Former Weber Shandwick managing director Jo Leah has launched a new communications firm – the Little Big Agency.
Leah, 54, left New York-headquartered Weber Shandwick at the start of the year after two decades as MD of WS Manchester.
She has now sent a special message of thanks to Weber which you can read here.
The Little Big Agency will focus on building reputations for companies, brands, people and places through strategic communications, consultation and activation.
Based in Manchester city centre, it has four staff and opens with several clients in the food and drink sector.
Leah, who will continue connections with academic institutions across England and Wales, is keen to add a non-executive role to the portfolio and is investing in the business herself initially.
“My time with Weber was done – but I wasn’t quite!” she said. “It’s a great time to be a woman opening a business in my 50s with the benefit of 30 years in MD posts behind me and the experience of managing senior client relationships for over 25 years.”
The new agency has established collaborations in place with other entrepreneur-driven businesses across England and Wales as well as an agreement with littleBIG Marketing & PR in Melbourne, which was founded by Sally Harley 10 years ago.
Leah added: “I simply want to carry on working in a sector I love, in cities I love, in a country I care about and to use my skills and experience to assist brands, business leaders and their businesses to manage their reputations in an increasingly challenging environment.”
PR giant Weber Shandwick appointed Heather Blundell as the new permanent MD of its Manchester office in February.