Media Buzz: New head of PR at HML; Virtual marketing agency launched; and more

YORKSHIRE financial outsourcing firm HML, a subsidiary of Skipton Building Society, has hired Joanne Gill as head of PR.

HML said the appointment is being made to help develop HML’s media presence within its heartland market in the mortgage industry and to support its planned expansion into new markets.

Ms Gill will report to Julian Wells, director of marketing, and has been tasked with developing a media presence that reflects the company’s current position and ambitions.

She has been working in the finance and media industries for the last 19 years and has been working with HML on a contract basis since early 2010.

She now assumes the newly-created role on a permanent basis within the marketing team based at HML’s Skipton head office.

Over her career Ms Gill has held senior communications roles in government departments as well as financial institutions including HBOS. She has also worked within the media as a reporter at FT Business, as features editor at Money Marketing and money editor at the Yorkshire Post.

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A NEW marketing firm that provides companies with their own ‘virtual marketing manager’ has been launched by seasoned marketer Sharon Milner.

Ms Milner, who was formerly internal communications manager at Corus and head of marketing services at Kingston Communications, has launched Purple Chilli to provide firms with a range of cost-effective services.

The agency also aims to target larger companies with existing marketing or communications departments who need additional help on an adhoc basis.

Various packages are available from hourly or daily to monthly rates as well as fixed fees for individual projects.

“Not all companies, especially in the current economic climate, can afford to take on a communications manager full time and Purple Chilli can provide cost-effective packages to suit individual requirements as and when needed,” Ms Milner said.

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LEEDS PR agency Brass has been appointed to handle Hammonds Furniture’s £4.5m integrated account following a three-way pitch.

The pitch was handled by the MCCA’s Agency Selector Service, headed up by intermediary consultant Julie Constable.

Hammonds Furniture’s marketing director, Claire Parker, said: “Brahm absolutely stood out as our agency partner during the final stages of the pitch process.

“They not only demonstrated a unique understanding of our business and the demands that technological and social changes will have on the organisation, but they also understood our point of difference and our challenging drive for growth – all of which will ensure we build a successful partnership.”