Newcastle marketers create 25 jobs over coming year

Direct marketing business Meridian Delta has set out plans to create 25 new jobs in the next 12 months after almost quadrupling its turnover to £1.9m inside three years.

Despite the tough economic climate in recent years, the Newcastle-based firm has grown its workforce from six to 45 since 2008 and is now gearing up for another growth spurt amid soaring demand for its services.

The company lists major global organisations like VISA, Singapore Airlines, Apple, BBC, Coca-Cola, the United Nations and HSBC among its 14,000 clients.

Having seen its turnover climb from £500,000 in 2010 to £1.9m this year, the group is now set to launch three new divisions in the next 12 months – mobile websites, apps and specialist B2B magazine/internet services – creating 25 jobs in the process.

Jobs offered will include sales and sales management, design, programming and administrative roles. The company also takes on apprentices to teach its marketing and business philosophies and it ends up offering full-time employment to 80% of them.

Senior sales manager, Ken Harbison, said: “Companies only buy from other companies they recognise and when they have the need. We put together marketing plans that help customers become recognised and trustworthy in marketplaces important to them.

“When companies think of advertising and marketing agencies, they think of London, Manchester and Edinburgh. With all the talent we have up here, there is no reason Newcastle shouldn’t be the birthplace and headquarters of Britain’s next advertising giant. There’s a team of 45 on Pink Lane determined to do just that”.

Recent successes for Meridian Delta include its work as the email marketing partner for a VISA campaign aimed at increasing account holders and being enlisted to find participants for TV show Child Genius on Channel 4.

In September last year the business secured a £125,000 investment from the Finance for Business North East Growth Fund, which is administered by regional fund management firm NEL Fund Managers.

It received further funding for growth this year through a rolled-over bank facility which has helped turnover grow 58% year-on-year.

Meridian Delta is one of around 300 established agency members of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), the trade association recognised as the voice of responsible and ethical direct marketing.