Creative Boom West Midlands

Small thinks big for Barques

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

22nd Feb 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A Birmingham design agency’s newest recruit has big plans for the company. Barques Design, based in the Jewellery Quarter, has appointed Kathryn Small as business development manager...

Former ITV anchor Llewela Bailey joins Prominent to launch training service

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

22nd Feb 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Broadcasting expert Llewela Bailey has joined Birmingham-based Prominent Media and Communications to head up its media training service. Llewela, one of the most familiar faces on regional television,...

Independent vampire film to promote tourism in Stoke-On-Trent

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

21st Feb 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A graduate filmmaker is hoping leave his mark on Stoke-on-Trent with the premiere of his vampire drama. Staffordshire University graduate, Chris Stone, will open the Stoke Your Fires Film Festival wit...

From Coventry to California: the university students’ big screen dream

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

20th Feb 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Media Production students from Coventry University have set themselves the ultimate movie-making challenge of creating a crowd-funded, full-length feature film to be shot on location in the UK and in ...

Joseph Foote Trust Hits a High Note

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0000

20th Feb 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A one woman operetta about social networking by acclaimed London composer Anne Chmelewsky has raised more than £2,000 for local brain tumour charity The Joseph Foote Trust. The composer chose the Sol...

Turning Point West Midlands secures extra investment for the region’s visual arts sector

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

17th Feb 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Turning Point West Midlands (TPWM), the network that works to strengthen the visual arts in the West Midlands, has been awarded funds from Arts Council England to deliver TPWM Projects over the next t...

Coventry University hosts international film festival

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

16th Feb 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ An international film festival celebrating East Asian cinema will see Coventry University’s Ellen Terry Building revert to a picture palace for the first time since the Coventry Odeon closed its doo...

Emma Johnson to join Orchestra of the Swan

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0000

16th Feb 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ One of England's best-loved clarinet players is to perform one of the most popular works in the classical repertoire with Orchestra of the Swan next month. Emma Johnson will be playing the Mozart Clar...

Fast Fwd reports success in Ann Summers re-launch campaign

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

13th Feb 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Birmingham-based Digital Agency Fast Fwd Multimedia Ltd has completed work on a brief from Ann Summers to develop a new microsite and supporting mobile apps to launch a model competition as part of it...

Animators Dice Productions Celebrate Win at the London Short Film Festival

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

7th Feb 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Dice Productions are celebrating their latest award win for their short film All Consuming Love (Man in a Cat) after picking up the Best Comedy Short award at the 9th London Short Film Festival. The B...

Young blood in tune with the countryside at Borderlines Film Festival

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

6th Feb 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A stirring new documentary rooted firmly in the Herefordshire landscape, Tune for the Blood, will screen for the first time on Sunday 26 February as part of Borderlines Film Festival’s 10th annivers...

Digital agency helps reality star go global

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

3rd Feb 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A Stoke-based digital firm has been enlisted by one of the nation’s rising reality TV stars to ensure that the ‘desperate scousewife’ gets more than her fifteen minutes of fame. The latest regio...

Charity Boost from Master Jewellers

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

31st Jan 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ The Joseph Foote Trust received a cash boost from The Company of Master Jewellers when it raised £1,500 for the Solihull-based brain tumour research charity. The organisation, which has some 135 jewe...

Sixth Story creates new site for Chatfield Private Client

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

30th Jan 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Birmingham creative agency Sixth Story has rebranded and launched a new website for financial planners Chatfield Private Client. The new website has been designed with the new brand identity and conte...

University launches future media training for business

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

30th Jan 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Businesses looking to get the most out of digital media, can now take advantage of a suite of new, bespoke training sessions, recently launched by Birmingham City University’s NTI Birmingham. Future...

Birmingham agency announces new recruits after a raft of new business wins

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

30th Jan 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Birmingham-based marketing agency LHM Media has welcomed new team members to its Fleet Street offices after a series of successful pitches saw a need for expansion. The agency, launched six years ago,...

Animators challenged to bring life back into Silent Movie music

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Ironbridge Gorge Museum wins share of £20m Arts Council England Major Grants funding

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

26th Jan 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is celebrating the news that it has secured a share of a £20 million per annum Major Grants funding stream from Arts Council England, to cover the period 2012-15. It...

New exhibition marks first anniversary of Japanese tsunami

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

20th Jan 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Ikon presents Postcards From Japan – A Message From Tohoku Artists, an exhibition marking the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit north east Japan on 11 March 2011. ...

Creative Cream and a Car Booters Dream

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0000

18th Jan 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A collaboration of Birmingham’s local creative talents and car boot fanatics will be attending the second Urban Car Boot at Broadway Plaza this weekend. The event takes place on Saturday 21st Januar...

Birmingham agency just the ticket for London's Premium Tours

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

16th Jan 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Birmingham based marketing agency, BranchMartinSpicer has been appointed to re-brand the London tours and luxury European Travel company, Premium Tours. Premium Tours provides London sightseeing day t...

Design study collection to get public airing at museum

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

13th Jan 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A stunning collection of period clothing housed at Staffordshire University travels to Newcastle-under-Lyme this week as a tribute to fashion lecturer and historian Betty Smithers. The exhibition - en...

Coventry student’s design is tailor made for success

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

10th Jan 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A top tailoring company is preparing to kit its customers out in the cutting-edge couture of a talented Coventry student. Diana Oancea is in her final year at Coventry University, studying a BA (Hons)...

Web firm checks in to lucrative hotel market

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0000

9th Jan 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Online marketing firm Fifteen Digital has landed several new clients in the hospitality sector after launching a new social media training and support service. The Stoke-based business has won contrac...

University graduates to create new play in link-up with acclaimed theatre company

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

4th Jan 2012 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A group of Performing Arts graduates from Coventry University’s School of Art and Design (CSAD) are working with internationally-renowned theatre company Frantic Assembly to produce and perform a pl...

Top Design Award for Birmingham Pub

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

20th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ An upmarket design consultancy that specialise in the leisure and hospitality sector has scooped the ‘Best Bar and Restaurant Design’ award, for transforming a Birmingham gastro pub into a booming...

The Institute of Consulting Signs Vitis PR

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000

20th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Vitis PR, a B2B agency in Birmingham, has won the contract to manage public relations for the Institute of Consulting. The contract will see Vitis PR raising the professional body’s profile with mem...

The Indiscipline of Painting: International abstraction from the 1960s to now

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

16th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Major works by artists including Andy Warhol, Frank Stella and Bridget Riley are to go on show alongside paintings by emerging talents in a celebration of the complex genre of abstraction from the 196...

Barques PR stars alongside Hollywood Monster

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

16th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A new Birmingham PR agency is playing a starring role in getting print and signs specialists Hollywood Monster’s name up in lights. Barques PR has been appointed by the company to raise its profile ...

Ember's charity viral proving a big online hit

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

15th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A viral video showing a festive flash mob bringing Birmingham city centre to a standstill has clocked up more than 5000 views in the first 24 hours. Christmas shoppers in the High Street couldn’t be...

Fashion designer scoops prestigious regional award

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

15th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A fashion student inspired by the tailoring of British designer Alexander McQueen has scooped a prestigious industry award for her haute couture collection. Charlotte Fortescue, 19, who is in the seco...

Coventry Cathedral Making Creative Plans for Jubilee Celebration

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000

15th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Coventry Cathedral is in full preparation mode for its 2012 Jubilee celebration, which will see an abundance of exciting events taking place throughout the year, as the city comes together to celebrat...

DanceXchange hosts world premiere from rising dance star

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

9th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Aakash Odedra, an upcoming star of British South Asian Dance, will be helping DanceXchange (dx) celebrate ten years at Birmingham Hippodrome with the world premiere of his latest work. The evening rep...

Orchestra of the Swan to work with new 'Composer in the House'

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

8th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Orchestra of the Swan has been chosen by two of the country's leading music organisations to take part in a prestigious scheme to re-establish contemporary composers at the heart of the orchestra. The...

Hat trick for PR student

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000

8th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A Birmingham City University student is celebrating after gaining three PR achievements. Jarrod Williams (22) from Oldbury who gained a first in BA (hons) Media and Communication this summer, and won ...

Coventry graduates in the frame for success

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

7th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Three Coventry University photography graduates are enjoying a double accolade. Having just been awarded their degrees, they’ve also been tipped for professional success by top industry magazine Tur...

Gough Bailey Wright strikes PR gold

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

7th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ West Midlands marketing communications agency, Gough Bailey Wright, has scooped two gold awards at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Awards 2011, one of the biggest accolades in...

Priority Exhibitions expands team as company grows

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

6th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Priority Exhibitions, a leading exhibition stand designer and manufacturer, has just recruited a new Project Manager as part of its ongoing expansion plans. John Wosket was appointed to his new role e...

World’s Best Animation Programme is coming to Stoke Your Fires

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

5th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Some of the globe's best animation films will be taking centre stage at the Stoke Your Fires Film Festival, 10 to 24 February 2012 in Stoke-on-Trent. Klik! Amsterdam’s Animation Festival will be bri...

Staffordshire designer scoops European industry award

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000

5th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ An innovative product designer from Staffordshire University has scooped a prestigious industry award. Eco-friendly products designed by students from the BA(Hons) Product Design at Staffordshire Univ...

Orchestra brings music to the ears of Chiltern Rail

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000

5th Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ One of the UK's leading chamber orchestras Orchestra of the Swan has hit a high note by forming a unique corporate partnership with Chiltern Railways. Chiltern passengers can enjoy special offers on c...

Coventry students have their designs on top fashion award

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

2nd Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Five out of the 10 finalists for a prestigious fashion award at Birmingham NEC’s 2011 Clothes Show Live event (2-7 Dec) are students from Coventry University. This makes it the fifth consecutive yea...

Southside Stories to showcase district

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

2nd Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ A film production company based at the Electric Cinema are to produce a series of short films showcasing the amazing diversity of Birmingham’s Southside District. The films, entitled Southside Stori...

Agency pitches it right to The Potteries

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000

1st Dec 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Award-winning marketing agency Lesniak Swann is celebrating after being appointed by The Potteries Shopping Centre. The Midlands-based agency won the contract for the Centre’s marketing, after a pit...

Young apprentices needed to meet Birmingham business demand

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000

30th Nov 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Demand for social media marketing apprentices has rocketed after a unique programme was showcased to Birmingham business owners recently. Training specialists SSC Learning are now searching the city f...

McCann Birmingham reveals the truth about Mobile Media

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0000

28th Nov 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ McCann Erickson Birmingham was joined by digital experts from LinkedIn, Autonomy, Youtube and Facebook to reveal the truth about mobile media at its ‘Mobile Well Told’ seminar last week. The event...

Freshwater strengthens Midlands operation

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0000

25th Nov 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Staffordshire born PR professional Adrian Marklew has joined leading UK regional and specialist communications consultancy Freshwater to head up its Midlands operation as an Account Director. Freshwat...

Digital agency builds a better city experience

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000

24th Nov 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Birmingham’s architecture is being showcased to city centre visitors through a new iPhone app that allows its users to access background information, imagery and guided tour routes of interesting la...

Contemporary dance company returns to Birmingham for anniversary

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000

23rd Nov 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Acclaimed French choreographer Mickael ‘Marso’ Riviere and his dance company, Company Decalage, will be presenting a double bill of works as part of DanceXchange’s celebratory tenth anniversary ...

Junior schools link up for 'Solihull Sings'

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0000

22nd Nov 2011 ⁄ West Midlands ⁄ Primary school children across Solihull are being helped to find their voice thanks to a choral initiative by the Choirmaster of Solihull School. Oliver Walker, a former organist at the internationall...