New chapter for PR firm after award

As the Waterloo Road based business continues to write a success story of its own, managing director Rachel Smallman can prepare for a new chapter in the shape of the prestigious book awards, which will be held at Lords Cricket Ground on June 1.

The Cross Sports Book Awards exist to highlight the most outstanding sports books of the previous calendar year, with 12 categories set-up to showcase the most enlightening and informative publications from sporting writers, professionals and retailers.

Former Wales and British Lions captain Gareth Thomas stole the show in 2015 for his autobiography 'Proud' which was voted as the book of the year, while a host of other critically acclaimed works were also honoured.

The good news, in which Small Man Media beat off competition from other London agencies, arrives after the company recruited two full time account executives to supplement Rachel, husband Ben, graphic designer Tom Crump and account manager Katharine Buchan.

Dan Shorthouse, aged 21, was recruited after graduating from the University of Wolverhampton where he studied English literature.

Sehrish Raza, aged 23 from West Bromwich, joined the company on the same day as Sedgley based Dan, after impressing Rachel and Ben with a degree in public relations and experience with some of the biggest brands in the UK.

The double appointment strengthens the Small Man Media team at a time when working life has never been busier.

Managing director Rachel Smallman, aged 40, set-up Small Man Media as a 'kitchen table' enterprise after being made redundant following the birth of her son Arthur in 2008.

After her husband Ben came on board as a partner of the business in 2012, the company has been on a whirlwind journey, featuring three office moves with a spacious location in Waterloo Road now called home.

The high profile Cross Sports Book Awards win adds to an impressive client portfolio for Small Man Media, which includes the world's largest tyre manufacturer Bridgestone, Sheaffer, Maped Helix, Derwent and National Stationery Week.

Managing director Rachel Smallman said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be working with the 2016 Cross Sports Book Awards.

"We feel our skills are perfectly suited to making these awards more successful than ever and we are hugely excited to be able to work on such a prestigious project.

"We know a lot about the awards and have already read one or two shortlisted books from the 2015 lists, in recent weeks.

"We are also thrilled to have Dan and Sehrish on board with us, both of whom have displayed a great deal of talent and enthusiasm in a short space of time."

Small Man Media specialises in PR, marketing, web design, social networking as well as a host of other services to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes.

Cross Sports Book of the Year Awards chairman David Willis said: "We were impressed with the Small Man Media team and proactive plans they put in front of us to make 2016 a memorable year for us.

"We look forward to forging a close working relationship with Rachel and the team from now until the 2016 awards night in June."

For more information about the 2016 Cross Sports Book Awards visit www.britishsportsbookawards.co.uk and for more on Small Man Media visit www.smallmanmedia.com