Agency roundup: The Marketing Optimist; Yasper; ilk; and more

Richard Michie

Leeds-based digital marketing agency, The Marketing Optimist, has secured a further year’s contract with North Yorkshire Council, and City of York Council.

This is to deliver a full suite of marketing services for the MultiplyNYorks project – an adult numeracy project for York and North Yorkshire residents.

The agency will provide the Government-funded Multiply programme’s marketing strategy, social media marketing, SEO, website design and content, video production, radio advertisement, and PR services.

MultiplyNYorks is led by a dedicated central team created as a partnership between the Adult Learning Service of North Yorkshire Council, City of York Council, the UK government, and Better Connect.

The Government-funded flagship numeracy skills course has been given £2.6m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to improve the numeracy skills of adults who are of working age and don’t have a GCSE in Maths at Grade C or equivalent.

The programme has already been running for two years and will continue until 2025, focusing on delivering courses for individuals and employers, activities and one-to-one support in the local community.

Richard Michie, CEO of The Marketing Optimist, said: “It’s a great vote of confidence to renew our marketing contract with North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council for another year.

“For the next year, we’ll be delivering some additional digital marketing services thanks to the success of our promotional work so far.

“This is a unique project that’s helping people develop maths skills that will benefit their daily lives in a big way, and it’s excellent to work on a project that makes a real difference in the Yorkshire region.

“The courses have already helped many people gain financial independence, start up businesses, learn new hobbies and skills, and much more.”

Lois Calvert, Multiply development manager for North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council, said: “I am happy to be continuing our work with The Marketing Optimist.

“The collaboration has seen engagement in Multiply across York and North Yorkshire increase and has allowed us to really celebrate the achievements of our learners and partners.”

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Credit: David Lindsay

Communications agency, Yasper, has been appointed by 24 Seven Cloud to deliver a media and content brief aimed at driving awareness amongst its target audiences. 

Leeds-based Yasper will initially be supporting the business telecoms provider with strategic B2B media relations support, as well as the production of web and social media content to promote its independent network and connectivity products — Pod and Jump, as well as a range of other smart telecoms solutions.

Julian Pearce, founder and managing director of Yasper, said: “I’ve known the team at 24 Seven Cloud for almost a decade and I’ve seen first-hand the smart way they approach business telecoms.

“Working with David and the team, we’ll look to reinitiate their profile within the business telecoms landscape and produce content that generates cut-through.

“Working with businesses like 24 Seven Cloud demonstrates Yasper’s ability to get under the skin of complex industries, understanding nuance and technical detail to ensure we can communicate difference.” 

David Samuel, founder and managing director of 24 Seven Cloud, added: “Working with Yasper, we’ll be looking to raise the profile of 24 Seven Cloud’s products, services and ideas to a business and reseller audience.

“We were impressed by their knowledge of the sector and their insight-led approach, engaging with our team to fully understand the brief and our requirements.”

Founded in 2018, 24 Seven Cloud was launched to provide its channel partners and resellers with next generation technology via its own independent and fully resilient network.

It has provided a range of connectivity solutions for thousands of clients to date, including those in construction, property, travel, and healthcare as well as the emergency services.

Yasper will be working with the 24 Seven Cloud team to deliver strategic multi-channel communications support as part of its ambitions to provide leading call management services to channel resellers and partners across the UK.  

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Nev Ridley

Leeds-based integrated marketing agency, ilk, has been appointed by the city’s newest food and drink destination, White Cloth Hall.

After a competitive pitch process at the beginning of the year, the agency will deliver brand, social media, creative production and PR activity ahead of the venue’s launch.

Set to open later this summer, White Cloth Hall is a new venture by the team behind Leeds’ oldest pub, Whitelock’s Ale House, including Whitelock’s owner Ed Mason and investor Jonathan Morgan.

Built in 1775, the hall was once one of the North’s most important commercial markets, used as a place of trade for Leeds’ cloth merchants.

The space has been turned into a food and drink destination as part of a £1m renovation project.

It will feature three independent kitchens, two bars, and a deli/coffee shop, all with the aim of showcasing local chefs and seasonally sourced ingredients.

Mason said: “White Cloth Hall holds a special place in Leeds’ rich history, and we are committed to building upon that legacy.

“Working on this project is incredibly special, and appointing an agency that shared our vision for White Cloth Hall was essential.

“We wanted to work with a local, Leeds-based agency that understands both the area and our ambitions for the project.

ilk’s creative vision and strategic approach aligned perfectly with our goals. We believe this partnership will boost excitement for this brilliant venue, and we can’t wait to welcome people through the doors when we open this summer.”

Nev Ridley, managing director of ilk Agency, added: “This is an incredible opportunity for us. White Cloth Hall is sure to be a unique, wonderful addition to Leeds’ vibrant food and drink scene, and we are all passionate about supporting it.

“We look forward to working with the team behind White Cloth Hall to build momentum and deliver impactful activity ahead of the launch.”

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Digital agency, Flaunt Digital, has been appointed by customer solutions specialists Visku to support the organisation with its ongoing growth into 2024.

Specialising as a customer solutions consultancy for supply chain businesses, Visku offers warehousing solutions, on-the-ground product, and as of recently the Pallet Hotel, operating as a platform for businesses to book and browse warehousing spaces across the UK.

The platform functions for users to avoid unnecessary long term leases and find a space suited to their exact needs, whilst also utilising unused warehouse space from larger businesses.

Following a rebrand in late 2023 from its former title Bis Henderson, Visku has set its sights on expanding its digital presence within the industry.

Andy Wight, go to market director at Visku, said: “As we embark on this strategic partnership with Flaunt Digital, we are positive their capability in digital marketing will amplify our vision of revolutionising the warehousing and supply chain industry.

“Flaunt Digital’s approach aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing flexible and efficient warehousing solutions.

“Together, we are set to redefine the services and operational excellence in the supply chain sector.”

Adam Worrall, head of paid media at the Leeds-based agency, added: “We’re really thrilled to have started our work with Visku on their paid media strategy and management.

“Having spent some time with the team and seen the scale of their Wellingborough operation, we’re genuinely excited by the opportunity that paid media presents for Visku’s range of offerings. We can’t wait to drive meaningful results for them across paid search and social.”

Callum Corrigan, head of SEO at Flaunt Digital, added: “The team at Flaunt are really excited to be working with Visku and supporting them with the next chapter of their growth journey.

“It will be an absolute pleasure working with the full team in supporting them to achieve their ambitious but quite rightly so digital vision this year.”

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