The Mercian Trail Partnership has commissioned us to advise on how to attract national and international visitors into the West Midlands using the potentially powerful lure of the mysterious Staffordshire Hoard, the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon treasure ever found.  The stunningly beautiful gold pieces can now be seen in the Potteries Museum in Stoke, Lichfield Cathedral, Tamworth Castle and Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. We will draw up a 5-year marketing strategy and a marketing plan, making sure that the recommendations dovetail with ongoing marketing of the destinations and stories of ancient Mercia. The strategy work will be completed by June with a view to starting implementation of the strategy to take advantage of the opening of the new Staffordshire Hoard gallery at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in October 2014.