After over a decade working at Citypress, former director Chris Hopper has left the leading PR agency to launch Bridge, a new boutique consultancy focused on corporate communications, B2B PR and insights.
Bridge, which will formally launch in January and be based in Manchester, will help brands to “truly understand, engage and influence their audiences”. It will differentiate itself in two key areas: guaranteeing senior consultancy, led by Chris and supported by a cohort of expert associates; and providing data-driven insights, particularly audience intelligence, to clients.
Hopper spent 11 years at Citypress, including six as a director, specialising in corporate communications and reputation management, media relations and B2B PR. He also led the agency’s award-winning research and analytics team, which provided measurement services, data-driven insights and primary research to clients.
Prior to joining Citypress, he spent two years at Manchester-based marketing communications agency MC2 and had a five-year stint working on regional newspapers across the North West.
Bridge’s new model will see him supported by associates in specialist areas including primary research, media intelligence and political advisory.
Chris Hopper said: “The traditional agency model isn’t working for a lot of businesses and brands and there’s demand for more bespoke, boutique consultancy in communications.
“Bridge will be different by guaranteeing all clients specialist, senior consultancy. And against the background of increasingly sophisticated brands, stakeholders and consumers, everything we do will be rooted in data. Our work will begin with robust audience intelligence, generating insights that inform strategies, and activity that delivers on the brief.
“I’ll be working directly with businesses and agencies, using my two decades of experience in media and communications, along with strong relationships with a trusted group of expert associates. Combined, we’ll give brands the power to truly understand, engage and influence their audiences.”
