Mansfield PR agency’s American expansion plan

Dakota Digital, which is based at the Mansfield iCentre, has won a series of big contracts for US media coverage.

Founded in 2011 by former Garibaldi school pupil and Nottingham Trent University graduate, Rebecca Appleton, the boutique PR agency was recently appointed by the organisers of the Cannes Fashion Festival to raise awareness of next year’s event in the UK and USA.

From its Hamilton Way HQ near Mansfield town centre, the agency has won favour with some of the most in demand editors in America.

It has secured features in a host of highly respected publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Vogue.

Dakota has also secured air time on The Discovery Channel and claimed column inches on top American tech site, cNet and the Huffington Post.

The company, which employs eight people and has been based at the Mansfield iCentre for several months, is now considering opening an office stateside to handle US client needs.

Dakota Digital managing director, Rebecca Appleton said, “Lots of companies dream of cracking America and we are no different.

“ Several clients across America have placed their faith in us to help them build their profiles and increase visibility to their client bases, which is a wonderful show of confidence.

“Even though we are based half way around the world here in Mansfield, we are able to work closely with them thanks to technology such as Skype and project management software.

“We’ve had a few late nights working on campaigns with our clients in California, which is eight hours behind us, and talking to editors and journalists across the US.

“To be working outside the country but still be able to secure client coverage in such prestigious publications as the New York Times and Wall Street Journal is amazing.

“We’re thrilled at how welcome we have been made to feel. We’re considering opening a second office in San Francisco early next year but will keep our Mansfield head office.

“As a small business it’s wonderful to think that we can expand our client base and work in other countries so easily without having to leave home!”