Yorkshire agency 21 Degrees Digital strengthens leadership team with appointment of Head of PR

His appointment comes after the Leeds agency announced plans to grow revenues by 40% during 2026, following a record year that saw turnover exceed £1 million for the first time.

With almost 20 years' experience spanning journalism, public relations, live events and digital communications, Jon will lead the agency's growing PR division, supporting both 21 Degrees Digital's own profile and an expanding portfolio of client campaigns across the UK.

A former journalist and editor, Jon began his career in regional news in the North East of England before moving into public relations, giving him first-hand experience of both sides of the media industry.

Over the last two decades he has delivered campaigns across business, hospitality, live music, entertainment, education, sport and the third sector, working with organisations ranging from ambitious start-ups to national charities and internationally recognised brands.

Jon is the founder of Newcastle-based PR agency Northside Creative, where he has led campaigns connected to organisations including Sony Music, Ministry of Sound, TEG Europe, Durham City Council, Sunderland City Council, Liverpool Music Academy and the NSPCC, as well as much loved festivals including Yorkshire's Rock N Roll Circus.

His work has included national campaigns featuring household names such as Alan Shearer and Robbie Williams, alongside communications strategies for high-profile businesses, artists and cultural organisations.

Jon said: "This feels like a really exciting next step, both professionally and personally.

"I've spent my career helping organisations find stories that genuinely deserve to be heard. What really attracted me to 21 Degrees Digital is its people. They completely understand PR shouldn't sit in isolation. It works best when it's connected to SEO, content, digital strategy and commercial objectives.

"The agency is growing for all the right reasons. There's a genuine ambition here, but there's also a brilliant culture and a willingness to think differently. That's a rare combination.

"Having spent years working with journalists, I know what cuts through and what doesn't. My job is to help our clients become impossible to ignore by creating campaigns that not only generate headlines but also deliver meaningful commercial results."

Jon will work closely with founders Rory Mason and Zac Evans to expand the agency's PR offering, supporting clients across sectors including Home and Garden, Financial Services and Insurance, while helping strengthen the agency's growing presence across Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and the wider North.

The appointment marks the latest senior hire for the fast-growing agency, following the recent arrivals of Head of SEO Sarah Leeds and PPC Account Manager Seth Leech, as the business continues to build a fully integrated marketing offer centred around its Outcome Marketing approach.

Rory Mason, CEO and co-founder of 21 Degrees Digital, said: "Our vision has always been to build an agency where every discipline works together to drive commercial outcomes. Jon is exactly the sort of person we wanted leading PR. He's not just an excellent communicator, he's a former journalist who instinctively understands how stories are built, how newsrooms operate and, most importantly, how PR supports wider business growth.

"As AI continues to reshape marketing, trusted brands and credible media coverage are becoming more valuable than ever. Jon's experience gives our clients another significant advantage and further strengthens the joined-up approach we're becoming known for."

Co-founder Zac Evans added: "We've known from day one that if we were going to offer PR, we wanted to do it properly. Jon brings outstanding media relationships, huge creativity and a track record across sectors that naturally complements everything we're already delivering.

"He shares our belief that marketing works best when every channel supports the next. PR isn't an add-on here, it's a strategic part of the customer journey, and Jon will play a huge role in shaping that as we continue to grow."

The appointment forms part of a wider expansion programme at 21 Degrees Digital as the agency continues investing in senior talent, AI-led marketing capability and integrated services designed to help ambitious businesses grow.

Further appointments are expected throughout the year as the business continues to scale across the North of England.

For more information, visit 21degreesdigital.com.