Wales’ largest creative communications agency has made a key strategic appointment to boost its bilingual offer for clients.
Golley Slater has created a new role – Head of Welsh Content – and has welcomed Gweirydd Ioan Davies to the 70-strong team based in Cardiff.
Gweirydd, who has more than 6 years’ experience working within the Welsh educational and broadcast industries, will oversee the development of all Welsh language marketing and communications content that is created within the agency, from social media content and film to TV and radio campaigns.
Formerly social media lead at broadcaster S4C and marketing & communications manager at Welsh for Adults, Gweirydd will be working on a variety of pan-Wales and national brands, ensuring that all content adheres to the promise within the Welsh Government’s Welsh Language Standards, that the Welsh language will be treated on a par with English.
Gweirydd said he was looking forward to establishing himself in this new role:
“I am really excited to be joining such a successful agency where the importance of the Welsh language is so clearly valued, appreciated and respected. It’s fantastic that Golley Slater has taken this positive step forward and I am very much looking forward to helping the agency expand its bilingual offer.”
Gweirydd will also be developing a package of products, including brand messaging workshops and social media training, that will be delivered in Welsh, and will take responsibility for ensuring all Welsh speakers across the agency receive regular training to develop their Welsh language skills.
Amanda Bunn, joint director of Golley Slater, said the new post was a worthwhile strategic investment:
“We already have several Welsh speakers across our creative, communications and media teams and have been running successful bilingual campaigns for our clients for many years. However, as our teams have become increasingly integrated, we felt it was time to create a dedicated role at a senior level to make sure all our Welsh content across the agency is as good as it can possibly be, whether for a one-off video we’re creating for social media or a large-scale TV advertising campaign.
“We have a very strong relationship with the Welsh Government and are committed to creating work that meets its Welsh Language Standards so this felt like the natural next step.
“Gweirydd brings with him a wealth of content creation and creative experience, in roles where the Welsh language has been a priority, so we felt he would be perfect for this new position. We are excited about the contribution he will be able to make to the team and our client campaigns.”
Golley Slater has been based in Cardiff since 1961. First set up as an advertising agency, it has evolved into a fully integrated creative marketing and communications agency, working with some of Wales’ best-known brands and businesses, including Hilton Cardiff, Folly Farm and Hugh James. The agency, which was named Outstanding Consultancy of the Year at this year’s CIPR Cymru Wales PRide Awards, is also working on several important Welsh Government campaigns, including skills, higher education and lifelong learning, organ donation, NHS recruitment, business innovation, the St David Awards and the roll-out of Superfast Broadband across Wales.