JK Dance

Manchester dance agency goes global after website revamp!

Some of the world’s biggest brands are turning to a Manchester dance agency to choreograph their multimillion pound TV campaigns.

Julie Kavanagh, Managing Director of JK Dance Productions, is the woman behind dozens of top television adverts including Daz, Ariel and the cult hit ‘the Lambrini dance girls’.

The 37-year-old choreographer, who has around 150 dancers on her books, puts her recent boost in business down to a website revamp, courtesy of FirstFound.

Julie says, “I decided to get my website optimised so the right clients could find me. I was irritated by constantly getting calls from people thinking I was a dance school. I did some research about how I could get my website seen by the big London advertising agencies, production companies and record labels. Eventually, I decided on the local firm, FirstFound and I noticed an instant change, business has trebled!

FirstFound updated my website again last month, now I’m getting hit by the world’s biggest agencies.

FirstFound updated my website again last month, now I’m getting hit by the world’s biggest agencies.”

As well as securing a massive three part TV ad campaign for a well known bakery brand next year, Julie has several other international pitches on the table. She adds, “This is massive for me, and if they come off, the contracts are huge.”

The dancer set up her business 10 years ago, “There were no jobs to suit me so I decided to set up on my own running dance classes in run down areas of Manchester. I had about £30 to my name!”

Manchester City Council noticed the good work Julie was doing with youngsters who were in danger of being involved in gangs and notching up a criminal record. Within months she was hired by civic chiefs for major city events include a performance by 80 ‘hoodies’ for a festival in Queen’s Park, Harpurhey, Manchester. The piece was picked up by Sky and used in Piers Morgan’s hit documentary, “Hoodies Attack”.

Apart from her commercial interests, Julie is widely respected for her involvement in government sponsored programs and initiatives for vulnerable young people. The projects are part of the European Parliamentary drive for Crime Diversion and Youth Inclusion Projects working closely with local councils, agencies and the police.

Julie adds: “It doesn’t really matter what kind of business you are in, if the right people aren’t finding you online, you aren’t going to grow.”