Leeds marketing agency strengthens team after securing major public sector brief

Leeds-based digital marketing specialists, The Marketing Optimist has kicked off 2026 on a high after appointing a key new team member and seeing steady growth predicted for the remainder of the year, following successfully securing a trio of big client wins at the start of Q1 – including a large, revived campaign for North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The agency welcomes full-stack marketer and social media expert, Rebecca Bamford, who has been appointed as social media account manager. She will be supporting the team on key client briefs, including the newly secured brief for the Multiply campaign for North Yorkshire Combined Authority, which helps people across North Yorkshire improve their maths, english and digital skills.

Sharing more about the strong start to the year, CEO Richard Michie, commented: “The start of 2026 has been particularly strong for the business. We’re proud to have gained a number of new clients on briefs that closely align with where the digital marketing industry is heading, as demand for audio- and video-led content grows.

“One of the briefs we’ve landed includes developing a new podcast series for a large legal firm, where we’ll be filming at the client’s Manchester city centre offices.

“Having the North Yorkshire Combined Authority choose us as their marketing partner as they revive the Multiply campaign again has been especially significant for us, and is something we’re very proud of. We previously supported the Multiply team from March 2023 to March 2025. It’s a project that has a real impact on people’s lives, helping them build essential skills, and it’s particularly meaningful for us as a Yorkshire-based agency.”

Rebecca commented: “I’m thrilled to have joined The Marketing Optimist. It’s exciting to be part of a team bursting at the seams with creativity. I’m looking forward to contributing to impactful, forward-thinking social media strategies, supporting our clients’ goals, and delivering campaigns that truly engage audiences.”

Richard added, “We are pleased to welcome Rebecca to the team at such an exciting time for us and when social media is playing an increasingly important role in search and brand discovery, alongside its more traditional marketing functions. She brings extensive experience across both B2B and consumer marketing, having previously worked for a number of Yorkshire agencies and in-house positions.”

Alongside growth in The Marketing Optimist’s traditional digital marketing services, the agency forecasts strong growth in its podcasting services throughout 2026, as demand for this high-quality, engaging content continues to grow to support search engine optimisation and social media strategies.