LEP’s duo set to write Lancashire narrative’

It said the agencies are tasked with developing and communicating a compelling Lancashire economic narrative – “the Lancashire story” – by delivering a strategic campaign to reach target audiences, working alongside Marketing Lancashire. The agency thinking place will deliver a three-month exercise of engagement, meeting a wide range of interviewees to get ‘under the skin’ of Lancashire. The agency was instrumental in doing the same for Burnley recently which included the Burnley Bondholder scheme which has been seen as a success for the town’s profile.

Meanwhile Manchester-based SKV Communications will update the LEP’s digital platforms, and deliver campaigns to key regional and national audiences.

Both agencies will report to Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, who said: “In appointing both thinkingplace and SKV to the brief we are playing to the strengths of both agencies.

“This joint approach will support our work to achieve key LEP objectives to establish a strong and clear economic identity for Lancashire, and to improve the county’s position nationally.

“We have a very strong story to tell, including one of the largest Growth Deal allocations in England; a City Deal of truly national significance; and Boost, one of the country’s best performing business growth hubs, underpinned by a range of local economic development schemes, with major investments in Lancashire’s strategic transport infrastructure.

“The Lancashire Enterprise Zone is expected to create 6,000 jobs across two sites at Samlesbury and Warton, we are also awaiting confirmation of a further EZ site at Blackpool Airport, while Growing Places, the LEP’s £20m investment fund, has already leveraged over £100m in additional private funding.”

LEP chairman, Edwin Booth, also chairman of Booths stores, says. “The LEP is forecasting £1bn growth for the county, creating 20,000 new jobs and 17,000 new homes. With the help of SKV Communications and thinkingplace, we will be promoting these messages, and more to come, with confidence and flair.”

Thinkingplace director John Till, said: “As a Lancashire company specialising in place marketing, we are delighted to be working with Lancashire people and businesses to fully appreciate the county’s assets, opportunities and ‘selling points’ and its personality, relationships and distinctiveness. Our work will produce a narrative which focuses on what’s special about Lancashire.”