR firm connects with automotive cleaning supplier

WOLVERHAMPTON-based Connect PR has been appointed to handle the consumer and trade PR for Autoglym.

The agency will manage Autoglym’s media relations including gifting and product testing, as well as offering digital content and support.

The account will be led by Connect PR group account director Lee Southen.

Mark Docherty, Autoglym’s marketing executive for PR and events, said: “Autoglym is one of leading car care brands in the UK and we see PR as a critical tool for promoting and protecting our brand as our profile grows.  We love Connect’s energy and drive, and have always felt their ambition matches ours.”

Lee Southen added: “We are thrilled to have been selected as the PR partner for Autoglym. They are a highly regarded brand with an unrivalled product offering, which makes them a great client to have on board.”

Nine new faces at WPR

FOLLOWING a sustained period of success, Midlands PR and digital agency, WPR has expanded its team, increasing its head count to 5o – a first for the agency.
 
Recruiting home grown talent in the form of four Graduate Account Executives from Midlands-based universities, Hannah Mason, Becky Jukes, Francesca Gallone and Chloe Stewart are supporting an integrated team, working across B2B, Digital and Consumer accounts.  
 
Liz Fisher has joined the agency from Prova PR as a Senior Account Executive to handle content creation and media relations for clients including APC Overnight, Bosch Commercial and Industrial and Worcester, Bosch Group.
 
WPR has also welcomed four new digital specialists; Alex Mansell has joined from WAA and Danielle Millward from Grayling, both as Social Media Managers.  The team is now supported by Laura Stainton as Graduate Social Media Executive and Lucy Morphew as Digital Marketing Executive.
 
Pictured from left are: Chloe Steward, Liz Fisher, Hannah Mason, Dani Millward, Georgia Tims, Lucy Morphew, Laura Stainton, Becky Jukes, Alex Mansell, Francesca Gallone.