Two former West Midlands broadcasting executives have joined forces to create what they believe is a new type of communications consultancy.

Kevin Johnson, late of ITV Central press office, and Tim Rudman, a freelance consultant formerly with Mike Owen Media and BRMB, have formed Urban Communications and moved into an office in a building overlooking St Philip ' s Cathedral in Birmingham.

Mr Johnson set up the core of the business after leaving Central towards the end of last year.

He said: "Urban is a fresh business on the Birmingham landscape and is a strategic communications consultancy aimed at providing board level service and advice to the public, private and not for profit sectors."

He explained that the consultancy would aim at three core areas of strategic communication, creative industries and media development, and key communications projects and event management.

They have already organized the recent Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry annual banquet and have just landed the regional Royal Television Society awards ceremony.

"We cut out the politicians and made the banquet into a more businesslike event, with the BBC's Declan Curry as a speaker," Mr Johnson said.

Mr Johnson, aged 33, was ten years at ITV Central in its various guises, as director of regional affairs.

He has a background in PR consultancy and is chairman of the Midlands branch of the Marketing Society.

He and Tim Rudman were responsible, as chairman and president respectively, for the rebranding of the old Birmingham Publicity Association as the Publicity Association of Central England.

Mr Rudman (aged 39) was nine years in advertising agencies and before working as a freelance was head of marketing and events at BRMB.

He recently provided the local PR link for the launch of the Emap West Midlands FM radio station Kerrang! 105.2.

During their time fulfilling their roles within the media they began to work closely together on a number of projects, including the G8 "peoples' concert" in Cannon Hill Park

Subsequently they have worked together on a number of high profile projects for clients including the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Birmingham City Council and the Royal Television Society.

Mr Johnson said that the consultancy is aimed at public, private and not-for-profit organisations that are increasingly looking for strategic communications support outside of London.

"They are looking for a different perspective to that of many public relations and marketing services agencies," he said.

Mr Rudman added: " Urban's offer is targeted at developing corporate reputation and profile.

"Across political communications and regulatory affairs, brand development, corporate social responsibility policies, corporate media relations and advice, speech writing, campaign strategy, Urban is uniquely placed to advise on and deliver some of the most critical and sensitive communications services."