Agency round-up: Impressive results for marketing consultancy; Contract win with retail and leisure destination; and more

B2B marketing consultancy, Present Works, founded by Brett Jacob, formerly of PwC and Jaywing, and Peter Lowes, formally of Epiphany, is celebrating its achievements as it comes to the end of its first financial year.

Since its launch in September 2018, the Leeds-based marketing collective has delivered results for an impressive client list including Sigfox, HSBC and Trinity McQueen.

In November 2019, the business vacated its original HQ and took up sole residence at Airebank House in Kirkstall.

The move to the 1,900 sq ft property was necessary to accommodate its growing core team, which has increased by over 50% this year, along with its expanding client base, which has risen from six to 30 since last December.

Present Works also received a six-figure investment from FW Capital and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), further supporting the business’ sustainable growth plans.

Jacob said: “Staying true to our proven approach has been the key to our success over the past year.

“We have two core purposes – identifying audiences through a range of digital, creative and data techniques, then engaging them using our tried & tested content-driven approach.

“Not only does this strategy resonate with our clients, it delivers for them.”

Lowes added: “We’re firm believers in investing time and energy into getting under-the-skin of our clients businesses to enable us to effectively articulate their offer and deliver tangible results.

“Our track record over the past year is proof that our model of keeping the in-house team lean and focused, and working with Leeds’ best-in-class consultants when required, provides the best mix of support for our clients.

“As we move into 2020, we will further evolve our core team in line with our clients’ needs, and deliver on a raft of new opportunities.”

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Leeds-based branding agency ALLGOOD has been appointed branding and marketing agency for The Broadway shopping centre in Bradford after winning a four-way pitch involving lights, cinema and action.

The agency’s team hired out The Light cinema to present in, making full use of the leisure facilities they were pitching to promote.

ALLGOOD put on a show that included branded cinema tickets, greetings by the team dressed as ushers, a ground-shaking movie trailer and a newspaper from the future, as they invited The Broadway team to sit back and enjoy the pitch complete with ‘pitch popcorn’ and a drink of ‘pitch pop’.

 The pitch was led by director, Paul Dodd, who has been running branding agency ALLGOOD for over 16 years.

Dodd suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2017, which saw him fighting for his life and enduring three hour brain surgery.

He said recovering from this trauma has given him and his team a renewed sense of purpose.

The creative brief focuses on branding and creative marketing concepts that will transform The Broadway from a retail destination to a retail and leisure destination. 

Dodd said: “I knew we had to do something remarkable, we’ve never pitched before and I wanted to knock their socks off.

“Going up against agencies much bigger than ourselves, we wanted to stand out. With this pitch idea I knew we were onto a winner as the brief was to re-position The Broadway as a leisure destination, by pitching in their own cinema we would be bringing a sense of drama, entertainment and leisure to the actual pitch presentation.

“We had to maximise the impact of the giant screen and sound system, so the team created a mind-blowing movie trailer about ALLGOOD to start off the pitch, and I had some fun recording myself doing a voiceover for the ‘turn off your mobile phone’ intro.”

Ian Ward, general manager at The Broadway, said: “The pitch presented by ALLGOOD really excited us, they delivered exceptionally against the brief and the team’s expertise really shone through.

“We’ve been impressed from the word go – the pitch was unique and impactful, but importantly they addressed The Broadway’s business objectives through the creative routes presented which include showcasing the Centre’s extensive leisure offering.”

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Marketing agency Boutique has unveiled a major rebrand for the business, finishing a year which has seen it experience 30% revenue growth across its three core disciplines of media buying and planning, digital marketing and PR.

The aim is to give clients more strategic, integrated and open-minded thinking across a diverse range of marketing channels and is reflected in the agency’s new website through to the look and feel of its offices in Leeds.

Managing director, Simon Bollon, said: “Clients need a new, modern agency model not restricted by single channel thinking.

“Our growth this year has largely come from increased client demand for this more agnostic strategy that takes an unblinkered look at their marketing challenges and objectives to deliver the right solution.

“We feel single service agencies don’t have the breadth of skill or knowledge to support clients appropriately.

“Our new positioning is not rocket science, as we’re just ripping up the old agency model and focusing first and foremost on client needs. We’re bullish enough to say that ordinary is no longer enough.”

The statement made by the rebrand is complemented by Boutique’s business performance in 2019.

It explained that its 30% increase in year-on-year revenue is largely down to a significant uplift in new clients across its three core disciplines, with brands such as Graham & Brown, 247 Blinds and Nexus Vehicle Rental among its high-profile wins.