Simons Palmer to set up publicity division

Simons Palmer Clemmow Johnson is setting up a separate division, to get publicity for clients such as Nike and Sony PlayStation.

Chairman Paul Simons says: “One of the ideas we are trying to get established is the Marketing Multiplier, which will magnify the effect of advertising. We are looking at how we can get campaigns talked about and relate it to other brand activity.”

Simons says that the concept will be launched when the agency “has found the right person” to run it. Industry sources say Simons has already talked to a number of prospective candidates.

HHCL & Partners already has a division, called Event Marketing, which runs publicity stunts around its client’s brands.

It decked out a newsagent shop in orange fur for Tango, and set up a fan club for Terry, the star of its Pot Noodle ads.

The Marketing Multiplier is the latest in a series of expansion plans by Simons Palmer.

Last week, it announced that it is to open offices in France and Germany to support Sony PlayStation. In April it invested in The Mission, an independent programme maker, primarily to develop innovative business television co-productions between advertisers and broadcasters. It claims it has already gained a major commission.