Gateshead based NE8Castings have just launched and have their eyes firmly set on the North-East’s talent. An exciting new start-up, the company aims to be a credible alternative to London-based modelling and talent agencies by representing models actors, extras, singers, speakers  and dancers here in the North East.

Founded by Lisa Laidler, who is from a performing arts background, the company wanted to go for an urban Northern feel basing their company name around NE8- the postcode of their Gateshead location. With the official launch of the company happening this month (March) they have already had huge interest with over 11000 page views on their new website since January and a flood of applications from prospective talent.

Manager Lisa Laidler explains, “we know there is a huge amount of talent in Newcastle, Gateshead and the whole of the North East region which in a lot of cases goes to the big name London agencies, what we wanted to do was create a real credible alternative for this talent here in the North East. We worked really hard with our branding and web design company Foundry34 to develop a really distinctive brand and feel for our company and to build and promote a great website. If you were to look at our competitors anyone who knows us would be able to pick our company out straight away; urban black and white photographs with our red logo says straight away- NE8 Castings.

Our website is enjoying huge successes because we invested in getting the look and feel right as well as arranging for Foundry34 to organise our Search Engine Optimisation, resulting in a huge number of visitors and getting top Google results for many of our key search terms.”

So what’s next for NE8? “We are beginning a huge promotional drive to get the very best talent on our books, not only looking at those who have experience but those that are not currently using their talents. We are also building up key relationships with those looking to cast to ensure that when they need models, actors, dancers, singers or speakers we are the agency to contact.

NE8 Castings can be reached on 0191 490 9400 or through their website at www.ne8castings.co.uk