Media Buzz: First direct founder signed for Leeds Media event; Propaganda scoop silver for charity commercial and more

LEEDS Media, the voice of the region’s media and marketing community, is to host an event exploring the development and improvement of customer service using technology.

Leeds-born marketing and business leader Peter Simpson, a founder of First Direct, will be offering his views on making a case for customer service as well as his predictions for technological developments in the field.

The round table discussion will take place on March 18 at 4pm at Leeds Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Simpson was a member of the founder team who came together to create First Direct, launching the UK’s first telephone bank in October 1989.

He spent a large part of his career in banking, including time as head of marketing at HSBC. He is currently a partner at Leeds-based Intervue, a strategic marketing business consultancy associated with The Intermarketing Group.

Mr Simpson is an honorary lifetime fellow of the Institute of Direct Marketing and a member of its educational panel. He has spoken and written extensively on marketing and customer service issues.

Gary McCall, chairman of Leeds Media, said: “At a pivotal time for Leeds businesses and the region’s economy, we are delighted to be supported by such a well known business leader as Peter Simpson. This is part of our series of events in which we provide our members with thoughtful analysis and insight from speakers with diverse perspectives and experience.”

To book contact 0113 220 6360 or email info|@leedsmedia.co.uk.

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LEEDS-based strategic and creative agency Propaganda has seen off major competition from the UK’s leading creatives.

Propaganda scooped the Best Charity Commercial Award from Creative Circle.

The national creative awards body praised the agency’s emotional tribute to murdered teenager Sophie Lancaster, which was developed on behalf of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

Propaganda has worked with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation since it was established in 2007 and chose to create a tribute to her to educate people on the importance of tolerance regardless of subculture.

Working closely with French animator Fursey Teyssier and iconic British band Portishead, the two-minute film, the brainchild of Propaganda’s creative director Mark Williams, was created over several months and launched in November at a public screening in Manchester.

As a result of the win, the film will be entered into the Creative Circle annual, to be published later on this year.