Marketing and lead generation agency, Uprise Marketing, has moved to new offices and plans to create 10 new jobs, following new client wins and the awarding of a £100,000 grant from the Welsh Government’s Economic Growth Fund.
Formerly based in Cowbridge, the company has signed a five year lease on a 2,150 square foot office at the Melin Corrwg Business Parc in Upper Boat near Treforest.
The agency was founded in 2012 by former Marketing & Commercial Director of The Celtic Manor Resort, Gareth Rees Jones, and Geoff Thomas, former Managing Director and co-founder of IT Company, FD Systems, which was sold in July 2011 to AIM listed company, K3.
Originally operating as a specialist B2B agency under the name Red7, the company re-branded to Uprise Marketing in February 2012 and now provides marketing services to SMEs in both the B2B and B2C sectors. Its services include website design and development, search engine optimisation, creative and design, direct marketing, strategic marketing consultancy and print services. It also provides companies with the ability to outsource their lead generation and nurturing activities for their Sales teams through the company’s specialist in-house B2B Telemarketing team.
In its first 18 months, the company’s client list has grown significantly and includes Paramount Interiors, Cardiff Blues, General Electric, Target Group Software, NewLaw Solicitors and Pink Panther Print. It also works with clients outside Wales including several major IT companies and Badminton Ireland, the governing body for the sport in Ireland.
The £100,000 grant from the Welsh Assembly’s Economic Growth fund, which has been match funded by Uprise, will allow the company to invest in equipment and technology for its new offices as well as creating 10 new jobs.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: “It’s good to hear how the Fund is supporting business growth and job creation across Wales. It continues to play an important role in providing funding to enable businesses to take advantage of market opportunities as they arise and I wish Uprise every success in the future.”
Commenting on the move to the new offices and the grant, Managing Director of Uprise, Gareth Rees Jones said: “This investment is a significant step forward for us and will help us to achieve our ambition of creating a major end-to-end marketing agency here is South Wales. Our aim is to grow our client base not just here in Wales but throughout the UK. With technology, there is now much less of geographical barrier and we are already working with clients as far afield as Scotland.”
Mr Rees Jones who previously worked in major global advertising agencies for brands including O2, Nivea and Standard Life before heading up the marketing and sponsorship at The Celtic Manor Resort in the build-up to and during The Ryder Cup, identifies online marketing as being a key area where the company will be investing the money.
Having a strong web presence and an effective online or inbound marketing strategy is now key to success for most businesses when it comes to generating brand awareness, leads and sales. This investment will allow us to further strengthen our existing online team in particular in the areas of online copywriting, SEO and social media, which there is very strong demand for. However, we feel it’s our ability to combine these services with strategic marketing skills, creative and outbound marketing services such as telemarketing is what sets us apart from many other agencies in the market.