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Bury entrepreneur awarded prestigious accolade

Awards

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07/10/2022

Bury entrepreneur awarded prestigious accolade

Sam Elphick, director of Bury-based office technology firm Lex, has been awarded a much-coveted place on the 2022 Insider Media 42 under 42 list, which recognises leading entrepreneurs across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire.

Sam will now join the other finalists at a formal celebration evening on 19 October in Manchester, to recognise the achievements of the 42 business leaders and marking the 30th anniversary of the 42 under 42 event.

The family-firm, established over 40 years ago supports organisations locally, and further afield with office technology products such as multifunctional print devices, AV hardware as well as office interiors and business supplies.

Operating from their premises in Bury, the family-led firm were pleased to report strong end of year financials which matched pre-COVID figures.

Sam comments: “The last three years have most definitely been memorable as I am sure it has for many business owners. Without mentioning the ‘C’ word too much I am pleased that we are finally back in a position of healthy trading, and I feel very privileged to receive such high-profile recognition. I am so lucky to be supported by a fantastic team, who are the backbone of Lex.

“We continue to strive in offering nothing but exceptional service to our clients, whether they are a managed print customer, one that requires a new office fit out or a local school who require IT hardware.”

Lex expanded their headcount this year adding to their technical engineer team which will support their growing MIF estate across the North West and further afield.

Manchester tech CEO named among UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Leaders for 2022

Featured Businesses

Sam Allcock

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07/10/2022

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Manchester tech CEO named among UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Leaders for 2022

LDC (Lloyds Development Capital) has published its Top 50 Most Ambitious Leaders 2022 report and CEO of Manchester’s Mason Advisory has secured a spot for the first time.

The programme, which is supported by The Times and now in its fifth year, celebrates the UK’s most ambitious and inspiring leaders behind some of the country’s fast-growing medium-sized businesses and champions tales of ambition, inclusion, sustainable impact, and innovation.

Steve Watmough, CEO of digital and technology transformation consultancy, Mason Advisory, has been leading the business since he founded it in 2014. Now with over 80 permanent employees around the world, the business is a leading player in the digital and technology advisory market. Together with his team, he has driven expansion of the organisation and embedded operational excellence in everything they do to sustain credibility as a top technology consultancy.

Steve was featured on LDC’s ones to watch list in 2021. He says: “It’s an honour to be recognised alongside such esteemed industry players. I’m privileged to have a strong and dedicated team around me who support my vision and drive the business forward and I’m proud of everything we have achieved together so far. We’re confident we’re on track to achieve our goals, growing the company to over £20m by end of FY23 through organic growth, increasing our headcount, and developing our client base and service offerings.

John Garner, Managing Partner, LDC, adds: “The volume and quality of submissions this year surpassed all of our expectations. We’ve been struck by the way business leaders have overcome challenges and adversity to run fast-growing and successful companies, proving that difficult circumstances can become the biggest driver of ambition. There are so many fascinating stories behind each and every business leader in this year’s Top 50 and I’d like to congratulate all of those featured. We look forward to seeing where they go next!”

A record number of nominations – more than 750 – were received this year, proving that ambition is alive and well despite the challenges faced by increasing economic uncertainty.

LDC is the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group. The report is published in The Times today (6^thOctober).

Click here to see the full report: https://www.ldc.co.uk/top-50/2022/?tab=2&utm_source=Top+50&utm_medium=Publicity+packs&utm_campaign=Top+50+2022

Earlier this year, Mason Advisory was listed in the UK’s Leading Management Consultants 2022 report published by the Financial Times and ranked highly in the UK’s Best Workplaces™, including for Women and in Tech.

With offices in Manchester city centre, Mason Advisory enables organisations to deliver value through digital, data and technology transformation, solving complex business challenges through the intelligent use of IT resources including IT strategy and transformation, sourcing, architecture, cybersecurity, and IT delivery. It operates in sectors such as finance and banking, health, insurance, emergency services, education, retail, government, not-for-profit, and transport.

To find out more about Mason Advisory, visit https://www.masonadvisory.com.

New mentoring programme for women in tech launched

Business support

Sam Allcock

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07/10/2022

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New mentoring programme for women in tech launched

Manchester Digital has launched its new mentoring programme, which will help women in tech grow their careers. Launched on Ada Lovelace Day (Tuesday, October 11), the new MentorHER programme will offer six months of mentoring for women in their early careers.

Katie Gallagher, managing director of Manchester Digital, said: “We’re really proud to launch our new MentorHER programme. Research shows that women leave the tech industry at a rate of 45% more than men. On top of this, McKinsey research found that only 86 women are promoted for every 100 men.

“Our industry members have been telling us that one of their ongoing challenges with increasing diversity is to retain women, not just recruiting them. So at a time when we’re trying to encourage women into the tech industry, we also need to ensure women have the support they need to stay within the industry.

“Further McKinsey research found that the most gender diverse companies were 48% more likely to outperform the least gender diverse.”

The independent trade body for the tech and digital industry across the North West already runs the successful Digital Her programme, which supports women in tech throughout their whole career, as well as encouraging young women to consider a career in tech.

Alison Ross, operations and culture director at Auto Trader UK, one of the sponsors of MentorHER, said: “When I look back at my own journey as a leader, I can see how helpful it would have been to have a mentor who understood the challenges facing women in technology during my early career. Mentoring is a great way for women to expand their networks and gain advice from other women with experience in the industry. We’re really pleased to sponsor and support this crucial programme.”

The MentorHER programme is an offshoot of Digital Her and aims to help young women develop their career. MentorHER will consist of a number of practical and impactful workshops and a six-month mentor programme will be offered to women who will be matched with suitable partners.

MentorHER is a sustainable programme, which asks mentees to commit to becoming a mentor when they have progressed in order to ensure women, as a community, pay it forward. In the future, there will also be a number of other six month mentorships, including schemes for university students, career changers and middle to senior career progressors.

Digital Her was launched by Manchester Digital in 2018 and has already been hugely successful in supporting girls and women with their tech careers. During this time, they have reached almost 4000 women and girls, supported 200 schools and colleges and created a community of more than 230 Digital Her ‘real role models’.

One of Manchester Digital’s key aims is to increase diversity in the tech and digital sector across the North West. As well as Digital Her, they currently run an industry-led apprenticeship programme, as well as events, training and networking opportunities.

Digital Her is running two events to celebrate Ada Lovelace Day, with one invite-only breakfast event and one evening role model meet up.

Ada Lovelace Day was founded in 2009 and is an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths. Ada Lovelace is known as the first computer programmer.

Event details:

Digital Her evening role model meet-up

Date: Tuesday, October 11

Time: 5-8.30pm

Location: No 1 Circle Square

Eventbrite sign up: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mapping-out-a-tech-career-journey-ada-lovelace-day-celebration-tickets-410463135287

SPAR and James Hall & Co. Ltd launch lorry competition to design Marie Curie themed trailer

News

Sam Allcock

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06/10/2022

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SPAR and James Hall & Co. Ltd launch lorry competition to design Marie Curie themed trailer

Throughout October, people will have the chance to let their imaginations run wild by designing the trailer of a SPAR articulated truck using Marie Curie’s yellow and taking inspiration from the charity’s work.

James Hall & Co. Ltd, SPAR’s primary wholesaler and distributor in the North of England, have launched the competition to celebrate the partnership between the UK’s leading end of life charity Marie Curie and SPAR UK.

The company has recently taken delivery of a brand-new trailer that is currently livery free and is awaiting the winning design to be put onto it in due course.

People can enter the competition by picking up a colouring template at their local SPAR store in the North of England. Alternatively, the form can be downloaded from a dedicated space on the James Hall & Co. Ltd website at www.jameshall.co.uk/design-a-truck and be printed off.

Once completed, entries can be uploaded via the same web address, or submitted via an entrant’s local SPAR store to be automatically delivered to James Hall & Co. Ltd.

Entries can also be emailed in to mariecurie@jameshall.co.uk or posted directly to the company’s Distribution Centre marked for the Marketing Department at: James Hall & Co. Ltd, Bowland View, Preston, PR2 5QT.

As well as the winner having their design on the side of a lorry that will travel across the North of England, they will also be presented with a BMX scooter and SPAR hamper.

Tom Murphy, Marketing Manager at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: “We run competitions across the year within our SPAR stores that are incentives for our adult customers only, so we’re incredibly excited to get the wheels in motion on our lorry design competition that opens the doors to children to enter.

“We have been wanting to launch a competition with a difference for a while and we are proud that this one is celebrating the partnership between SPAR and Marie Curie, a charity that is close to our hearts.

“We cannot wait to see the creative designs our customers across the North of England come up with, and in particular those of our younger shoppers. I hope as a member of the judging panel that we have an outstanding range of entries and a difficult decision in choosing a winner.”

Tom Heron, Head of Partnership Management at Marie Curie, said: “We’re incredibly excited to see SPAR customers across the North of England get involved with this fantastic competition and are looking forward to seeing all the wonderful entries.

“Our partnership with SPAR and James Hall & Co. Ltd prides itself on funding Marie Curie services out in the very communities that SPAR stores serve.

“This competition celebrates the spirit of this partnership, emphasising the work that has been done to bring communities together and raise thousands of pounds to ensure that our vital services can continue to support people and their families at the end of life.”

James Hall & Co. Ltd is SPAR UK’s primary wholesaler and distributor for the North of England. The company serves a network of 600 independent SPAR retailers and company owned SPAR stores six days a week from its base in Preston, Lancashire.

You can find out more about James Hall & Co. Ltd at www.jameshall.co.uk.

Banc scores digital marketing contract for Cruise Nation

Partnerships

Sam Allcock

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06/10/2022

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Banc scores digital marketing contract for Cruise Nation

Manchester digital marketing agency Banc has secured a full-service contract with Cruise Nation.

Banc has been tasked with delivering a digital acquisition strategy for Cruise Nation to attract new customer groups and increase online bookings through an integrated campaign approach, comprising Paid Media, SEO, Content Marketing & Digital PR.

This win cements Banc’s presence in the travel leisure sector and speaks to the agency’s extensive experience, having previously held a 9-year relationship with Cruise1st – and having worked with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Lufthansa, Royal Caribbean, and Shearings.

Jonathan Branney, Digital Marketing Strategy Director at Banc, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the Cruise Nation team on what we hope will be a long and fruitful collaborative marketing relationship. Our digital marketing teams at Banc have a strong legacy of producing outstanding results in the travel and cruise sectors, and look forward to harnessing this expertise to deliver true digital marketing transformation for Cruise Nation”.

Mike Garvey, Senior Business Development Manager at Banc, said: “It’s great to be back on the cruise scene again and what a fabulous brand to partner with. Phil and his team have built something really great at Cruise Nation and we are delighted to partner with them to help push them to the next level”.

Cruise Nation’s Commercial Director Andrea Kendal added: “We’re delighted to appoint Banc as our digital marketing agency. We are extremely encouraged by the increased demand we’re experiencing for cruise holidays and we look forward to working with the Banc team to develop our business further”.

Support package launched to help Greater Manchester companies with the energy crisis

Business support

Sam Allcock

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06/10/2022

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Support package launched to help Greater Manchester companies with the energy crisis

A new support package, ‘#HereForBusiness’, has been launched by Greater Manchester’s Business Growth Hub to help businesses manage the increasing cost of doing business.

Working together with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Local Enterprise Partnership, local authorities and business representative organisations, #HereForBusiness brings together support available to Greater Manchester businesses, along with practical solutions they can take to deal with energy price rises and other increasing costs.

The support package will kick-off with a webinar at 9am, on Tuesday, 11 October to explain the detail and limits of the government’s Energy Plan for Business, how to approach your next energy contract and what immediate actions businesses can take during this six-month price intervention window to reduce their energy and other costs.

This will be followed by a second webinar on Tuesday, 18 October which will focus on what businesses can do to reduce energy costs. Both webinars are open to all businesses and sectors across the country.

Further webinars and workshops are planned which will help companies develop a plan to respond to the current economic situation. Aimed at Greater Manchester businesses, these sessions will focus on areas including energy management, financial planning, and people and cost management.

A dedicated website has been launched which includes useful information and advice on what support is available, blogs and case studies.

Other activity includes:

Further webinars and workshops which will help companies develop a plan to respond to the current economic situation, focussing on areas such as energy management, financial planning, and people and cost management.
One to one support from advisors, supporting businesses with practical solutions to the immediate challenges businesses are facing, along with longer-term planning, bespoke to their sector.
Access to Finance, which works with businesses to understand their costs, their cashflow and their income patterns with the aim of helping business owners understand where efficiencies can be made, where costs can be reduced and enabling the finance cycle to work in the best way for the business.

Janine Smith, Director of the Business Growth Hub, said: “In difficult times, the Greater Manchester business community has already shown that it can come together to find collective support and guidance. The GC Business Growth Hub is proud to be working with our Greater Manchester partners, in continuing to make that happen, supporting businesses through the current crisis.

“Rising energy prices and other cost of living challenges is impacting all of us in our personal and professional lives. Businesses need to know that support is here to help them respond in the right way to survive and thrive in these circumstances. For some businesses the immediate future will involve managing through the current crisis whilst others it will be a focus on ensuring they can realise their growth plans.

“From webinars and workshops to one-to-one business support, #HereForBusiness will ensure that businesses can access this help and guidance in a variety of forms to suit their needs and those of their particular sector. All of the support will be designed to give them the insights and practical tips to make a real, immediate difference.”

Sign up for the initial #HereForBusiness: Making sense of the energy challengewebinar here and visit the digital hub – businessgrowthhub.com/here-for-business – to find out more about the support that’s available.

Businesses looking to access specialist support can visit www.businessgrowthhub.comfor more information about the organisation’s extensive range of services.

We Are Indigo PR Announces Prestigious Client Win with Contemporary Chinese Restaurant Tattu

Partnerships

Sam Allcock

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06/10/2022

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We Are Indigo PR Announces Prestigious Client Win with Contemporary Chinese Restaurant Tattu

International communications agency, We Are Indigo, has announced a prestigious client win high-end contemporary Chinese restaurant Tattu. We Are Indigo will manage the media communications and influencer match-making for Tattu’s North sites: Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. As the award-winning restaurant proceeds to grow and gain premium status with both consumers and hospitality insiders, Tattu has recognised the need for an efficient, and equally unique, PR team to assist with communications across their UK North sites.

Tattu restaurants have been heralded as culinary champions offering a multi-sensory dining experience in a luxurious ambient setting. The experimental nature of the Tattu brand is fitting to We Are Indigo’s unique approach to public relations. Already boasting an extensive international client list, We Are Indigo are truly experts in the game. We Are Indigo are specialists in increasing footfall for hospitality venues by creating authentic word of mouth. This natural word of mouth buzz is generated by the team’s dedication to securing top tier media, creating powerful collaborations, and organising bespoke events which secure high-level coverage and connect venues to influential individuals.

Commenting on the new client win, founder of We Are Indigo, Gemma Krysko said: “We are pleased to have been chosen as the first PR agency for Tattu. Tattu restaurants have achieved so much success since launching in 2015 and have become destination hotspots for diners looking something special. We are so excited to help Tattu to continue to build this unique identity and get to work on some very exciting projects.”

Tattu has recently appointed a new brand & marketing director, Lotte Leatham, who commented: “Since conception, Tattu has been recognised as a unique and experiential destination for diners and has achieved authentic praise from both consumers and critics. We are excited to begin working with We Are Indigo on our innovative dining concept.”

The Tattu account follows a number of high-profile hospitality wins for We Are Indigo. This year, We Are Indigo has also welcomed Manchester’s high-end gastro pub The Black Friar to its portfolio and extended its Ibiza client list with the addition of restaurant 1742 – a luxury culinary venture from Dutch Michelin Star chef Edwin Vinke and the Nassau Group.

The agency has welcomed significant growth to its team with 4 additional employees joining within the last year. Experts in luxury hospitality, We Are Indigo has retained all clients on roaster pre-pandemic including Michelin starred Amsterdam restaurant The Duchess, luxury international F&B operator The Entourage Group and iconic rave series The Warehouse Project.

Elementar launches specialised nitrate isotope analysis system EnvirovisION at JESIUM 2022

Tech

Sam Allcock

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06/10/2022

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Elementar launches specialised nitrate isotope analysis system EnvirovisION at JESIUM 2022

EnvirovisION, a new stable isotope analysis system that will simplify and significantly lower the barrier to entry for dissolved nitrate isotope analysis, will be launched by Elementar UK at the forthcoming 2022 Joint European Stable Isotope Users group Meeting (JESIUM).

In-person and virtual attendees of JESIUM, taking place from October 10th to 14th at the University of East Finland, will be introduced to the benefits and innovative techniques delivered by EnvirovisION, a specially configured stable isotope analyser for the isotopic analysis of atmospheric N2O, CO2, CH4 and dissolved nitrate samples.

EnvirovisION has been optimised to make the isotopic analysis of dissolved nitrate in environmental samples simpler and faster than ever before. It is powerfully effective in identifying the sources, sinks and cycling of nitrogen throughout terrestrial and marine ecosystems and into the atmosphere, delivering important insights into the root of environmental problems such as smog, acidification, eutrophication and climate change.

A key innovation of EnvirovisION is that it has been designed around the titanium (III) sample preparation method, which uses Ti (III) chloride to reduce nitrate to N2O gas. This one-step chemical conversion method allows samples to be prepared within 24 hours, ready for IRMS analysis.

This titanium method was co-developed by Dr Mark Altabet, professor of marine science at the School for Marine Science and Technology of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and Dr Leonard Wassenaar, the former laboratory and section head for isotope hydrology at the International Atomic Energy Agency. This approach avoids the need for microbiological sample preparation, which requires the cultivation of special denitrifying bacteria in idealised conditions, or a chemical approach with hazardous reagents. Instead, it utilises reagents that are safe to use, easy to dispose of and readily available.

Attendees of JESIUM 2022 will be able to learn more about EnvirovisION during a talk by Dr Calum Preece, enviromental market manager at Elementar UK, who will be giving a presentation on the benefits of the new system and the titanium (III) method on Tuesday October 11th at 16:15 BST.

Dr Preece said: “We look forward to introducing the EnvirovisION during JESIUM 2022 and engaging with members of the stable isotope and environmental research community on how this system has the potential to make dissolved nitrate isotope analysis easier and more accessible for laboratories than ever before.

“Nitrate pollution is a major problem around the globe. Stable isotope analysis of nitrate and nitrite allows us to separate different sources of nitrate to determine where this pollution might be coming from, helping us to mitigate the worst effects of our inputs into the nitrogen cycle.

“With EnvirovisION and the new titanium (III) method, even novice labs can now perform high-quality isotopic analysis of nitrate with easily obtained reagents and basic laboratory infrastructure. What’s more, thanks to the system’s various tools designed to automate, simplify and improve sample throughput, every lab will be able to generate more data, faster.”

To learn more about the EnvirovisION platform, please visit Elementar UK’s EnvirovisION site and Balancing the Nitrogen Cycle campaign homepage.

Manchester based CEO Janette Martin named among UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2022

Awards

Sam Allcock

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06/10/2022

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Manchester based CEO Janette Martin named among UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2022

Janette Martin, CEO of Talos360 has been named as one of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2022.

The programme, which is supported by The Times and now in its fifth year, celebrates the inspiring leaders behind some of the UK’s most successful and fast-growing medium-sized firms.

A record number of nominations – more than 750 – were received this year, proving that ambition is alive and well despite the challenges faced by increasing economic uncertainty.

The business leaders featured in The Top 50 demonstrate resilience, strategic excellence and export success. They operate across a broad range of sectors and are driving growth in every corner of the UK – from Edinburgh to Brighton, and Bath to Norfolk. Collectively, they employ almost 9,500 people and turn over more than £1.2 billion.

Established in 2009 to provide businesses with a better way to attract, recruit, and retain the best talent, Talos360 is now an award-winning provider of intelligent talent technology solutions. Having reported over 50% revenue increase for 2021 and following heavy investment in her senior leadership team, CEO Janette Martin has presided over quite a year at Talos360. As well as recording significant business growth, 2022 has been full of external accolades for the Warrington-based company: Nominated for several prestigious awards, Talos360 is now recognised as the 5th best place to work in tech by Great Place to Work UK in September 2022.

Janette Martin, CEO of Talos360, said: ‘I’m honoured to be featured among The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2022. However, I also see this award as a great testament to Talos360. Without the support of founder Stephen Rundell, the wider leadership team, and of course, our amazing, talented people, the company wouldn’t be where it is today. For me, my biggest passion is to work with great people, and at Talos360, there are 122 great people.’

John Garner, Managing Partner, LDC, added: “The volume and quality of submissions this year surpassed all of our expectations. We’ve been struck by the way business leaders have overcome challenges and adversity to run fast-growing and successful companies, proving that difficult circumstances can become the biggest driver of ambition. There are so many fascinating stories behind each and every business leader in this year’s Top 50 and I’d like to congratulate all of those featured. We look forward to seeing where they go next!”

You can find out more information on this year’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders programme here.

Manchester agency scoops double drinks brand win

Appointments

Sam Allcock

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06/10/2022

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Drinks brands Double Dutch and Hartwall Original® Long Drink have appointed Manchester-based PR and marketing agency Scoop to handle their UK PR campaigns and boost growth in the run up to Christmas.

The new clients join Scoop, as the business experiences monumental growth, with the expansion of its client base across sectors including hospitality, F&B, live events, music and tech.

Scoop has been appointed by the premium mixer and tonic brand, Double Dutch, to deliver a thorough UK press office function, featuring creative news gen, product placement and founder profiling for the London-based business, which distributes to 45 countries around the world.

The work with Hartwall Original® Long Drink, part of the Royal Unibrew group, will focus on growing the brand in the North West and cementing its position as the region’s favourite ‘gin in a tin’ brand through strategic partnerships, creative news gen, media relations and experiential activity.

Earlier this year, the agency won Best New Agency at the PR Moment Awards and has since been shortlisted for its work with Highest Point Festival, one of the first music festivals in the country to return post-pandemic.

The agency’s client roster now includes Skiddle, the event discovery platform, Highest Point Festival, Lancashire’s biggest open-air music festival, and Great North Pie Co.

Pippa Nixon, an award winning independent PR and Marketing Consultant and Director of Scoop, said: “Our strategy for 2022 was to bring more F&B products on board, and both brands have been on our hitlist for a while now so we’re super pleased to be working with them on strategic PR campaigns. Our ethos is to work with businesses on a path to growth, nurturing them and our internal team to build a sustainable business, and a job we enjoy doing, and both clients are really allowing us to do just that. We’re looking forward to seeing where we can take them both. ”

Scoop offers PR and marketing to ambitious businesses ready to make their next big move, with services including PR, marketing, events, agency consultancy, social media and influencer activity.

Founded in 2020, the company works with a host of clients across multiple sectors, including Skiddle, Highest Point Festival, GRUB, Royal Unibrew, Jarvo, Great North Pie Co, and Highest Point Festival.

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