Strategic role for SLH at Philips

Dutch electronics giant Philips Consumer Lighting has appointed UK consultancy Scott Libby Heming to its strategic communications board as specialist advisor on brand strategy.

The consultancy, which is in the throes of relaunching as Vivid, is working “within the area of in-store communications”, says Philips Consumer Lighting European trade marketing manager Ian Lapsley. It is working on projects as well as advising on strategy.

Another UK consultancy has been hired for packaging work, which Lapsley declines to name.

According to a statement from Philips, SLH’s appointment strengthens the company’s position in the marketplace. “In order for innovation to be communicated effectively in the market we need to plan well, which requires important issues, such as the brand, to be brought into play from the outset,” it says.

SLH’s experience of fmcg clients includes Gillette and supermarket chain Somerfield. It was already working on packaging and point-of-sale material for Philips Lighting when the appointment was made.

The ten-year-old SLH will relaunch as Vivid at the end of this month. “It’s time we moved on,” says managing director Andy Scott. “The team now offers so much more that we felt our name should reflect the kind of strategic and creative branding work that we have delivered over the past two years.”

The consultancy has ten full-time staff, including creative director Sarah Perry, as well as five senior freelance people.