BrandContent makes first international hire, appointing PR Director Sophie Nicholas
Wales-headquartered creative communications agency, BrandContent, has expanded into Continental Europe, choosing to open its first international doors in Berlin.
The agency has appointed Sophie Nicholas, PR Director, as the first key hire in the German capital.
Sophie has 15 years of experience leading earned-first, consumer and corporate communications strategies at renowned global agencies including Edelman, Weber Shandwick and FleishmanHillard. She was part of the team awarded two Bronze Lions at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity for Heineken’s Worlds Apart campaign.
Her previous clients include NATO, European Commission, Paypal, GSK, Expedia, Unilever, Jamie Oliver, as well as supporting social causes including Bloody Good Period.
The hire of BrandContent’s first global PR strategist will enable the Cardiff-headquartered communications agency to work with businesses with ambitions to break out of the UK market, those looking to enter the UK market and those adjusting to the evolving landscape posed by Brexit which requires a more complex communications approach.
Sophie joins BrandContent in a period of rapid expansion, with the agency growing 58% in the last year, a record 12 months for the agency, despite the global economic slowdown.
Following the growth, the agency entered the PRWeek Top 150 UK PR Consultancies 2021 Bubbling Under list at number 179 this month.
Sharon Flaherty, CEO of BrandContent, says expansion into Berlin matches the agency’s values, our experience and the type of companies we want to work with.
“Berlin is a city full of energy and fuelled by entrepreneurialism. Dubbed by some as Silicon Allee, Berlin is a leading hub in Europe for tech start-ups and companies that are really trying to have a positive impact on our world and that aligns perfectly with our agency vision. Bringing Sophie on board with her global experience also matches our global ambitions, with the next step building out our presence in Berlin.”
Sophie added:
“When I first began talking to BrandContent I was so excited about the vision for the agency and the plans for its growth. But most importantly, I was very motivated by their desire to do things differently. The agency has bold plans and I cannot wait to make more of a mark in the world through the initiatives we have planned in Berlin and beyond.”
Alongside Sophie’s appointment, James Cuff has been promoted to Creative Director after 12 months at the agency. He takes on responsibility for growing the agency’s creative capabilities and innovation in multi-platform storytelling.
Sharon added:
“Our team already includes the country’s best talent and I’m looking forward to growing the team further both locally and internationally in the coming months.”
BrandContent Berlin officially opens its doors on 10 May.
The agency’s current roster of clients include FTSE100 Admiral, Principality Building Society, AIM listed Fairfx, NFU and Ageas, among others.
BrandContent was awarded the best small content agency at the International Content Marketing Awards in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
