Agency roundup: Pace Communications; Yasper; Decide; and more

Hull-based creative communications agency, Pace, has worked with composite decking brand Trex to create a television advertisement.

The 30-second advert, which invites UK homeowners to open their doors and embrace outdoor living, uses virtual production techniques to create realistic environments.  

Pace came up with the concept of the commercial and was involved from inception to launch, working with Grit Pictures and on location at XPLOR at Production Park, Wakefield.

Caroline Anson, the agency’s head of client services, said: “Working with Trex since the start of the year has been a great experience for the whole agency and this advertisement is just the latest piece of work we have created with the client – it’s a very exciting time.

“The inspiration behind the concept came when we realised our objective wasn’t to just talk about Trex but to also encourage UK consumers to open their doors, embrace outdoor living, and see their outside space as a true extension of their homes.”

The shoot, which took place in XPLOR’s virtual production studio, involved creating a digital landscape that they blended with the physical set, to replicate an outdoor location without relying on the British weather, 

Richard Blair, head of production services at XPLOR, said: “We always love a challenge at Production Park. The project for Trex and Pace was one of the largest scale virtual production shoots we’ve done so far with a full size decking system being installed in our studio prior to filming.

“We love the final results and are so pleased the agency and their client are over the moon with what has been created. We look forward to working with them on future campaigns.”

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Communications agency Yasper has made a key hire following a strong start to its first year in business and a series of client wins.

Bethany Lunt has been appointed as an account manager to help drive the business forward and lead on some of Leeds-based Yasper’s new and existing accounts across multiple sectors, including property and construction, healthcare, and telecoms.

She joins the business as a strategic communicator with a wealth of agency experience in media relations, content, and digital, across a range of B2B industries.

The appointment coincides with the agency’s recent client win with Manchester-based property firm BR2.0 to deliver a media and content brief across its group of companies, as well as a landmark new piece of work in the healthcare sector.

Julian Pearce, founder and MD at Yasper, said: “This hire is of great strategic importance to our growth, and I was immediately impressed with Bethany’s knowledge, experience and capability.

“Not only will she take a lead on delivery for a range of our key accounts, but she will be integral to the future growth and direction of the business. She’s a great fit for the agency and will be a brilliant addition to the team.”

Lunt will also be focusing on the agency’s sub-brand, Y-content, with an aim to deliver a range of fixed-price content solutions, including social media, copywriting and web services.

She added: “My role feels like the natural next step in my career. From my initial chat with Julian, it was obvious we shared the same ethos in terms of what it means to deliver true value-driven comms for clients.

“Getting under the skin of clients’ businesses and truly understanding the sectors they work in is the key to producing high quality and impactful communications.

“As Yasper continues to grow, I’m excited for my role to evolve, I’m looking forward to working alongside the team at Umpf too.”

Yasper has a range of clients across sectors including transportation and infrastructure, the built environment, healthcare and tech. It also works on collaborative briefs with established Leeds agency, Umpf.

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Leeds and Newcastle-based, strategic brand activation agency, Decide, has appointed a new managing director to drive the firm forward, with a focus on growth and cultural change.

Nicole Levings has over 20 years’ experience working in, and developing creative marketing agencies in Leeds and America.

She has been appointed to drive change, with a clear focus on leadership, business growth and nurturing the agency’s internal culture.

Prior to her role at Decide, she relocated to America in 2015 to set up Leeds-founded Agency TK in Los Angeles, where she became managing director.

Following this, she was appointed managing director at independent marketing group, Audience Collective in LA.

Speaking on behalf of Decide, executive chairman, Jerry Hall said: “As an agency, we have built strong foundations and we are now in a position to push forward with our ambitious growth plans.

“With Nicole’s agency experience, tenacity and passion for the industry, we look forward to growing Decide together, whilst continuing to deliver the very best results for our clients.”

Levings added: “Having spent the last decade in America, it was always going to take a very special opportunity to excite me for my next move, and I believe Decide is just that.

“The team at Decide are very talented, with an impressive client roster. My goal is to increase visibility and drive the business forward into its next growth era.”

To support the agency’s growth plans, Decide has invested in its own brand insight journey, driven by Levings, to unveil a new brand identity this month.

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Creative marketing agency, ThinkOTB, has enhanced the brands Very Lazy and Newman’s Own with a refresh of their online presence for UK and US markets.

Both brands are owned by English Provender Company (EPC), which produces dressings, chutneys, and mayonnaise.

Newman’s Own’s dressings and marinades was established by the Hollywood movie star, Paul Newman, in 1983. It uses all natural ingredients.

Jo Waddington, managing director of Leeds-based ThinkOTB, said: “EPC are passionate about fine quality ingredients and are true innovators. They wanted us to give the website of this iconic brand a more modern feel, while aligning to its brand and US presence.

“It was a real privilege to support the Newman’s Own brand and help be part of Paul Newman’s incredible legacy.

“Proceeds from his dressings range go to thousands of charities around the world, the main one in the UK being Over the Wall, which supports young people with health challenges and disabilities to take part in holiday camps.”

Newman’s Own was one of the first food companies to focus on high-quality ingredients the people could find in their own kitchen.

The Very Lazy brand is known as Very Easy in the States. Think OTB’s work consisted of designing the Very Easy website for the American market to help EPC expand into new global markets.

Waddington added said: “Research shows the name Very Lazy in the US was not popular. The new Very Easy website, will launch on the East Coast in late spring.”

ThinkOTB has created a website that includes a brighter colour palette, recipes, and messages to reflect American language and tastes.