This week’s PR news in brief (12-16 March)
Here’s a round-up of the week’s essential PR news and features, including a preview of the B2B Marketing Expo, W’s latest account win and new hires at Hotwire and Ocean Beach Ibiza.
Thought leadership
Tom Ritchie, Cision EMIA’s product director, will deliver a keynote speech examining the prospect of earned media getting its fair share of the marketing mix at next week’s B2B Marketing Expo. The B2B Marketing Expo, the leading marketing event in the UK, showcases the tools, techniques and systems revolutionising B2B marketing at London’s ExCeL on 21 and 22 March, 2018.
Dominic Pollard, director of content and comms at City Road Communications, discusses how the UK public’s lack of engagement with the Winter Olympics contains important PR lessons.
Interviews
Robin Valentine, editor of GamesMaster, outlines what is in the magazine’s 25th anniversary edition, how it has changed over the years and the game he’s most looking forward to playing this year.
Steve Carman, director at Nobull Communications, explains why the agency has created its Nobull Tech division, its long-lasting client relationships and the company’s birthday policy.
Account wins
Global entertainment brand Ministry of Sound has hired W to promote its forthcoming private members’ club and collaborative workspace, The Ministry.
Tyre manufacturer Bridgestone Europe has appointed Text100 to handle its corporate and brand PR. Text100 will plan and deliver a full corporate comms programme and support on brand campaigns including Bridgestone’s product launches.
Integrated marketing agency Roland Dransfield has been appointed to support the launch of the £200 million St Michael’s regeneration scheme in Manchester.
FTSE 250 housebuilder Redrow has appointed WPR to support its expansion in the Midlands, following a four-way pitch.
Mediterranean restaurant and bar chain Salt Yard Group has appointed Anteater Communications to handle its public relations.
PR and marketing consultancy Down at the Social will handle the launch of independent healthy fast food restaurant Friska in Manchester city centre.
Penguin Random House has retained Riot Communications to promote Yuval Noah Harari’s latest novel: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century.
Park Place Technologies has named Kwittken as its global PR agency. It will lead the company’s M&A, crisis, corporate and B2B comms strategy.
The CAN Group will manage PR, brand opportunities and sponsorship for actor Jamie Lomas.
Agency news
Eulogy has promoted Adrian Brady and Elisabeth Field to chairman and CEO, respectively, as the agency seeks to build on its most successful year yet.
PrettyGreen has launched a creative production house called The Producers to tap into a growing need for “in-sourcing and co-creation”.
People news
Hotwire has promoted Kate Hunter to head of B2B, UK, to oversee and grow the agency’s B2B client base.
Integrated agency Kindred has appointed Frankie Oliver as managing partner. Oliver joins from Nexus Communications Group, where she was both MD of Nexus and founder of creative agency Jolly Rebellion.
MWWPR has appointed Gareth Davies as its VP of digital strategy and UK digital lead to oversee digital strategy for the agency’s UK and EU clients.
Ocean Beach Ibiza has appointed Patrick Ellerington as group communications lead as it brings its PR and comms in-house. He will work alongside director of brand Gemma Charters to add innovation and creativity to both the brand’s and the wider business’s comms.
Insurer Liberty Speciality Markets has appointed Paula Wilson as head of marketing. As part of her remit, Wilson will oversee the company’s marketing and external comms strategy.
Shooting Star has hired Luke Thompson as senior account executive. He will undertake PR and social media activity across the agency’s client portfolio.
East Renfrewshire Council has appointed Graeme Smith as communications manager. The former The Herald editor will start in the role next month.
Push PR has appointed Robyn Upton as acting beauty director, covering the leave of Zoe Robertson until September.
Creative ideas agency Yes&Pepper has appointed Taisa Echer as a new graphic designer. She will work across all of the agency’s clients, with particular focus on its Sky and Hive accounts.
PRCA and CIPR news
The PRCA and CIPR will both offer membership discounts to the Taylor Bennett Foundation’s alumni in order to improve access to their services and build on their commitment to increasing diversity in the industry.
The CIPR has awarded this year’s President’s Medal to the co-authors of The Cluetrain Manifesto – Rick Levine, Christopher Locke, Doc Searls and David Weinberger – for their outstanding contribution to global understanding of marketing and comms.
The Commonwealth Communicators Organisation, a new professional body for senior PRs from or working in the Commonwealth’s 53 nations, has named PRCA director general Francis Ingham as its inaugural chairman.
