Bristol communications agency Purplefish has created a dedicated events planning team with two new appointments.
The consultancy, which specialises in brand campaigns for clients in the tech, property, business and hospitality sectors, has taken on Julia Bassett as office manager with responsibility for the planning and execution of client events as well as overseeing the smooth operation of the business. 
She will work with Gillian Mckenzie, who has joined to provide event and project support.
Julia joined Purplefish after moving to Bristol from London, where she worked as events manager for a major US law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges, running its programme of events from conception to completion, including conferences, workshops, dinners, receptions and retreats.
Gillian has 18 years’ experience working in hospitality and has worked on a wide variety of events from weddings and in-house promotions to major public events such as Wimbledon and the Glastonbury Festival.
The pair will now work together to enhance Purplefish’s events offering in response to growing demand for more events and experiential-based PR and marketing campaigns.
Julia said: “I’m so pleased to have joined such a dynamic agency with a team that is always working to improve its services for clients.
“With Gillian and I, Purplefish has really boosted its events planning capacity and can offer a greatly enhanced service to clients.
“This is a great example of an agency listening to its clients, as there has been a definite trend towards more event-based and experiential campaigns in recent years which looks set to continue.”
Gillian added: “I’m really looking forward to working with Julia and the wider team to ensure the success of all Purplefish’s client events.
“It’s an exciting time to join the agency as it embarks on ambitious growth plans for 2019 with events now a central part of its offering.”
Purplefish moved to a new office at Bristol’s Paintworks creative hub at the end of last year, having outgrown its previous home on an old Dutch barge in the Floating Harbour. The new base will support the company’s further growth.
Purplefish founder and managing director Joanna Randall said was thrilled to welcome Julia and Gillian to the team.
“We experienced a growing demand from clients for support on events of all scales and styles, particularly in the last 12 months, so we decided to bolster our expertise in this area with two highly experienced events professionals,” she said.
“Even though we are now in a digital first world when it comes to communications campaigns brands and businesses often need a physical way to bring their products and services to life. We have organised experiential activities for app launches, bar and restaurant venues and property brands and we’re seeing a growth in this activity.
“We look forward to seeing this branch of the business blossom as part of our wider growth plans.”
Pictured: Purplefish’s new arrivals. Gillian Mckenzie, left, and Julia Bassett
