Carat UK, a dentsu company, has announced it has been appointed to handle Mint Velvet’s SEO business, following a competitive pitch. The new partnership represents the first time Mint Velvet has sought an agency for this requirement and is effective immediately. The brand, known for its ‘relaxed glamour’ concept, was impressed by Carat’s strong heritage in the fashion and retail sector and deep SEO expertise which underpins a clear plan to accelerate growth through increased online visibility – enabling Mint Velvet to connect with even more consumers. The new business was won through Carat’s team in Manchester.
Global technology consultancy Thoughtworks has appointed B2B comms agency Fight or Flight as its UK PR agency of record after a three-way competitive pitch process. Thoughtworks has spent over 30 years helping clients which include the likes of the ITV, Mercedes-Benz and the NHS solve complex problems, navigate disruption and software, and prides itself on its ability to connect strategy to practical execution. Fight or Flight’s brief is to help Thoughtworks write and communicate the next chapter of its story, following an IPO on the Nasdaq and subsequent evolution of its brand and category positioning. The agency will provide strategic comms, thought leadership and media relations services. The Fight or Flight team will be led by managing partner Joe Walton, supported by senior account manager Libby Barnes and associate director and broadcast specialist Jamie McNicholas.
The Kite Factory has been appointed by grassroots environmental campaigning organisation Friends of the Earth to oversee its digital media activity for fundraising. The climate and environmental justice organisation has tasked the agency with running fundraising advertising for the Individual Giving team across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, promoting ways the public can support their vital work to create a greener, safer, fairer planet now and for generations to come.
Stafford-based STEM PR agency Stone Junction has been shortlisted for four categories in the CIPR PRide Midlands awards: Corporate and Business Communications, Environmental Campaign, Best Long-Term Client Care, and PR Consultancy of the Year. As well as retaining the PR Consultancy of the Year award, which the firm has held for four out of the last five years, it hopes to grow its already impressive roster of cleantech clients by winning the Environmental Campaign award.
Fourth Day has announced a new partnership with Manchester-based independent theatre and arts venue 53two. The PR agency’s charity and arts team will offer a year’s pro bono PR and comms support and will be responsible for building awareness of the registered charity and its mission to make arts spaces more accessible. 53two aims to address the issue of accessibility and inclusivity across Greater Manchester’s arts scene and champions disabled, disadvantaged and underserved creators and theatregoers alike. It also works to spotlight new writing and regional theatre talent.
Additionally, Protolabs, a digital manufacturer of custom prototypes and low-volume production parts, has selected B2B tech PR agency, Fourth Day, to manage its UK PR, influencer relations and thought leadership programmes. Fourth Day was selected, following a four-way competitive pitch, for its experience in the 3D printing and additive manufacturing industry, as well as its proven track record in delivering results-driven thought leadership campaigns.
