Early client signings for newly set up PR agency

A pair of former Brass Agency employees have launched a public relations agency, Lucky North.

Co-founded by Lucy Baird and Kiran Watson, the duo have signed up six clients in the three weeks following Brass going into administration.

The Leeds-headquartered agency was established at the start of December, offering specialist PR services across both traditional and digital channels.

Kiran Watson, co-founder and director of Lucky North, said: “What happened at Brass was a terrible situation for everybody impacted, from former colleagues and their families right through to the agency’s clients.

“We had the opportunity to offer an uninterrupted service for these clients and felt a responsibility to do so, ensuring live campaigns could seamlessly transition and we could continue to  deliver results.

“We feel incredibly lucky that from such an unexpected situation something new and exciting has been born. Our name came from this overwhelming feeling of luck and we then realised a blend of both our names actually spells ‘lucky’ – it was almost too perfect.”

Lucy Baird, co-founder and director, added: “We’re delighted to have opened the doors to our very own agency. In what’s undoubtedly been a year of turbulence and uncertainty, we’ve seen the demand for PR remain strong. Its impact and influence has moved from strength to strength, as organisations place increasing value on its effectiveness as a pivotal and trusted channel to cut through the noise and drive awareness.

“Whilst we will be firmly focusing on what we do best, public relations, we don’t underestimate the power of collaboration.

“We will therefore be looking to partner with other experts, who are passionate about delivering a best-in-class marketing strategy but don’t have the wealth and breadth of PR experience we can bring.”

Baird spent four years as Head of PR at Brass, having previously worked there in 2011. The team had recently secured a spate of new business wins and accolades at The Northern Marketing Awards.

Watson was account director at Brass for almost two years and has previously worked for many high profile PR agencies across the city.