Former Harrods and Whistles execs set up communication agency

Former head of PR and communications at Harrods and head of PR

new agency, dedicated to servicing the changing needs of communications in a digital landscape with a focus on building brands in the ‘digital space’.

Headed up by Lauren Stevenson and Virginia Norris, Aisle 8, has been set up to offer brands a unique approach to communications, in a world where the lines between traditional PR, digital marketing and SEO have “blurred”, according to the PR duo.

Aisle 8 co-founder Stevenson, explained: “In today’s tech space, PR has completely changed. The lines have blurred between the channels into what is simply a digital conversation on a global scale.

“We bridge the gap between digital marketing and traditional PR, marrying our relationships with influencers and the media, with our understanding and experience of digital marketing for e-commerce, where the ROI is clear to see."

Based in London’s Shoreditch, Aisle 8 has already signed up a number of clients including Munich-based luxury fashion e-tailer Stylebop.com, the luxury fashion and beauty e-tailer from Shop Direct, VeryExclusive.co.uk, as well as the London-based designer consignment e-tailer, Covetique.com.

Aisle 8 co-founder, Norris, added: “We work with brands to find a common thread that can exist as a story and a conversation across all platforms. There no longer needs to be a digital specialist in an agency, as everyone is now a digital native, whether consumer or industry. As a consumer no one sees or recognises this divide and this needs to be recognised across the industry.”

Stevenson was the former head of PR and communications at Harrods, where she was responsible for pioneering the Digital Style Summit and overseeing the integration of the global PR, social media and communications. Prior to joining Harrods, Stevenson was one of the founding members and PR director of My-wardrobe.com and oversaw the global PR strategy, launching the business in the Middle East, Australia, Scandinavia and the US.

Norris has been head of global public relations for Whistles for five years, during which time she oversaw the international launch of the e-commerce site and most recently the launch the retailer’s menswear offering. Prior to her role at Whistles, she held roles at Diesel and Purple PR.