THE MHW PR TEAM
David Swinburne
Andy Bruce
Jo Barton
Lauren Robinson
Marielle Schmidt
MHW strives to recruit the best media and PR professionals in the industry. Our consultants are experienced, persuasive and are equipped with a range of industry specific skills.
Some of our people are former journalists; others have wider media skills and some have great events management expertise.
They have a diverse range of experience so we can offer our clients unrivalled expertise in specialist areas including corporate, technical, consumer and healthcare.
Ongoing training support means our consultants are aware and up-to-speed with developments across the communications industry – whether that’s social marketing, digital or social media.
David Swinburne, account director
David joined MHW in 2005 and has over eight years’ consultancy experience. Before entering PR, he began his career writing articles for sports publications and a talking newspaper. Specialising in media relations, he focuses on campaigns for business-to-business accounts and clients in the public sector. He has advised organisations including bus company Go North East; Chamber of Commerce and inward investment agency Tyne and Wear Development Company, delivering a range of services including press office, copy writing, crisis management, newsletters and other printed materials. Also provides technical support to one of the world’s biggest battery makers, writing copy for national and international publications and trade events.
Andy Bruce, account director
Andy Bruce started his career as a journalist on a weekly newspaper before moving into PR more than 20 years ago. This gave him a ‘nose’ for a story and the skills and experience required to write to deadline for newspapers including local news gathering and reporting as well as general feature writing, editing and page layout and print production. Since then, he has worked on behalf of private and public sector clients throughout the UK. He has also worked overseas for the one of the world’s leading PR consultancies, overseeing the print and production of a series of regional newsletters for the world’s biggest car company. He has considerable experience of writing copy on behalf of business-to-business and consumer clients for a wide variety of local, regional, national and international print and broadcast media.
Jo Baron, account manager
Jo started her PR career after graduating from the University of Sunderland in 2004 with a media and communications degree. She joined MHW in 2006 and works for a number of private and public sector clients delivering creative and successful media campaigns. She provides PR support to large organisations such as Gateshead College, Sunderland City Council, Smarter Choices and EDF Energy. Her role sees her delivering a range of services including copy writing, organising events, producing features and newsletter copy and providing a press office function. Through her work with various clients, Jo has co-ordinated and managed a number of community projects as part of client CSR programmes.
Lauren Robinson, account exec
Lauren joined MHW in 2008 after graduating from the University of Sunderland with a BA Hons degree in Public Relations. Lauren gained a strong background in PR and an interest in the media thanks to the nature of her degree. While at MHW, Lauren has worked on several public sector and not-for-profit accounts. She produces editorial copy for various organisations on a daily basis - including Be Enterprising and Bradley Hall chartered surveyors - developing strong links with regional journalists. She works closely with the media to develop client promotions and has also been involved in the organisation of a number of client events.
Marielle Schmidt, account exec
A young, enthusiastic member of the team, Marielle does not have direct journalistic credentials, but has them in her family, with her sister working at ncjMedia for Newcastle Chronicle and Journal. An English Language graduate, Marielle, focuses on regional media campaigns and is producing editorial copy on a daily basis for arts, consumer and community projects.
OUR WORK
Newcastle/Gateshead Art Fair 2008/2009 - MHW responsible for devising a successful PR strategy for securing exhibitors, sponsors, and general footfall to the event at the Sage Gateshead, international venue for the arts.
Balance – The North East Alcohol Office – MHW helped manage and promote a launch event to acquire stakeholders and media support for the office, securing Balance as the new regional voice on alcohol related matters.
English Heritage – MHW appointed to generate media and public awareness of the 2009 return of Stella McCartney’s magnificent crystal horse to Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland.
Komatsu UK – MHW recruited by Komatsu to promote a new range of innovative excavator machines to buyers and distributors from across Europe, focusing on differentiating the product from the market competition.
Tyne and Wear Development Company – MHW appointed to raise the local, national, and international profile of the region’s leading inward investment agency, promoting Tyne and Wear as an important contender for business investment.
Gateshead Council BIG Project – MHW recruited to coordinate an event at the Baltic, Gateshead, launching the biggest residential/social housing project outside of London, and aiming to secure the interest of developers.