Bristol-based specialist communications consultancy Distinctive Communications has grown its presence in the South West with a key appointment in Devon.
The agency, which works with place-makers, purposeful businesses and public bodies, has recruited Arianne Smart, pictured, as an account manager to lead on public relations and communications support to clients in the greater Exeter area.
Arianne’s arrival comes as Distinctive progresses through its second successful year, taking on several new clients and projects across the South West.
The agency was launched in June 2022 by Ben Lowndes, the former South West managing director of national PR firm Social, taking all five staff members of Social’s Bristol team with him.
It has since supported clients ranging from Bath & North East Somerset Council, Mactaggart & Mickel Group and developer Reef Group, which is partnering with Gloucester City Council to bring forward the city’s £107m Forum regeneration project.
Distinctive said Arianne brought wide-ranging experience of devising and executing PR and communications activity for clients, including property companies, developers and landed estates.
She holds a degree in Public Relations and has worked in PR agencies for almost a decade, is an Accredited Practitioner from industry body the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).
She has joined Distinctive after just under seven years with Exeter agency KOR communications.
Arianne described it as an exciting time to join the agency, saying that it had “really made its mark in the South West, supporting clients in property and place-making and achieving some stand-out results”.
She added: “I am looking forward to supporting the talented team on delivering communications work for the existing client base, as well as leading on new projects and looking to increase our presence in and around Exeter.”
Ben Lowndes said: “I am proud of everything we’ve achieved since launching Distinctive in 2022 and expanding our footprint in the South West is an exciting new opportunity for us.
“Arianne’s appointment is a key part of this and I am sure that her experience will further build on our offering to deliver impactful PR and communications work.”
Arianne’s arrival follows December’s appointment of content writer Jasmine Gordon, an experienced communications and marketing professional who has worked on communications campaigns in the publishing and charity sectors.
The Distinctive team is supported by graphic designer Stacey Broadbear, who provides concept-driven graphic services and has supported Distinctive with design projects, including promoting Bath’s cultural offering and supporting an impactful research report.
Pictured, below, the Distinctive Communications team. From left: Arianne Smart, Stacey Broadbear, Jasmine Gordon and Ben Lowndes
