A MOBILE marketing specialist is planning to expand into new Asian markets, after celebrating its “best year ever”.

Event Marketing Solutions (EMS), of Ellesmere Port, saw turnover rise above £5m last year after winning contracts with brands including Barclays, Sky and 20th Century Fox.

The company, which runs a fleet of mobile exhibition vehicles so companies can market their products or services, already has £2.2m of business lined up this year.

That includes a series of European roadshows for technology brands IBM and Ciena, as well as repeat business from long-standing clients Infinera and the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

EMS exhibited in 27 countries last year, and is now exploring new markets in Asia.

EMS’s managing director, Keith Austin, who founded the business in 2000, said: “The European market is exploding for us.

“Despite tough times for the economy, vehicle-based roadshows are in more demand than ever.

“Last year we pushed all boundaries and delivered some ambitious international campaigns with cutting-edge design and highly interactive on-board experiences.

“Our clients are reaping the rewards and recognising the power of roadshows for face-to-face engagement with international audiences.”

In 2010, EMS worked on several “employee engagement initiatives” to help large companies communicate with their staff. It worked with London agency The Bank on a campaign for healthcare giant AstraZeneca.

EMS’s healthcare division also had a strong 2010 and won new contracts with NHS Greenwich and Powys Teaching Health Board.

The Heart Matters campaign, which EMS ran for the BHF in November saw eight Beat Squad teams in branded uniforms visit supermarkets in regions of the UK where people are most at risk of heart disease.

The campaign targeted women, many of whom are unaware that they are as likely to suffer from heart disease as men.