Member Article

Award recognition caps bright first year for Osborn Communications

A new West Midlands PR and communications agency has celebrated its first anniversary by being named as finalist for a prestigious marketing award.

Osborn Communications, which delivers content and media support for small-to-medium sized enterprises and start-ups, has made the final list for the Excellence In Sales and Marketing award at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce 2021 business awards.

The recognition from the chamber of commerce for the UK’s second city and its surrounding areas is welcome recognition for an agency which only launched in the summer of 2020.

Since then Osborn, named after founder Chris Leggett’s middle name, has built up a base of retained clients in a range of sectors across the West Midlands, all benefitting from content and public relations expertise.

It has also delivered project work for businesses and organisations, all looking for practical and trusted support to share their messages with large and targeted audiences during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Highlights of the past 12 months include producing the award entries for one third of the finalists at the West Midlands Business Desk leadership awards, one of the region’s first competitions to return to a live ceremony.

Osborn also generated wide media interest in the launch of Walsall Leather Skills Centre, the first dedicated training apprenticeship facility for the Black Country town’s heritage industry in generations, which was visited by West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and attracted coverage ranging from the BBC to Horse & Hound magazine and even an Italian saddle making website.

To give back to the region Osborn, which has its office base is in St Paul’s Square, Birmingham, has also provided pro bono work for community interest companies and start-ups looking to get coverage to generate wider awareness and engagement. Three associates have been provided with regular work during Osborn’s first year.

As part of its progress the agency was selected to join a West Midlands Combined Authority’s Response and Resilience Programme to grow businesses in the creative sector.

Director Chris Leggett said: “It has been a challenging year in which to launch a new business so to receive the recognition of being a finalist for the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce award after such a short time is a badge of honour given the high quality of agencies in the region.

“Being part of the Response and Resilience Programme cohort has further highlighted the depth in talent in marketing, the creative sector and arts production in the West Midlands, which is promising for the region’s recovery from Covid.

“Osborn has been set up to provide clients with expertise and practical PR and content support as they rebuild following the global pandemic. We are grateful to everyone who has put their trust in us so far and look forward to the next chapter in our growth story.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Osborn Communications .