SAN FRANCISCO – August 26, 2010

Today, Bite Communications announced the appointment of Michelle Herman as general manager, North America.  Herman will officially commence her role on September 13, 2010, and will report to CEO Clive Armitage.  She will be based in Bite’s San Francisco office and will oversee the company’s North American business, which includes additional offices in New York and Toronto, Canada.

At Bite, Herman will strengthen its management team and drive further growth in its three Bite offices in North America. She will also be engaged with clients across the region, which include AMD, HP, Sybase and Vonage.

Michelle Herman, new general manager for Bite North America

Herman’s last position was senior vice president & global technology practice leader/general manager, San Francisco, at Waggener Edstrom.  Prior to her roles with Waggener Edstrom, she served in both corporate communications and field marketing roles with Hyperion Solutions.  She has also held the positions of senior managing director at SparkPR and vice president of corporate communications at Cadence Design Systems.  Michelle honed her international experience at the Hoffman Agency, where she had the opportunity to develop the company’s regional network of offices; Michelle was the first person from Hoffman to arrive in Hong Kong and she subsequently built the business to consist of more than 40 people across multiple offices in the region.

Michelle has been practicing strategic marketing and communications for over 20 years in Washington D.C., Silicon Valley, and Asia Pacific.  In addition to working as part of the communications team on two presidential campaigns and lobbying Congress on behalf of various industry groups early in her career, she has worked with a range of technology clients across multiple industries.

Clive Armitage, CEO, Bite Communications, commented: “Having worked on both the corporate and agency sides, Michelle is a consultant at heart and is passionate about working alongside companies that seek to elevate PR’s contribution to global business success.  We were impressed with her ability to build effective, motivated teams and we are anticipating that she will lead our North American operation to achieve great things.  She is a superb, creative strategist who will add a huge amount of value to Bite’s North American clients.”

Michelle Herman commented: “Bite has a proven record of attracting the best talent and, in turn, capturing and retaining a client base that is the envy of the industry.  I was drawn to Bite’s open and collaborative culture and its focus on the value that every individual team member brings to the table.  Bite is pioneering innovative communications through its investment in digital tools and expertise and I am particularly excited about steering the company on its journey towards becoming a new kind of consultancy and a force to be reckoned with in North America.”

About Bite Communications

Bite Communications, a subsidiary of the Next Fifteen Communications Group, is a 180-strong communications consultancy with offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, London, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney and Toronto. With a mission to deliver fearless and boundless communications campaigns to its range of B2B and B2C clients, Bite has built its business on developing creative, results orientated campaigns for market-leading blue chip as well as fast growing emerging start-up brands. Its client list includes AMD, BT, HP, HTC, Jumeirah, Microsoft, Qantas, Skype, Sony, SWIFT, Sybase and Vonage.

For more information, please contact:
Jason Clarke
Bite Communications
Email: Jason.clarke@bitecommunications.com
Tel : +1.415.365.0222

Annie Hurley appointed as General Manager of Soundbite Communications

London.  Bite Communications (‘Bite’) today announced the next step in its European expansion with the opening of a Paris office. The new agency, named Soundbite Communications, will launch on September 1^st and focus on delivering strategic consultancy to international clients, as well as winning new business locally in France.

Annie Hurley, General Manager, Soundbite Commuications

Annie Hurley has been appointed as General Manager and will head the new office based in central Paris. Annie brings nine years’ experience, both agency-side and in-house working for respected independent PR agency i&e and Vizada (a former France Telecom company), respectively. Annie will be responsible for growing Soundbite Communication’s team as well as its client base.

Annie said, “I am excited to be joining an agency with such a strong heritage and client roster. Bite has a great reputation in the industry and I am eager to start building the French team and attracting strong brands to bolster our client base.”

Bite Communications, trading as Soundbite Communications, will now have 11 offices globally. The Soundbite brand name will be used in France to ensure relevance to the local market. This latest office launch underpins Bite’s plan to address the needs of international clients who want a consistent model, service and culture in multiple regions. Soundbite Communications will kick-off with existing Bite clients – HP and Parallels – and deliver project work for global clients looking for local support, as well as focusing on winning new business.

“I am extremely pleased to announce the launch of Soundbite Communications. It has been our long-held ambition to expand our European footprint to cater to clients who want a single agency brand in strategic markets,” said Kath Pooley, Managing Director EMEA. “We have been keen to expand our presence to include key countries such as France and Germany, as well as strengthening our Nordics proposition with the appointment of a new General Manager to drive growth. Culturally we’re a very tight-knit team and I’m confident we can scale to Europeanise the business in the coming financial year, offering clients a really compelling model.”

Kath added: “Finding the right General Manager is always the greatest challenge when looking to expand into new markets, and in Annie, we have unearthed an absolute gem. She has a great technology background, a strong track record in providing strategic counsel to clients and, above all else, comes highly recommended. She is smart, passionate and creative, and embodies all of our values here at Bite. I look forward to working with her to build the new business.”

About Bite Communications:

Bite Communications, a subsidiary of the Next Fifteen Communications Group, is a 200-strong communications consultancy with offices in, London, Stockholm, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. With a mission to deliver fearless and boundless communications campaigns to its range of B2B and B2C clients, Bite has built its business on developing creative, results-orientated campaigns for market-leading blue chip as well as fast growing emerging start-up brands. Its client list includes 4Music, Microsoft, AMD, Sony, Getty Images and BT.

SAN FRANCISCO – July 7, 2010

Virtualization and automation software leader extends its Asia Pacific PR network to include US and EMEA

Parallels, the global leader in virtualization and Cloud services automation software has appointed Bite Communications to manage its global communications, media, and analyst relations programs after adding United States (US) and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) to the original Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ) PR network.  The addition of Bite US and EMEA PR networks significantly expanded Parallels’ communication outreach to a global level.  Bite Communications Asia Pacific and Japan was appointed by Parallels recently in May this year.

Bite will oversee proactive media relations campaigns and communications programs that supports Parallels’ global initiatives, reinforcing Parallels’ leading position in Cloud services automation and virtualization software while building brand presence in the Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) as well as consumer and Service Provider markets.

Bite has been selected for its global corporate communications capability, proven results and technology sector expertise. Parallels recognizes Bite as a creative and proactive consultancy with a track record of driving integrated traditional and digital corporate communications programs on a global scale.

“We chose Bite to oversee our global media and analyst relations in key priority markets based on its reputation for developing result-oriented and creative media relations campaigns,” said Kerry McGowne, Parallels Vice President of Corporate Marketing.

“It makes sense for Parallels to leverage on Bite’s global footprint to enable consistent and locally relevant messaging to our customers and partners worldwide.  Selecting Bite to drive communication campaigns in the US, EMEA and APJ is a critical step in meeting Parallels’ business needs.”

“Parallels is driving its global business in exciting new directions and Bite is thrilled that we have been chosen as a partner on this journey through the expansion of our remit globally,” said Clive Armitage, Bite Communications CEO.  “At Bite, we have a desire to work with brands that want to create and drive meaningful and innovative communications, and Parallels certainly fits that bill.”

About Parallels

Parallels is a worldwide leader in virtualization and automation software that optimizes computing for consumers, businesses, and service providers across all major hardware, operating systems, and virtualization platforms. Founded in 1999, Parallels is a fast-growing company with 700 employees in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, please visit www.parallels.com.

About Bite Communications

Bite Communications, a subsidiary of the Next Fifteen Communications Group, is a 180-strong communications consultancy with offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, London, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney and Toronto. With a mission to deliver fearless and boundless communications campaigns to its range of B2B and B2C clients, Bite has built its business on developing creative, results orientated campaigns for market-leading blue chip as well as fast growing emerging start-up brands. Its client list includes AMD, BT, HP, HTC, Jumeirah, Microsoft, Qantas, Skype, Sony, SWIFT, Sybase and Vonage.

Press contact:
Lacey Haines, +1 415.365.0482, lacey.haines@bitecommunications.com

LONDON – 6^th April, 2010

Bite Communications has been appointed by Guinness World Records (GWR) in London and New York, to launch a range of new applications made specifically for the Apple iPad.

The first application, Guinness World Records: At Your Fingertips, represents a coming together of the Guinness World Records brand with a new and exciting technology platform.  The application, free to all iPad owners, offers consumers the opportunity to interact with the vast library of Guinness World Records media content including more than 15 photographs, 140 records, 25 stunning video clips in a range of 9 record environments including the Strangest, Craziest, Fastest, Deadliest, Tallest most expensive, Gamer’s Edition, GWR Day and How to be a Record Holder.

Commenting on the appointment, Sam Fay, SVP Global Sales and Marketing, Guinness World Records, said: “Guinness World Records: At Your Fingertips is an exciting step in the development of our global digital strategy for Guinness World Records and we are pleased to partner with Bite. This is the first time we have worked with one agency on a global basis and are confident that with Bite’s consumer technology experience and global acumen that we can create an integrated marketing campaign that will further our place in this exciting new arena.”

Rachel Gilley, Director Consumer Practice, said “Working with a brand such as Guinness World Records with its outstanding content and its desire to expand its portfolio of products, notably in the digital arena, makes it a dream account to have been appointed to handle.  With the opportunity to work on a programme of both traditional PR and digital activities, we are looking to tap into new audiences and create a consistent buzz through the launch of the LITE app, through to a second launch in the early summer, right through to the Christmas gift-giving season.”

Bite’s campaign brief covers the remainder of 2010 and includes a mix of consumer product seeding, corporate storytelling, media and digital influencer demonstrations, guerrilla stunt activity and working with the GWR PR team to maximise PR at the time of the Guinness World Records 2010 book launch.

About Bite Communications
Bite Communications, a subsidiary of the Next Fifteen Communications Group, is a 200-strong communications consultancy with offices in, London, Stockholm, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. With a mission to deliver fearless and boundless communications campaigns to its range of B2B and B2C clients, Bite has built its business on developing creative, results orientated campaigns for market-leading blue chip as well as fast growing emerging start-up brands. Its client list includes 4Music, Microsoft, AMD, Sony, Getty Images and BT.

About Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. Guinness World Records also annually publishes the Gamer’s Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer gaming and high score record achievements. The Guinness World Records website (www.guinnessworldrecords.com) receives more than 11 million visitors a year. Guinness World Records is part of the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada’s largest privately owned companies which is a conglomerate of interests, including advertising, broadcasting, grocery stores and automotive retailing.

http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/980796/Shine-Lexis-Brands2Life-Bite-scoop-top-employer-ratings-Best-Companies/

LONDON – December 9, 2009

Bite Communications has expanded its client portfolio by winning the UK launch brief for the Virgin Group’s first new company in the UK for 3 years – Virgin Digital Help (http://www.virgindigitalhelp.co.uk) – in a competitive pitch.

Virgin Digital Help has been set up to help British consumers solve problems with their digital stuff. The service includes downloadable self-help tools, online and phone support, and home visits across the UK. It will be built on a technology platform and support infrastructure developed by Sutherland Global Services; and consumers will be given free access to anti-virus and security software from AVG Technologies. A broad range of digital devices and services, including computers, wireless routers, smartphones, and gaming devices will be covered at launch.

Bite’s brief will see it work directly with Marketing and Customer Service Director, Tim Dowling and CEO, Joe Steel to deliver a core on and offline launch programme, through a mix of creative ideas and core research.  The first initiative Bite will be undertaking is driving media relations activity in the consumer lifestyle and technology press in the run up to the Christmas gift-giving season.

The account will be headed by Rachel Gilley, Director, who commented: “Winning the Virgin Digital Help account has been incredibly exciting for the agency.   We have developed an integrated digital and traditional campaign to launch the brand and importantly a campaign that will maintain momentum post launch.  Virgin Digital Help is a service that directly tackles the love/hate relationship consumers have with their technology.  The service is genuinely  unique in the sense that there is no other offering in the market currently providing this level of technical expertise, combined with Virgin’s heritage in customer service.”

Joe Steel said: “Bite’s enthusiasm to work with us on such an important launch, coupled with the creativity they showed through the pitch process made the decision to choose Bite as the PR agency of choice, an easy one. We are working with a group of smart agencies to launch this unique new service and it was important that the PR agency we chose strengthened our ability to execute perfectly.”

About Bite Communications
Bite Communications, a subsidiary of the Next Fifteen Communications Group, is a 180-strong communications consultancy with offices in London, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, LA, Beijing and Stockholm. With a mission to deliver fearless and boundless communications campaigns to its range of B2B and B2C clients, Bite has built its business on developing creative, results orientated campaigns for market-leading blue chip as well as fast growing emerging start-up brands. Its client list includes 4Music, Microsoft, AMD, Sony, Getty Images and BT.

About Virgin Digital Help

We make digital stuff work. http://www.virgindigitalhelp.co.uk

E400k annual budget to cover lead agency campaign planning and local market implementation

LONDON – November 12, 2009

Bite Communications has been appointed by Harman Consumer International to centrally manage and deliver PR programmes across Europe for three of its most sought after high-end consumer electronics brands. The remit currently covers JBL (speakers and multimedia systems), AKG (headphones) and Harman Kardon (high-end home entertainment and theatre systems).

Acting as a central content creation and management hub, Bite will also implement campaigns in the UK and Sweden, whilst working with partner agencies to promote the Harman International brands in France, the German speaking countries and Benelux regions.

Bite beat Edelman, Cake and two other agencies to win the business and was chosen for its consumer technology, digital and international experience.

Bite’s brief will see it work with European PR Manager Ashley Douglas to formulate and implement a mix of creative brand and product-led campaigns, and manage the agency network. The first initiative will be for Bite to focus on driving media relations activity to increase lifestyle coverage of the JBL, AKG and Harman Kardon brands, whilst also supporting the important Christmas gift-giving season.

Commenting on the appointment, Ashley Douglas, European PR Manager, said: “It’s an exciting time for Harman Consumer International right now, with many changes afoot marking a new era for our brands. The appointment of Bite signifies yet another leap forward in our marketing and PR. With Bite’s help, we’re moving way beyond product PR and will execute integrated, creative campaigns which reposition our product portfolio at the heart of the music and lifestyle experience. Furthermore, we’ll be doing this consistently across our key European territories. As a combined in-house and agency team, we’re really excited about what the future holds.”

Harman Consumer International has built its reputation on being a leader in innovation and technological breakthroughs. The company has positioned itself as a market leader in infotainment systems, branded car audio, professional audio and entertainment products. A key challenge for Bite will be to identify how Harman Consumer International’s professional messaging can be tailored and communicated to drive awareness of the JBL, AKG and Harman Kardon brands.

Kath Pooley, Managing Director, EMEA at Bite Communications said: “We are thrilled to have been appointed by Harman Consumer International to handle its European PR for the JBL, AKG and Harman Kardon brands. Each of the brands are category leaders in their own right and have a unique story to be told. The opportunity to drive awareness of the Harman story across Europe plays perfectly to our consumer technology heritage and international proposition. We also see a great opportunity for Harman to use a range of social media and digital PR tools to drive product awareness, tap into new audiences and create a consistent buzz around the products in the key European markets.”

About Bite Communications
Bite Communications, a subsidiary of the Next Fifteen Communications Group, is a 180-strong communications consultancy with offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney and Toronto. With a mission to deliver fearless and boundless communications campaigns to its range of B2B and B2C clients, Bite has built its business on developing creative, results orientated campaigns for market-leading blue chip as well as fast growing emerging start-up brands. Its client list includes 4Music, Microsoft, AMD, Sony, Getty Images and BT.

LONDON – October 28, 2009

Alterian, a FTSE-listed software company and provider of engagement software for marketers, has hired Bite Communications to promote its services to senior marketers and business leaders in the UK and US.

Alterian helps businesses move from untargeted, high volume mass marketing to engagement with relevant groups and individuals. Working across multiple channels, from first contact to customer to advocate, Alterian’s software and services facilitate the delivery of quality, relevant messages at the right time in the right tone of voice. Alterian has extensive experience in web content management, email marketing, campaign management, social media monitoring and has an impressive customer base including the BBC, Astra Zeneca, Domino’s Pizza, Kelloggs, ESPN and Adobe.

Bob Barker, VP of marketing, Alterian, said, “Alterian is going through a hugely successful period, growing 73% in the last financial year. It was important that we had the right communications partner that could grow with us and help us craft our story and deliver it effectively in an ever more fragmented media world. Bite demonstrated a clear understanding of our challenge and has proven experience of helping brands maximise their potential. With a specialist team and a global footprint, our decision to select Bite was an easy one.”

The Bite team is made up of specialist consultants in story-telling and content creation, media relations, broadcast relations, digital and social media and is split between the agency’s offices in London, New York and San Francisco.

Paul Mackender, deputy managing director, Bite, added, “It’s a brilliant time to be working with Alterian. Not only has the company got a great story to tell and a board that truly believes and invests in PR but it is also delivering on its vision as seen with the recent acquisition of leading social media monitoring company Techrigy.”

About Alterian
Alterian (LSE: ALN) empowers organizations to create relevant, effective and engaging experiences with their audience that help build value and reinforce commitment to their brand, through the use of the Alterian Integrated Marketing Platform. Alterian drives the transformation of marketing and communications, making it practical and cost-effective for companies to orchestrate multichannel engagement with the individual. Alterian’s unprecedented integration of analytics, content and execution through industry leading tools, such as the Dynamic Messenger email platform, SM2 Social Media Monitoring platform and the award winning Content Management solutions, enables companies to build integrated communication strategies which create a true picture of the individual. Alterian works with marketing services partners, system integrators and agencies who recognize the need to plan and deliver coordinated customer engagement services in partnership with their clients. For more information about Alterian, products within the Alterian Integrated Marketing Platform or Alterian’s Partner Network, visit http://www.alterian.com/ or the Alterian blog at http://www.engagingtimes.com/

About Bite Communications
Bite Communications, a subsidiary of the Next Fifteen Communications Group, is a 180-strong communications consultancy with offices in London, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, LA, Beijing and Stockholm. With a mission to deliver fearless and boundless communications campaigns to its range of B2B and B2C clients, Bite has built its business on developing creative, results orientated campaigns for market-leading blue chip as well as fast growing emerging start-up brands. Its client list includes 4Music, Microsoft, AMD, Sony, Getty Images and BT.

For more information, please contact:

Paul Mackender
Bite Communications
Email: paul.mackender@bitecommunications.com
Tel: +44 (0)208 741 1123

Expansion Significantly Increases Bite’s Global Presence; Adds Upstream’s Proven Expertise and Team

London and Hong Kong, October 27, 2009

Bite Communications (“Bite”), the multi-channel communications consultancy, today announced that it has completed acquisition of a majority share of Upstream Asia’s (“Upstream”) Asia Pacific communications network, via its parent company Next Fifteen.

Upstream’s offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney will begin to re-brand as Bite from November.  Upstream’s management team will remain in place, with David Ketchum, president, Asia Pacific, joining the Bite Communications group board and executive vice president Paul Mottram running operations in the region. Bite’s former Beijing team is being integrated into Upstream’s Beijing office to form a single expanded team.

Bite is now able to deliver comprehensive global reach for its clients and enable Asia-Pacific-based brands to grow on a global scale by adding Upstream Asia’s offices to its current network, which includes offices in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Stockholm and Toronto.  In addition to geographic coverage, Bite will incorporate Upstream’s blue-chip clients to its roster, ranging from Skype and HTC in consumer technology, to Qantas and Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts in travel, and SWIFT in the financial industry. Bite will also benefit from Upstream’s exceptional digital marketing and social media capabilities.

“Geographically, professionally, and culturally, we knew Upstream would be a great fit with Bite from the beginning of our discussions,” said Clive Armitage, CEO of Bite. “Our clients have strong needs in this growing region of the world, and our new presence in Asia Pacific will complement our already strong coverage in the United States and Europe, making Bite a truly global player.”

“Joining a worldwide network is a natural next step in our team’s development, and by being part of Bite we can enhance our capability for clients and our growth,” said David Ketchum.  “We share similar perspectives on the way forward in the changing media and communications landscape, and we both see opportunities to deliver a fresh, new approach to the market.”

Armitage added: “Bite and Upstream clients will now have the opportunity to extend their programs across multiple territories and benefit from in-country experience, giving them the chance to work with a single agency just about anywhere in the world with more resources, better infrastructure, more services and a bigger talent pool.”

About Bite Communications: Bite Communications, a subsidiary of the Next Fifteen Communications Group, is a 140-strong communications consultancy with offices in London, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, LA, Beijing and Stockholm. With a mission to deliver fearless and boundless communications campaigns to its range of B2B and B2C clients, Bite has built its business on developing creative, results orientated campaigns for market-leading blue chip as well as fast growing emerging start-up brands. Its client list includes AMD, HP, Microsoft, Palm, Sony, and Vonage.  www.bitepr.com

About Upstream Asia: Founded in 2000, Upstream is a full service marketing and corporate communications network positioned to help companies make the most of business opportunities in the Asia Pacific region. Upstream has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney, as well as regional affiliates. Key practice areas include technology, corporate & financial, and consumer & travel. Prior to this announcement, Upstream Asia was owned by London AIM listed company Upstream Marketing and Communications Inc. (UPS.L) www.upstreamasia.com.

For more information, please contact:

Clive Armitage
Bite Communications
clive.armitage@bitepr.com

David Ketchum
Upstream Asia
david@upstreamasia.com

LONDON – October 21, 2009

Bite Communications has expanded its client portfolio by winning the UK launch brief for new service VoucherHub, in a competitive four-way pitch. The brief adds to Bite’s existing experience working with digital brands such as Playfish and 4Music.

VoucherHub is an interesting new player in the online voucher sourcing and distribution arena. VoucherHub, a sister company of its US equivalent, Retailmenot, provides a refreshingly simple yet content-filled alternative for savvy, consumer spending; with an added community factor of being able to comment and vote on vouchers accordingly. The scope of the brief will include Bite executing an intensive online traffic drive from October to December, leading to prime positioning in the consumer arena in the run up to Christmas.

The account will be headed by Rachel Gilley, Director, who commented on the win: “We are extremely excited to work alongside VoucherHub, especially as the sole representative of what we feel is a brilliant addition to the UK consumer spend market. We have developed an integrated online and offline campaign to establish and grow the brand’s presence in line with targeted online traffic figures over the next three months. The team are genuinely eager to get cracking on a range of creative concepts aimed at establishing VoucherHub as a market leader in the lead up to Christmas.”

Alex Rabarts, Managing Director at VoucherHub, said: “The fact that Bite has proven expertise in delivering consistent results for digital brands, combined with their great ideas for the campaign will ensure some impressive results.”

Please go here for a picture of Alex Rabarts.

About Bite Communications
Bite Communications, a subsidiary of the Next Fifteen Communications Group, is a 180-strong communications consultancy with offices in London, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, LA, Beijing and Stockholm. With a mission to deliver fearless and boundless communications campaigns to its range of B2B and B2C clients, Bite has built its business on developing creative, results orientated campaigns for market-leading blue chip as well as fast growing emerging start-up brands. Its client list includes 4Music, Microsoft, AMD, Sony, Getty Images and BT.

For more information, please contact:

Rachel Gilley
Bite Communications
Email: rachel.gilley@bitecommunications.com
Tel: +44 (0)208 741 1123