Here’s a round-up of last week’s biggest PR news – featuring Tin Man, Attitude’s Matthew Todd and the UK’s new largest public affairs agency.

Enhancing your PR measurement with ‘maturity mapping’

The overwhelming majority of PRs are actively trying to evaluate the success of their activities. But, new research from AMEC and Cision shows that fewer than one in four regularly link PR performance to their brand’s reputation or business objectives.

Now, there’s a way to find out if your competitors are beating you at PR measurement and see how to ensure your comms initiatives are working as efficiently as possible with the rest of the marketing mix.

It’s called ‘maturity mapping’ – and in our latest webinar, Paul Hender, Cision’s head of insight, will show you how it works.

Joining him will be Ben Levine, FleishmanHillard Fishburn’s head of research, analytics and measurement, and Colin Wheeler, MD at Survey Solutions. They’ll share a wealth of insights to help you enhance the performance of your comms initiatives.

Interviews

Matthew Todd, Attitude’s editor-at-large and former editor, discusses the issue of mental health in the LGBT community, securing Prince William as a cover star and what Pride Month means to him.

Account wins

East Midlands Trains has appointed Tin Man for a series of reputation-building, community engagement briefs.

The first brief is to promote the benefits of using mobile train tickets. To achieve this, the agency has created 10 portraits out of 3,000 paper tickets – representing the average number of tickets East Midlands Trains sells every hour.

Artist Ed Chapman poses in front of his ticket portraits

Jameson Irish Whiskey has appointed instinct to oversee the launch of Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition. The agency has also been appointed by mixologist James Vyse to help launch his new cocktail subscription service, The Cocktail Man.

Dating app Badoo has appointed Frank PR to implement its “The Longest Date” experiential brand campaign, which involves pairing up couples from sunrise to sunset on the longest day of the year.

Hat Trick Productions has enlisted KPPR to handle TV programme publicity for new quiz show The Time It Takes, which launches on BBC One later this year.

Journey planning data specialist Ito World has appointed Flagship Consulting to deliver an integrated comms programme to position the company as the experts in using data to solve urban mobility problems.

Great British Racing has selected Neon Brand Communications to promote shared racehorse ownership website inthepaddock.co.uk, as well as its “Under 18s Race Free” initiative.

Fresh food brand Ugo Foods has appointed Clarion Communications to launch its new filled pasta and gnocchi range. The remit will also include the relaunch of its core products.

Fashion group Mango has appointed Aisle 8 to handle its UK PR. Aisle 8 will handle the brand’s media strategy, press enquiries and sample requests.

Communication technology company Polycom has appointed Babel as its UK PR agency, following a competitive pitch. Babel will focus on bolstering Polycom’s presence in key media outlets, highlighting the business case for collaboration technologies. The brief also includes social media and event support.

Asset management solutions provider SSG Insight has appointed The Lucre Group to support the business with a major rebrand, help with product launches and develop the brand’s thought leadership programme.

Online platform Xero has appointed Fourteen Forty as its UK stakeholder relations consultancy to help position it as a firm which can help policy-makers, enterprises and commentators make better informed decisions.

People news

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry has promoted Hannah Patel to director, UK, to help the agency focus on local customers and manage increased growth. It has also appointed Meredith L. Eaton as director of North America in its Boston office.

Rachel Proctor, a former Thomson Reuters marcomms specialist, is joining Milk & Honey PR to lead the agency’s digital offering.

Little Red Rooster has hired Simon Osborne-Walker, the former managing editor of Trusted Reviews, as a senior account manager working across the agency’s tech clients.

FieldHouse Associates has appointed Anna Jones as associate director and Tom Knock as account director. Lily Wiggins has also joined as an account manager, along with account executives Keturah Prendergast and Seun Alibi.

Agency news

Cicero Group has agreed to buy Westbourne Communications from the agency’s founder, James Bethell. The move will create the UK’s largest public affairs agency, with a combined fee income of £7 million.

Cicero Group’s Ian Anderson shakes hands with Westbourne founder James Bethell

LEWIS has launched brand equity and research service LEWIS Brand Heartbeat, which will allow the agency’s comms team, as well as its other integrated teams, to deliver greater insights on brands.

Relevance International has launched a digital media arm called Relevance Digital. Digital strategist Liz Chambers is spearheading the new operation, which provides social media strategy, online reputation management and other digital services.

Celebrity consultancy RunRagged has launched The VIP Suite, a celebrity marketing platform that aims to help brands create authentic and long-lasting partnerships with celebrity talent. More than 1,000 celebrities have already signed up to the site.

Manchester-based integrated agency One has unveiled a new proposition and brand identity, as well as a restructured service portfolio. The rebrand includes a new logo, website, collateral and interior design, and a facelift for its Sale HQ, including new signage and ‘optical illusion’ graphic installations throughout the building.

PRCA DARE awards

Greenhouse PR and Speed Communications were the big winners at last week’s PRCA DARE awards for the South West and Wales region, taking home four and three awards respectively.

Greenhouse won the Small Consultancy of the Year award, as well as securing the Low Budget Campaign and Corporate Affairs prizes. On top of the wins for the whole agency, its account manager Jenny Briggs scooped the Rising Star of the Year gong.

Speed took home the Large Consultancy of the Year, Integrated Campaign of the Year and Trade and B2B Campaign awards. There were also wins for Grayling and Ambitious PR on the night. A full list of winners can be found here.

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Here’s a round-up of last week’s biggest PR news – featuring Forbes Europe’s Alex Wood and senior appointments at Curzon, Montfort, Cicero Group, Cirkle and Hydra Strategy.

Forbes Europe media briefing

Forbes Europe works best with PRs, companies and entrepreneurs that develop long-term relationships with the title, Forbes Europe editor Alex Wood revealed at last week’s exclusive Cision media briefing.

Enhancing your PR measurement with ‘maturity mapping’

AMEC’s Measurement Maturity Mapper will help communicators uncover the vital insights they need to build more effective PR campaigns, its creators said in last week’s Cision webinar.

Thought leadership

Iain Anderson, Cicero Group‘s executive chairman and committee member at LGBT+ PR networking group InterComms, discusses whether PR is inclusive enough and how communicators can help support the LGBT+ community.

Lauren Winter, head of brand and consumer marketing, EMEA, at FleishmanHillard Fishburn, details why the importance of brands taking risks was her big Cannes Lions takeaway.

Interviews

Guy Walsingham, founder and CEO of B2B tech agency Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, discusses why he started the agency, his fight against “factory PR” and the thinking behind the name.

Account wins

Birds Eye has appointed Cirkle to handle consumer and B2B PR, influencer relations and crisis communications for its frozen food product portfolio.

Captain Birds Eye

Former The Apprentice contestant Elizabeth McKenna has selected Radioactive PR to manage her profile and build her personal brand. The agency will look to promote McKenna as a media personality, small business expert and the face of online florist brand Lizzie’s Bundles.

Venture capital firm Draper Esprit has appointed MHP Communications as its retained financial PR adviser.

The Hub will handle briefs for catering equipment supplier Nisbets, food distributor Leathams, fruit and vegetable smoothie brand Love Taste Co and chai latte brand Drink me Chai.

Clean energy drinks brand Flyte has appointed Palm PR to manage PR and social media content around its UK launch.

Shooting Star has announced three new account wins. The agency is to increase market research company Swift Research’s social media presence, handle PR and social for UV gel nail brand NeoNail and promote the Our Health Heroes Awards, a national awards scheme supporting the NHS’s 70th anniversary celebrations managed by Skills for Health.

People news

Cicero Group has hired Joey Jones as strategic counsel, with a wide-ranging brief to provide strategic political and communications advice to its blue-chip client base. Jones has previously served as Theresa May’s spokesperson while she was home secretary and deputy political editor at Sky News.

Global strategy and comms consultancy Curzon PR has appointed Jason MacKenzie as managing director.

Montfort Communications has appointed Nick Bastin as a senior consultant. He brings significant corporate and financial comms experience to the consultancy, offering particular expertise in the M&A and share offer fields.

Cirkle has hired Chris Grabowski as its first creative director in order to expand its creative capabilities.

Hydra Strategy has appointed Neil Stockley as a partner. He will lead the agency’s integrated, strategic comms across the energy and environmental sectors.

Integrated comms agency Mercieca has hired FMCG and lifestyle specialist Amina Ghaith as an account director.

Amina Ghaith

Gatehouse Bank has appointed Andy Homer as director of communications who will be responsible for developing the bank’s comms strategy and product offerings.

Agency news

Threepipe has acquired creative agency Earnie to boost its creative services offering. Earnie’s founder Alistair Gammel will continue to lead the company while also joining Threepipe’s management team.

James Higgins, former group editor of Cumbrian publisher CN Group, has launched PR, content marketing, media training and digital strategy agency 32West.

Sterling Media took home the PR Firm of the Year award at the UK-India Awards 2018. The agency has worked on a number of briefs which encompassed both countries, including helping to launch Aston Martin in India.

PRCA news

The first Summer Stars intake

The PRCA has pledged £50,000 towards membership and training fees to the alumni of the Taylor Bennett Foundation’s new summer internship programme; Summer Stars. Cision’s head of insight Paul Hender is among those to guest lecture for the Taylor Bennett Foundation’s scheme.

The post PR news round-up (25 June – 2 July) appeared first on Gorkana.

Guy Anker, deputy editor at MoneySavingExpert, talks about the site’s latest award win, working with Martin Lewis and how PRs can get onto the site.

Congratulations, MoneySavingExpert was recently named B2C Brand of the Year at the Online Media Awards. How did you feel when you found out you’d won and what does the award show about what you all do?

It’s naturally great for the team to win such an award and it’s testament to the hard work and high quality journalism they display on a daily basis.

I hope people notice the variety of what we do. We’ve big, breaking stories such as many of the horrendous experiences of TSB customers hit by its recent IT meltdown.

Then there’s our many successful campaigns – only this week regulator Ofgem tightened energy switching rules after we lobbied for compensation when things go wrong. Then there’s our bread and butter content of showing people the best savings accounts, credit cards, bank accounts and more.

Getting all this right and communicating in an easy-to-digest way is why so many millions of people trust us, but there are also lots of other superb personal finance and consumer websites and newspaper sections to compete with for readers’ attention, so the hard work goes on, and we’ve a fantastic team to carry that on.

Who is a typical reader of the website?

We don’t have one typical reader as our audience is so big and spans many parts of society. But if I was to pick the biggest peak out, it would be 25-55-year-old professionals with spare cash – which may surprise some people.

How big is the team and who does what?

We’ve roughly 40 members of the editorial team at MSE spread across news, campaigns, money, utilities, benefits, deals, features and social media.

I run the content on the website and my colleague Kirsty Good, formerly of Sky and the BBC, runs everything off the main site – campaigns, social media (including our forum) and PR.

Is there any type of personal finance you don’t cover? Which areas tend to be the most popular?

There isn’t much we don’t cover at all, but we are much lighter on pensions and investments compared to the broadsheets. We show people how to invest or get a pension but we don’t go near writing about which funds or shares to pick.

That’s partly because we don’t have that expertise, though that’s a deliberate stance as we are naturally cautious and often stay away from topics where something we write could mean people lose money – and investments carry that risk.

Our most popular articles are on the big money subjects of savings, banking and credit cards. But when a hot deal or trick comes along – eg, our coupon kid Jordon Cox spotting a loophole to pay 1p for Lenor – the traffic goes wild and is the biggest article on that day.

How beneficial is Martin Lewis’s profile when it comes to people viewing the website? Does it add any extra pressure onto the editorial team to get things right?

Martin’s profile is huge for us and he still plays a big part at MSE. As the website is his creation, people naturally associate the two together and that’s great for us as it adds to our trust as so many people trust and value Martin’s tips.

He’s also one heck of a role model for journalists here in how to be an expert but also to get that message across to people in a simple but effective format so it’s easy to consume.

I’ve learnt so much over the years from him on how he gauges what’s important to people and how to turn that into good copy with incredibly snappy headlines or overall message.

The pressure to get things right comes from the fact millions of people read our content, so we can’t be wrong.

What is your relationship like with PRs? And how can they best work with the site?

There’s no one answer as your relationship is always different with different people. Some are great and feed us important info, some are less helpful. The main question I get from PRs is ‘How do we get to feature on MSE?’ The answer is simple – have the best products.

Finally, what are the big stories you think you’ll cover in the latter half of the year?

We will continue to push hard on many of our campaigns where we set the news agenda (eg, fighting hard for mortgage prisoners). Energy switching is a huge issue for households and at regulatory and Government level.

Interest rates will naturally influence what we write about depending on whether they rise or not, and the closer we get to Brexit the more consumer issues will come to the fore.

The post Meet the Journalist: MoneySavingExpert’s Guy Anker appeared first on Gorkana.

Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news – featuring Munch, a call to “save the internet” from the PRCA and a look at the England football team’s World Cup PR efforts.

Thought leadership

It’s not just England’s young Lions who have been a roaring success in Russia, argues Noel Bussey, senior account director at Velvet PR. The side’s PR team has used a lull in sentiment and a change in squad and tactics to create a more ‘likeable’ England team.

PR professionals must act now to save the internet from the EU’s copyright directive, says Nicholas Dunn-McAfee, the PRCA’s head of public affairs, policy and research.

Interviews

Guy Anker, deputy editor at MoneySavingExpert, talks about the site’s latest award win, working with Martin Lewis and how PRs can get onto the site.

Account wins

Café Rouge has appointed Launch to spearhead the consumer launch of its new summer kids offering and launch its autumn menu later in the year. The agency has been briefed to bring Café Rouge to new audiences ahead of its 30th anniversary in 2019.

The Inbetweeners star Joe Thomas has appointed KPPR to handle his personal publicity.

Former Arsenal and Nigeria footballer Nwankwo Kanu has appointed Ready10 to launch The Petrolex Kanu Cup, a match between football legends to raise money for his charity; the Kanu Heart Foundation.

Self-service transaction systems specialist Diebold Nixdorf has selected Newgate Communications to help it shape thinking around the government’s proposed plastic deposit return scheme.

We Are Social and Citizen Relations have won an integrated brief from Sanpellegrino, following a competitive pitch. The two BlueFocus Group agencies will coordinate the brand’s traditional and digital PR, while offering strategic and creative support for all Sanpellegrino’s drinks brands.

PR, social and creative agency Canoe has won briefs to represent watchmakers G-Shock and Pro Trek, clothing brand Smartwool and Kite Eyewear.

Wild in Art has retained Sundae Communications to deliver the press and publicity campaign for its upcoming Bee in the City public art trail. The initiative will see 100 super-sized bee sculptures adorn the streets of Manchester this September.

Apartment hotel Rockwell East has appointed GribbonBerry to handle its September launch for the UK media market.

The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme has enlisted Havas PR as its trade and consumer agency, with a brief to raise awareness of the organisation’s role in protecting public health and promoting efficient water usage.

Tech company gweek has selected Munch to launch its app for communication skills development to UK consumers following a five-way competitive pitch. The agency will also provide ongoing press office support to help bring gweek’s technology to a mass market.

People news

Riot Communications has appointed Alison Clarke as a board adviser. Clarke has 25 years of PR experience and previously led Weber Shandwick’s Asia Pacific office.

Integrated B2B agency BBN has appointed Yves Romestan as vice-president, director of global development, with a brief to develop partnerships with corporations based in EMEA, APAC, Africa and the Americas.

Wonderland Communications has hired Jodie Butt and Sarah van Kempen as senior consultants. Butt joins from Cake, where she was head of PR. Van Kempen previously freelanced for agencies including Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Citizen Relations and Talk Global.

Golin co-CEO Jon Hughes is returning to the UK after six years in Asia. He will oversee all international offices across EMEA and Asia from Golin’s award-winning London office. He will also oversee the development of new data and analytics tools for the company.

North-west based tech agency Context has appointed former ITV reporter Luke McDowell as senior account executive.

Agency news

Engine UK is working with LGBT+ charity Stonewall to develop a new training programme to tackle the issues and questions around using LGBT+ people in marketing. The group will also make all the toilets in its Great Portland Street office officially ‘gender-free’.

Franklin Rae PR has acquired The Media Foundry, a PR agency that focuses on businesses working within the media and marketing industries.

CubanEight has been named the B2B Tech PR Agency of the Year at the Computing Tech Marketing & Innovation Awards.

Financial PR

MHP Communications has advised on 10% of the listings on the London Stock Exchange so far this year, including the flotations of trading platform Plus500, residential development finance provider Urban Exposure and UK law firm Knights..

Healthcase specialist Consilium Strategic Communications supported the Dementia Discovery Fund on a fundraising effort that saw it receive $350 million (£265 million) from investors committed to developing new medicines for dementia.

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Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news – featuring the CommsCon journalist panel, FleishmanHillard Fishburn’s new division and a new senior hire at FTI Consulting.

CommsCon

Cision is thrilled to confirm its first finalised panel for CommsCon. Leading journalists Francesco Guerrera (Financial News), Eleanor Mills (The Sunday Times), Josh Newis-Smith (Glamour) and Ellen Stewart (PinkNews) will reveal what they want from comms professionals to help them do their jobs, as well as discussing the changes and challenges journalists face.

CommsCon will gather the biggest names in the business at London’s Hawker House on Tuesday 6 November to showcase the revolution sweeping across the comms industry and discuss the unique opportunity PR professionals have to make their mark in a world riven by fake news and falling consumer trust.

Combining art and science in effective communications

Our latest white paper evaluates to what extent communicators need to combine the traditional strength of the more creative and more data-driven approaches to comms.

Does taking one approach necessarily detract from the other? And is the move towards more scientific working practices something to be welcomed or resisted?

Download Combining art and science in effective communications to discover how to strike the perfect balance between creativity and data by using science to power the art of communications.

Thought leadership

Sean Allen-Moy, senior account director at W, argues that commercial radio in the UK has come of age and offers great brand promotional potential for communicators.

Matt Cross, UK MD of Hotwire Global, shares insight into The Pursuit of GREATNESS report and how brands can go from good to great.

Interviews

Orla Graham, senior client insights manager at Cision, speaks about her role in contributing to a new book: Communicating Causes – Strategic public relations for the non-profit sector.

Account wins

Silverstone has appointed Davies Tanner on a B2B comms brief designed to promote the circuit to the meetings, events, conferences and incentives sectors.

Chinese restaurant and bar China Tang has selected Anteater Communications to boost awareness of the restaurant. The agency will advising on media relations, develop event and partnership opportunities and managing social media and digital output.

Peppermint Soda has won brand awareness development briefs from property developer Select Property Group and packaging manufacturer Duo UK. It has also expanded its work with the Bear Grylls Survival Academy to include PR.

Jonny Wilkinson’s new food brand No.1 Kombucha has appointed Palm PR to manage the PR and social promotion around its market launch.

PE and school sports provider Little Sports Group has appointed Smoking Gun to deliver a comms campaign across the north of England to raise awareness of the benefits of grassroots sport participation.

Augmented reality technology developer Ncam as appointed Bubble Agency to manage its global PR.

Application support platform NGINX has selected Firefly Communications to run its comms programme across the UK, France and Germany. Firefly will handle all media and analyst relations activity.

Liz Lean PR has won PR contracts with pub operator Hall & Woodhouse, hospitality professional services firm Kingfisher Resorts, property and land company Gervis Meyrick Estate, the Dorset County Show, leisure operator the Waterside Holiday Group, care home Fairmile Grange and Poole BID. The agency has also extended the scope of its work with Nuffield Health.

New Knightsbridge-based Central Asian themed restaurant OSH has appointed JPR Media Group to handle its PR.

Unicorn Cosmetics has appointed Kin Communications to lead its UK print and digital PR campaigns.

Criton, a DIY app builder for the hospitality industry, has selected Finn Partners to raise awareness of its app building technology.

Patchology, a cruelty-free masks, patches and gels skincare brand, has appointed Push PR to handle its UK press and PR.

The Clerkenwell Brothers will launch pizza brand Magioni in the UK. The brand will be stocked in Waitrose and Ocado.

Specialist audio and media buying agency Trisonic has appointed Neon Brand Communications to handle its UK media launch.

TimeZoneOne, PR agency for the Illinois Office of Tourism, has selected Hills Balfour to act as the destination’s representative in the UK and Ireland.

People news

FTI Consulting has appointed Elizabeth Adams as managing director in its Energy and Natural Resources Group.

TVC Group has appointed Wayne Nguyen as director of client services (integrated). He joins the agency’s board and will head up its content marketing team.

Third City has appointed Chris Blackwood and Suzie Barrett as joint managing directors. The pair will handle day-to-day running of the agency, allowing its managing partners to focus on its growth strategy.

Hotwire has appointed Ludi Garcia as managing director of its Madrid office.

Grayling has promoted Lee Southen to lead its Birmingham office, responsible for Grayling Birmingham’s day-to-day management, while also providing strategic guidance to the office’s flagship clients.

Andrew Whitaker, former political editor at the Sunday Herald, has become head of strategic communications for Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell.

Business campaign group London First has appointed Muniya Barua as its corporate affairs director, where she will bring together the group’s campaigns, comms, public affairs and events teams.

Liz Lean PR has appointed Emma Coakley and Ian Murray as consultants following a number of new business wins.

Agency news

FleishmanHillard Fishburn has launched a new “Purposeful Business” practice, which features a team of dedicated consultants to advise brands and businesses on meeting the expectations of millennials. The practice will be headed by Paul Reza Afshar, partner at the agency.

FleishmanHillard Fishburn’s Purposeful Business team

Next 15 Communications has acquired Technical Associates Group (TAG). TAG will now become part of Next 15 owned Publitek Group, with TAG’s managing director Sylvia Laws taking on the COO role at Publitek.

Laura Dennison, founder of blog Not Plant Based, has launched “anti-diet” agency Sugar Content PR. The new agency will specialise in health, food and lifestyle promotion.

Unity is trialling a partnership with artist Freddie Yauner to combine artistic and commercial creativity. Known as Unity Curates, Yauner will become the agency’s “artist in residence”.

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Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news – featuring Ketchum’s Alexandra Marsh, Launch’s new account win with Brewers Fayre and senior hires at Hudson Sandler and Greenbrook.

Thought leadership

Alexandra Marsh, associate director at Ketchum London, explores how the agency’s Cannes Lions winning #bloodnormal campaign shows that integrated comms can drive societal change.

Richard Johnson, who recently joined Clarion’s Advisory Board to help relaunch its reputation management service, shares his thoughts on why corporate reputation is more important than ever before.

Interviews

Simon Francis, a founder member at Campaign Collective, discusses why he created a PR agency as a social enterprise, recent award wins and why it eschews job titles.

PR Case Study

Emily Morgan, managing director – consumer at Red Consultancy, discusses how the agency helped Ecover to launch the Rubbish Café.

Account wins

Whitbread’s Brewers Fayre brand has appointed Launch to deliver a 10-week integrated programme to promote the restaurant’s latest summer offer.

The Radisson Hotel Group has selected Camron PR to promote its new Radisson Collection lifestyle brand and its new hotel in Stockholm.

National property consultancy Bruton Knowles has appointed Eden PR to oversee a refreshed PR and digital strategy focused on its expertise in core sectors.

Events firm Fresh Montgomery has selected William Murray to promote its two new Birmingham shows: The Professional Kitchen Show and The Foodservice Show.

Gift brand Sass & Belle has appointed Cool Blue to deliver an integrated PR and influencer relations campaign.

Urban cycling brand beryl has appointed Fusion Media to help raise its profile in the UK, Europe and US.

Digital threat management firm RiskIQ has appointed Finn Partners as its agency of record to build awareness of its cyber security platform.

Sharp Relations has won two new contracts from trade organisation Produced in Kent. The agency will handle an extensive brief to promote the work of the group and its members, as well as also winning a bid to promote its new Kent Food Trails initiative.

AP Ventures, a venture fund spun out of Anglo American, has selected CNC to support its launch.

Pets Choice has appointed integrated comms agency One to handle PR across its diverse brand portfolio.

AM+A Marketing and Media Relations will run a 24-month PR and digital marketing campaign to promote the Wales Coast Path.

People news

Hudson Sandler has appointed Sue Hutchinson as an associate partner, where she will help to lead the development of its growing brands practice.

Greenbrook has appointed Michelle Pinggera, former partner and international chief of staff at Goldman Sachs, as a non-executive advisor.

The British Chambers of Commerce has appointed Claire Walker and Hannah Essex as co-executive directors of policy and campaigns. They will be responsible for leading the organisation’s policy positioning and lobbying efforts.

Campaign Collective has hired Beth Andlaw and Helen Donohoe as new members of its social enterprise agency.

Big Cat Agency has promoted Hannah Davies to managing director. The agency’s founder, Anthony Tattum, will move into the role of chairman.

Education, social impact and behaviour change specialist Hopscotch has appointed Nicola Dodd to the role of managing director.

Bubble Agency has hired Josh Paterson as senior account manager and Benjamin Kidd as an account executive.

Agency news

Weber Shandwick has acquired social creative agency That Lot, which was founded by writer, actor and director David Schneider. The deal will combine Weber Shandwick’s integrated offering with That Lot’s social-first, platform-specific content and production.

Endeavor Global Marketing has purchased sport and entertainment comms agency Clifford French. Founders James Clifford and Dan French will continue to lead the team as senior vice presidents at Endeavor.

Transport, technology and environmental PR agency Prova is the first UK agency to join the Public Relations Network, a global collective dedicated to providing high level consultancy and quality local support for worldwide PR campaigns.

The post PR news round-up (16-20 July) appeared first on Gorkana.

Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news – featuring the PRWeek Awards shortlist announcement, changes to Marks and Spencer’s press team and Buchanan’s rebrand.

Thought leadership

Nigel Sarbutts, founder of freelance network The PR Cavalry, argues that senior comms professionals need to include freelance PRs in their long-term strategies.

Juliet Cameron, chief operating officer at Launch, says that both interns and employers should look to summer internships as an extended job interview.

Interviews

Simon Addy, owner and director of talent booking agency RunRagged, reveals how PRs should go about working with influencers and which celebrities he’d love to work with.

Account wins

Paris-based car rental app Virtuo has selected Frank PR to handle its launch into the UK market this month. Frank will be developing creative campaigns and raising awareness of the service among key influencers.

Covent Garden-based restaurant Belgo Centraal has appointed Launch to oversee its relaunch following its refurbishment.

Folding bike brand Brompton Bicycle has appointed Fusion Media to manage its UK PR. Fusion will look to engage both existing cycling audiences and new urban consumers, as well as promoting the brand’s new Brompton Electric e-bike.

Mongoose will handle PR for track cycling event Six Day London. The agency will manage PR and comms around the event at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in October.

Lifestyle tech brand Nolii has selected Canoe to oversee all of its UK PR activity. The agency will provide an underlying press office function that includes PR campaign development and implementation, strategic product placement and day-to-day media relations to raise brand awareness.

Travel tech firm Vibe has appointed Brighter Group as its first UK agency. The agency will focus on raising the profile of the brand through a comprehensive media relations programme.

Blockchain fintech company Blackmoon has appointed Jargon PR to lead a global PR campaign generating brand awareness.

Workspace Commerce has appointed Brazen to help launch the company’s new co-working space in Hoxton.

Unhooked Communications has announced three new client wins in the property sector; Inspire Summit, Built Environment Skills in Schools (BESS) and Pride Road Architects.

People news

TVC Group has appointed sustainability comms specialist Ashleigh Lezard as an account director. She will work on The Economist Group’s World Ocean Initiative brief, focusing on promoting the initiative’s three core themes of better finance, governance and innovation.

Marks & Spencer has announced changes to its press team. Michelle Stageman, head of product PR for home, kidswear, christmas and beauty is now on leave. Sophie Barton and Jessica Hampton have both been promoted to PR manager, while Jessica Harris adds kidswear to her remit, becoming head of womenswear, lingerie and kidswear. Ravina Khela has been appointed as press assistant for womenswear and lingerie.

EMERGE has appointed David Mahoney as senior account manager to work across the agency’s Another_Space, Ania Haie, Beauty & Go, Missoma, rewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it briefs.

Shooting Star has hired Emma van Nieuwenhuijzen as a senior account manager.

Brandnation has expanded its fashion team, hiring both Natalie James and Charley Paton as account executives.

Agency news

Business comms consultancy Buchanan has rebranded to reflect the expansion of its offering to encompass a full range of services, including an in-house design and branding team.

PRWeek Awards

The Cision team at the PR Week Awards 2017

This week marked the announcement of the PRWeek Awards 2018 shortlist, with Taylor Herring headlining the list with a total of 13 nominations, including for the Small Consultancy of the Year prize.

Joining the agency in the Small Consultancy category is The Romans, which also receives 10 other nominations, while W and Tin Man feature in eight and seven categories respectively. The full shortlist can be found here.

The ceremony will take place at London’s Grovenor House on Tuesday 16 October. More information can be found on the PRWeek Awards site.

The post PR news round-up (23-27 July) appeared first on Gorkana.

Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news, featuring account wins at The Lifestyle Agency, Eulogy’s new MD and Authentic Ibiza PR’s expansion.

Thought leadership

Kajal Bakrania, founder of Just Sawse, explores the cycle of influencer marketing and the ways which brands will need to secure their services as the sector evolves.

Interviews

Adrian Wells, director of marcomms and ticketing for the Cricket World Cup 2019, discusses the local organising committee’s strategy to promote next year’s tournament.

PR Case Study

Discover how Palm PR helped Choc on Choc to promote its range of layered chocolates by tying in the company’s products with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.

Account wins

Havana Club has appointed Impero as its strategic and creative partner. The agency will look to position the rum brand to reflect a Cuban street-culture vibe.

Investment group Floreat has appointed MRM to support the company’s growth using both traditional and new media channels.

Art venue the Saatchi Gallery and Costwold destination Feldon Valley have appointed Triggerfish Communications to raise awareness of their offerings.

Not-for-profit and voluntary jobs site CharityJobs has appointed Engine to create a comms campaign to encourage workers to seek employment in the non-profit sector.

Vegan food subscription brand Pure & Hearty has selected Radioactive PR to handle its September launch and build the brand following its launch.

The Lifestyle Agency has announced a number of new account wins. It will handle PR for fitness studio brand Core Collective as it looks to launch two new sites later this year. The agency will also provide PR support for Aurelio Hotel & Chalet, Chalet Mimi and Walser Chalets, promoting the venues in the UK ahead of the winter ski season.

Child PR has won accounts working with four central London hotel brands: The Courthouse Hotel Soho, The Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch, The Washington in Kensington and The Bentley in Mayfair.

Cuckooz Nest, the co-working space which features a nursery, has appointed Hustle and Fox to handle its PR.

Pukka Pies has renewed its contract with Kazoo, with the agency adding trade media relations and corporate profiling to its remit.

Futurebuild Events has reappointed Tangerine to provide strategic comms support and consultancy as it looks to promote Futurebuild 2019.

Sports drink brand NOCCO has appointed EMERGE to help position it as the go-to drink in an expanded market.

Compass Box Whisky has selected LDR Creative to promote its new global bartender competition; The Circle.

People news

Phil Borge-Slavnich

Eulogy has appointed Phil Borge-Slavnich to the role of managing director. He was previously the director of the agency’s B2B team.

Curzon PR has hired Nick Cook as associate director. Cook will act as an in-house corporate consultant and storyteller with responsibility for crafting strategic narratives for the agency’s clients.

Superdream has appointed two new members to its content team. Michelle Ivins joins as content director, while Jon Perks becomes senior content manager.

The PR Office has hired Matt Owen and Adam Smith as account managers. The agency has also promoted Jonny Garfield from senior account executive to account manager.

Infinite Global Consulting has appointed Vladimir Molico as art director in its brand and creative team.

Agency news

Kwittken has rebranded to KWT Global to reflect its evolution as an integrated agency which delivers a global brand strategy.

Authentic Ibiza PR has created a new division – Authentic PR Islands – which will work with luxury hotels, travel experience groups and global locations. The new division’s first win sees it overseeing the launch of Prana By Atzaro, a superyacht based in Indonesia.

The post PR news round-up (30 July – 3 August) appeared first on Gorkana.

Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news, featuring Don’t Cry Wolf founder John Brown, Grifco’s acquisition and new senior appointments at Headland and MWWPR.

CommsCon

Cision is thrilled to announce that industry heavyweight Sir Craig Oliver, David Cameron’s former director of communications, will headline as CommsCon’s guest keynote speaker.

On a day full of discussion about the changing nature of the comms profession, he will explore how governments, businesses and institutions can develop strategies to manage the compressed, 360-news cycle and cut through the echo chamber of social media.

The full agenda and outline of this unmissable comms congress can be found on our dedicated site. Register for tickets by clicking the button below.

Opinion

John Brown, founder of Don’t Cry Wolf, passionately defends the need for creativity in comms and argues that data will never trump instinct when it comes to producing PR campaigns with cut-through.

Catherine Desmidt, associate director and head of the health practice at Hotwire, argues that communicators must help health practitioners explain how data sharing benefits patients.

Interviews

Natalie Luke, founder of Aduro Communications, explores the importance of measuring PR output to business objectives, the entrepreneurialism of ex-Shine staff and the importance of flexible working.

PR Case Study

Discover how Speed used the idea of a classical music designed for dogs to help promote dog nutrition brand EUKANUBA’s new lifelong wellbeing messaging to its key target audience at Crufts.

Account wins

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has appointed AprilSix Proof as its first ever strategic comms partner. The agency will initially focus on expanding the uptake of the charity’s mini computers in B2B markets and exploring new consumer routes through integrated campaigns in multiple territories.

Global digital connectivity rating scheme WiredScore has appointed FTI Consulting as its new retained corporate comms adviser. The agency will support WiredScore’s expansion in the UK and Ireland by raising its profile and assisting with its developing proposition.

The Maldives PR and Marketing Corporation has selected GEC PR to handle its PR, marketing and trade activity. The brief encompasses managing all media relations, press trips and events as well as supporting social media activity.

Jargon PR will deliver a focused media relations campaign to raise the profile of international specialist distributor Modus Brands.

Ocean Healthcare has appointed Nobull Comms to handle PR around the UK launch of its Proceive fertility supplements range.

Mortgage franchise network The UK Adviser has appointed Peppermint Soda to handle its national launch, as well as branding, website and ongoing marketing efforts.

Carver PR will handle PR activity for children’s author, songwriter and musician Tom Fletcher.

Sparkling water brand Sparkling Ice has appointed instinct to launch its new pink grapefruit flavoured drink in the UK and Ireland.

Ashley Black, founder of FasciaBlaster, has appointed The PHA Group to manage the brand’s UK launch and implement an educational comms strategy.

Alcohol-free brewery Nirvana Brewery will work with Meri Mance PR to launch the brand’s latest craft beer and establish it as the leading producer of alcohol-free beer.

People news

Headland has hired current head of strategic communications at 10 Downing Street, Ben Mascall, as a director. He will assume the role in September. The consultancy has also appointed Gabriel Huntley as associate director and Harriet Beaumont as account director.

MWWPR has promoted Rebecca Blinston-Jones to UK managing director. Current MD Paddy Herridge moves into the role of chairman, where he will take on the added responsibility of developing the agency’s European network.

Beattie Communications has hired a number of new members to its integrated PR team. Lizzy Bramley joins as a senior account executive, Carina Everest has been appointed as an account executive and Shaun Leinster and Hannah Turner have been hired as graduate PR assistant.

Zlata Rodionova has left her role at The Sun Online to take up the position of communications manager at The Laboratory Photography Studio and Events Space in Clapton, London.

Peppermint Soda has appointed Jade Hayman as account director and Will Lloyd as digital project director. The pair will oversee the agency’s new The UK Adviser brief.

Agency news

MMGY Global president and COO Chris Campos with Grifco founder Claire Griffin

Integrated travel and hospitality marketing company MMGY Global has acquired sister companies Grifco and Ophir PR. Both companies will become part of MMGY Global’s London operation.

The PHA Group has launched a dedicated blockchain service – PHA Blockchain PR – to support entrepreneurs and businesses wanting to make their mark in the sector. The division will focus on everything from initial coin offerings to mainstream brand positioning.

Australian consumer PR, social and influencer agency Adhesive has launched offices in the UK. The firm has appointed former Fever board director Lucinda Pride as its UK managing director.

CIPR news

The CIPR Greater London Group will kick-off its annual lecture programme in September with a discussion about the ‘London brand’ and how the capital is being promoted on the world stage.

Laura Citron, CEO of London and Partners, will deliver an exclusive Cision-sponsored guest lecture, which will take place at Prince Philip House on Thursday 27 September at 7pm.

Tickets and further details about the event can be found here.

The post PR news round-up (6-10 August) appeared first on Gorkana.

Louise Hill, head of content at Quill PR, discusses switching from journalism to a content-focused PR role, the importance of content to a business and the big issues facing the financial sector.

You’ve just moved from journalism into a PR/content role, why did you make the move and what do you expect the main differences to be?

A move into PR had always been in the back of my mind as something I’d consider at some point in the future, but when the opportunity came up at Quill PR I knew it was too good a chance to let pass by. I was ready for a change and wanted to shake things up a bit after several years as a reporter.

The main difference so far has been switching my mindset from one of a curious journalist who challenges and pursues stories to a more strategic way of thinking, solving problems and working out how to ‘sell’ a concept or idea. I’m enjoying the challenge!

What attracted you to work for Quill PR?

I worked with Quill a lot during my time as a financial journalist and got to know the team pretty well, so I knew they were a friendly group. I also liked their way of working, they are not overtly pushy and place great value on maintaining good relationships with journalists and staying loyal to clients.

They are genuine, totally professional and a lot of fun, nothing like the so-called ‘dark side’ that journalists are warned about!

What sort of financial content will you be producing for the agency and its clients?

It all comes down to what a client needs and wants, we can often help with a range of projects, but the majority of the work involves producing news articles and commentary pieces, blogs, newsletters, speeches and web content as well as repurposing existing client content.

Planning out a strategy for content is also a big part of the role, it is so important to keep on top of producing quality content and distributing it, as it can so often drop to the bottom of the to-do list once the demands of a client’s day job takes over.

How big is the demand for content from clients?

There is a surprising amount of demand out there. Quill PR is often seen as something of a substitute in-house PR team for many of its clients, so introducing support for content seems a no-brainer.

With growing demands on company time, particularly in financial services, I think having the support there to help generate new ideas and take on some of the workload is really valued – the reaction from clients so far has been overwhelmingly positive, combined with a bit of relief at having an extra pair of hands to help!

What are the big issues currently facing the financial sector?

Regulation continues to be a major issue for the sector and with a whole raft of changes introduced this year for companies to grapple with, it increases demands on time as well as costs. At a time when there is a lot of pressure on asset managers to reduce fees and prove value for money, this is a double-headache for some.

Trust and transparency is also a big issue. It is a major hangover from the global financial crisis a decade ago and firms need to be able to rebuild that trust and hold onto it, otherwise clients could simply take their business elsewhere.

Finally, you’ve worked in local, trade and national journalism, which was your favourite discipline and why?

I will always have a soft spot for local news, it’s where I started out as a 16-year-old on work experience and where I was given a foot in the door after completing my journalism training.

I loved my time as a local reporter, you get a chance to see things and speak to people you never would get a chance to otherwise. The sector faces some huge challenges though and I really believe it is vital local news outlets are protected and supported.

Saying all of that, my time in the trade press taught me so much about the world of finance and investment and led to my role here at Quill PR, so it deserves a big mention too!

The post 60 Seconds with Quill PR’s Louise Hill appeared first on Gorkana.

Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news, featuring Auto Trader’s #AutoTraderGoals campaign, Speed’s Laura Tallett and new account wins at Milk & Honey and PR Agency One.

Opinion

Laura Tallett, director of business and corporate at Speed Communications, explores the struggle of engaging CEOs in marketing activity and how to overcome these barriers.

Interviews

Adam Roland, founder of Heavyweight Sports, recounts why he left talkSPORT to set up the agency, its new Pound for Pound content arm and his favourite PR stunt.

Louise Hill, head of content at Quill PR, discusses switching from journalism to a content-focused PR role, the importance of content to a business and the big issues facing the financial sector.

PR Case Study

Find out how AmazeRealise helped Auto Trader capitalise on the World Cup despite not being a sponsor through its #AutoTraderGoals campaign, which evolved as England progressed through the competition.

Account wins

Commercial finance provider Independent Growth Finance has appointed Milk & Honey PR to manage external comms and drive social media engagement to help raise commercial awareness of the brand’s offering.

PR Agency One has announced two new account wins. The agency will work with sports retailer Decathlon to increase brand awareness and drive footfall, while it will also handle specialist consumer finance lender Duologi‘s ongoing comms strategy as the company looks to expand.

Dunlop has appointed Promote PR to support the brand’s global relaunch. The agency will oversee the creation of global PR campaigns to promote new product launches and new partnerships.

International law firm Charles Russell Speechlys has appointed Headland to manage a brief comprising senior comms advice, press office support and corporate PR.

Hot Tin Roof will support the launch of Boundary, a new tech startup from entrepreneurs Robin Knox and Paul Walton.

People news

Ice cream and pudding brand Oppo Brothers has appointed Maria Jordan as its global PR manager.

The post PR news round-up (13-17 August) appeared first on Gorkana.

Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news, featuring Cision’s latest white paper, LADBible’s CommsCon session and new wins for Cirkle, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry and Launch.

CommsCon

Following new eMarketer research revealing that young people are abandoning Facebook at record rates, the platform’s future has never looked more precarious.

LADBible’s head of comms, Peter Heneghan, will appear in a break-out session at CommsCon to discuss the evolution of social strategies and what a post-Facebook editorial landscape could look like.

Then, in a Q&A hosted by Hotwire’s global head of consumer, Emma Hazan, Heneghan will answer questions posed by the audience and examine what’s next for social and PR.

Use the button below to register for this exciting session, as well as the rest of CommsCon, which features keynote speakers, panel debates and discussions set to fuel your 2019 PR strategy.

Head to commscon.cision.co.uk for all information on the day’s agenda and the rest of the speaker line-up.

The four steps to creating a foolproof crisis comms plan

In our latest white paper – The four steps to creating a foolproof crisis comms response – we explore the four key areas communicators need to cover to ensure their organisation can get on the front foot during a crisis while being secure and consistent in its response.

Opinion

Alex Pegler, account manager at Higginson Strategy, explores how the northern powerhouse can drive comms opportunities away from the south of the country.

Interview

Alice and Heidi Bland, co-founders of Bland PR, reveal what it’s like to work with your twin, the pair’s complementary backgrounds and how the agency combines both freelance and agency models.

PR Case Study

Discover how Flint created a media relations campaign to help Artichoke drive awareness of its PROCESSIONS march, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of women first being able to vote.

Account wins

Soft drinks manufacturer Britvic has chosen Cirkle to handle B2B comms for its portfolio of drinks brands.

SWISS International Air Lines has appointed Launch to deliver its four month “Moments That Last” campaign.

Data protection specialist Arcserve has appointed Red Lorry Yellow Lorry to increase brand awareness and drive thought leadership strategy in the UK and US.

Integrated 3D holographic display system HYPERVSN has appointed Clarity PR as its global comms agency to raise brand awareness.

Fashion brand RIXO has appointed K&H Comms to co-manage its upcoming debut London Fashion Week presentation.

BoConcept Birmingham has appointed HROC to deliver a regional PR, social media marketing and business networking brief for the Danish furniture store, which can be found in the city’s Mailbox development.

Cheap Flights Finder has appointed Turtle PR to maximise the brand’s exposure across the UK and other international markets.

Mizuno has selected Promote PR to handle its #MakeTheSwap campaign to drive awareness of its netball shoes.

Ferry operator DFDS has appointed 2SistersPR to promote the brand to the Polish community in the UK, as well as in Poland.

Video technology provider Make.TV has appointed Platform Communications to grow the brand in the UK, US and German markets.

LGBTQ+ homelessness charity the Albert Kennedy Trust has appointed Eulogy to produce a word-of-mouth campaign to raise awareness and increase usage of its online mentoring services.

Sensyne Health selected Consilium Strategic Communications to advise on PR and investor relations surrounding its initial public offering.

Megan McKenna has appointed Good Results PR to help launch her new fashion line; Studio Mouthy.

People news

Engine Group has selected Kasha Cacy to become its global chief executive. Cacy will oversee Engine’s 17 offices located across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Robert Stone has joined 3 Monkeys Zeno as director of digital strategy and innovation. He becomes part of the agency’s leadership team and will report to MD Christine Jewell.

Fintech start-up Curve has appointed Alejandro Massalin as its new head of marketing. Massalin’s role will include oversight of all aspects of PR and comms.

Curzon PR CEO Farzana Baduel has been selected to be a brand ambassador of the Oxford Foundry’s L.E.V8 Women programme at Oxford University.

Cheshire-based agency No Brainer has announced three new appointments. Michelle Turner joins as an account manager, Emily Craig becomes an account executive and Melissa Phillips has been hired as office manager.

Agency news

Beattie Group is set to expand its Beattie Tartan brand further into Canada, with the agency set to add offices in Ottawa and Winnipeg.

Evoke Group has rebranded as one singular global agency: Evoke. The move brings agencies such as Tonic Life Communications and Evoke Health under one unified brand name.

US-based integrated sports marketing agency rEvolution has acquired UK-based Revolution Sports Marketing Group in order to increase its PR capabilities and expand its earned media offering on a global scale.

The post PR news round-up (20-24 August) appeared first on Gorkana.

Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news, featuring Cision’s latest white paper, new hires at Telefonica UK and Hudson Sandler and the Hacks vs Flaks summer sports day.

The four steps to creating a foolproof crisis comms plan

In our latest white paper – The four steps to creating a foolproof crisis comms response – we explore the four key areas communicators need to cover to ensure their organisation can get on the front foot during a crisis while being secure and consistent in its response.

Opinion

Jill Coomber, co-founder of OneChocolate, explores the findings of the agency’s report into micro partnerships and why marketers now value brand awareness and value, over sales.

Interview

James Myers, group managing director at TVC Group, reminisces about his time at the agency as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Account wins

Blow dry haircare company the Pro Blo Group has appointed Label PR to handle all press and publicity around its haircare range.

London co-working space Huckletree has selected Common Industry to deliver a strategic comms programme focused around PR support and content production.

Content curation platform Wakelet has appointed Jam PR to oversee a campaign targeted at businesses and consumers to grow the company’s users and followers.

People news

Telefonica UK (O2) has made two new hires to its corporate affairs team. Kirsty King joins as head of external communications, while Ian Lynch has been appointed head of internal communications. The pair will both report to director of corporate affairs Nicola Green.

Hudson Sandler has appointed Victor Benady as head of its new Hudson Sandler Insights division.

Beattie Group has announced a raft of new appointments. Rachel Taylor and Ania Krwawicz-Sheath both join as associate directors in the agency’s London office, Katie Brunsmann is hired in Glasgow as a PR assistant, Stewart O’Hagan is appointed as an art worker and Stephen Nevill has been appointed as IT manager in Beattie’s Falkirk office.

Infinite Global has appointed Alice Obsorn as a senior account manager to its Professional and Financial Service PR team.

PRCA news

The PRCA has launched a new division in southeast Asia, following the success of PRCA MENA. PRCA Southeast Asia will be chaired by Lee Nugent, Text 100’s regional director APAC.

Hacks vs Flaks

PRs will take on journalists in the annual Hacks vs Flaks summer sports day on Saturday 15 September at Acton Cricket Club’s ground at Club des Sports, with cricket and rounders matches set to determine bragging rights between the two groups.

The events start from midday at Club des Sports, followed by a reception around 4pm by event ambassadors and a barbeque.

Hacks vs Flaks is a regular sporting event between PRs and journalists held to raise money for good causes. The fixtures have raised more than £350k in the past decade for a variety of charities.

This year, the National Autistic Society has received generous contributions from sponsors Ascot Lloyd, CBRE, Blackstock, EY, FTI, Brewin Dolphin, Emperor, Vismedia. The full fundraising total will be revealed after the event.

“Hacks vs Flaks is open to all, come and cajole and enjoy the setting. It is a great day out and we are delighted to be raising money for the National Autistic Society this year,” said FTI Consulting’s Ed Berry.

Those interested in participating should contact Ed Berry, Jamie Ricketts (020 3727 1624) or Dan Hyde for the cricket and Anna White or Vicky Connybeer for the rounders.

The post PR news round-up (28-31 August) appeared first on Gorkana.

Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news, featuring the first CisionMeets… webinar, an interview with Marie Claire editor-in-chief Trish Halpin and senior FTI Consulting stalwart Andrew Walton’s move to Lloyds.

CisionMeets… The Hook

Cision is thrilled to announce the launch of its new CisionMeets webinar series, which combines our industry-leading media briefings with our webinar format.

In the first of our CisionMeets webinars, we will be joined by social publisher, The Hook’s chief content officer, Mike Burton, and head of production, Jessica Lever.

The pair will talk all things The Hook for around 45 minutes, including the title’s commitment to publishing funny, viral entertainment content, the make-up of its social following, and how PRs can work with the publisher.

Then, we will open up the session to a Q&A segment available to everyone viewing the webinar.

Opinion

Amy Drummond, head of technology at AprilSix Proof, discusses the findings of the agency’s latest report into the current backlash against tech companies.

Interviews

Trish Halpin, editor-in-chief at Marie Claire, discusses the magazine’s 30th birthday issue, how the publication has changed over three decades and how PRs can work with the title.

Brendon Craigie, co-founder and managing partner at Tyto PR, reveals why the agency has a flexible working model, the most challenging and rewarding aspects of founding a business and what the next big tech innovation will be.

Lucy Gornall, health and fitness editor of TI Media’s weekly magazines, explains how she is able to manage content across multiple publications, how she likes to work with PRs and combining work with her role as a personal trainer.

PR Case Study

Discover how Speed devised a thought leadership campaign, BuzzBites, to enable Nestlé Professional to gain cut-through in a competitive industry.

Account wins

Picture credit: imagecomms

Mongoose will handle the global PR campaign for The World’s 50 Best Bars 2018 awards.

Food, drink and hospitality events company Fresh Montgomery has appointed Speed to promote The International Food & Drink Event 2019.

Quality Meat Scotland has appointed Weber Shandwick Scotland as its lead integrated MarComms agency.

Swedish beauty brand Oriflame has appointed Manifest to communicate its new “Beauty by Sweden” proposition.

IMAN Cosmetics Europe has selected Kay Flawless PR to handle all press enquiries and influencer collaborations.

Global not-for-profit healthcare organisation The Patientory Association has appointed The PHA Group to manage its comms.

Digital marketing agency NMPi has appointed Jargon PR to increase the visibility of both the company and its executives.

People news

FTI Consulting’s global head of financial services Andrew Walton is set to join Lloyds Banking Group as group corporate affairs director. Walton will take up the role in December and report directly to group CEO Antonio Horta-Osorio.

Grayling has appointed Bronwen Andrews as head of business development, Europe. She will focus on adding to the agency’s national and international client list.

Philip Morris Limited has appointed Amanda Pierce as its head of communications. In the newly created position, Pierce will lead on driving the overall communications strategies for the company.

TNR, the Press Association’s sister comms consultancy, has appointed former Sky News executive producer Jamie Wood as head of production.

Healthcare comms specialist ROAD has hired Anna Ramsey as content manager following a number of new client wins.

PWR Media has appointed Frankie Potter as PR and marketing manager. Potter will oversee the distribution of Viestra magazine at a range of travel hubs and corporate HQs.

Asia House, the London-based centre for trade, investment and public policy in Asia, has hired Ed Ratcliffe to head its new Research and Advisory practice.

Specialist UK-Asia/China agency 11k Consulting has appointed Jing Wei Sunny as digital marketing manager.

TV and content industry specialist consultancy Boom! has hired Andrew Dickens as account director.

Agency news

Comms consultancy MRM has acquired paid media specialist CCM. Mike Richards, CCM founder, and fellow director Becky Ford will join the executive committee of the newly formed MRM Group.

CCM founder Mike Richards (left) and MRM group CEO Andrew Appleyard

Hacks vs Flaks

PRs will take on journalists in the annual Hacks vs Flaks summer sports day on Saturday 15 September at Acton Cricket Club’s ground at Club des Sports, with cricket and rounders matches set to determine bragging rights between the two groups.

The events start from midday at Club des Sports, followed by a reception around 4pm by event ambassadors and a barbeque.

Hacks vs Flaks is a regular sporting event between PRs and journalists held to raise money for good causes. The fixtures have raised more than £350k in the past decade for a variety of charities.

This year, the National Autistic Society has received generous contributions from lead sponsor Lowell, as well as from the other event supporters, Ascot Lloyd, CBRE, Blackstock, EY, FTI, Brewin Dolphin, Emperor, Vismedia, Sharpener Communication and Yopa.

The full fundraising total will be revealed after the event.

“Hacks vs Flaks is open to all, come and cajole and enjoy the setting. It is a great day out and we are delighted to be raising money for the National Autistic Society this year,” said FTI Consulting’s Ed Berry.

Those interested in participating should contact Ed Berry, Jamie Ricketts (020 3727 1624) or Dan Hyde for the cricket and Anna White or Vicky Connybeer for the rounders or head to the HacksvsFlaks Facebook page.

The post PR news round-up (3-7 September) appeared first on Gorkana.

Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news, featuring the first CisionMeets… webinar, AMEC’s new global MD, the Hacks vs Flaks teams and wins for WP Communications and FleishmanHillard Fishburn.

CisionMeets… The Hook

Cision is thrilled to announce the launch of its new CisionMeets webinar series, which combines our industry-leading media briefings with our webinar format.

In the first of our CisionMeets webinars, we will be joined by social publisher, The Hook’s chief content officer, Mike Burton, and head of production, Jessica Lever.

The pair will talk all things The Hook for around 45 minutes, including the title’s commitment to publishing funny, viral entertainment content, the make-up of its social following, and how PRs can work with the publisher.

Then, we will open up the session to a Q&A segment available to everyone viewing the webinar.

PRWeek ‘Making influencers work for you’ session

Angie Vaux, Cision’s VP sales, will moderate a panel discussion at PRWeek‘s ‘Making influencers work for you‘ breakfast briefing on Tuesday 25 September.

The Cision-sponsored event will encompass four sessions which explores what it takes to create truly standout influencer marketing campaigns. Vaux will moderate the morning’s final session: Choosing the right influencers to maximise return on investment.

More information on the securing tickets and the full event agenda to this exclusive breakfast briefing can be found here.

Interview

Ruth Jones, LEWIS’s newly-appointed UK managing director, explores her new role, PwC’s Tech She Can charter and how to ensure the comms industry provides opportunities for women to develop their careers.

Account wins

Build-A-Bear has appointed FleishmanHillard Fishburn to to manage its UK PR account. The agency will build the American retailer’s brand awareness, with newly-hired Lesley Anderson heading up the account team.

Dutch fintech company Five Degrees has selected WP Communications as its agency of record to co-ordinate press office activities in the UK.

Holland & Barrett has appointed Pegasus to lead its influencer marketing strategy. The agency will work with both micro influencers and celebrities to create social content for the brand.

Pernod Ricard has appointed instinct to handle the launch of its new Jacob’s Creek Aperitivo Spritz drink. The campaign will drive awareness around the key summer and Christmas drinking periods.

Sorted, the global delivery experience firm, has selected Manc Frank as its consumer PR agency. The agency has been briefed to increase brand awareness and drive recruitment at the company.

Artisan jerky brand The Curators has appointed Palm PR to manage its UK launch through an integrated PR and influencer campaign.

Infinite Global is advising Vannin Capital, a litigation fund provider, ahead of its planned flotation on the London Stock Exchange.

Luxury bed retailer Savoir has appointed ANM to handle its PR and comms. The agency will be responsible for increasing global brand awareness.

Upright vacuum cleaner manufacturer SEBO UK has appointed Nobull Comms to deliver an integrated PR campaign.

MMPR will handle PR for restaurant Sophie’s Steakhouse and sister club Jack Solomons.

The Real Housewives of Cheshire star Seema Malhotra has selected The Can Group to handle her publicity.

Seema Malhotra

New and used car dealer the Westover Group has appointed Liz Lean PR as its retained PR agency.

Breastfeeding clothing brand Tilbea has appointed Hustle & Fox to represent it during its launch.

People news

Reuters has appointed Joel Ivory-Harte as PR manager for EMEA. He joins from Telegraph Media Group and will manage PR activities across the news agency’s editorial and commercial operations in the region.

Engine Group has appointed Jim Moffatt as CEO of its European and Asia Pacific operations. Moffatt will join on 15 October and oversee the group’s offices in London, Manchester, Dusseldorf, Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney and Melbourne.

Ketchum has appointed Con Frankin as managing director of healthcare in its London office. He will be responsible for growing and shaping the firm’s healthcare offering.

Lesley Anderson has joined FleishmanHillard Fishburn to lead the brand team’s lifestyle and leisure division. She will report into head of brand Lauren Winter.

Portland has hired Jonathan Stock as head of events and marketing. Stock was previously an events special advisor to Theresa May at No 10.

Jonathan Stock

Houston PR has appointed financial services PR specialist Alexander Clelland as a director.

Lansons has promoted director Claire Southeard to its management board. She is responsible for speeding up the development, transformation and integration of Lansons’ digital, content and marketing offer.

Sard Verbinnen & Co has expanded its London footprint by making a number of hires to its senior UK team. Charles Chichester has joined the agency as managing director, while Rory King has been appointed vice president. The agency has also hired Robert Hersov to its advisory board as director and Richard Holloway as a senior counsellor.

Weber Shandwick has made seven new hires to its Scottish team. It has hired Jamie Bannerman, Lorna Irvine and Laura Hamilton as account managers, Catriona Timoney has been appointed as an associate, while Anna Longton, Amy Moore and Iain Hall have joined the agency’s apprenticeship programme.

Agency news

Grayling has opened a new office in Glasgow – the agency’s ninth in the UK. It has appointed Candace Watermeyer as associate director to lead its Glasgow offering, with Anna McDonald and Cameron Taylor also joining as account executives.

Allison+Partners has acquired OneChocolate Communications. OneChocolate founders Jill Coomber and Sue Grant will become managing director of the agency’s European consumer practice, and managing director of its European technology practice, respectively.

Cello Health Communications has acquired firstlight’s healthcare practice and team. The practice will be renamed Cello Health Public Relations.

Seven Hills has created two new practice areas – purpose and innovation & investment – to add to its offering. Krissy Koslicki has been named director of the purpose practice, while director Jack Davies will be practice lead of the innovation & investment division.

Sarah Bruce and Stephen Bryant have co-founded Silver Buck, a new PR and marketing agency dedicated to health technology and IT in healthcare.

Hanover Health has launched the 2018 Mackay Award, which offers the winner a six month development programme within the practice. The award is named after late Hanover founder Gregor Mackay.

Campaign Collective is to fund a news site – The Rooftop – which aims to promote positive charity and campaigner news stories.

AMEC news

AMEC has announced that Johna Burke will become the organisation’s new global managing director at the end of the year. Currently CMO at BurrellesLuce, Burke will work in transition with current CEO Barry Leggetter from 24 September, taking over fully when Leggetter leaves AMEC in December following 11 years’ service.

Hacks vs Flaks

The team behind Hacks vs Flaks has announced who will be representing each industry in their annual cricket and rounders battles tomorrow at Club des Sports in London.

The National Autistic Society has received generous contributions from lead sponsors Lowell and co-sponsors Ascot Lloyd, Brewin Dolphin, Blackstock, CBRE, EY, FTI Consulting, Vismedia, Emperor Design and Sharpener Communications

The day is open to all – cricket starts at 11am, followed by rounders at 1pm, and a reception at 3pm.

“Hacks vs Flaks is here – we’d love to see journalists, PRs, friends and family heckle us as we make fools of ourselves. It is a great day and cause – supporting autism makes it worthwhile,” said FTI Consulting’s Jamie Ricketts.

The cricket teams are as follows:

Hacks

Dan Hyde (The Mail on Sunday, captain) Harcharan Chandoke (Daily Mail), Andrew Ellson (The Times), Ben Wright (The Daily Telegraph), Eklavya Gupte (S&P Global Platts), Matt Craig (freelance), Mike Atkins (The Times), Russell Lynch (Evening Standard), Fergus Ryan (Financial Times), Joe Mayes (Bloomberg), Nic Fildes (Financial Times) and John McDermott.

Flaks

Jamie Ricketts (FTI Consulting, captain), Tessa Bruyns (Euromoney), Ed Brown (Smithfield), Alex Brennan (Hudson Sandler), Laurence Jones (Dragon), Jason Nisse (Nisse Consultancy), Tom Harper (EV8 Technologies), Adam Davidson (FTI Consulting), James Saville (Goldbug), Jonas Nisse and Nick Barlow (UX Designer).

The rounders teams are as follows:

Hacks

Anna White (freelance, captain), Ros Snowdon (Yorkshire Post), Alan Tovey (The Daily Telegraph), Chris Williams (The Daily Telegraph), Jessie Hewitson (The Times), Andrew Trotman (Microsoft) and Luke Jeffs (Global Investor)

Flaks

Sorrelle Cooper (Sharpener Communications, captain), Vicky Conybeer (EY), Tahlie Cooper (Edelman), Neil McKenzie (Blackstock), Bianca Nicolescu (Blackstock), Harriet Bolt (House Group), India Smith (House Group), Louisa Jarvis (House Group), Lisa Flounders (House Group), Vicki O’Hare (Oracle), Emily Murphy (FTI), Jenna Rorison (FTI), Ellie Perham-Marchant (FTI), Andrea Williams (Redleaf), Alex Reid (Redleaf), Laura Sears (consultant), Emma Marshall (Instinctif), Rebecca Warden-Brown (Instinctif), Dominique Staindl (ING), Ed Gritten (ING), Leanne Tritton (ING) and Andrew Boateng (ING)

The post PR news round-up (10-14 September) appeared first on Gorkana.

Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news, featuring CisionMeets… The Hook, PRWeek‘s influencer breakfast and wins for Another Word and Radioactive PR.

CisionMeets… The Hook

The Hook’s original content is what helps the social publisher stand out from its competitors, head of production Jessica Lever revealed in Tuesday’s inaugural CisionMeets… webinar.

Lever, who was joined in the webinar by chief content officer Mike Burton, outlined how the title’s signature original content engaged its audience but was also fun for the team to produce.

“We started making original content and comedy sketches and discovered that people loved them, and were commenting on them, and that they produced massive view numbers,” she said. “There was obviously a massive gap in the market, but also this type of content is what we love creating, and because we’ve always done that in-house it’s what makes us stand-apart from other social publishers.”

Burton added: “It’s all about original content for us. By the end of 2017 we’d seen a 400% increase in original content output from 2016, with a total of 14.3 million people engaging in our original content and a total of 766 million views across content we’d actually created.”

The pair also used the webinar to detail what The Hook is looking for when creating content, how the content resonates with its generation Z and millennial audience and how they both like to work with PRs.

A full write-up can be found here.

PRWeek ‘Making influencers work for you’ session

Alex Hunter, Cision’s head of agency sales, will moderate a panel discussion at PRWeek‘s ‘Making influencers work for you‘ breakfast briefing on Tuesday 25 September.

The Cision-sponsored event will encompass four sessions which explores what it takes to create truly standout influencer marketing campaigns. Hunter will moderate the morning’s final session: Choosing the right influencers to maximise return on investment.

More information on the securing tickets and the full event agenda to this exclusive breakfast briefing can be found here.

Opinion

Francis Ingham, PRCA director general and CEO of ICCO, outlines why the two organisations have made September PR ethics month and what communicators must do to ensure ethical practice.

Account wins

Wall Street English, the English language adult education company, has appointed Another Word as its global PR agency to support global creative campaigns and its press office activity.

Bath Rugby has appointed Radioactive PR to support promotion around its marquee “The Clash” fixture with rivals Bristol Bears at Twickenham in 2019.

Children’s reading charity BookTrust has selected Midas PR to promote the Waterstone Children’s Laureate 20th Anniversary activation.

Development project Airport City Manchester has appointed Havas PR as its retained PR agency. Havas is tasked with delivering a PR programme to support the development.

Spanish wine company Codorníu Raventós has appointed Clementine Communications to handle the launch of its Viña Pomal Compromiso wine range.

Italian online delicatessen Diforti has appointed Plus 1 Communications to promote the brand’s values in the UK.

Luxury property firm Beauchamp Estates has appointed 11k Consulting to drive brand awareness with Chinese high net worth individuals and key influences in China and the UK.

Kara, the food service bakery firm, has appointed ilk to handle a media relations, content creation and campaign management brief.

Healthcare tech solutions provider Distec has appointed Context PR to deliver a campaign designed to drive awareness of its offering across the healthcare technology and business markets.

Dutch pricing and online marketing automation provider Omnia Retail has appointed PR Agency One to handle its comms strategy to support its international growth ambitions.

Lamb Weston and Wild Fizz have both selected food service and retail specialist The Hub as their trade communications partner.

Amsterdam-based foundation Join the Pipe, which looks to reduce plastic waste and promote tap water, has appointed Good Results to handle its UK launch.

The Beauty of Eczema, a self-help book and online community created by health coach Camille Knowles, has appointed Toast PR to manage its launch during National Eczema Awareness Week.

People news

Laura Crompton

Manc Frank has made two appointments to its senior leadership team. Laura Crompton joins the agency as client services director, while Graeme Anthony has been named creative director across all three of Frank’s offices.

Kindred has appointed behaviour change Tara Austin as its chief strategy officer. She will lead the agency’s strategy team, bringing her wealth of behaviour change expertise to clients.

MRM Group has appointed Nick Boakes as non-executive chair following its acquisition of paid media specialist Capital City Media. Boakes will work closely with the group’s board and executive committee to integrate the two businesses.

Mastercard-owned payments systems company Vocalink has appointed Andrew Buckley as its executive vice president for international product, marketing and communications.

Headland has hired Rob Alexander as a partner. He will advise clients on strategic planning, campaign development and execution.

Specialist sports agency Macesport has promoted account director Ben Thompson to the role of CEO.

The Whitehouse Consultancy has appointed Isabella Sharp as associate director. Sharp will manage the agency’s media and corporate comms function. It has also hired Simon Benadiba and Andrea Gutierrez-Solana as political consultants and Ana Rotaru as associate political consultant to its EU arm.

Performance Communications has made a number of hires to its automotive team. Joe Finnerty joins as senior account manager, Chloe Yemm as account manager and Catherine Ruddick and Dean Harfield as junior account executives.

Comms consultancy JBP has appointed Marcus Lange as senior creative designer.

Financial PR and comms firm KL Communications has hired Luke Dampier as an account manager.

Agency news

Emily Thomas

Brands2Life is set to launch a health and well-being practice to capitalise on new business growth in the healthcare sector. The agency has appointed Bayer’s former senior communications manager Emily Thomas as managing director of the practice.

CIPR news

The CIPR has announced that Jenni Field will become the body’s president-elect in 2019, assuming the role in 2020. Current president-elect Emma Leech will succeed Sarah Hall as president next year.

The CIPR has launched the #PRPays initiative to highlight the value of PR to businesses. The campaign features a series of interviews with chief executives about their perceptions of PR and how it contributes to business success. The first interview is with Heathrow Airport CEO John Holland-Kaye.

PRCA news

Francis Ingham, director general of the PRCA, has used his opening address at the organisation’s annual conference to outline the association’s plans. It will look to:

• Extend the PRCA Leadership Academy in centres around the country
• Create a Channel Islands group
• Develop a new strategic partnership with UKMMA, the professional body for media monitoring companies
• Create of a new business centre in London, a free space for any members to use.

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Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news, featuring PRWeek‘s influencer breakfast, Mark Weiner’s lifetime achievement award and wins for AprilSix Proof and TMG.

PRWeek ‘Making influencers work for you’ breakfast

(L-R): Alex Hunter, Katie Hunter, Stephen Farrell, Alex Myers and Niki & Sammy

Influencer marketing in the UK is still transient and has not yet matured to the point where influencers and brands have long-term relationships, Radio One podcasters Niki and Sammy revealed at a Cision-sponsored PRWeek breakfast briefing.

Opinion

Emily Keogh, managing director of Palm PR, talks about working with disruptors and why having a disruptive approach to PR is a necessity for communicators.

Interview

Chris Martin, Ketchum’s recently appointed director of public affairs, discusses his new role, the public affairs landscape and his advice to those entering the industry.

Account wins

National mapping agency Ordnance Survey has appointed AprilSix Proof to deliver a content marketing campaign.

Monsoon Accessorize has appointed Troika/Mission Group (TMG) as its UK comms agency. TMG will will be responsible for consumer public relations across both brands and will manage all press office activity, including day to day media enquiries.

Electrolux has appointed Citizen Relations to support PR campaigns for its AEG and Zanussi brands.

UCC has selected Brazen to help promote its coffee brand ThreeSixty to consumer media, as well as driving sales through its listings at Waitrose and Ocado.

Concern Worldwide UK, an international aid agency, has appointed Tangerine to implement a micro-influencer campaign to encourage mothers to donate to its Through to Two programme.

The PHA Group has announced two new account wins. Its strategic communications team will manage global digital evidence management provider CaseLines‘ UK and international comms strategy, while its sport and fitness practice will build awareness and drive sign-ups for The Fix Events’ MoRunning series.

The Lifestyle Agency has two new client wins. It will act as the retained agency for both the recently launched Albert’s private members’ club and also Raffles Club, both located on London’s Kings Road.

Magnum Photos has appointed LUCHFORD APM to develop and execute a B2B brief to drive brand awareness.

Reed Exhibitions has selected Storm Communications to handle PR for its Passenger Experience Week portfolio of events.

Yorkshire-based country house Lotherton Hall will work with ilk to promote The Christmas Experience at the venue.

Art gallery RedHouse Originals has appointed Tuesday Media to promote its two upcoming exhibitions: John Middleton’s Paint and Horace Panter’s The Beano 80th Birthday Collection. 

Full Fat has announced five new client wins. The creative comms agency will be working with dining experience Divine Proportions, immersive theatre group Funicular, Alexandra Palace’s Ally Pally Fireworks Festival, wine delivery service Vinterest and events host Lost Lectures.

People news

Mark Weiner, Cision’s chief insights officer, has been honoured as the 2018 winner of the prestigious Jack Felton Medal for Lifetime Achievement by The Institute for Public Relations (IPR). The medal was awarded to recognise Weiner’s contribution to the advancement of research, measurement and evaluation in public relations and corporate comms.

Green Square, the boutique corporate finance advisory to the media and marcomms sector, has appointed Frank PR co-founder Graham Goodkind as a board advisor. Goodkind will work with the agency’s clients to help them grow and maximise their value.

National Grid has appointed Barney Wyld as group corporate affairs director. He will sit on the group executive committee and report directly to CEO John Pettigrew.

Barney Wyld

Empica has appointed two new members to its digital team. Becki Couch joins as digital marketing assistant, while George Watts has been hired as a videographer.

Kay Flawless PR has made a new addition to its team, hiring Jadine Rice as a PR assistant.

The post PR news round-up (24-28 September) appeared first on Gorkana.

Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news, featuring crisis comms analysis from Cision’s Megan Taylor and account wins for Ready10, Milk & Honey and AprilSix Proof.

The four steps to building a foolproof crisis comms response

Megan Taylor, senior client insights manager at Cision, provides examples from the  Insights team illustrating the need for speed when a crisis situation hits.

Interview

Ian Hood, CEO and co-founder of Babel PR, explains why he started the agency, talks about working internationally and being on the end of a rant from Kelvin MacKenzie.

Account wins

Destination Star Trek, the biggest Star Trek convention in Europe, has appointed to Ready10 to handle PR and comms around the show later this month. The agency will provide pre-show support, creative consultancy and handle all press around the event, while also overseeing event PR for the 40+ Star Trek cast who will be present, including William Shatner and Jason Isaacs.

The Elf on the Shelf has appointed Mason Williams Communications to handle its PR and events programme.

Milk & Honey will handle PR for broadcast specialist markettiers4DC, where it will build the brand’s position as leaders in their sector.

Future Publishing has appointed Storm to manage an integrated PR and social campaign for its The Photography Show and The Video Show events.

The Royal Institution has appointed Riot Communications to promote its annual Christmas Lectures.

Marriott International has selected Smarts Communicate to deliver a tailored comms campaign to drive publicity around the hotel chain’s Distinctive Select Brands portfolio in Europe.

Professional services data platform Intapp has appointed AprilSix Proof to lead its UK PR and influencer brief. The agency will execute a strategy to promote the platform to the professional services sector through media relations, influencer engagement and thought leadership.

Drinkable hangover supplement producer HangZing has appointed Palm PR to manage its UK launch through an integrated campaign.

Fitness app creator Freeletics has hired Blueprint Sports to handle its global PR and influencer marketing strategy.

Responsibly-sourced gemstone supplier Gemfields Group has appointed Maria Boyle Communications to handle consumer PR for both its Gemfields and Faberge brands.

Health and wellness channel FMTV has selected WHITEHAIR.CO to handle all press and publicity around its new docuseries TRANSCENDENCE.

Technology company Improbable has appointed Dynamo PR to support its strategic comms and promote its cloud-based game development platform SpatialOS.

Workwear brand Scruffs has appointed Tank to raise awareness of its products to tradespeople through targeted trade press activity.

Medical and health technology company Atlantic Therapeutics has appointed ROAD to provide PR support for its INNOVO product.

Digital retailer Studio has selected Havas PR as its retained influencer outreach agency. Havas is tasked with instigating and managing multiple influencer ambassador partnerships to promote the company’s wares.

TicketCo, the events payment software firm, has appointed Fortitude Communications as its retained UK strategic comms agency.

Blockchain-based art platform CryptoNumiz has appointed Jargon PR to generate media awareness and raise the profile of the platform.

People news

Brands2Life has appointed Kinda Jackson as managing director of its digital practice. She will sit on the agency’s board and manage its digital and social team.

Digital financial adviser company Wealth Wizards has appointed Elizabeth Basten as CMO. Basten will have oversight of the firm’s PR and comms function.

TALK.GLOBAL has appointed Suzy Socker to its leadership team as board director.

Liz Lean PR has hired Claire Hardy as a director. She will work alongside managing director Liz Willingham to enhance the agency’s product and service offering.

Tom Parker, chairman of PR and public policy agency Cambre, has been named president of the British Chamber of Commerce EU and Belgium.

Agency news

Good Relations North MD Jo Leah and Good Relations CEO Richard Moss

Good Relations has acquired The Little Big Agency, founded by Jo Leah. The agency will be renamed to Good Relations North, with Leah to become managing director of the northern office and join Good Relations’ executive team.

Consumer PR agency Escapade has launched a sister brand, Elevation Marketing, to support SMEs operating in the food and drink industry.

Legal PR specialists Byfield Consultancy and Eliott & Markus, have formed a strategic alliance to work together on international legal sector clients requiring European and wider EMEA PR representation and support.

Awards news

The Creative Shootout has opened entries for its 2019 edition. Agencies from across marketing disciplines are invited to create a campaign for A Plastic Planet, a non-profit which looks to highlight the effect of plastic pollution and look to dramatically reduce the amount of plastic packaging used in food and drink.

Agencies must enter their submissions by 30 November. More details can be found at www.creativeshootout.com.

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Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news, featuring Women in PR’s Abbie Sampson on its female speaker list and senior hires at the Department for Work and Pensions and Milk & Honey.

Opinion

Abbie Sampson, director of external affairs at Energy UK and Women in PR committee member, outlines why the group has created a female speaker directory to encourage event organisers to have more women speak at events and close as the “Gender Say Gap” between men and women.

Interviews

David Tossell, NFL director of public affairs (UK and Europe), talks about how the sport has grown in the UK and his ever-changing role ahead of the the NFL’s London fixtures.

Jemimah Steinfeld, deputy editor at Index on Censorship magazine, talks about the magazine’s recent award win, freedom of speech and how the title likes to work with PRs.

Account wins

Britvic-owned premium drinks maker WiseHead Productions has appointed Splendid Communications as its consumer PR agency.

Promote PR has announced two new client wins. The agency will provide consumer PR support to Quest Adventure Series for its Quest Wales event and raise the brand profile of skincare specialists CJ Skinhealth.

The Brandman Agency will handle global strategy and targeted media relations for luxury beach club Nikki Beach Barbados.

AI translation software provider Unbabel has appointed CommsCo as its retained PR agency in the UK, EMEA and North America.

Poochplay, the dog activity monitor and wellbeing app, has selected The PHA Group to handle its comms. The agency is tasked with raising awareness of the brand’s service, values and updates.

Entertainment and lifestyle agency KPPR will handle personal publicity for Love Island winner Dani Dyer.

Pasta brand Slendier has appointed The Lucre Group to help launch the brand across consumer media, trade and digital channels in the UK and Europe.

Real estate software solutions brand MRI Software has selected Platform Communications to manage a media and influencer relations, research and content brief to support its growth across the UK property sector.

Digital insurance broker iGO4 has appointed Triangle PR to manage its B2B and media relations brief.

Clementine Communications is to handle the launch of Neptune Rum, as well as managing a consumer and trade media campaign following the launch.

People news

Lisa Hunter has been appointed as the director of communications at the Department for Work and Pensions. Hunter will be tasked with overseeing comms around the government’s welfare reforms.

Milk & Honey PR has hired Caroline Addy as client director. Addy will join the agency later this month and boost the agency’s consumer tech offering.

Hanover Communications has appointed Matti Rantanen as an account director to its digital policy team in Brussels.

John Doe has appointed Celine Khor as head of brand experience. She will head the agency’s newly created events division.

Celine Khor

The post PR news round-up (8-12 October) appeared first on Gorkana.

Here’s a round-up of the week’s top PR news, featuring the Comms Revolutionist and PRWeek awards, new account wins for Munch and Stephen Waddington’s new role.

Awards news

Cision is delighted to announce the final shortlist for the Comms Revolutionist Awards, with the winners announced at CommsCon on Tuesday 6 November. The awards will showcase the best work from Cision’s clients over the past year, all of which have achieved measurable outcomes which enabled organisations to take action based on the results. The full shortlist can be found here.

It was a sparkling night for Cision clients at the PRWeek Awards, as they took home 31 of the 33 gongs on offer. A full list of winners can be found here.

Cision’s Angie Vaux (left) presenting the In-house Team of the Year award with Claudia Winkleman

Opinion

To mark the publication of Platinum, a book from the CIPR marking its 70th anniversary with crowdsourced insight from industry leaders, Cision has published a chapter from AMEC chairman Richard Bagnall discussing how analytics and measurement provide the means of improving the performance and value of public relations.

PR Case Study

Discover how Splendid Communications refined bakery chain Greggs’ social output to demonstrate that it was a social brand with a clear world view.

Account wins

Harrods Estates, the real estate offering of the famous department store, has appointed Elevate PR to handle its PR brief.

Munch has announced two new client wins. The boutique agency will help Jollibee Foods Corporation, the largest Asian food company, to launch its first store in the UK. Munch has also won a brief to deliver regional campaigns in Sunderland and Northumberland for The National Lottery Promotions Unit.

O’Reilly Media has selected LEWIS to raise awareness of the company’s London-based technology conferences.

Luxury perfumer Miller Harris has appointed LMPR to handle its comms, influencer activity and brand partnerships.

Sports nutrition brand Fuel for Sport has appointed Macesport on a retained basis to handle its PR, social and digital campaigns.

Cryptocurrency firm Luno has selected Stature PR to provide UK and European PR support as the company aims to increase its number of users and brand awareness.

Midlands Enterprise Universities, a consortium of six universities, has appointed Shooting Star to raise its profile and improve its communication with key stakeholders.

Bett, the trade show and education community brand, has appointed Withpr to strengthen its brand and increase its presence beyond the trade show cycle.

People news

Facebook has hired Sir Nick Clegg as its vice president of global affairs and communications. He will assume the role on Monday.

International digital marketing agency Metia Group as appointed Stephen Waddington to be its UK managing director. He will join the company from Ketchum in January 2019.

Stephen Waddington

Agency news

M&C Saatchi PR has rebranded to M&C Saatchi Public Relations to more clearly define the agency’s vision, proposition and purpose.

Chapman Poole has expanded its network of senior PR consultants into Spain, France, Germany and the US following its appointment by a number of internationally-based clients.

Former Porter Novelli London director and head of brand Emily Buckland has launched SESAME, an agency offering both PR consultancy and recruitment services.

The post PR news round-up (15-19 October) appeared first on Gorkana.