FAST-growing Prestwich marketing and design specialists Appleby Bowers have won a prestigious new advertising contract with Haydock-based Nichols Foods.

And the award of the valuable 12-month contract, which comes following successful work on packaging and literature for the same client, was won in the face of fierce competition.

"Three other companies tendered for this highly prized contract, including a big player from London," said Appleby Bowers founding partner, Bernie Bowers.

"And the fact we won it against such quality opposition is not only very pleasing, but highly indicative of the quality of our ideas."

He explained that Nichols Foods put the contract out to tender with a brief that the advertising should target the current market but be flexible enough to extend to other markets.

Appleby Bowers were delighted to learn that the campaign they devised was adjudged to be the best-suited to meet what was a testing brief from a very well respected company.

"It was a challenging brief but we decided Appleby Bowers' proposals fitted our plans best," said Clare Shannon, communications manager of Nichols Foods, which is part of the larger J. N. Nichols (Vimto) plc.

"Not only were their ideas original and innovative, but they were flexible enough to adapt to our ever-changing market strategy."

Work on the campaign, which covers a wide range of products including milk shakes, yoghurts, skimmed milk products, and a host of catering ingredients, is now under way.

This latest contract represents yet another significant step forward for Appleby Bowers.

It was formed in 1991 and growth has been constant since then, with the firm offering a quality specialist design, advertising and PR service from its base in Bury Old Road.

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