HOLYWOOD-based global PR and content agency Smarts has continued with its ambitious growth plans and has recruited 30 new employees, meaning it has expanded by more than a third since the start of this year.
The majority of new hires have been recruited into its Co Down office, though its London and New York bases have also expanded their operations.
It comes as Smarts, the north’s largest creative agency and which works with some of the world’s biggest brands, picked up the top award for best social media campaign at the all-Ireland Digital Media Awards in Dublin.
That followed it winning four gongs at the industry-leading Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) awards, bringing its total number of wins this year to over 20.
Smarts' most recent client wins have included campaigns for online fashion platform Zalando, Johnnie Walker and Guinness maker Diageo, and the UK government agency Food Standards Authority.
Pippa Arlow, Smarts Global chief executive, said: “It has been a huge year of growth for us and we are delighted to have recruited some of the best talent available around the world to our ranks since January.
“That is what makes these latest award wins so worthwhile. It is an acknowledgment of the work we have put into growing our business and attracting top talent through our doors to work with some of the world’s best known brands.
“These award wins are a vindication of our focus on popular culture and entertainment and enable us to help clients achieve their business goals by building relevance that resonates with consumers.”
Smarts, which currently employs 118 people and has clients in more than 20 countries, is part of MSQ, a multi-disciplinary group of digital, creative, branding and PR agencies that operate internationally.
