City centre move helping Rippleffect make waves; Agency plans to continue growth despite downturn.

Byline: ALISTAIR HOUGHTON 

DIGITAL agency Rippleffect says its move to a new city centre base will help its expansion plans.

Rippleffect last week moved to the City Tower in Old Hall Street, alongside owner Trinity Mirror.

It is already the biggest digital agency in Merseyside, and founder and managing director Ben Hatton says he wants to keep expanding by winning more national contracts.

Rippleffect's clients include Paramount Pictures, Peel Holdings and trade unions including the CWU and Unite.

In the past year, Rippleffect has worked with several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester City, Fulham, Bolton Wanderers and Everton.

Rippleffect, which has more than 50 staff, has grown at a rate of more than 40% year-onyear.

This year, it is on track to achieve a turnover of more than pounds 4m.

Mr Hatton says Rippleffect had outgrown its old Liverpool Science Park offices, and that its new home gives it a platform for growth.

He said: "The aim for us is to continue the growth pattern we've already created.

"We are recognised as a leading national digital agency.

"Every year we've seen solid growth.

"We now have a bigger office that can accommodate our growth."

Rippleffect was bought by Daily Post parent Trinity Mirror last year.

Mr Hatton says he has always seen Rippleffect as a national company, rather than a regional one, and says being part of Trinity Mirror will help it win more national clients.

He said: "There are two ways of being a national. agency. One is to have offices around the country. But secondly, more importantly, it's about winning national contracts - and that's what we've managed to do.

"For example, we work with companies from football clubs including Arsenal to unions, bars and restaurants and racecourse operator Arena Leisure. It's not about where you're based. It's about what work you do.

"Being part of a group like Trinity Mirror puts us on a certain platform as part of a major group, rather than being a small independent agency, especially when you go for big jobs.

"When we talk to people at a big company level, it's definitely to our advantage when they recognise we're part of Trinity Mirror."

CAPTION(S):

It's not about where you're based, it's about what work you do - Rippleffect founder and managing director Ben Hatton