Bristol-based public relations agency Speed Communications is to support the hot tub and home swimming pool industry with a range of PR and media services.
The campaign has been initiated by Pool Industry Promotions (PIP) to promote the UK pool and hot tub industry and comes at a time when hot tub sales have soared by 480% during the coronavirus pandemic as families stay at home. 
PIP has identified ‘holidaying at home’ as a further opportunity to drive the sales of hot tubs, spa pools and home swimming pools, especially as international travel bans look set to stop foreign vacations – potentially triggering an opportunity worth more than £350m.
The account, which Speed secured following a competitive pitch, will also include influencer activity alongside pay-per-click, SEO, digital display and social media advertising.
Speed was chosen due to its solid integrated experience, including creative campaign development and quantifiable campaign measurement as well as blending PR and digital programmes, in the leisure and lifestyle markets.
Speed managing director Kelly Pepworth, pictured, said: “The traditional summer holiday will be very different this year, with most of us continuing to stay at home rather than going abroad.
“The installation of a hot tub, home spa or swimming pool can really elevate the at-home holiday, and we are thrilled to be working with PIP on this project so they can benefit from our extensive lifestyle PR and digital experience.” 
PIP was set up by the water leisure industry under the umbrella of the British Swimming Pool Federation (BSPF) with an emphasis on PR and marketing and draws its committee members from the UK bodies representing contractors, manufacturers, distributors and retailers of swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms and associated equipment.
These include the BSPF, the British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association (BISHTA) and the Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association (SPATA).
PIP (BSPF, BISHTA and SPATA) managing director Chris Hayes said: “There is a clear opportunity for us to increase the desirability and sales of hot tubs and home pools at a time when everyone needs a boost.
“We want the public to know that they can still enjoy a summer holiday, but from their very own hot tub or swimming pool. Speed’s enthusiasm and creativity made them immediately stand-out and their understanding of the brief and our challenge was clear.
“This, combined with their creative approach and successful track record of delivering growth and sales in the lifestyle sector, made them our natural choice.”
Speed employs more than 50 people across its Bristol headquarters and offices in London and Leicester in three specialist divisions spanning business & corporate, consumer & lifestyle and food & hospitality.
Its clients range from consumer brand groups such as Heinz and Braun to Celtic Manor Hotel and accountants Grant Thornton and specialist asset-based lender Ultimate Finance. It is part of the Mission collective of creative agencies.
