This week’s PR news in brief (19-23 March)
Here’s a round-up of the week’s essential PR news and features, including Cision’s activities at the B2B Marketing Expo, a new hire at FTI and account wins for Ready10 and Golin.
Thought leadership
Tom Ritchie, Cision’s EMIA VP GTM, used his keynote speech at this week’s B2B Marketing Expo to predict that new technology is set to revolutionise earned media and allow communicators to target audiences and measure ROI like never before.
The Cision team also spoke to a number of earned media experts at the expo, where they discussed industry trends and the challenges PR professionals face.
Interviews
Ken Robertson, founder of The Tenth Man and former “head of mischief” at Paddy Power, discusses why he left the bookmaker to found his own agency, how he plans to shake up the PR world and his favourite Paddy Power stunt.
Ellen Stewart, head of content at PinkNews, speaks about her love of digital journalism, the importance of LGBT+ media and how the title works with PRs.
Account wins
Food company Danone has appointed Golin to lead social strategy and content creation for its Volvic and Evian brands. The agency will deliver social and content strategies for both Volvic’s Find Your Volcano campaign and Evian’s sponsorship of the 2018 Wimbledon tennis championships.
England Hockey has appointed sports and fitness specialist Promote PR to support this summer’s Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup.
Betting firm Betway has appointed OMD UK as its UK media agency to oversee an account worth £30 million per year, following a four-way pitch.
Chinese tech company Mobvoi has appointed Ready10 to handle its UK launch. The account will be overseen by Ready10’s newly appointed associate director Sophie Diner.
Ann Summers CEO Jacqueline Gold has appointed Dundas Communications as her personal publicist. The agency will manage all media enquiries, oversee her website and manage her social media channels and speaking engagements.
Index and research firm MSCI has appointed MHP Communications as the retained PR adviser to its real estate business unit.
Integrated comms agency One will provide PR and social media services across the Hoover Candy Group in the UK.
Luxury clothing retailer Flannels has appointed Mission to handle its UK PR and comms.
Spring and Tonic PR has been appointed to handle PR for food and drink brands KIND Snacks, Sandows Coffee and Well & Truly.
Covet PR has won PR briefs from ice cream brand Yasso, protein shake maker Koia, almond butter firm Barney Butter and skincare company Rugged & Dapper.
Agency news
Specialist toys, games and childhood sector agency Playtime PR has formed a partnership with US-based agency Southard Freeman Communications. The partnership sees both agencies share their services with the other’s clients.
People news
FTI Consulting has appointed senior Financial Times journalist Andrew Ward as managing director of its life science and healthcare practice. Ward will join the consultancy in June.
Grayling has hired Kat McGettigan, a former head of consumer at M&C Saatchi PR, as its new head of consumer PR in London.
FleishmanHillard Fishburn has hired Sherawaye Hagger, Pip Solway and Emma Padden as directors to enhance its consumer team’s strategic offering.
M&C Saatchi PR has promoted Serena Thynne to vice president in its Los Angeles office. Thynne has been a member of the agency’s London office for the past five years.
Midlands-based agency Superdream has appointed Jason Manning as CEO and Fran Nolan as MD.
Ready10 has appointed Sophie Diner as associate director. She joins from Frank, where she worked with Ready10 MD David Fraser.
Clarity PR has appointed Callum McCaig as account director to oversee domestic and international campaigns and help drive new business.
PR and film agency Sassy Film has appointed Michael Semp and Annette Harada as director of content communications and head of content communications and strategy respectively, to oversee and grow its content division.
Covet PR has made a number of new hires and promotions. Ellie Bonner has joined as account supervisor. Katharine Samuels has been appointed as senior account executive. Ashley Short and Nicole Tarko have joined the firm as account executives, while Nisha Btesh has started as executive assistant. Casey Blatt has been promoted to director of operations.
PRCA and CIPR news
The CIPR has announced it will work with the Confederation of British Industry to elevate the reputation and promote the strategic value of PR among the business community.
The PRCA has partnered with Bright Network, a careers network featuring diverse candidates, in order to increase diversity and inclusivity in the PR industry.
