We’re delighted to have been appointed by EASELprojects to manage the PR and communication for Manchester Art Fair as the acclaimed art and cultural event returns to the city this November 15-17.

Established in 2008, Manchester Art Fair is one of the largest and most significant art fairs in the UK and has amassed over £7m in art sales since inception.

This year’s edition will see over 170 UK and individual artists, galleries, and artist-led spaces brought together at Manchester Central, complemented by an impressive programme of high-profile talks, immersive experiences, and workshops.

It is the fifth consecutive year The Strong Agency, has been tasked with promoting the fair, with the agency responsible for raising the profile of the event in the northern, national, and specialist arts press, and driving visiting attendance.

Speaking on the appointment, Director of Manchester Art Fair, Sophie Helm, said: “As we look forward to the return of Manchester Art Fair and The Manchester Contemporary this November 15-17, we are delighted to announce our work with The Strong Agency.

“The team’s reappointment is testament to the creative thinking, hard work, and incredible outcomes delivered by The Strong Agency over the past five years.  Their passion for the event is unwavering and The Strong Agency a valued extension of our marketing and event team.”

Strong founder, Julie Wilson, added: “Designed for the collector, curator and the simply curious, Manchester Art Fair is a significant date in the UK & European arts and culture calendar.  We’re delighted to have the opportunity to further elevate the profile of the highly coveted event as we count down to the fair’s most impressive edition to date.

The appointment follows an in-depth strategic review of Manchester Art Fair and the event’s PR and marketing strategy.  Work is already underway with art enthusiasts invited to secure their place and save by booking advance tickets now at manchesterartfair.co.uk/tickets. 

The Strong Agency is proud to offer extensive experience in the arts & culture sector.  To discuss your PR and communications requirements get in touch at [email protected]

Football legend Paul Scholes has joined forces with children Arron and Alicia to open a new state-of-the-art gym, Scholes Gym, in his hometown, Oldham.

The 10,000 sq. ft development, designed by award-winning designer Mark Mason, sees a £500k investment in the new facility, bringing new life to Lees Road and the surrounding area.

Designed over two floors, the impressive facility features a functional fitness area with personalised track; personalised steel dumbbells; pin and plate loaded elite bodybuilding machines; a bespoke Astroturf; and top-of-the-range kit such as the plate loaded fly, which is designed to hit all chest muscle fibres.

Members also have access to a Batak reaction machine, a piece of kit rarely found outside of professional sports studios and applauded by elite sportspeople including Paul for improving reaction, hand eye coordination and stamina.

A range of cardio equipment with treadmills, assault bikes, rowers and ski ergs is also available to members with an enclosed studio playing host to cardio, strength, and conditioning classes including HIIT, Functional Fitness, and Abs Blast.

The Strong Agency was pleased to be appointed to manage the launch providing the media with an exclusive first look at the gym and interviews with Paul Scholes and children Arron and Alicia.  It was a packed schedule with widespread broadcast, print and online coverage enjoyed.  Highlights include ITV News, TalkSport, The Manchester Evening News, The Manc, Global, Manchester World, Insider Media to name but a few.

Scholes Gym is open now.  To register visit www.scholesgym.com.

The opening is the latest in a series of launches delivered by The Strong Agency and follows the press launch of the 2020 Olympics formalwear collection for leading retailer, Simon Jersey, and re-launch of women’s outdoorwear brand, ACAI Outdoorwear.  Read more on the medal worth Olympic press launch here and multi-award-winning campaign for ACAI Outdoorwear here.

The agency is delighted to have been appointed as the national retained PR agency for premium women’s outdoorwear brand, ACAI.

The leading outdoor clothing company revolutionised the women’s outdoorwear market in 2016 with the launch of its Skinny Outdoor Trouser, legwear that fits like a skinny jean but has all the performance benefits of an outdoor trouser.  Now, following another record year, the business is expanding with an extended collection and new premises.

The Strong Agency will handle the brand’s national trade and consumer PR, with a focus on raising brand awareness, driving online sales, and partnership amplification.  The agency will also work on ACAI’s content strategy, building a community of women with a shared love of the outdoors.

Work is already underway with the team supporting ACAI throughout the pandemic, a period which has seen the pioneering business enjoy exponential growth, despite the challenges of Covid-19.

Speaking on the appointment, ACAI Co-Founder and Managing Director, Joe Bromley, said: “Contrary to the difficulties many businesses unfortunately face at this time, our investment and growth are continuing.

“We’ve ambitious plans and are pleased to work with The Strong Agency to grow our brand awareness.  The agency’s expertise in the retail and outdoor sector combined with its passion for ACAI impressed us from the off.  We’ve no doubt that Strong’s creative and strategic approach, combined with its established network of contacts, will be of significant value to the business.”

Founder of The Strong Agency, Julie Wilson, added: “This is a brilliant appointment for the agency, playing to both our sector strengths and our personal interests.

“With over 15 years’ retail PR experience we are well placed to contribute to the continued growth and success of ACAI.   The collection is incredibly strong, combining high-end, fashionable shapes with the latest in technological innovation, to achieve a range that delivers on both style and performance.  We couldn’t be more pleased to work together.”

Read more about our multi-award-winning campaign for ACAI Outdoorwear here.