Communications agency marks growth with trio of hires, client wins, new brand and awards

Birmingham communications agency STORY is marking a year of growth with a trio of senior hires, new clients, a brand new direction and a record number of awards. 

Ex-ITN journalist and former managing director of Bright PR, Jennie Ludford has joined STORY to lead client experience and deliver strategic counsel for key clients, having more than two decades of experience.

Jennie has also worked in-house for NFU Mutual, overseeing the PR and CSR Teams and been Deputy News Editor of Heart FM in Birmingham. 

Hannah Albone and Craig Talbot both join as account managers. Hannah brings eight years of corporate PR expertise, specialising in B2B content. Craig joins from the West Midlands Combined Authority and Birmingham City Council, adding to the agency’s regional insight services ahead of next year’s Mayoral elections. 

The hires are fuelled by new client wins. The agency has won the UK brief for global accountancy body ACCA after a four-way pitch process. It has also added built environment consultancy Acivico to its roster following a similar five agency pitch process. 

STORY will deliver reputation management services, including media relations, social media and creative content for both clients, boosting their profile with national business audiences and stakeholders. 

The communications agency recently flew the flag for the region’s PR industry at the national PRCA Grand Prix Awards in London.

The firm won Medium Consultancy of the Year as well as the Corporate and Business campaign award for its work with the British Business Bank. 

The awards bring together the winners of regional awards ceremonies up and down the country in a ‘best of the best’ competition.

STORY completed ‘the treble’ of Agency of the Year awards last week when it picked up Medium and Small Consultancy of the Year awards at both the PRCA and CIPR Midlands PR awards. 

The firm also won gold in the Corporate & Business and Healthcare categories at the CIPR PRide awards for its work with Evac Chair and the British Business Bank. 

Founder and MD, Amanda Lowe, said: “It has been a huge year for STORY. We’ve made some stellar hires, showcased our new brand, launched our film arm STORY Studio and won some of our biggest ever client briefs.

“Backed by clients that embrace our punk PR perspective, we’ve delivered campaigns that have won a record haul of awards including UK Medium Consultancy of the Year. Bringing that one back to the Midlands, against tough competition from agencies across the country, has been an especially proud moment.

“Representing the Midlands and showing what we’re made of on a national level has been brilliant.” 

“The UK regions have a big year ahead. From Mayoral elections to the leveraging of the recently announced round of levelling up funds, there is much for us to help clients navigate. With more growth plans in the pipeline, we are well placed to support the growing influence and impact of our regions.”

Pictured from left to right: L-R_ Marverine Cole, Jennie Ludford, Amanda Lowe, Peter Harris and presenter