INTERNET-services company domainnames.com has appointed Mitchell Halton Watson to undertake corporate communications across the North of England.

The appointment coincides with the decision by Sunderland-based domainnames.com to embark upon a major marketing and promotional campaign in the UK, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The firm, which sells domain name registrations and a range of web-based solutions to businesses and individuals - has ambitious plans to expand and extend its services.

Neil Welsh, head of marketing, said: "As well as developing national and international campaigns there is a real desire to raise our profile on a regional level. We looked for a PR consultancy which had strong business-to-business credentials and could demonstrate a creative but practical approach to the challenge.

"MHW identified the key issues facing the business and produced a strategy to help take us forward."

The MHW team working on the account is Wayne Halton and Emma Brown.

Director Wayne Halton said: "This is a significant account win and takes MHW into a new sector. domainnames.com has some big plans and we are delighted to be playing a key role in such an ambitious integrated communications campaign."

MHW will be working closely with national design, media and direct mail agencies to help turn domainnames.com into a recognisable brand.

Established in 1997, domainnames.com offers a core service of web-based solutions - from domain name registration to e-mail services, web hosting to site building.

The company was one of the first members of the UK-based naming authority Nominet and is a member of many of the key name registration authorities across the world.