MJB&B aiming for self-sufficient PR spin-off

MJB&B Advertising and Marketing hopes to have its public relations spin-off Livewire Communications running as a self-sufficient business within 18 months.

MJB&B recently created the new position of general manager at the five-year-old Livewire Communications business with the aim of attracting clients independent of its advertising business.

MJB&B co-director Craig Billings said there had been a growing need for public relations and direct marketing services and technology had also been a driver of marketing changes.

“We saw a shift in technology that is creating the need for a ‘below the line’ approach. For example, this shift included Pay TV and web-based activity,” he said.

“There are now more entertainment options so services need to be broadened to accommodate them.

“We had a desire to grow that area of the business, as it will play a major and integral role in the future of advertising and marketing.

“The aim is to grow it so that in 12 to 18 months it is totally self-sufficient and not relying on agency clients.”

Livewire Communications general manager Carolyn Hamilton has been busy recruiting new staff and securing new business.

Ms Hamilton recruited two new staff before officially taking up her new post.

“I hadn’t started here by the time I had hired them. I did that when I was between jobs,” she said.

Ms Hamilton said she was in the process of securing a number of independent clients across a range of industry sectors.

Livewire Communications and MJB&B have recently pitched to Warren Mead to provide marketing and advertising services for his three-restaurant hospitality business under The Oyster Bar banner.