Author: Editor

Rob Brown Talks Google Ads to the BBC

Rule 5 Managing Partner Rob Brown, was interviewed by BBC Breakfast Business Reporter Ben Thompson, this morning (Tuesday 21.03.2017).  The interview followed the revelation at the weekend, that Google was allowing adverts on its YouTube platform to run alongside extremist content, such as videos promoting terrorism and antisemitism.

Hundreds of advertisers have pulled ad spending from the online video platform.  Rob believes that this will mark a tipping point for online advertising. The revelations and the subsequent outrage from advertisers will result in a “fundamental change in the way internet advertising is going to be bought and sold in the future” said Rob. Online platforms “are going to have to employ more people and write new algorithms” he added.

Former BBC Journalist Joins Agency

The agency has recruited experienced BBC journalist Jimmy Smallwood as Senior Account Manager. Jimmy relocated from London to Salford to join the BBC Sport web and digital team in 2011 and worked on London 2012, Sochi 2014, Wimbledon 2014 and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

For the last two years he has been Communications Officer at the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) advocating greater participation among disabled people and working on the Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All scheme.

Jimmy will work on a combination of media and sports related accounts including dock10, the leading media services business based at MediaCityUK.

Founding Director, Julie Wilson, said: “We are thrilled to have Jimmy on the team. He has a rare combination of extensive experience in journalism and broadcasting with a solid background in communications.  He will help us strengthen and grow our offer in 2017 and beyond. The agency has grown revenues by over 30% in 2016 and we will be making additional hires early in the new year.”

£16m Rollercoaster Ride

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The agency has been appointed by Blackpool Pleasure Beach to work with their in-house team on communication around the amusement park’s new £16.25m rollercoaster, Construction MMXVIII, due to open in 2018.

Work is already underway with the agency having worked in collaboration with Blackpool Pleasure Beach to announce news of what will be the UK’s first ever double-launch rollercoaster* at a press conference in Waldkirch, Germany, last month.

Journalists were treated to a tour of Mack Rides, where the state-of-the-art rollercoaster is being manufactured. Its unique features will include 15 interactions with five other rides and two tunnels at what is already the UK’s most ride intensive theme park.

The agency is also tasked with working with Blackpool Pleasure Beach to develop its national and creative communications strategy with a focus on key seasonal events.  Activity commenced at the weekend with the amusement park introducing its first ever Snapchat geofilter for Halloween.

Speaking on the appointment, Director of Marketing at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Robert Owen, said;”Over the last five years we’ve been working quietly on the development of Construction MMXVIII.  With the announcement we wanted to create maximum noise.   Following weeks of dedicated planning Rule 5 helped us do that.

“Plans for the next phase of construction are already in development and we’re looking forward to working with the team to promote these here at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.”

Co-founder Julie Wilson, added: “Opportunities to be involved with a development such as Construction MMXVIII do not come along very often, it’s an incredible brief.  We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to play a part in what will be the most exciting roller coaster launch in recent years.”

Construction MMXVIII brings together the Thompson and Mack families, owners of Blackpool Pleasure Beach and leading manufacturer of amusement park attractions, Mack Factory respectively.  The development is the biggest of its kind in recent years and cements Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s position as one of the UK’s leading amusement parks.

Key Ride facts

Total Length – 1.14 KM
Max Height – 88.5ft
Height of Drops – 82ft
Max Speed – 80 KM/H
Max Acceleration (Verticle) – 4.3G

* A double-launch is an advanced technology that gives the rollercoaster two powerful thrusts of acceleration during the ride.

Nexbridge Calls on Rule 5

Specialist telecommunications provider Nexbridge has appointed the agency to provide PR and communications support for WHYPAY? and The Wonderful Organisation. The agency will also launch a new brand for the company later this year.

WHYPAY? is a free conference call platform. Unlike its competitors there are no third party costs as it uses a dial-in number that is included in bundled minutes whether calling from a fixed or mobile telephone. The Wonderful Organisation has been set up by Nexbridge Chairman Kieron James as a not for profit fundraising platform. Its costs are covered by Nexbridge and other corporate sponsors.

“We’ve appointed Rule 5 because they understood our businesses and they have a strong track record of delivering effective PR campaigns” said Kieron. “We have some major announcements in the next six months including a new focus for Wonderful.org and a new brand that will have a major impact on the conference call sector.”

“Lots of people talk about disruption but Nexbridge has plans that will have a real impact on the corporate conference call market and the charitable giving sector” said Rule 5 Managing Partner, Rob Brown. “We are really looking forward to launching several genuinely innovative products and services.”

Brother UK Appoints Rule 5

JLT BrotherRule 5 has been appointed by Brother UK to promote its sponsorship of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series, Aviva Women’s Tour and Tour of Britain.

The announcement follows a competitive pitch. The agency will build and manage Brother UK cycling related social media platforms to activate their partnership and engage their target audience. Work is already underway with a Twitter and Instagram presence.  Agency staff have already been to the first stages of the Tour Series in the Isle of Man, Scarborough, Motherwell and Edinburgh, reporting on activity in real-time. Over the next six months the team will shadow the world’s best riders across the UK in the Tour of Britain and the Aviva Women’s Tour.

Brother UK Campaign Manager Fay Shannon said: “Brother UK has a strong history in cycling, providing neutral service vehicles at events and, last year, sponsorship of the Aviva Woman’s Tour.

“We want to fully immerse ourselves in the sport.   Rule 5 are already proving that they’re the best agency to help us achieve this, combining their knowledge of cycling and social media to extend the reach of the partnership and ensure Brother UK are much more than just a logo on a board. As official results, printing and imaging partner we want to help fans get closer to the action.  Working with Rule 5 and embracing the latest in social media technology we’re able to do just that.”

Brother UK is the official results, printing and imaging partner of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series, Aviva Women’s Tour and Tour of Britain.  The company also has naming rights for the Series’ Corporate Grand Prix event, which lets corporate partners race on the professional circuits.