Media Buzz: Words&Pictures scoop national awards; Schmoo appoints Ptarmigan Academy and more

OTLEY-based Words&Pictures has won two national awards of excellence for developing digital magazine open for T-Mobile’s internal staff.

The national awards for digital media design and interactive media follows Words&Pictures’ success at the British Association of Communicators in Business (CiB) North awards last month, where its team of editorial designers won a total of 11 awards, including Agency of the Year for the third consecutive year.

Andy Holt, creative director at Words&Pictures, said: “We’re helping those large companies who are looking to move from print to digital solutions, but we’re also mindful of providing excellent print-based solutions to those organisations who prefer to engage staff with more traditional internal communications. We’re agnostic about the channel of delivery and much more concerned about delivering appropriate solutions which work for clients.”

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PTARMIGAN Academy has been appointed to provide PR support for Leeds- based drinks company Schmoo.

The student agency, part of PR consultants Ptarmigan Bell Pottinger is made-up of Leeds Metropolitan University BA (Hons) PR students Adam Burns, Steph Holloway, Lois Ackerley, Katherine Hesselby and Clare Callery.

Schmoo’s managing directors Hayley Hadfield and Laurence Nair both graduated from Leeds University last year and originally launched the lassi drink as Yalp! during the height of the recession.  They have now rebranded, extended their flavour range and employed the Ptarmigan Academy to generate awareness of Schmoo.

The Academy will support the launch of Schmoo in to 60 Tesco stores and build brand awareness through regional press and social media communications under the guidance of Ptarmigan’s experienced PR consultants. 

Laurence Nair said: “We’re keen to support local talent, so when the opportunity arose to work with the Ptarmigan Academy we jumped at the chance.  We have been astounded by the level of creativity and passion that the students have shown and we are sure that they will make the launch of Schmoo a success.”

For further information about Schmoo visit www.schmoolassi.co.uk

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CREATIVE brand communications agency Clearsilver is celebrating a series of new digital account wins.

The Leeds-based agency designed a new corporate website for UKRC, the Government’s leading organisation for  provision of advice, services and policy consultation for women, businesses and educational institutions in relation to the under-representation of women in science, engineering and technology.

Professional residential property group Haywoods also called on Clearsilver for a new brand identity and website to provide home seekers with an easy to search site to find properties to rent or buy.

NHS Leeds has appointed Clearsilver to create multiple design for print projects across a number of its city health initiatives, and the final touches are being made to a recipe binder which has been commissioned by Marketing Leeds.

The binder will include 20 recipes by chefs from some of Leeds’ finest hotels and restaurants and will mark the launch of the ‘Leeds Loves Food’ festival.

Award-winning Ilkley eaterie The Box Tree has hired Clearsilver to create an eye-catching sponsorship pack to encourage local businesses to donate money to the NSPCC.

Head chef Simon Gueller and general manager Andrew Pratt are both attempting a series of challenging cycling events this year to raise funds for the charity.