Cirkle strengthens content offering with two new hires

PR agency Cirkle has further bolstered its content expertise with the appointment of two heavyweight journalists. Nic Robinson and Steven Lambert, who join the team with immediate effect, have been hired to support the growth in the agency’s content and editorial department, and respond to the growing demand for B2B editorial services.

Steven Lambert, Cirkle’s new Editorial Manager, brings nine years of journalistic experience editing and writing for B2B titles including Retail Newsagent and Asian Trader. He began his career as a reporter in the FMCG market before taking more senior roles covering news across the wider retail sector, reporting daily on the issues affecting independent and convenience retailers.

Prior to Cirkle, Lambert moved into the world of PR with Beattie Group (now tigerbond), taking on the role of Editor and PR Consultant to provide editorial support for renowned brands including Specsavers. Most recently, he was Editorial and Digital Content Manager at Templemere PR, helping the team to drive the news agenda for international travel retail, duty-free and food service businesses – including Tax Free World Association, SSP Group, Lindt, Airport Dimensions and Servy.

In his new role, Lambert will identify new editorial opportunities and take on copywriting responsibilities for a wealth of Cirkle clients, including HEINEKEN, Dulux Trade (AkzoNobel) and Britvic.

Nicholas Robinson joins Cirkle as Content Strategist and will spearhead a shift in how the agency views content by delivering a best-in-class approach that will set Cirkle apart from all competition, focusing on the agency’s on-trade and off-trade clients including HEINEKEN UK, as well as other brands in the Cirkle family.

Prior to Cirkle, Robinson spent a year working on luxury superyacht lifestyle magazine BOAT International, where he launched the brand’s successful business subscription platform and revamped the outlet’s B2B commercial content.

Before working in superyachting, Robinson was at William Reed Business Media. He spent most of his career at leading pub trade title The Morning Advertiser, where he launched and relaunched luxury brands including Top 50 Gastropubs and Top 50 Cocktail Bars. He left The Morning Advertiser as Managing Editor in April 2021, having successfully overhauled the brand’s content strategy, as well as implementing new native advertising strategies.

Robinson said: “Having spent a year away from food and drink, joining Cirkle in January this year felt like coming home. Cirkle has a very specific culture and way of operating that I’ve always admired, and I can’t wait to bring my expertise to the wealth of outstanding clients the agency represents.”

Amy Searle, Head of Trade at Cirkle, said: “The appointment of both Nic and Steven marks a very exciting chapter in Cirkle’s history, as we establish a dedicated content team that will operate closely alongside our client, creative, design and media buying teams. Cirkle’s trade division is forecasted to grow by over 50% in 2022 alone, so they’re joining at a very exciting time. Both bring with them a wealth of expertise and journalistic flare that is already setting our campaigns alight.”