Media Buzz: Bloom; True North; Aberfield; Grayling North

BLOOM is undertaking a major expansion programme following international success.

The agency recently completed a global digital campaign for global sports brand, Goal.com. It has recruited multi-lingual staff to facilitate the growth of international campaigns and Bloom has also taken new, larger offices in Leeds to accommodate its 68 staff and enable further team expansion to reach 100 staff. 

The agency has also expanded its senior team with the appointment of former Ebuyer managing director, Dave Wood, as commercial director and Nathan Lane, formerly head of Bell Pottinger’s Leeds office, as head of earned media.

Bloom has grown its revenues through 2013 and income is £1m ahead of this time last year. Significant wins have included benenden health and Engage Mutual.

Alex Craven, CEO, said: “We are investing in talent and experience at all levels of our agency. Bloom’s growth is fuelled by a passion for data led insight that is informing some cracking creative and good old fashioned digital nous. Demand from new and current clients is leading our international expansion with a clear requirement for an integrated and seamless approach to building brands.”
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PRODUCTION firm True North has teamed up with media companies, producers and broadcasters in Europe and China for a new three part series.

The Leeds company, which started 12 years ago working out of a bedroom and is now one of the largest TV production companies outside of London, will work in partnership with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV9, Beijing-based media company China Intercontinental Communication Center (CICC) and France Television’s pioneering digital channel, France Ô, to produce a documentary series examining the rise of a new generation of talented Chinese designers.

Commissioned by CICC and developed by True North’s executive producer for specialist factual, Liz McLeod, the three-part series will follow the journeys of nine talented young Chinese designers.

Set to film on location across major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Guangzhou, the series will also visit places less familiar to an international audience, such as the mountainous province of Guizhou.

The collaboration with CICC marks True North’s second commission in the Far East, with the company already in talks regarding further projects in the region.

Marc Allen, managing director of True North, said: “International productions and co-productions, especially with China, are an important area of focus for True North, opening up new programme-making opportunities. Bringing together exciting and ambitious projects like this is hugely encouraging and testimony to the experience and creativity of this area of True North’s operations.”

Production is already underway with delivery expected in early 2014.
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ABERFIELD Communications is expanding its fast-growing portfolio of clients after securing four new contracts.

Leeds-based Aberfield has been appointed by Quintessential Finance Group, Dunelm Optical, Arriva Bus and Coach and UK Locations to manage their PR.

Tim Downs, director at Aberfield, said: “Quintessential is rapidly growing and expanding into new markets on the strength of its technology. We’ll be highlighting the expertise that has driven its growth and demonstrating why it is the market leader in financial technology and information services.”
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GRAYLING North PR has been appointed by National Grid to support the community relations activities on its infrastructure projects across the North of England.

The community relations roster supports a range of projects including building connections to the grid for new sources of low carbon energy, replacing old equipment at the end of its life and remediating contaminated former gas works sites. Grayling North will work with National Grid’s project teams across the region to engage with all key communities and stakeholders affected by its work for the next two years.

Roseanne Battye, National Grid external affairs and regional engagement manager, said: “The agencies on the roster will play a vital role in one of Britain’s biggest challenges: to secure affordable energy, while meeting low-carbon energy targets and connecting communities to new sources of energy.”