Birmingham 2022, an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth, has provided a boost for the region’s marketing and creative services sector. Despite the difficult climate caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Birmingham 2022 is continuing to award contracts to businesses based in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Being the biggest event to be held in the UK since the 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games, the organisers want to ensure that the region reaps the benefit of hosting of the Games. Out of the ten businesses that have now been appointed to the Birmingham 2022 creative roster, which will work across different areas including PR, events, and design, eight are based in Birmingham or have offices in the West Midlands.

“Adding these businesses to our marketing and creative services framework is just the start and our procurement drive continues at full speed. Backing local business is just one of the ways the Games can help to benefit the local economy and local people. Our cross-partner Legacy and Benefits committee will approve and oversee the implementation of a full programme of activity over the next few months,” says John Crabtree, chairman of Birmingham 2022.

The companies added to the marketing and creative services framework, which include DRPG, Pitch Marketing, and TBA Group, have made commitments such as creating apprenticeship roles and upskilling local people on creative disciplines.

“The current global pandemic also means that we’ll be operating in a very different environment - something we’ll need to carefully consider. The Games could be the perfect opportunity to bring the city and the country together, for an uplifting celebration of sport and culture,” says Josie Stevens, chief marketing and communications officer for Birmingham 2022.

The businesses included so far will be part of a long list of Birmingham 2022’s regional suppliers which by the end of the summer of 2022, will have benefited from an estimated £300 million worth of Games contracts.