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A PR and her client have launched a business collaboration after just one year of working together – bringing a combined 50 years of experience in a new marketing agency in south Warwickshire.

Amanda Chalmers of Chalmers News PR, in Warwick, has joined professional forces with Bianca Rodrigues-Perry, from Leamington, to launch Bia’s Marketing Production & PR this week.

Brazilian-born Bianca – also known as the face of YouTube’s Bia’s Kitchen Show – is reprising her career after enjoying huge success as the co-owner of a marketing agency in her native Rio de Janeiro before moving to the UK with her new husband 15 years ago.

After enjoying success for her own brand through Amanda’s established PR agency, Bianca quickly recognised the potential for collaboration and the women, who hail from countries 5,500 miles apart, have now come together to combine their respective expertise to benefit businesses in Warwickshire and beyond.

Bia Rodrigues-Perry has over 20 years of experience in marketing and production, working with a portfolio of international brands including McDonalds, Gillette and M&Ms. She possesses the magic touch when it comes to elevating businesses or products to new heights, through a variety of tried and tested techniques, from essential marketing advice and support through to curating showcase events and productions which not only highlight – but celebrate – the brands.

Last year, just a few months into launching her show, she was crowned Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year at the Ladies First Network Business and Inspirational Awards.

Amanda Chalmers is a trained journalist with over three decades of experience who now boasts a portfolio of successful PR campaigns through her multi-award-winning agency. Her news desk experience and bulging contacts book combine with her boundless enthusiasm, integrity and tenacity to bring the best results for her clients every time. Working with PRs in her capacity as a former newspaper editor in south Warwickshire, Amanda understands exactly what it takes to make a story stand out to both the journalist and potential audience.

Both women have also been nominated for the Ladies First Professional Development Business Awards, Bianca for Businesswoman of the Year and Influencer of the Year and Amanda for Professional Services Excellence.

Bia’s Marketing Production & PR offers the full range of marketing and PR services including marketing strategies, branding, website design, social media ads, events planning, content creation and social media management. It also offers access to appearance and sponsorship opportunities on sister company Bia’s Kitchen Show, which now boasts more than 60k followers and 6.5k YouTube subscribers.

Bianca said: “When I decided to open my marketing and production agency, Amanda was the first person who came to mind for collaboration. Her exceptional PR skills, which elevated my cooking show over the past year, were invaluable.

“We share a unique dynamic—similar yet complementary in our differences—that enhances our teamwork. Marketing without PR can feel hollow, and I’m thrilled Amanda accepted being part of this project as my collaborator. And what better time to launch this venture than on the run up to International Women’s Day.”

Amanda launched Chalmers News PR in November 2018 after leaving the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald editor’s seat, going on to win two national awards for her work in the PR industry.

Of the collaboration, she said: “It was immediately apparent upon meeting Bianca for the first time in January last year how driven and ambitious she was – and how hard as a PR, I would have to work to keep pace with her dreams for her Bia’s Kitchen Show brand! But what was also clear was how closely our values and passions are aligned and we have worked together really effectively as PR and client to achieve great results.

“Now, with Bianca at a time in her life when she is ready to rebuild her professional reputation in the UK, we realised the potential for what could be achieved if we combined our respective skills and experience as a joint venture. We also both share a passion for supporting the independent food and drink industry, with most of my clients sitting in that sector.

“As a sole trader for the past six years, this presents an exciting opportunity for collaboration with a likeminded professional – who started off as a client and has now become a business associate. I am learning so much from Bianca and can’t help but be inspired every day by her energy and drive. We both have a huge appetite for success and I can’t wait to see what the future brings for Bia’s Marketing, Production & PR.”

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Bia’s Kitchen Show

Bia’s Kitchen Show is streamed twice monthly on YouTube, winning the affections of a loyal and growing UK audience, and earning the entrepreneur a national award, recognising the enterprise and compassion she has shown in her work with local businesses.

Independent businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire are also at the heart of a new book – ‘Bia’s Kitchen Show: The Cookbook – A Culinary Journey of Gratitude’ which showcases some of the area’s brilliant local chefs, nutritionists, and food and drink artisans who appeared on the show last year.

To view Bia’s Kitchen Show and purchase the book visit HERE.

Budding young chefs cooked up a storm as part of a new Rotary-organised initiative in Coventry last week.

Eight youngsters from the “Ready, Steady Cook” group at Pathways Family Hub, in Radford, took part in a Rotary Young Chef competition during the February half-term break.

Each of them was tasked with cooking a main course and a dessert, with dishes ranging from Spaghetti Bolognaise to Cheese Pizza, and Brownies to Apple Crumble.

Emerging triumphant from the kitchen in the morning session was 16-year-old Declan Doonan, and in the afternoon, Lily-Mae Hibbert-Edwards, 13.

The event was an initiative of Coventry Jubilee Rotary Club and was supervised by group leader Sandie Morris. Judging on the day was Tony Davies, from Gourmet Food Kitchen, in Coventry, who commended the youngsters for the quality of their dishes, as well as their enthusiasm.

Tony worked in some of the best kitchens in the world before establishing Gourmet Food Kitchen in Fargo Village, an intimate location that, in the evening, offers a fine dining Chef’s Table experience for 12 guests and, by day, a bagel menu.

He said: “I wanted to get involved as I think it’s great to support young kids who have a passion for cooking, it’s great to see younger kids using fresh produce to produce dishes in this all-too-easy processed food society.”

Ready, Steady, Cook meets on Wednesday evenings and is for young people between the ages of 10 and 17. They learn new recipes and kitchen good practice and kitchen skills. Coventry Jubilee also recently gifted the group a food mixer out of their Santa’s Sleigh collection proceeds.

Pathways is a former Sure Start centre, now operated by Coventry City Council. It offers many services, including parenting support, a daily midwife clinic, a young carers’ group and support for people with special educational needs.

John Young, Chair of Coventry Jubilee’s Youth Committee said: “We all enjoyed the day very much. The youngsters have been well trained. They worked methodically and showed great commitment. And the food was excellent!

“I wanted us to try something we haven’t done in a long time, so this came up. I believe the old model of youth work (‘keep them off the streets’ and all that) isn’t much use in today’s world. It’s much better to provide ways and means of gaining life skills.”

To fund out more about the work of Coventry Jubilee Rotary Club visit HERE

More about Rotary

Rotary is a worldwide association of local clubs, for men and women in business or the professions who provide service to the community at local, national and international level; encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and work for goodwill and peace in the world.

The Rotary Direct Membership Network, complements and works alongside existing clubs and embraces technology, connecting like-minded people across Great Britain and Ireland who share a passion for specific causes, locally, nationally, and internationally. More information is available HERE

For further information about Pathways Family Hub visit HERE

Fundraisers ran up a huge total of more than £14k for a local children’s charity when they took part in the recent Warwick Half Marathon.

More than 40 people donned pink to represent Molly Ollys for the annual 13.1-mile race, organised by RunThrough, earlier this month.

The route took the 2,300 runners between the racecourse, along Coventry Road to Leek Wootton, along Rouncil Lane and back to Warwick via Hatton and Hampton on the Hill. A 1km junior run was also held on Sunday, with nearly 100 youngsters taking part.

Founder Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “Molly Ollys were delighted to be the chosen charity for the Warwick Half Marathon and the support we received was fantastic. There were over 40 runners in their pink tops raising funds and awareness.

“Olly the Brave was a big hit at the Racecourse, helping to cheer everyone on and Team Molly Olly were out in force along the course and at the finish. The atmosphere was so uplifting. For many of our runners it was their first half marathon so it was a big achievement.

“We even had a family taking part, mum, dad and three siblings running and their younger brother volunteering which was brilliant. Two of our runners were injured but, determined to do it, they ran a little but ended up walking a lot of the course to ensure they could finish.

“They may have been last but we were very proud to cheer them in. Thank you to everyone who has helped us raise over £14,000.”

Molly Ollys was established in 2011 by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw, from Warwick, following the death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

The charity works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing. As well as providing wishes, they donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

The therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres, along with a set of books from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.

For more information about Molly Ollys or to donate visit HERE

Jonathan Davies was the first to cross the line as the Warwick Half Marathon returned for 2025.

The Reading Athletics Club runner completed the 13.1-mile course in one hour, seven minutes and six seconds. Ian Allen came in second (1:07:40) and Charlie Davis third (1:08:31).

Natasha White was the fastest finishing female, completing the course in just under an hour and 20 minutes.

The full list of results is available HERE

 Rob Sullivan, Race organiser, said: “The Warwick Half Marathon is one of our flagship half marathons and it’s fantastic to have teamed up with Molly Ollys as our Charity of the Year partner. We were delighted the event went well with over 2300 runners taking on the half marathon.”

More information of the Warwick Half Marathon is available HERE.