Smarts Communicate Opens New London Office
Belfast-based global PR and content agency Smarts Communicate has announced the expansion of its international communications business with the opening of a new office in London.
The agency, which currently works with clients across more than 20 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, has a client portfolio that includes British Airways, BT, Lidl, Johnnie Walker and Guinness, and has been rapidly growing its international work.
Smarts Communicate currently employs 45 people in Northern Ireland and has seen revenues rise by almost 50% in the past two years as it has grown its global consumer PR division.
The agency expects to add another 10 employees this year – seven in Holywood and three in London.
Last year the company was appointed as the global agency for Scotch whisky brand, Johnnie Walker, for whom it also handles PR and social media activity in Western Europe.
The agency’s campaigns have seen them work with a host of international stars including David Beckham and Jenson Button.
The London office will be headed up by managing partner Helen Rainford (pictured above, left), previously consumer creative director at Good Relations and formerly associate board director at Cake.
The announcement also coincides with Smarts’ offices in Scotland (Glasgow and Edinburgh) rebranding as Smarts Communicate.
Speaking about the opening of the new offices, Pippa Arlow, joint managing director of Smarts Communicate, said: “With 20 years of in-market experience and a decade of global PR experience behind us, our business has been transformed into a highly competitive international player and we believe the time is right to extend our operational footprint into London. This move allows us to compete on a wider scale and is the first in a number of exciting steps for us.”
Smarts Communicate is part of MSQ Partners, a group of creative agencies that includes The Gate, Holmes & Marchant and twentysix.
The new London operation will be based at 90 Tottenham Court Road.
