News: Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber appoints Matthew Trueman as marketing manager

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce has announced the appointment of Matthew Trueman as Marketing Manager, furthering the Chamber’s commitment to clear communication, member engagement, and strong business representation across South Yorkshire.

Matthew joins the Chamber from Whyy? Change, a long-standing Gold member of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, where he progressed from Marketing Intern to Head of Communications. His time there gave him valuable insight into the Chamber network, regularly attending events, contributing news and updates via the Chamber website, and actively engaging with the wider business community.

This first-hand experience has shaped his understanding of what Chamber members truly value, clear communication, relevant support, and opportunities to raise their profile. It also means he’s well-placed to enhance the Chamber’s marketing and communications strategy in a way that feels meaningful and accessible to local businesses.

In his previous role, Matthew led a wide range of successful campaigns that helped raise the visibility of Whyy? Change across South Yorkshire. His work spanned campaign management, SEO, web design, brand development, event promotion, and award-winning submissions skills he now brings to the Chamber.

With experience from both sides of the Chamber, as a member and now Marketing Manager at the Chamber, Matthew brings a well-rounded, practical perspective that will help ensure communications resonate with the Chamber’s 1,100 members and reflect the needs of the local business community across South Yorkshire.

In 2023, Matthew was named South Yorkshire’s Technology & Digital Apprentice of the Year, recognising his outstanding contributions in his role digital sector. He holds a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing and a Level 6 Marketing Manager Apprenticeship from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), where he also volunteers as the Vice Chair of Education for CIM Yorkshire supporting future marketing professionals and working with Universities.

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In his new role, Matthew will be responsible for delivering and developing the Chamber’s marketing strategy, including social media management, PR, SEO, event promotion, content creation, and digital engagement. Leading the design of marketing materials and coordinating campaigns across teams to achieve Chamber’s business plan and strategic goals.

Speaking about his appointment, Matthew Trueman (pictured, left) said: “Having worked for a Chamber member myself, I’ve seen first-hand how important the Chamber is and the benefits and opportunities the Chamber creates for local businesses. I’m excited to now be on the other side, working directly with members to make their voices heard, share their news stories, and ensure they feel connected to a supportive business community. I’m looking forward to helping more businesses access the full value of their membership.”

Shane Young, Operations Director at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber (pictured, right), added: “We are delighted to welcome Matthew to the team. His marketing experience and understanding of the Chamber’s role from a member’s perspective brings real depth to this position. Matthew’s appointment is part of our commitment to strengthening communications, building stronger relationships, and ensuring members are fully informed and engaged with all the Chamber has to offer.”

Matthew joins at a time when the Chamber is focused on increasing its regional visibility and reinforcing its role as the voice of business across Barnsley, Rotherham, and the wider South Yorkshire business community. Earlier this year the organisation appointed Sally Taylor as the new Membership Manager.

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber website

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News: Platinum Jubilee sees marquee specialist's sales go through the roof

Rotherham-based Marquee and Gazebo retailer Gala Tent posted record revenues for May after the country was gripped by planning street parties to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent has grown to sell over 15,000 tents and marquees each year, along with around 100,000 event accessories and furniture products. It grew from a table top operation in Grimethorpe to a company with a turnover of £10m+ having moved into new 53,000 sq ft headquarters at Fairfield Park in Manvers in 2011.

After a bumper 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed on the hospitality industry and combined with the well-documented universal price increases, the board of Gala Tent might be forgiven for thinking the bubble had burst on their good fortunes. However, the demand for marquees, pop-up gazebos and party tents remain as high as ever, thanks to the street parties across the UK, and the company posted turnover of over £1.25m for May.

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Jason Mace, Gala Tent CEO, said: "We’ve intentionally bought more stock than ever before, as last year we were occasionally caught short by massive demand, and as a result we are seeing record revenues for this time of year. On top of the celebrations for the Queens Platinum Jubilee, there are hundreds of thousands of happy couples who have had to postpone their weddings throughout the pandemic who are now able to make real plans to get hitched.

“We have been hit by material cost and price increases like everybody else, and we are extremely fortunate that our products remain in high demand. Our workforce has seen wage increases to try to help with their burdens, and hopefully it will ease off sooner than later. For now, we will continue to press on and aim to drive even bigger growth. If we achieve it in the current climate, this could be our biggest achievement yet.”

Recommended reading: Ways to Treat Your Clients and Staff in South Yorkshire

The wider business has also recently expanded with the launch of Gala Education & Marketing Ltd (GEM). It was created as a result of the huge successes Gala Tent's marketing team has achieved over the course of the past few years after it stopped working with third party marketing agencies.

Jason said: “Back in 2016 and 2017, we were using a digital marketing agency to manage our website discoverability and paid advertising online, and while we saw some incredible successes with the revenue they generated and the traffic they brought in, they spent obscene amounts of our money to do it, and then took a slice of the pie themselves, so it was barely worth the effort. I thought there had to be a better way, so I set up an in-house team to do the work for us. However, they weren’t actually trained in marketing, but I knew they had it in them to gain the skills they needed, so that’s what they did.”

Gala Tent website

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News: Marketing expert stocks inspirational products

Rotherham-based businesswoman, Jackie Cook has become a UK stockist for Leaders in Heels products which stem from an Australian concept created to nurture, inspire and empower women.

With an online community, Leaders in Heels design inspirational stationery to help women develop habits of successful leaders and to encourage them to go after their dreams and make their mark on the world.

Based at RiDO's Moorgate Crofts Business Centre, Jackie set up CQ Strategic Marketing offering a full range of marketing services alongside marketing training, coaching and mentoring.

Jackie Cook, managing director and founder of CQ Strategic Marketing and CQ Marketing Academy, said: "I am delighted to promote the Leaders in Heels brand in the UK, these products have helped me identify my goals and develop actions plans to achieve success both personally and professionally, keeping me focused and positive on a day-to-day basis.

"With all the media attention on the gender pay gap I see these products as great tools to support other business women, who frequently have "imposter syndrome" and listen too much to their "inner critic" instead of believing in themselves and pursuing their dreams.

"I work in the still very male-dominated sector of manufacturing and engineering, according to the latest report from Engineering UK only 12% of those working in engineering are female. The sector has a large skills shortage with the industry needing 203,000 people with Level 3+ engineering skills every year to meet demand through to 2024. Many of my clients are facing this issue on a day to day basis struggling to hire the skills they need, with many of them reintroducing apprenticeship schemes to develop the skills required in-house."

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Kasia Gospos, founder of Leaders in Heels, added: "I created the Leaders in Heels Manifesto to bring to life the main qualities that make you a Leader in Heels, successful and good at what you do in your daily life – moving up the corporate ladder, turning passion to profit and empowering other women to also reach their potential.

"Leaders in Heels content, stationery, e-books and events are inspired by our manifesto – a set of ideas and traits exemplified by the dynamic and successful women in the community. Through our work we strive to encourage women to follow their passion, be creative and innovative in their lives, feel confident and determined in their endeavours and to maintain a kind heart on the path to success."

CQ Strategic Marketing website

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News: Hallmark Branding launched by marketing specialist

A South Yorkshire-based marketing specialist with 15 years in-house experience within the professional service and manufacturing sectors has launched his own marketing consultancy to deliver project management, sales support and public relations to companies across the region.

Supported by a £500 grant from the UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) Kickstart Fund, Chartered marketing professional Brendan Hall established Hallmark Branding Ltd in response to demand from small and medium sized businesses looking for strategic marketing advice.

Over the past eight months he has established a strong client base including Sheffield-based recruitment consultancy Glu Recruit alongside office design and fit-out company Dale Office Interiors, and has also launched local business and lifestyle publication Wave Magazine which is distributed to residents of the new Waverley development in Rotherham, where Brendan is based.

The funding was secured from the Kickstart fund which was launched by UKSE in partnership with Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO) and the Growth Hub to support those looking to establish a business in the area. It allowed Brendan to invest in advertising and marketing collateral including a logo, website and business cards. Tools he says were "vital" in promoting the new business to the potential clients across the region.

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Brendan Hall, founder of Hallmark Branding, said: "Having always wanted to set up on my own, the funding from UK Steel Enterprise allowed me to invest in website design and further marketing collateral which are key components in terms of raising awareness of my services and offering.

"There are many SMEs within the region that require my services to get their business known, and I am delighted that I am now able to assist those striving to get their voice heard within their niche market."

Working with a range of clients spanning a variety of professional services across South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, Brendan hopes to increase his client base before expanding further afield to work with SMEs and owner-led businesses across the wider Yorkshire region.

Alan Stanley, regional executive at UKSE, said: "Brendan provides support through his offering of marketing consultancy and project management services.

"In a short space of time he has established a business that allows companies to expand their own marketing activity that, in turn, will help them with their own growth plans, and it's great to see him doing so well."

Hallmark Branding website
UKSE website

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News: Rothbiz joins Rotherham Pioneers

Rotherham Business News has signed up as a Rotherham Pioneer and joined an exclusive group for Rotherham businesses who want to promote the town, celebrate all that is good, and grow the Rotherham business community.

Rothbiz is established as the website that brings together positive news regarding businesses, enterprise, commercial property, regeneration, key developments and the economy in Rotherham. The site exists to promote Rotherham as a business location by using stories about the enterprising, innovative, proud, and world-renowned businesses that are based here.

The aim of the Pioneers initiative is to bring together the knowledge, networks and influences locally to promote Rotherham as a great place to do business.

A major exercise was launched earlier this year using "The Rotherham Story" as a way of promoting the borough. Businesses, from large multinationals like AESSEAL to sole traders like Tom Austen at Rothbiz, will act as ambassadors - Rotherham Pioneers - armed with the story and an outward looking mentality. The aim is to change perceptions of Rotherham and raise its profile.

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Tom Austen, editor of Rotherham Business News said: "The aims of Rothbiz and the Rotherham Pioneers are very much the same. I set up the website to give Rotherham the positive coverage it deserves, raise the profile of Rotherham, change the perceptions of Rotherham and encourage Rotherham companies to recognise opportunities for collaboration, growth and business development.

"I've always envisaged something high profile, paid for by the private sector, with the aim of bringing businesses together and marketing Rotherham - being positive, shouting about what we have got here. The Rotherham Pioneers initiative is just that and the businesses and projects that I continue write about will add more content to the Rotherham story."

Through membership packages, Rotherham Business News offers businesses and organisations the opportunity to support the website and the continued promotion of Rotherham, at the same time as raising their profile within the local business community.

And Rotherham Pioneers are being offered a special discount on membership packages as Rothbiz looks for more members to get involved and help the site to continue to grow. The website launched as a hobby in 2007 and has been growing ever since. It now has over 7,000 subscribers and followers and receives 20,000 pageviews each month.

The membership programme has been designed to enable businesses to show their support and feature on the site at the same time. Different levels based on different budgets offer you the opportunity to be featured on the website and with your backing, Rothbiz will continue to publish three articles each weekday - around 60 each month - focusing on positive stories about amazing Rotherham businesses.

Find out more information and become a member here.

Images: Rotherham Pioneers / Andrew Lyons Photography

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News: Rotherham recruiting a "place manager"

A place manager is being recruited to lead on the business-to-business marketing of Rotherham as a place to invest.

The move follows the successful launch of the Rotherham Pioneers - an exclusive group for Rotherham businesses who want to promote the town, celebrate all that is good, and grow the Rotherham business community.

A major exercise was launched earlier this year using "The Rotherham Story" as a way of promoting the borough. Businesses will act as ambassadors - so-called Rotherham Pioneers - armed with the story and an outward looking mentality. The aim is to change perceptions of Rotherham and raise its profile.

Now a place manager is set to be appointed with responsibility for the Rotherham Pioneer Programme, working to the recently set up Rotherham Place Board, part of the structure of the Rotherham Together Partnership which brings together a wide range of organisations, including major public bodies.

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Hosted by Rotherham Council, and initially temporary for two years, the job, which comes with a salary of £41,025 - £43,821, has the key role of "building relationships with new and existing businesses to gain their "buy-in" to the Rotherham Story; develop and deliver a Rotherham Place Plan in conjunction with the Place Board and develop a strategic marketing plan to raise the profile of Rotherham as a place for businesses to locate and invest."

The first major theme of the Rotherham Story focuses on "Engineering Excellence" highlighting the major assets such as the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and the ethos of major occupiers such as Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and soon-to-be McLaren, and the new enterprises like Xeros and PES that are pioneering disruptive technologies.

The second major focus is on "Living Green" and the perception of the borough as an industrial town but one that is in fact 70% rural. It highlights the quality of life for residents and abundance of country parks, urban parks and green space that can sell the location.

The Rotherham Story culminates in "Pushing Boundaries" - being confident and raising the bar in regeneration and education.

Rotherham Pioneers pay to gain exclusive access to high quality networking events, hear first-hand about new developments and find out about business opportunities. Insights are be given into Rotherham success stories and invitations to company tours are set to follow. Events have already been held at leading manufacturer, AESSEAL, and at Wentworth Woodhouse.

The place board hopes to raise over £100,000 from business contributions.

The job advert reads: "Rotherham is poised to enter a fast-paced and exciting new phase of regeneration and growth. Recent major investment announcements from world-leading businesses such as McLaren, new multi-million pound leisure and tourism investments underway at Gulliver's Valley and Wentworth Woodhouse and completion of a town centre masterplan set the context for an ambitious and motivated person, with experience in place marketing, to join our team."

Rotherham Pioneers website
Rotherham Together Partnership website

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News: Millers announce partnership with SUM.Agency

Rotherham United has added SUM.Agency to its growing list of Business Partners.

The commercial wing of the club has had a busy close season with a number of both new and existing partners signing commercial agreements, whilst SUM.Agency joins a host of other key contacts that have agreed to become a business partner with the League One club.

Steve Coakley, commercial director at Rotherham United (pictured, left), said: "SUM.Agency is a leading marketing agency whose head office based locally in Rotherham houses their web development, design and online marketing teams.

"They are expanding rapidly; both in this region and nationally having signed major deals across digital and traditional marketing projects.

"We are delighted to add such a forward thinking company to our impressive list of Business Partners."

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With offices at Manvers, SUM.Agency delivers online and offline marketing strategies for clients ranging from start-ups all the way to blue-chip companies.

Danny Johnson, commercial director at SUM.Agency (pictured, right), said: "We are thrilled to have agreed to become a Business Partner at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

"We look forward to building a strong working relationship with the club and networking with other partners throughout the season and coming years."

Seasonal packages are still available for the AESSEAL New York Stadium hospitality lounges, which can also be booked on a game-by-game basis.

Mark Hitchens, Head of Commercial at Rotherham United, said: "A new season always brings plenty of interest on the commercial side of the club.

"After what has been a highly successful pre-season, I have noticed a wave of optimism sweeping across the town and that feel-good factor has transferred into hospitality and sponsorship sales as we approach the first home game.

"Whilst interest has again been high, we still have places available for the first few home games, with the Southend fixture proving particularly popular.

"I personally cannot wait to welcome all the supporters, sponsors and businesses back for the new campaign and I look forward to hosting John Breckin and the plethora of Rotherham United greats that will join us over the course of the season on stage."

Rotherham United website
SUM.Agency website

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News: The Rotherham Story

A major place marketing exercise has been launched using "The Rotherham Story" as a way of promoting the borough.

At an event held at Rotherham United's New York Stadium, Julie Kenny CBE DL, Chair of the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and a commissioner at Rotherham Council explained that the new initiative will be used to market and reposition the borough with ambassadors or "pioneers" selling Rotherham as a place to live and do business.

The first major theme of the Rotherham Story focuses on "Engineering Excellence" highlighting the major assets such as the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and the ethos of major occupiers such as Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and soon-to-be McLaren, and the new enterprises like Xeros and PES that are pioneering disruptive technologies.

The second major focus is on "Living Green" and the perception of the borough as an industrial town but one that is in fact 70% rural. It highlights the quality of life for residents and abundance of country parks, urban parks and green space that can sell the location.

The Rotherham Story culminates in "Pushing Boundaries" - being confident and raising the bar in regeneration and education.

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The Rotherham Together Partnership event also heard from George Buchanan, chair of the North Notts. Place Board which underwent a similar place shaping initiative beginning in 2013. He explained the successful partnership that evolved from first setting out a shared story. The area now has a private sector place board and fee-paying "North Notts Envoys" that bring together "the knowledge, networks and influences locally to promote North Nottinghamshire as a great place to work, live and visit."

Regular events enable the envoys to hear first hand about the positive initiatives in the area, backed up by marketing material. North Notts. is also aiming to create a Business Improvement District - the first in the UK to cover the whole District.

Julie Kenny, who founded Rotherham manufacturing success story, Pyronix, said: "I am proud to be a part of this initiative which starts with the publishing of the Rotherham Story book. This is not a marketing tool, but sets out what we are about and what we are trying to achieve.

"We will back this up by a toolkit containing powerful imagery and a place plan. This is important. It is not about spending lots of money, because we haven't got any, but it is about creating a shared story and partners from the private sector and other sectors working together."

Kenny added that businesses will act as ambassadors - so-called Rotherham pioneers - armed with the story and an outward looking mentality.

She told businesses: "Your role is to be sales people. We live in a competitive world and Rotherham needs this narrative and clarity about what it wants to be.

"To achieve our ambitions we need a "Team Rotherham" approach with everyone on board. There will be a real focus in reaching out to businesses to fully engage them in the journey of creating a thriving place.

"The private sector has a huge role to play in developing the town and area and shouting about what it has to offer around the world."

Rotherham Together Partnership website

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News: Rotherham: a new perspective

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A major place marketing exercise has been carried out in Rotherham as part of a strategy that signals a new business led approach to drive investment, transformation and growth.

Consultants from Thinkingplace have been engaged by the Rotherham Together Partnership to create a consistent narrative for Rotherham - "the Rotherham story" - as a way of promoting the borough. It comes as progress continues on a number of positive projects such as the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), developments in the town centre, Gulliver's Valley and the Yorkshire Man of Steel.

An event marking the start of the "transformational journey towards a more successful Rotherham" is taking place at Rotherham United's New York Stadium next month where the results of the exercise will be discussed and there will be the opportunity to hear from the place marketing specialists, as well as from businesses and individuals on how they intend to take this initiative forward.

Julie Kenny CBE DL, Chair of the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust will host the event on February 15 alongside business leaders.

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Kenny is also a commissioner at Rotherham Council, leading on growing the local economy and ensuring the Council is working with others to improve jobs and housing opportunities. She has also been overseeing the Council's relationships with partners, and the voluntary and community sector.

The founder of successful Rotherham manufacturer, Pyronix, explained the initiative at a recent council meeting. She said: "A significant piece of work has been commissioned this year by the Partnership to develop a place-shaping strategy for Rotherham. This has involved a comprehensive programme of stakeholder engagement to identify distinctive themes, ideas and imagery that help to tell the Rotherham story as a way of promoting the borough to potential investors, visitors and workers.

"The themes will be introduced in February and March 2017."

The new Rotherham Together Partnership was launched in September 2015. It brings together a wide range of organisations, including major public bodies. Its Business Growth Board is responsible for the delivery of the ten-year Rotherham Economic Growth Plan.

Private sector led, but including the Council and other partners, the Board is particularly focused on skills, employment and developing the town centre, as well as providing a link to the Sheffield City Region and the opportunities presented to Rotherham through devolution of economic powers and funding.

Rotherham Together Partnership website

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News: D4 marketing South Yorkshire manufacturing to the world

Rotherham-based manufacturing company, AESSEAL, has praised the services of a specialist industrial design consultancy, D4, in helping it to grow business.

With global headquarters at Templeborough, AESSEAL manufactures seals to stop leakage of harmful liquids and gases into the environment for a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, food, water, mining and pharmaceuticals. It is one of three major South Yorkshire manufacturing companies who have recently started working with industrial design specialists, D4.

Based at The Electric Works in Sheffield, D4 specialises in solving marketing challenges for engineers, manufacturers and distributors.

David Amory, global head of marketing at AESSEAL, said: "D4 have been extremely responsive to our needs, producing a brand new mini-site for an important product launch in just a few days. The project was delivered both on time and on budget and we look forward to working more closely with D4 in the future."

Justin Williams, creative director at D4, added: "We are delighted to be working with AESSEAL who are a wonderful representative of the industrial heritage that is so rich across manufacturing companies in Rotherham and the rest of Yorkshire."

Williams and managing director Paul Herron established the company in 2011 alongside senior creative Matthew Hall and head of digital Jeremy Hoke to work specifically with British industrial brands. Their aim is to establish Sheffield-based D4 as the region's leading industrial brand consultancy.

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Williams added: "Good design sells, so why is all the best work aimed at consumers? Let's face it, many designers simply don't want to work with unglamorous clients, and many industrial leaders think design is artsy-fartsy fluff. So, they commission, and receive, second rate work that gets poor results.

"D4 are different. We're passionate about industry and fascinated with the heritage and traditions of people who make things. We’re not interested in egos, we want to ensure that the businesses we work with perform better in a world that is changing fast."

Clients such as Sheffield based international metal traders Asmet and Doncaster's cryogenic valve specialists Herose Ltd have recorded year-on-year growth – in enquiries, exports, sales, turnover and profit – since beginning work with D4.

Herron said: "We're proud to be taking the products and services of South Yorkshire industry into the wider global economy. In my experience the best MD's and CEO's are always thinking three years ahead. Our job is to translate their vision into opportunities that can be converted into sales.

"Clients we work with have sold more products to existing customers, broken into new markets and discovered fresh revenue streams.

"Post-Brexit industrial marketing needs to be adaptive as new markets and locked-in networks won't open by themselves. Products, services and currencies demand change fast, and we know you need to flex with them to have profitable conversations with industrial buyers."

Recommended reading: Yorkshire Businesses Expand Reach Through Multilingual Video Content

Herron added that design consultancies need to speak the same language as their clients. He said: "You won't hear any "full service agency" talk about "transformational branding" or "integrated campaigns" here. Just clever, well executed communication strategies that work as hard as our clients."

AESSEAL website
D4 website

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News: SVM increase office space in Rotherham

SVM Europe, a leader in the gift card industry, is expanding its Rotherham location to help meet growing demand.

SVM is the largest reseller and distributor of corporate gift cards, E-vouchers and gift vouchers in the B2B and the corporate gifting market with products used as incentives for sales staff and as part of cementing relationships with clients. Founded in the US in 1997, the European operations launched in 2008 and has offices in London and at Parkgate, Rotherham, where it employs over 60 staff.

With support from Rotherham Council, the growing firm has secured an additional 12,000 sq ft of office space as it adds further leading brands to its portfolio that already includes Toys R Us, Virgin Gift Card and Debenhams. Recent additions include Ticketmaster and Interflora.

Brian Dunne, managing director for SVM Europe Ltd, said: "We are a values driven business and our success over the past four years has purely been down to the people in our organisation. We have been very fortunate in attracting local people who fit with our passion and culture and we have an excellent team who without their enthusiasm and dedication we certainly would not have expanded at the rate we've seen over the past few years.

"Rotherham Borough Council, through its business support arm, Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO), has also supported us since day one and they've been instrumental in this latest development to increase our office space in Rotherham."

Cllr Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Business Growth and Regeneration at the council, added: "SVM is a real success story for the local area, both in terms of job creation and the boost this give to the local economy. We're delighted to see the company thrive in Rotherham and congratulate them on their success.

"A key part of growing the local economy is also about supporting the growth of companies that are already trading in Rotherham. We have thousands of good companies that have growth potential and we are keen to work with them to harness that potential."

SVM Europe website
RiDO website

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News: SVM Europe expand portfolio

Rotherham-based SVM Europe, a leader in the gift card industry, has expanded its portfolio to offer gift cards for hotel stays and concert tickets as it looks to dominate the European market.

SVM is the largest reseller and distributor of corporate gift cards, E-vouchers and gift vouchers in the B2B and the corporate gifting market with products used as incentives for sales staff and as part of cementing relationships with clients. Founded in the US in 1997, the European operations launched in 2008 and has offices in London and at Parkgate, Rotherham, where it employs around 50 staff.

Already working with 75 major UK retail brands, SVM Europe has retail partners such as TUI, Toys R Us, Schuh, Café Rouge, Bella Italia and Strada. It has now expanded its portfolio to include gift cards for Ticketmaster, the global event ticketing leader and one of the world's top five eCommerce sites, with over 26 million monthly unique visitors. It is part of the Live Nation group that produces over 20,000 shows annually for more than 2,000 artists.

Dan Nugent, sales director at SVM Europe, said: "The addition of the multi use Ticketmaster Card adds great benefit and dimension to our current portfolio of over 70 leading brands. The fact that you can use the card on a variety of live entertainment events from comedy shows to seeing your favourite band live is fantastic as it offers the recipient flexibility so it is a great reward of choice with something for everyone."

Nihal Pekbeken, VP Marketing at Ticketmaster UK, added: "We are delighted to be offering the Ticketmaster Gift Card through SVM Europe, giving us a great opportunity to open up our gift card offering to the corporate rewards market place."

SVM Europe is also adding to its portfolio with a link up with US-based Orbitz, to offer the Global Hotel Card, which can be used at over 70,000 hotels worldwide including all the hotel major brands, resorts, destinations, boutique hotels, Bed and Breakfast choices and more.

Nugent added: "The Global Hotel Card is a great acquisition to our portfolio. The travel nature of this product lines perfectly within motivational and promotional programmes, as travel incentives are a great motivator for any employer. The Global Hotel Card offers the end recipient a wide variety of holiday destinations worldwide in over 240 countries and is a great asset to have on any incentive and motivation reward scheme."

SVM Europe website

Images: SVM Europe

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News: Martek Marine in 3D

The launch of Martek Marine's latest product at the Shipbuilding, Machinery and Maritime Technology International Fair (SMM) in Hamburg was given an added dimension by FusedWorks of Doncaster.

Martek is the world leader in safety and environmental monitoring equipment for commercial ships and launched Navguard, a bridge navigation watch and alarm system (BNWAS) at the world's leading global maritime industry trade fair in September.

FusedWorks was commissioned to create an interactive 3D model of an oil tanker that could be used to showcase Martek's products and during the show the sales team demonstrated their new system to customers on a 40" screen for maximum impact.

Steve Coulson, marketing director at Martek Marine said: "Being able to show Navgard in situ on the virtual oil tanker is fantastic. Not only can customers interact and understand the product for a more informed choice but its technical installation can also be demonstrated.

"This is the most cost effective way we could get these results without using a real oil tanker."

Navgard is the first of several products that will be included on the 3D model. The final application will be available on the Martek Marine website and also as a stand alone application to support the sales and technical teams.

Martek Marine website
FusedWorks website


Images: fusedworks.com

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News: Dragonfly PR wins Marshalls contract

PR experts at Rotherham marketing agency, Dragonfly PR, are set to work with the commercial division of Marshalls plc, the UK's leading manufacturer of paving and hard landscape products.

Based in Huddersfield and established in the late 1880s, Marshalls is the UK's leading manufacturer of natural stone and innovative concrete hard landscaping products, supplying the construction, home improvement and landscape markets.

The Group operates its own quarries and manufacturing sites including a brick works at Maltby in Rotherham.

"Marshalls is one of the best brands to work with in the business," said Marina Wood, at Dragonfly PR. "Their work on demonstrating the sustainability of their products is commendable and they supply to so many prestigious projects.

"Our expertise in the construction sector means we can provide write these case studies with empathy and in a way that attracts maximum interest with specifiers and contractors."

Based in RiDO's Century Business Centre in Manvers, Dragonfly has worked with local companies including Newburgh Engineering, Sizer Ltd, Namtec and S3-ID.

Dragonfly website
Marshalls website

Images: marshalls.co.uk

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News: Morphy Richards to launch new range in 2010

Rotherham-based household domestic appliance giant Morphy Richards is using social media to launch a brand new range of electrical products.

With headquarters in Manvers and factory at Swinton, the Irish-owned company has appointed Finn Communications to shake up their brand strategy. This involves investing in social media in order to drive word of mouth for a new range of products to be launched through 2010.

The agency will deliver a series of integrated campaigns that will use social and digital media to create consumer advocacy and engagement for the market leading consumer household appliance brand.

It is the first time the 75-year-old brand will use social media as the key focus for new product launches and supports the company's vision to invest in consumer engagement.

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Pete Morton, category marketing manager at Morphy Richards, said: "Daily, our consumers are already sharing hints, tips, and recipe ideas for our range of products online.

"It is clear there is a genuine commercial opportunity to facilitate this word of mouth recommendation and consumer advocacy to launch our products.

"In order to do so we need to drive a real sense of engagement with our consumers, which is just not possible through traditional mass marketing.

"A shift in marketing focus to social media and PR is a natural choice to do this and we're excited about its possibilities."

Morphy Richards website
Rotherham

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