Arts bodies turn to Brum firms for creative support
A pair of Birmingham firms are showing off their creative flair after winning contracts to work with two high-profile national arts organisations.
The Royal Court Theatre, one of London’s best-known theatres, has launched its new website with the help of Birmingham digital agency Made Media.
The company secured the contract to develop the website after a four-way competitive pitch in December last year.
And Clive Reeves Public Relations, which was only launched earlier this year, has been appointed by Birmingham Royal Ballet to deliver PR support for its Ballet, Birmingham & Me project involving young people from across the city.
Made Media’s work with The Royal Court Theatre consisted of a complete creative and technical overhaul of its website so that the new site reflects the Royal Court’s reputation for cutting-edge contemporary theatre.
The Royal Court Theatre is the UK’s leading national company dedicated to new work by innovative writers from the UK and around the world.
Visitor engagement is driven through immersive content, integration of social media and considered use of audio and video.
Made Media managing director Jake Grimley said: “The Royal Court proved a fascinating client.
“They’re going through a particularly hot period at the moment, but they’ve been at the cutting edge for 50 years.
“I can’t think of another project we’ve worked on that has that unusual combination of cool and legacy.
“The more we got to know the theatre, the more we wanted to reflect the intimacy and warmth of the space.
“We commissioned photography of the walls and textures to sit behind the content.
“I’d like to think the Royal Court were attracted to our track record of fully-featured websites with attention to detail and user experience.
“But from the outset they made it clear that they wanted more.
“They needed the website to reflect the personality of the theatre. I think we’ve done that.”
Meanwhile back in Birmingham, Clive Reeves Public Relations will be working on Ballet, Birmingham & Me, a unique project between Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Youth Service and Birmingham Association of Youth Clubs.
The initiative is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and is a People Dancing programme, funded by Legacy Trust UK.
It is a two-year programme of mass participation involving young people from across the city.
Activities include dance workshops and rehearsals, leading to a performance of their own version of Cinderella at Birmingham Hippodrome on December 7.
David Kuczora, account manager at Clive Reeves Public Relations, said: “This is an ambitious project because of its sheer scale, uniting 80 young people from diverse backgrounds each with their own story to tell.
“It’s really showcasing the best of the Birmingham, with arts educators and youth workers partnering to deliver a truly worthwhile programme.”
