Agency roundup: SLBPR; ASK BOSCO; Aberfield Communications; and more

Leeds-based creative communications agency, SLBPR, has been appointed by Stephanie Mason, founder of Showpony Extensions and a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Mason launched Showpony Hair Extensions in Australia in 2008 after identifying a gap in the market.
While working as a model, she noticed hair stylists struggled to achieve desired looks using the single-toned hair extensions available at the time.
With the guidance of her stepfather, a seasoned wig maker, she created Showpony, offering quality, versatile hair extensions.
Under her leadership, Showpony expanded into 22 countries and became a household name in professional haircare before being sold in 2023 to the Kevin Murphy group.
Now, Mason has shifted her focus to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. She provides mentorships, and works with brands who support her passion for sustainable and ethical practices.
She and SLBPR’s CEO, Sharon Brigden, have shared a long friendship and they’ve long envisioned an opportunity to work together.
Bridgen said: “Stephanie is an incredible entrepreneur who I admire for her business acumen and brand development.
“We’ve been looking for an opportunity to work together for years and I’m so excited that this has come to fruition.
“Her achievements with Showpony are remarkable, and it’s clear we share the same business ethos. We have some exciting projects in the pipeline.”
Mason added: “It’s a pleasure to finally be represented by SLBPR. I’ve known Sharon for years and trust her and the company implicitly. They are the perfect fit for me. We’ve got a lot of exciting ideas, and I’m eager to get started.”
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Lee Mabelson
Mabo, a digital marketing agency and 2024 Google Premier Partner, has appointed Leeds-based ASK BOSCO as its agency-wide AI reporting and analytics platform.
The collaboration will enable Mabo to provide advanced AI-driven insights, reporting and forecasting for its 300 clients, empowering the agency to focus on strategy and client growth while delivering timely data insights.
ASK BOSCO, an AI marketing analytics platform for retailers, brands and marketing agencies, is designed to empower teams with insightful, data-driven decision-making.
The platform integrates all marketing and e-commerce data for unified reporting and incorporates forecasting capabilities to maximise returns on online ad spend.
Founded in 2013, Mabo Media provides advertising services, offering a suite of solutions including; Paid Search Management, PPC Management, Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, Paid social media and SEO.
Founder and CEO of ASK BOSCO, John Readman, said: “We are excited to announce our partnership with Mabo, a recognised leader in the digital marketing industry.
“They will have access to instant insights and accurate AI forecasting, which will help them deliver even better results for their clients.
“This partnership highlights our shared commitment to innovation and achieving the best outcomes for businesses.”
Lee Mabelson, managing director of Mabo Media, added: “Our focus has always been on delivering exceptional results for our clients, and partnering with ASK BOSCO allows us to do this more effectively than ever.
“Their platform’s ability to unify reporting and provide precise forecasting enables us to dedicate more time to high-value strategic work, ensuring our clients continue to see the best possible results from their campaigns.
“ASK BOSCO removes manual reporting work from our team, saving a huge amount of time across the whole agency on weekly reporting admin.”
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Leeds-based PR, social media and brand communications agency, Aberfield Communications, has been appointed by Visit Leeds, the official Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for Leeds, to support with creating a suite of content to be used across Visit Leeds’ digital channels.
Aberfield will work as an extension of the Visit Leeds team, creating content aimed at elevating Leeds’ profile as a top visitor destination and inspiring both new and returning visitors.
It will produce a variety of digital content, including blogs, social assets and reels, centred on key themes which highlight Leeds’ music and events scene, museums and galleries, sport affiliations, and more.
Projects already delivered include creating Visit Leeds’ “Ultimate Guide to Christmas 2024”, alongside tailored Christmas itineraries for target audiences.
Aberfield has also generated blogs, graphics and a reel in collaboration with Leeds Rhinos and England International players Amy Hardcastle and Caitlin Beevers, which promoted the recent international rugby league double header at AMT Headingley Stadium.
Belinda Eldridge, head of destination marketing and international relations at Leeds City Council, said: “We have appointed Aberfield to support our DMO, showcasing all that Leeds has to offer.
“From a buzzing city centre with an unrivalled food and drink scene to outstanding natural countryside and remarkable historic houses, Leeds hosts some exceptional visitor experiences, all delivered with a warm and welcoming touch.
“The team’s passion for audience-driven content and proven expertise in tourism communications make them the ideal partners as we continue to promote Leeds as an outstanding city-break destination.”
Rebecca Goldsworthy, senior consultant at Aberfield Communications, added: “We’re passionate about championing our home city of Leeds, so we’re thrilled to be supporting Visit Leeds with content delivery.
“We’ve already dived into some exciting projects that are generating great engagement, and we’re eager to keep blending our love for the city, audience insight, creativity, and industry expertise to produce content that encourages more people to visit, as well as discover the attractions right on their doorstep.”
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Specialist pay-per-click (PPC) agency, Circus PPC, is celebrating another milestone as it continues on its growth trajectory.
It has revealed that November 2024 was its biggest month on record – a total increase of 21% year-on-year.
The Leeds-based agency, which recently had a structural shake-up to assist with growth ambitions, including the introduction of C-Suite roles and promotions for the senior leadership team, has also seen a year-on-year increase in client wins of 20%, allowing further expansion of its account management and client services teams.
Rick Tobin, CEO and founder, said: “We’re a growth-focused agency – not just for our clients, but for ourselves too.
“More growth means more development and opportunities for our talented, hard-working team, and allows us to continue working towards being the UK’s leading PPC agency.
“This year, we’ve received recognition for both the work we do for clients, and the way we work as an agency, and we’re constantly working to improve both areas to become to best of the best.”