Rob Smith
Managing director
Tel: 0113 394 4580
Contact Rob by email
Rob has over 17 years’ experience of handling business-to-business and consumer PR campaigns for international brands, owner-managed companies, public sector bodies and start-up businesses. He offers strategic advice at board level that enables clients to achieve specific business objectives, manage their reputations and grow brand equity.
Previously PR director at three of the North of England’s most successful agencies, Rob launched Leeds PR agency Brand8 PR to provide consultancy that fully integrates and exploits communications opportunities across traditional, digital and social media platforms.
A Newcastle University law graduate, Rob has developed Brand8 PR’s integrated approach to provide clients with the most powerful and creative way to create advocacy for their brands. He provides overall strategic direction on all of Brand8 PR’s clients whilst also ensuring the effectiveness of any tactical implementation.
Rob is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and his client experience includes handling campaigns for Deloitte, ghd, Flymo, Sealy, Newcastle United, Bellway, De Vere, BioRegional Quintain, Boeing, Newcastle Building Society, Locate in Kent and County Durham Development Company.
Jasmine Headley
Senior account manager
Tel: 0113 394 4581
Contact Jasmine by email
Jasmine is a consumer PR specialist who has carried out award-winning PR and digital work for a variety of high profile clients spanning sectors including retail, FMCG, beauty, fashion, consumer electronics, leisure and hospitality, financial services, construction and utilities.
After gaining a first class honours degree in public relations, Jasmine worked for two high-profile Leeds-based PR agencies before joining Brand8 PR. Since starting out in the industry she has conducted public relations on behalf of clients including electronic retailer Maplin Electronics, Pavers Shoes, nPower, Lucozade, Yorkshire Bank, Ultralase, Yorkshire Water, Shepherd Homes, SuperCook and Casa Mia restaurants.
Jasmine excels at generating media coverage, online advocacy and talkability. Her ability to come up with creative ideas that capture the imagination of journalists, bloggers and consumers is second to none, demonstrated by the results she generates for her clients. Jasmine has also delivered successful social media campaigns and conducted SEO for her clients, helping them to create stronger online visibility and presence.
Jasmine’s current clients include the White Rose Shopping Centre, cosmetics brands Technic and Body Collection and LCD TV manufacturer Cello Electronics, which sells its products via high profile retailers including Marks & Spencers, Next and Sainsbury’s. She also carries out business-to-business PR on behalf of boiler manufacturer Sime and driver recruitment agency, Drivers Plus.
Kiran Ryatt
Account manager
Tel: 0113 394 4579
Contact Kiran by email
Kiran has over five years’ PR experience working for high profile clients across the property, travel, fashion and drinks industries.
After graduating from university with a degree in public relations and English, Kiran worked for the destination marketing agency for Lincolnshire followed by four years at a large Leeds and London-based consumer PR agency. Kiran’s experience has seen her handle campaigns for brands including Jet2.com, ghd, Revolution Vodka bars, Lawn Tennis Association, Yorkshire Tourist Board and Russell Hobbs.
Excelling in media relations and the creation of innovative public relations campaigns, Kiran is responsible for the day-to-day management of property and consumer accounts at Brand8 PR
Natasha Logan
Senior account executive
Tel: 0113 394 4583
Contact by email
Natasha was an award-winning newspaper and magazine journalist before moving to work in public relations.
Since achieving an MA with distinction in marketing and communications, Natasha has worked for PR agencies on national consumer and business-to-business client accounts in the property, construction, financial services, building products, beauty, education and training, waste and recycling and logistics sectors. She has also delivered communications projects for the NHS.
Natasha is experienced in the creation and management of social media campaigns for a range of consumer and business-to-business clients, including managing social media competitions. She is also skilled in writing search engine optimised web content.
Natasha’s combination of consultancy experience, along with her journalistic skills and knowledge, means she also has excellent writing and interviewing skills combined with an invaluable bank of contacts and a clear understanding of what journalists look for in a story.
Cara Dixon
Account executive
Tel: 0113 394 4582
Contact Cara by email
Cara graduated from Leeds Trinity and All Saints University with a 2:1 in media studies and previously worked in a communications role for a national charity and then a Leeds-based PR agency before joining Brand8 PR.
Cara provides support across the Brand8 PR client portfolio ensuring the smooth running of campaigns and also undertakes tactical implementation across traditional, digital and social media platforms. She is already an accomplished communicator with the ability to think creatively to provide clients with exciting and innovative ways in which to achieve their objectives.
Cara also has strong digital skills which enable her to implement social media and search engine optimisation campaigns which result in high online visibility. One of her main strengths is her ability to apply SEO techniques and strategies to content in order to fully optimise it for the web.
Tim Curran
Consultant
Tel: 0113 394 4680
Contact by email
Tim is a former BBC and Yorkshire Post journalist who is now an experienced and successful senior PR operator, with a track record of achievement on the in-house and agency sides for household name organisations, including delivering national award winning work.
The types of task he has undertaken successfully include business-to-business, consumer, public affairs and internal communications campaigns. His sector experience includes extensive involvement in residential and commercial property.
Tim began his PR career with a decade as a manager at leading mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley. He then spent more than 10 years leading successfully account teams at the two largest Leeds agencies, before spending a year compiling a record of achievement as deputy managing director of a PR company in Harrogate.
His background contains residential property involvement in-house at Bradford & Bingley and, as a consultant, with organisations including Yorkshire and Clydesdale banks plus NatWest Mortgage Services. His experience also embraces the Homes & Communities Agency and some of Britain’s leading house builders. In addition, Tim has been involved in commercial property, with clients such as CB Richard Ellis, the world’s largest firm of real estate advisers.
Other industries in which he has worked successfully for high-profile clients include legal, IT, accountancy, sport, manufacturing, healthcare, energy/utilities and the public sector.