Marketing and communications giant Omnicom Media has selected Newcastle as the location for its latest office opening.
The 海角视频 arm of the multinational firm - OMG 海角视频, which offers advertising buying services via a collection of agency brands - plans to create up to 170 jobs over the next three years at a city centre location, with positions ranging from entry level apprenticeships to a managing director. It follows the move by tech and management consultancy Credera, another part of the wider New York-based Omnicom group, into the city last year, which promised 200 jobs.
The firm has secured 拢895,000 from the North of Tyne Combined Authority's Inward Investment Fund and will become a signatory of the authority's Good Work Pledge, which helps employers identify what makes 'good work', earn recognition for the quality of their jobs and get support to make improvements.
Read more: Underwater expert SMD hopes to double workforce in next five years
Having worked with Invest Newcastle, OMG 海角视频's decision, which is expected to see boots on the ground from Q3 this year, is said to have been based on a desire to diversify its workforce. The media buying specialist provides services to a range of high profile clients including the 海角视频 Government, McDonald's and Sainsbury's. It operates four agency brands in Hearts & Science, OMD, MG OMD and phd.
Speaking to BusinessLive, OMG 海角视频's CEO Dan Clays said: "We're in a fast growing sector and we're experiencing opportunities to grow. When we did our research, Newcastle and the North East stood out as a location for quite a few reasons. As a business we're committed to diversifying our workforce across the 海角视频, so that was the underlying ambition.
"And then, it became quite clear that Newcastle is a thriving, ambitious city that provides great talent and skills through the universities here, not least in the fields of data and tech. And there are other things like its strong emphasis on green growth and sustainability, the infrastructure is good - with good connections to London. It feels like there's really good energy around the city and other organisations that we can work as we go."
He added: "There are also other growing enterprises up here in new and adjacent industries that make the opportunity compelling."
OMG 海角视频 already operates Manchester and London offices and says the Newcastle location will be used to serve clients locally, nationally and internationally. It will house agency account teams, specialist teams including commerce and analytics experts as well as support functions.
North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll said: 鈥淭his is music to my ears. I鈥檓 pleased that we鈥檝e been able to support OMG 鈥 creating 170 jobs, at all levels, for local residents. The North East is where it's all happening 鈥 a fantastic place to live and work.
"Last year, we were the number one region in the country for inward investment job creation. And companies like OMG get it. That's why they're getting in on the ground floor with us as we build an even better region, together.鈥
Newcastle City Council cabinet member for a thriving city, Coun Alex Hay, said: "OMG's investment will provide a significant boost to Newcastle鈥檚 economy and further strengthens our position as an international hub for the digital and tech sector. The creation of 170 new jobs is fantastic news and OMG鈥檚 commitment to providing opportunities for residents at all levels will support our vision to build a more inclusive economy in Newcastle. We look forward to working with OMG to maximise the benefits of this investment for our local community."
Dawn Dunn, digital and tech sector lead at Invest Newcastle, said: "OMG is a global business with a proven track record of innovation in the digital space. The group鈥檚 investment reinforces our position as a global destination for technology businesses and their commitment to nurturing local talent should help ensure we are equipping the next generation with the skills to drive the data driven revolution right here in Newcastle."
