Pitch Marketing Group has won the creative account for Sharp’s Brewery following a competitive pitch process earlier this year. The 100% employee-owned agency has been appointed as the retained creative agency of record for Sharp’s and joins the wider creative agency roster for brands in the Molson Coors portfolio.
The account will be led by Pitch’s Head of Integrated, Ryan Lacey, and spearheaded creatively by Executive Creative Director, Ronaldo Tavares, who joined the agency from M&C Saatchi at the start of the year.
As of 2024 Sharp’s boasts a growing portfolio of drinks to suit new audiences and occasions. Historically Sharp’s Brewery has been best known by consumers for its founding beverage and sub-brand, Doom Bar, which was launched to market in 1995. Some 30 years on, Sharp’s now identifies as a millennial brewer, with a diverse range of Ales, Lagers and Ciders and home to consumer-facing sub-brands such as Offshore, Atlantic Pale Ale, Sea Fury, Solar Wave and the newest to the fold – Twin Coast.
Working in partnership with the in-house brand team, Pitch will be responsible for a marketing strategy that transitions Sharp’s from being sub-brand led, to a branded house, whilst simultaneously continuing to drive salience for the sub-brands within the portfolio. The agency will also be responsible for the brand strategy, creative direction and execution of all brands within Sharp’s on a TTL remit that includes OOH, digital advertising, on-trade and off trade marketing and partnerships.
Since becoming 100% employee owned in 2023 Pitch has won several competitive processes for retained accounts including NatWest, EA, Sky Bet, Les Mills and Stonegate Group.
Ryan Lacey, Head of Creative Campaigns at Pitch Marketing Group said; “It’s not often that you get the opportunity to work on an iconic British brand such as Sharp’s. The Sharp’s brand story is as unique and authentic as it gets. Born of the coast in Rock Cornwall, over the past 30 years they have made the ale category and the Southwest of England their own. With a world-class range of liquids and brands, Sharp’s are poised for the next 30 years, and we could not be more excited to play a part.
James Nicholls, Marketing Controller for Sharp’s portfolio at Molson Coors Brewery said; “Upon meeting Pitch we were blown away by their passion for and understanding of the brief and the Sharp’s brand. The way that they pushed us creatively throughout the process whilst also working incredibly collaboratively with our internal team gave us the utmost confidence that Pitch is the right creative agency to support during a pivotal phase for Sharp’s.