New Hull-based Power Hour event aims to forge partnership between regions digital marketing professionals

The latest event was attended by industry colleagues, clients and contacts including business owners and marketing managers as well as students from the University of Hull who who were given the chance to bolster their academic work with some real-life experience.

Pete Lowes, strategy director and co-founder at Leeds Marketing agency Present Works, said: “The Power Hour is really important. I went to university in Leeds and most of the people there wanted to leave after three years and go back to London, taking their skills with them.

“We have always been very passionate about creating opportunities in Leeds and across Yorkshire so people don’t have to move to London and Manchester to work for forward thinking companies.

“What 43 Clicks North are doing in Hull is brilliant and this was another great turnout. I didn’t know what to expect but it was a really good event and a nice mix of people with students and business owners, marketing managers. It’s a thriving scene here and it’s good to see that.”

Mr Lowes’s comments were echoed by other guest speakers at the event, who noted the importance of building relationships across different regions.

Ash Liddell, SEO Content Lead at Reprise who has returned to the University of Hull to study for his Masters, said: “The idea of bringing other agencies in from outside the city is really important in terms of putting Hull on the map in the digital sector.

“If we are working with other agencies from the bigger cities it can only have a positive effect. It’s about talent and about showing that Hull can serve the sector’s needs and has the student population to support that.

“This was a useful non-academic opportunity for the students. One of the biggest questions when I left university was what comes next, so the opportunity for students to come and speak to people at an event like this is important.”

Marisa Crimlis-Brown held a number of senior marketing roles before relocating to Hull with her family during the pandemic. She said that Power Hour had helped to pave the way for her move to 43 Clicks North as Senior Client Strategist.

She said: “I wanted to work in the place where I live. I saw there was a lot going on at 43 Clicks North and I attended a Power Hour and found it really interesting and vital.

“Also with the other agencies round here as well I saw, there was a lot going on especially for a city of this size. I got to know them a bit better and felt it would be a very nice move.

“The brain drain is reversing and pulling people to Hull from other cities. It shows that Hull is on the map. There’s an interest here, drawing people in and getting fresh ideas.”