Kao Data, the specialist developer and operator of high-performance data centres for enterprise, cloud, HPC and AI, has appointed The Jargon Group’s Manchester team based in MediaCityUK to help build awareness of its £350m investment in the region.
One of the most respected and pioneering developers of sustainable data centres in the UK, Kao Data hosts one of the country’s most powerful supercomputers from its Harlow campus and is partnering with The Jargon Group to support communications around its plans for a 40 megawatt (MW) data centre on a 39,000m2 ex-industrial site in Reddish, Stockport.
The project represents Kao Data’s first data centre campus in the North of England, enhancing and accelerating the Manchester city-region’s growing status as a leading technology hub, supporting local business and research communities in the process whilst creating high-value jobs.
The PR programme will be led by the experienced Sue Souter who has managed many high-profile campaigns around Greater Manchester over three decades. A former President of Stockport Chamber of Commerce, Sue will be overseeing a campaign of media relations and stakeholder engagement to build brand awareness and educate on the role of data centres in a thriving, fast-growing tech sector.
The Jargon Group is working in partnership with Rory Flashman-Wells, Director at Spa Communications - an award-winning, integrated communications agency specialising in the digital infrastructure sector - and will support Kao Data in its Northern media strategy, as well as its collaboration with key local organisations like ProManchester and Manchester Digital.
Kao Data will also be conducting community outreach to schools and colleges across the region to create and promote opportunities for future generations to pursue careers in data centres.
Adam Nethersole, VP of Marketing at Kao Data, said that Jargon’s existing links and relationships were an invaluable part of putting down roots in the area: “We want to do this right by tapping into skilled communications professionals based in Manchester to carry our messages to a range of stakeholders.
"We have had a fantastic welcome so far, great early coverage and look forward to working with Sue and her team into 2024.”
The Jargon Group’s partnership with Kao Data is another for the company’s Manchester division - having attained multiple tech client wins this calendar year as well as supporting Imago Techmedia at Europe’s biggest digital transformation event, DTX + UCX Europe, as well as DTX + UCX Manchester.
The company has offices in Reading (HQ), Cardiff and Dubai and employs 30 people - of which more than a dozen are based in the MediaCityUK office working on a variety of tech, sustainability, manufacturing and professional services accounts.