Agency roundup: Riot Us; Aberfield; and more

A new digital marketing agency has launched in Leeds with a pledge to play its part in making the internet a better, safer and more positive place.

Riot Us – established by wife team Becky and Zoë Boyd – specialises in social media management and digital marketing strategy, alongside in-house training programmes and all forms of online content including copy for blogs and websites.

Becky is best known for her work with digital marketing agency The Social Media Geek, which she set up in 2013, and delivering digital skills training around the country for Google’s Digital Garage.

She said: “Social media is an ethical nightmare right now. Our philosophy is about playing our part to make the internet a better, safer and happier place for everyone.

“That includes encouraging businesses to stop spamming people with stuff they do not need or want.

“In partnership with other marketing agencies, we are also focussed on helping organisations such as charities doing social good to lead the way in being more ethical online.”

She has collaborated with Born Ugly, formerly Elmwood Leeds, in designing the new brand. She said: “Born Ugly has done an amazing job in pulling it together and making the brand represent the business for us and future new joiners.

“Riot Us seeks to reflect what is going on in the world now with regard to activism, being more proactive and doing social good. It is a name that inspires and says a lot about how we want to proactively see the world.”

Zoë Boyd, who has also delivered training for Google’s Digital Garage, is the company’s head of content.

She said: “We are really excited about the new brand and what we can do for clients.

“While elements of the online world, such as social media, have caused harm over the past few years, they also have the potential to do significant good. At Riot Us we want to work towards creating an internet that’s better for everyone.”

Wander Bruijel, Born Ugly senior partner, strategy and provocation, said: “Becky has been long-standing social media partner of our business and so it was a pleasure working with her and her team to help them carve out a unique space and positioning for her business.

“What makes Becky and her team so unique is their ability to bring your voice to life with passion, conviction, proactivity and drive.

“It’s all about amplifying you. And ‘Riot Us’ as a name and brand encapsulates exactly that.”

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Leeds-based PR, social media and brand communications agency, Aberfield Communications, has appointed Annie Hilditch as PR consultant to support the company’s growth following new client account wins in 2022.

She joins the team from the nonpartisan advocacy group Best for Britain, where she worked as a social media officer, creating research-based social strategies, creative content and delivering digital campaigns promoting better democracy across multiple social media platforms.

Hilditch also has a range of communications experience, having previously worked as communications assistant for Thackray Museum of Medicine during its nomination for Art Fund’s 2021 Museum of the Year award, and as a digital communications assistant for Canal and River Trust.

She said: “Aberfield’s holistic and progressive approach as an agency with an emphasis on positive influence is what really attracted me to the role.

“After working in social media, I was keen to redirect my career to broaden my PR knowledge and adopt a more integrated approach to communications.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity Aberfield is providing to help me develop my skills and work with an exciting range of clients.”

Tim Downs, director of Aberfield, said: “It’s a pleasure to have Annie on board with us at Aberfield.

“After several new client wins, we’re looking forward to seeing how Annie’s social media and comms experience and skills add value to the company and are pleased to provide her with an opportunity to further develop these skills.

“After winning several new clients including The Compleat Food Group, York Minster, Calderdale College and Wellington Place, it’s been a great opportunity for us to expand our team to support further company growth.”

Hilditch will be working on a variety of clients, including The Compleat Food Group, Young’s and York Biotech Campus.

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Digital agency, The SEO Works, has been selected to manage Google Paid Search for photographic retailer Jessops.

The brand initially approached the Sheffield-based agency for an audit of its PPC accounts – to identify areas that could be restructured or improved.

The agency’s PPC team carried out the audit, and Jessops was impressed with its work. As a result, it selected The SEO Works as its Google Paid Search agency, tasking it with acting on the audit’s findings and more – restructuring, optimising and developing its accounts.

Jessops is aiming to further progress its digital presence and e-commerce capabilities through The SEO Works’ intricate and ROI-led approach.

The brand is the latest in a series of high profile appointments for the agency, which currently works with other household names such as Decathlon and Weldricks Pharmacy.

Alex Hill, sales director at The SEO Works, said: “We are really excited to work with the team over at Jessops. From the beginning, we understood and got behind their vision – this allowed us to provide a detailed audit, and lay out the best possible route to success.

“Being able to now bring that vision to life is a great opportunity for the team.”