FUTURE FOUNDATION FOUNDER JOINS B&B

Band & Brown Communications has appointed Melanie Howard, as a non-executive director to advise on a number of corporate and strategic projects for the agency and help future-proof the agency’s work.

Howard, co-founder of consumer think-tank the Future Foundation, has spent 20 years using social trend analysis to help businesses identify opportunities and develop new services. A longstanding associate of Demos, she is a Visiting Professor at Henley Business School and a business research fellow at Innovation RCA, where she advises on social aspects of design.
Commenting on the appointment Band & Brown’s managing director, Graz Belli said: “Over the past two decades, Melanie has helped to change the way that businesses think about and relate to consumers. In the 24 Hour Society, Future Foundation foresaw changes that are only now beginning to take hold.
“In a marketplace where social technologies are changing the terms of engagement between brands and consumers, Melanie’s input will give us a clearer view of the future and how it will impact the businesses we work for.”
Melanie Howard said: “With marketing communications in a state of flux due to the impact of the recession and the spread of social media, public relations as a science of influence through uncontrollable media is in a great position to grow its share of marketing budget. Band & Brown has a wealth of practical experience helping clients develop compelling stories that become talking points and I am delighted to be working with them in taking the lead in redefining the role and potential of public relations in the future.”