LATEST NEWS
Website brush-up for UK paint company
A company which specialises in painting iconic bridges and some of the largest warships ever built has turned to MHW to brush up its online marketing activity.
Gateshead-based industrial services specialist Pyeroy, which is currently painting the Forth Rail Bridge - the ultimate paint job - and the Royal Navy’s new generation of aircraft carriers among many other projects - briefed MHW to develop and manage a new website following a review of its online services.
The work involved redesigning the website to reflect Pyeroy’s new corporate image and included the addition of new sections to improve the quality of information provided to customers. The site will be updated regularly with project news and company developments – as well as latest vacancies.
The website development complements MHW’s ongoing PR and marketing support services provided to Pyeroy and also reflects the increasing amount of digital marketing MHW is undertaking for clients.
Best ingredients for restaurant celebration
One of Tyneside's most popular restaurants, an institution among corporate and private diners, chose MHW to help promote its 20th anniversary.
Vujon, which has served high quality, award-winning Indian cuisine from plush premises on Newcastle's Quayside since 1990 wanted to maximise the anniversary, which coincided with a big investment in the restaurant, the appointment of its first executive chef and the launch of a new-look menu.
MHW organised a successful celebratory event and undertook a burst of regional media activity comprising food reviews, promotions and news articles.
PR director Wayne Halton and colleague Lauren Robinson were also tasked with improving online visibility and rankings on restaurant review sites.
Elsewhere, links and partnerships were established with business network organisations to start spreading the word and reputation of Vujon among a key audience.
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Furniture retailer appoints MHW
Sofaitalia.co.uk, initially established as a web-based business from headquarters in County Durham three years ago, recently opened the first of a planned network of 15 or more furniture stores across the country within the next five years.
MHW's early task is to promote the first store on Portrack Lane, Stockton while continuing to push the online business.
Leading the account is MHW director Wayne Halton supported by executive colleague Lauren Robinson. They have developed an integrated promotions campaign which includes media relations, competitions, and retail partnerships along with in-store promotions and limited advertising.
Sofaitalia.co.uk is a mid to top-end specialist Italian leather sofa retailer offering a unique and exclusive range of stylish designs not available elsewhere. The ambitious company hopes to open another couple of sites within the next six months.
Apprentice company gets ministerial launch
Ministerial backing was one of the key ingredients behind MHW’s successful launch of a new apprenticeship company which made the front pages of the region’s business press and featured on TV and radio news.
MHW was appointed to manage media relations for the North East Apprenticeship Company (NEAC), which was launched February 2010 in Gateshead by Iain Wright MP, Minister for 14‐19 Reform and Apprenticeships at event attended by business leaders, trade unions and training providers.
NEAC will make it easier for businesses to employ apprentices while boosting the number of young people taking up apprenticeships in the region.
In addition to TV and radio coverage, the MHW team, led by account director Andy Bruce, ensured news of the launch was read by people in the region’s influential newspapers including The Journal, Chronicle, Evening Gazette and Sunderland Echo.
Kim Davies, NEAC project director, said: “MHW not only delivered what was promised but exceeded expectations. We were extremely pleased with the extent and quality of the media coverage, which helped cement the success of the launch and raise our awareness.”
Driving Sevcon along road to success
MHW is gearing up to put an international electrical vehicle component manfufacturer in the fast lane to success.
The multi-service agency has been appointed to raise awareness of Sevcon and its products nationally and internationally.
US-based Sevcon, which has its UK headquarters on Gateshead's Team Valley, is one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of micro processor based controls for zero emission electrical vehicles.
The MHW team will be led by director Ian Watson with day-to-day support from account director David Swinburne. Work will include a national and international media relations campaign along with a rebranding exercise and the production of new marketing materials.
MHW is the smart choice
MHW has won a competitive pitch to handle PR for Smarter Choices, a sustainable transport initiative that aims to reduce congestion and carbon emissions in Tyne and Wear.
Smarter Choices, funded by Nexus and the five local authorities of Tyne and Wear, will work with MHW to promote sustainable modes of transport in the area and encourage people to use the car less and make fewer journeys by considering other alternatives like public transport, cycling and walking.
Promoting affordable art
For the second year running MHW successfully promoted and helped to organise the NewcastleGateshead Art Fair, held at the iconic Sage building, on October 1-4.
Working closely with events management company Benchmark Communications, MHW helped design the marketing plan which comprised press, online, radio and some outdoor advertising along with a national specialist and regional media relations campaign.
New recruit at MHW
Marielle Schmidt has joined MHW as the latest PR account executive. An English Language graduate, she already has great knowledge of writing and the media – helped by the fact journalism is in her family. Her sister is a senior journalist within NcjMedia, working for the Newcastle Chronicle and Journal. Marielle is already providing valuable media support on a number of key accounts.