Flemming Arnott; Jill Heslop; Richard Myers (managing director); Hanna Miettinen

Digital media agency Industrial Strength has recruited three new staff members on the back of a series of client wins as it pushes for growth.

The Gateshead-based company specialises in website design and development, multimedia and online marketing for a client base including Sage, Tommee Tippee and Gentoo. It also works as a digital partner to top advertising and design companies in the North East, London and Geneva.

The new recruits had all proved themselves by working with the company before their appointment, having being part of a pool of talented freelancers from which Industrial Strength handpicks a team for each client project.

The move doubles the core team of staff to six, who are supported by up to eight freelancers during busy periods.

Former journalist Hanna Miettinen joins as editor of the company’s digital news platform New Media Monthly, an open forum for the digital community to share news, views and ideas. Born in Finland, Hanna previously worked as a journalist on several titles in her home country before settling in the North East last year, after completing her Masters degree in multimedia journalism at Newcastle University.

Web developer Flemming Arnott brings with him a 12-year background in the digital sector. A former creative himself, he works within the development team to apply technology that brings the concept to life and delivers the results that clients want. His former roles included a spell with Kitbag, the first online sports retailer, and a web development role at the Centre for Advanced Industry in North Shields.

The third member of the trio is Jill Heslop, who is responsible for providing accounts, admin and business support to the directors and staff.  Jill moved to the region four years ago from the West coast of Scotland, and outside work she sings with and promotes North East band and independent record label The Shipbuilders.

Managing director Richard Myers said:  “We are delighted to welcome Hanna, Flemming and Jill to the permanent staff team.

“The digital world is constantly growing and developing and to make sure we continue to come up with fresh and innovative ideas to help clients get the best from their marketing budgets, we need to make sure we choose the right fit for our staff team.

“Based on our experience working with all three on a freelance basis, we were confident that our new recruits would quickly prove to be valuable additions to the team, and we are very pleased to have them on board.”