Originally published February 2013. Updated September 23, 2026.
Citadel PR was a Carlisle-based digital communications firm founded in 2013 by two former journalists — Vic Gibson and Nick Brownlee. The launch made it Carlisle's first PR agency to be run by experienced journalists rather than solo operators.
Founders
Vic Gibson is the former news editor and sports editor of The Cumberland News. Prior to launching Citadel PR, Gibson advised clients including Carlisle Racecourse, Tesco, and Carlisle United as an independent PR consultant.
Nick Brownlee is a Fleet Street veteran, formerly of the Newcastle Evening Chronicle and The People, who has contributed to national newspapers and to Carlisle Living magazine. He is also a published crime novelist, with a series beginning with Bait (2008) and continuing through Snakepit (2011), alongside non-fiction titles written since returning to Cumbria.
Services at Launch
Citadel PR launched offering media outreach across digital, print, and broadcast outlets; copywriting for websites, newsletters, and brochures; and media training for executives and spokespeople.
Original Positioning
Brownlee described the launch positioning to in-cumbria news as follows: "We are Carlisle's first and only PR agency to be run by experienced journalists with a proven track record, as opposed to lone operators setting up on their own. Citadel will be a modern media and PR agency with a straight-talking approach. There has already been a lot of interest in what we are doing, simply from Twitter and word of mouth so far."
Current Status
Citadel PR's current operating status is unconfirmed. Public records suggest Nick Brownlee has since moved into a different role, describing himself publicly as working with BBC Cumbria rather than continuing to operate Citadel PR. There is no confirmed evidence the agency continues to operate under its original name and structure. This profile is preserved as a historical record of the firm's 2013 launch rather than a claim of current activity — readers seeking current PR services in Cumbria should verify a firm's active status directly before engaging.
Vic Gibson, former news and sports editor at The Cumberland News, and Nick Brownlee, a Fleet Street journalist and crime novelist, co-founded the Carlisle-based agency in 2013.
What services did Citadel PR offer?
Media outreach across digital, print, and broadcast outlets; copywriting for websites, newsletters, and brochures; and executive media training.
Is Citadel PR still operating?
Unconfirmed. Available public information suggests co-founder Nick Brownlee has since moved into a role with BBC Cumbria. Readers should verify current operating status independently before engaging the firm. Related EPR coverage: London PR Firms · EPR PR Firms Directory · Global PR Firms Atlas 2026
Written by
EPR Editorial Team
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