Not the usual beast!

High street optical retailer Vision Express has appointed Brando to launch its eco-friendly eyewear range. The Modo Eco range claims to be the nation’s first range of affordable luxury eyewear with a green conscience available on the high street. Brando will work alongside sister agency MCBD, which looks after the above-the-line account. As part of the brief, Brando will run an integrated PR campaign including media relations, a launch event and partnership marketing with celebrity Eco stylist Jocelyn Whipple, who counts Alexa Chung and Laura Bailey as regular clients. For every pair of Modo Eco glasses sold, a tree is planted in developing communities and recycled frames are donated to Vision Aid Overseas to help people with poor vision in these countries. Brian Linnington, product and marketing director at Vision Express, said: ‘We know how environmentally aware our customers have become in recent years, so the new range launch is something we feel passionately about.’ Brando managing partner Mandy Sharp will head up the account.

London Gatwick Airport, the UK’s second biggest airport has appointed Brando to run a four month PR and experiential campaign over the summer.   Part of a major marketing campaign to increase retail spend at the airport during the peak summer months, Brando will be running an intensive media relations and event-led programme to remind holiday-makers about the great shopping and money savings available at the airport.   The account will be headed up by Brando’s Managing Director, Mandy Sharp, and one of the first jobs will be organising an exciting ‘Gatwick Fashion Week’ at the North Terminal with TV fashion presenter, Gok Wan confirmed as celebrity host for one of the days.     The experiential event will show-case retailers’ products through a series of glamorous fashion shows and holiday makers will be treated to hair, make-up and fashion makeovers from top stylist Kirsty Drury who has worked with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Rachel Stevens and Claudia Schiffer.   Brando joins forces with other top agencies including advertisers Naked, media planners MindShare and BTL agency DNX as part of the external marketing team for this project.   Mike Luddy, London Gatwick Airport Commercial Director, said: “We’re really looking forward to working with Brando over the next few months. Brando responded to the brief with creative, yet strategically sound and deliverable ideas.”   The activity will be supported with an extensive social media programme, run by David Cushman from Brando Social.