NorthernNet, a £15m initiative to provide northern agencies with cutting edge broadband technology, has appointed Weber Shandwick North to help raise interest in the project.

The NorthernNet project will give digital and creative companies the chance to access 1GB super fast broadband from 17 Media Access Bureau across the north.

It will also support a series of "skill building and industry responsive" events across the north to encourage collaboration between digital and creative agencies.

To generate interest Weber Shandwick will launch a campaign - 'It's fast up north' - to try to convince creative and digital agencies that NorthernNet will give them "an edge nationally and internationally".

During the 15-month contract Weber Shandwick will aim to drive sign-ups to the NorthernNet service and highlight how it is accessible to large and small agencies.

Mercedes Clark-Smith, project director, NorthernNet Innovation and Collaboration Project, said: “NorthernNet will help transform the creative and digital industries across Northern England and we are looking forward to working with Weber Shandwick to create a real buzz around what is a truly a world class project.  In being awarded the contract, Weber Shandwick demonstrated an excellent understanding of both traditional and new media.”

Jo Leah, managing director of Weber Shandwick North, added: "We have only just stepped into 2010 yet we have won what is one of our biggest agency contracts in the north to date.  It is a fantastic coup to be working on such a technologically progressive project.”