FBE&P tries out new positions

FutureBrand English & Pockett is trying to strengthen its ability to handle technology-based clients with two newly created positions.

Piers Pearson-Lund has been appointed technical director. He will act as a link between the agency’s creatives, third party technical partners and clients. He joins from Rubus where he developed interactive and broadband services for clients such as ONdigital and Thomas Cook. Pearson-Lund comments, “FutureBrand was looking for somebody with good interactive TV skills.”

The agency is close to filling the position of head of interactive.

This role is slated as more business-driven than that of FutureBrand English & Pockett’s head of new media Frederico Gaggio, who quit the agency at the end of 2000 to join Razorfish.

FutureBrand English & Pockett attributed the need for the new positions to increasing numbers of clients who require branding for technology-driven services such as video-on-demand.

The consultancy is currently working on branding for European VOD service UPC and UK-based Yes TV.

FutureBrand English & Pockett managing director Jane Roberts says, “We have been doing this kind of work for years. However, we have found it increasingly important to have a technical person in-house, particularly as the functionality of these services links to the brand experience.”