New marketing agency forms with a mission in mind

A NEW marketing consultancy has been launched with a mission to help companies beat the economic downturn.

Leeds-based Ice Innovation Brand and Web has been formed through the merger of two Leeds firms – Iammedia.com and Velocity North Creative.

The merger follows a string of account wins for the two long established companies, who formed an informal working relationship four years ago.

Ice Innovation, which provides integrated marketing brand support and website development services, has recently increased its team from eight to 13.

Miles Fryer, managing director of Iammedia.com and Sammy Blindell owner of Velocity North Creative first met at a networking group four years ago.

They have been joined in the new venture by former BT marketing manager Carol Davies.

Mr Fryer, who is the new company’s chief executive, said: “We have developed a strong working relationship over the years with a great deal of business being passed between the two companies – it seemed entirely logical that we should formalise arrangements by joining together to create Ice Innovation.

“We are looking at the recession as an opportunity and we are working with various funding providers to identify grant aid for our clients and potential clients to help them develop their businesses.”

Mr Fryer added that in times of recession it was companies that continued to invest in marketing that came through fit and strong.

“However, we also realise that budgets are under severe pressure and that is why we have developed strong relationships with various funding bodies to identify and capture grant support for clients,” he said.

Ms Davies said that there was a substantial amount of aid available, particularly for SMEs, but often companies were unaware of what was on offer or how to unlock it.

She said: “We take care of that process and use the funding to help our clients finance bespoke online and offline marketing campaigns to suit their business and reinvigorate their sales drive.”