South West agency seeing early 2022 surge

South West-based marketing and PR agency Astley Media has welcomed four new clients to its portfolio of regional and national brands.

South West Business Council, Somerset West and Taunton Council, the Heart of the South West LEP and software development company CoreBlue, have joined the award-winning agency in 2022 to develop their marketing, brand, and communications.

South West Business Council is working with Astley Media to help their members grow their businesses, and position the South West as a place where brilliant, innovative businesses can thrive, and a place where the South West Business Council show leadership on sustainability and natural capital.

Paul Coles, CEO of the South West Business Council, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Astley Media as our new PR and marketing partner. Communication expertise is an essential part of our work, as we collaborate, support and progress opportunities with our members, engage with Government, and strive to create a thriving, innovative, and diverse regional business economy: an economy that puts the environment at the centre of what we do.”

Founded in 2012, Astley Media quickly established itself as a leading creative communications agency, specialising in marketing and PR for ambitious and forward-looking brands.

The brand strategy experts are supporting CoreBlue as the Plymouth-based software consultancy continues to ramp up its operations. Astley Media is also working with Somerset West and Taunton Council to develop and implement a two-year inward investment marketing campaign.

The agency is working with the Heart of the South West LEP to develop its communications as the Local Enterprise Partnership leads on delivering clean, inclusive, economic growth and prosperity across Devon and Somerset.

Eifion Jones, COO at the Heart of the South West LEP, said: “We are excited to be working with Astley Media as we continue our work on levelling up the region’s economy, productivity, skills, job creation, and prosperity. Strong communications are crucial in order for us to connect with partners, businesses, local authorities, and the public, across the Heart of the South West.”

Last year, the agency also welcomed Gregory Distribution, Rowcroft Hospice, Belfield Developments and Porter Dodson LLP, in addition to existing clients which include ultrafast broadband provider Jurassic Fibre, Plymouth Science Park and technology specialists Timewade.

Astley Media also set up and runs Tech South West, the only tech cluster organisation for the whole of the South West, with over 2500 members, annual awards, accelerator programme and a range of other activities to support and showcase the sector.

Dan Pritchard, Managing Director at Astley Media, said: “We love working with brands and leadership teams who are striving to make a positive difference in the world. The South West is a hotbed of amazing companies and organisations and it’s our job to elevate them and help them thrive. Those brands truly passionate about tackling challenges and making a real difference are aligned with our values and the way we work on shaping dynamic strategies to delivering industry-leading results.”

As the company grows, talent is a key area, working with the likes of University of Exeter and Exeter College on placements, apprenticeships and supporting opportunities for local people.