Creative communications agency, BrandContent, has expanded overseas for the first time with investment in a new office in Germany.
The Cardiff-based agency, established six years ago by its chief executive Sharon Flaherty, works with some of Wales’ biggest firms including Admiral and Principality Building Society.
As part of its expansion into mainland Europe, underpinned by its new Berlin office, it has appointed Sophie Nicholas, PR director as its first international hire.
She has 15 years’ experience leading global consumer and corporate communications strategies for brands including NATO, the European Commission, Paypal, GSK, Expedia, Unilever, Jamie Oliver, as well as supporting social causes including Bloody Good Period.
Despite the global economic downturn caused by the pandemic, the agency achieved a record financial year, with revenues growing 58%. It wouldn’t disclose actual revenue figures.
On the expansion into Germany, Ms Flaherty, said: “We chose Germany because it is already Wales’s strongest trading partner. Berlin is a city full of energy, fuelled by entrepreneurialism and a leading hub in Europe for tech start-ups and companies that are trying to have a positive impact on our world and that aligns perfectly with my vision.
"Bringing Sophie on board with her global experience and having a talented team here in Wales matches our global ambitions of thinking globally and acting locally.
“I am incredibly proud to be bringing Wales to the world and bringing pounds, dollars and euros into the country, while giving our team the opportunity to work with brands around the world without having to move far afield to do it.
“Building out our presence in Berlin is the first in a number of game-changing plans for BrandContent which will create a lasting and positive impact on the Welsh economy.”
Alongside the appointment of its new PR director, BrandContent is also recruiting for a senior account manager and a creative content producer. These follow the hiring of an agency operations manager in March. It currently has a headcount of nine.
BrandContent also recently promoted James Cuff to the role of creative director. Mr Cuff, who joined the agency 12 months ago, has taken on responsibility for growing its creative capabilities and innovation in multi-platform storytelling.
