Northern-based media agency WIRE has announced its merger with PR consultancy John Doe, to create a 'production house for stories.' Combining disciplines, including PR, advertising, research, digital, planning, experiential and a content studio, the newly formed John Doe Group will focus on getting brands, including its own, talked about in a lasting way. 

John Doe Group will be led by three managing partners, Lee Beattie as CEO, Magin Trewhella as CSO and Pam Scobbie as CCO. Magin was previously the youngest-ever Head of Marketing for Pernod Ricard and has been at the helm of John Doe for three years. Pam and Lee started WIRE 10 years ago as one of the country’s first channel-neutral PR companies. 

As well as its existing roster of clients, which includes Adidas Originals, Instagram and DC Thomson Media, the John Doe Group will also build and introduce its own brands through a ventures arm. The first, Socialeyes, is a virtual venue hosted by known entertainers, with a percentage of all events going to good causes. Other brands are planned for introduction later this year.