MPA admin, Author at Manchester Publicity Association

‘My World’ Vs ‘Big World’: New report reveals responsibility shift of the ethical consumer

By Rose Allerston, Smoking Gun Against a backdrop of tumultuous world events and the cost of living crisis, consumer attitudes have altered irrevocably. It’s the communication professional’s eternal challenge to shift our approach with this constantly changing tide. Consumers are demanding more from brands than ever before. They are buying less, shopping around more and every purchase is considered. So how can we adapt our strategy to stay ahead? At Smoking Gun, we’ve launched ‘The Rise of the Shrewd Shopper’ report - an essential playbook for marketing and comms pros into the new consumer landscape. Crucially, it examines the opportunities [...]

MPA admin2023-11-07T11:53:11+00:00November 7th, 2023|News|

Your next copywriter could cost you 70% more than you think

By Jeff Edis, Senior Copywriter and founder at Words Words Words UK We all know a new hire is going to cost more than the headline salary. But the temptation to take on a talented copywriter regardless is very real. They who can turn disenchanted clients into ambassadors for the agency. Beat heavy duty agencies in an odds defying pitch. And carry off a haul of creative award. Results in that all too human failing. The dangerous condition of self-deception. So, while we’re perfectly happy to concede there’ll be such things as NI, pension contributions and the cost of recruiting, we [...]

MPA admin2023-08-24T10:19:13+00:00August 23rd, 2023|Blog|

MPA Member Spotlight – Laura Pearson, Commercial Director, Kalua

Agency Business Name Kalua What do you do? Kalua are an audio creative agency and audio production company rolled into one – we’re one of only a few agencies in the UK that specialise just in audio, with our own creative team and studios based at MediaCityUK. We often tell people that while they may not have heard of our name, they’ll most certainly have heard our work. Every week the audio campaigns and content we produce are heard by over 13 million people, across BBC radio, commercial radio, and podcast platforms. Since we launched in 2008, we’ve helped hundreds [...]

MPA admin2023-07-18T09:19:17+00:00July 11th, 2023|MPA, News|

Manchester firms collaborate to launch new PR apprenticeship

Replicating the spirit of the MPA, two highly respected Manchester based businesses have forged a new alliance to help alleviate the talent shortage in PR and create new jobs in the sector. After ten years of success in delivering social media apprenticeships, The Juice Academy recently announced new partnerships to launch new apprenticeship qualifications including PR and Communications with teaching delieverd by practitioners from leading PR agency, Smoking Gun. Businesses open to employing a PR apprentice are being sought for the new apprenticeship which begins on 31 August. A maximum of 20 businesses will join the first cohort, adding a [...]

MPA admin2023-06-19T13:40:48+00:00June 19th, 2023|Blog|

MPA Blog Share: Rubbish In, Rubbish Out. (Computers and Creative Briefs, a Cautionary Tale).

By Jeff Edis, Senior Copywriter and founder at Words Words Words UK To be historically correct, the phrase first emerged as ‘Garbage In, Garbage Out’. It’s attributed to George Fuechsel, an American IBM technical instructor, who came up with it in the early 1960’s. Whichever version you go with, it expresses with unique clarity the challenges that faced computerisation in its early days. And whilst we’re talking history, the originator of this penetrating thought was George Babbage the father of the computer. A mathematician, philosopher and mechanical engineer, Babbage was the originator of the digital, programmable machine. Retelling an early [...]

MPA admin2023-06-15T11:48:12+00:00June 15th, 2023|Blog|

Altrincham agency C21 celebrates 25 years in business

This June is a landmark moment for Altrincham-based, employee-owned agency, C21. Originally founded in 1998, trading out of a small office on Atlantic Street, with just five employees – three of whom are still with the company – and big ambitions. It wasn’t long before the business moved to Back Grafton Street in the centre of Altrincham, and from there to their current offices at The Court House on Grafton Street, as demand increased, and growth followed. The company employs an expert team of project managers, creatives, designers, developers and strategists, who pride themselves not only on their commitment [...]

MPA admin2023-06-13T12:54:21+00:00June 13th, 2023|News|

MPA Member Spotlight – Mark Law MD of GAIN LINE

Agency / Business name GAIN LINE What do you do? I’m the Managing Director of GAIN LINE which is part of WilsonCooke/Holdings Ltd (co-owner and Group MD). Originally starting my professional life as Developer, I have been working in the agency space for nearly 20 years and have spent over 12 of those with WilsonCooke in various capacities including Digital Project Manager, Development Manager, Operations Director and progressing to Managing Director which is a position I have held for the past 7 years. Put simply, GAIN LINE optimises businesses through our business consultancy and development capabilities. Our unique approach to [...]

MPA admin2023-06-13T10:21:31+00:00June 6th, 2023|MPA, News|

MPA celebrates 3 new ‘A Place for You’ role models

The MPA is delighted to celebrate three new ‘A Place for You’ role models. Viv Yau is the founder of influencer agency Bee Influence. She also co-founded the non-profit, besea.n (Britain’s East and South East Asian Network), working with the likes of the government’s DCMS, Google, PayPal and Direct Line. Viv hopes to support the next generation of ESEA talent in Manchester, show casing the diverse roles in the creative industry. Imogen Tazzyman is Executive Creative Director at McCann Manchester. Imogen will always say 'yes' to the panel, enter awards and step forward to represent not just herself, but the [...]

MPA admin2023-05-22T11:03:57+00:00May 22nd, 2023|MPA, News|

MPA Awards 2023 – Final deadline extension

We have had a lot of enquires after the bank holiday weekend, asking whether we will be extending the entry deadline for this year's awards. Yes! Advance notice for you all - we will be extending the deadline for entries. FINAL DEADLINE EXTENSION - 5pm Friday 19th May. However, this is the absolute deadline. There will be no more extensions! Our judges are keenly waiting to see your entries! For all information on this year's awards visit mpainspirationawards.org.uk and please email cindy@mpa.org.uk with any questions. Don't forget, if you're an MPA member, you're first entry is FREE. Exclusive sponsorship opportunities available. Mixing with the [...]

MPA admin2023-05-10T08:15:31+00:00May 10th, 2023|MPA, News|

“What winning an MPA Award meant to us”

Last year's MPA awards saw Wavemaker win three high profile people category awards. MPA MD Cindy Simmons asked them to describe how it felt to win on the night and also to describe what it meant to them both professionally and personally. Here are their responses: Lisa Thompson, Business Director, Wavemaker North "I still can’t believe I won the Inspiring Manchester Award. I honestly really did not expect it. Winning this award was an absolute honour and something I am ridiculously proud of. "While winning an award was never the motivation to tackle diversity in our industry, sometimes the work [...]

MPA admin2023-05-09T08:39:49+00:00May 9th, 2023|MPA, News|

About MPA admin