• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Cossette's Industry Leading Social Media Agency Appoints Steve Forde, Channel 4's Award-Winning New Media Strategist, as Managing Director

Posted on: Wednesday, 11 March 2009, 07:00 CDT

LONDON, March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Rocket XL, a Cossette agency, is bringing its market-leading social media and online influencer offering to London, and has hired Steve Forde, the creative force behind London's Channel 4 TV's agenda-setting social media campaigns for Skins and Lost, as Managing Director.

"We believe the compelling point of difference in our offer is the depth and breadth of proven market leadership we have across our international offices," said Craig Howe, the founder and CEO of Rocket XL. "Steve Forde is a brilliant talent who has delivered great results for Channel 4 and will fast-track our ability to deliver our full-service model in the UK."

Rocket XL, which has been a social media pioneer in the US since 2002, has developed a full-service agency model that encompasses strategy, creative, production, distribution and ongoing management of social media activities, all under one roof. The company has completed over 160 social media campaigns and operates out of offices in Los Angeles, New York, Toronto and now London.

"I've been incredibly impressed with Rocket XL's approach. The diverse work they have executed, both in the US and Europe, is just outstanding. I haven't seen anything remotely as strategic and impressive from a social media agency in the UK. To be able to launch their operation here is a fantastic opportunity for me," said Forde.

Forde was recruited from Channel 4 TV where as Marketing Manager, New Media, he won a 2008 Grand Prix Award from the IMA for his social media strategies to promote "Skins" -- a program broadcast to a 16-24 year old audience. Forde is also acclaimed for his use of the "wisdom of crowds" to create online strategies such as The Lost Experience, a fan site designed to maintain audience engagement in additional plot developments for the popular mystery series.

Rocket XL London will work in conjunction with the Cossette family of agencies with a close working relationship with digital agency, Dare, forging a unique offering that layers genuine social media expertise into the broader remit of digital marketing. Forde will work with Dare's planning partner, John Owen, to oversee a seamlessly integrated social media offering. Rocket XL has already partnered with Dare on acclaimed campaigns, including Johnny X for Sony Ericsson. Forde will also work closely with Rocket XL's international offices in the U.S. and Canada on global projects and brand strategy.

"Social media is an increasingly important part of the digital marketing mix. It's an area that requires genuine specialism, but wouldn't it be great if those specialists were integral to the central marketing effort, rather than being an adjunct to it? That's what this relationship enables," said John Owen, Partner, Dare Digital.

"While many race to get up to speed in the social media space, we are proud to offer proven best-of-breed specialists that have been at it, innovating and doing brilliant work for over 7 years," said Gregor Angus, COO of Cossette in the UK.

About Rocket XL

Rocket XL is the first truly global social media agency specializing in the development of organic interactive word-of-mouth campaigns and cutting-edge, creative web-based applications. With seasoned brand strategists, social media experts and expansive, diverse technical knowledge, Rocket XL's specialized staff is adept at hyper-targeting brand evangelists online, maximizing their engagement, and delivering measurable results.

Global work conducted by Rocket XL includes: Unilever (Dove Real Beauty Campaign), Activision (Guitar Hero III, Call of Duty 4), Procter & Gamble (Pampers & Luvs), Converse (Artist Inspired Shoes Launch), and the United Nations (UNIFEM: Stop Violence Against Women). Rocket XL has also received a Silver Anvil award for work on Blockbuster: Total Access, and was part of the Pampers agency team involved in the blogger event Neilsen recognized as one of "Seven Marketing Campaigns that Inspired in 2008" (Rocket XL/PainePR Pampers Mummy Blogger Event).

Rocket XL's global headquarters is in Los Angeles, with North American client services offices in New York and Toronto. Rocket XL's European operation is based in London, with a web development studio in Stockholm.

PEOPLE FROM COSSETTE

COSSETTE offers a full range of leading-edge communications services to clients of all sizes, including some of the most prestigious brands in the world. A customer-driven organization built around highly specialized business units, COSSETTE also offers Convergent Communications(TM), a unique working method that brings added value to the client by integrating various services offered by the group, including strategic planning and research services, advertising, media planning and buying, sales promotion, customer relationship management, database and direct marketing, interactive and technological marketing solutions, public relations and alliance marketing, branding and design, ethnic marketing, sports marketing, branded content and product placement, and business-to-business communications. COSSETTE has approximately 1,650 employees and offices in Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, New York, Irvine, Los Angeles, London, Moscow and Shanghai.

Technorati: social media digital marketing rocketxl cossette marketing digital PR

SOURCE Rocket XL

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category