This week’s PR news in brief (2-6 April)
Here’s a round-up of the week’s essential PR news, featuring Another World co-founder Lynda Redington, pitching tips from Stylist and the upcoming “Hacks vs Flacks” showdown.
Thought leadership
Abe Smith, Cision’s EMIA president, examines how Facebook’s recent changes to its news feed algorithm will impact marketers in Marketing Gazette.
Interviews
Lisa Smosarski, Stylist’s editor-in-chief, detailed how the brand is using its voice to highlight issues affecting its readership at an exclusive Cision media briefing.
Lynda Redington, co-founder of Another Word with Nichola Mughal, explains why the pair started their own agency, their successes and challenges so far and ways in which communicators can be better at phone pitching to journalists.
Account wins
The Rugby Football Union has appointed Frank to handle its ongoing PR in the build up to this year’s HSBC London Sevens event at Twickenham in June.
Shawbrook Bank has appointed specialist financial service agency MRM to help raise awareness of its personal loans proposition.
Travel Manitoba has appointed Hills Balfour to to manage its UK trade relations, consumer marketing and PR strategy.
eCommerce company Yotpo has selected SourceCode Communications to develop brand growth by developing creative campaigns which position the company at the forefront of brand commerce.
Asset manager Robeco has appointed Montfort Communications as its strategic UK PR partner. Gay Collins will lead the agency team as it works to enhance Robeco’s public profile and reputation.
Cryptocurrency Ethercoin has enlisted Jargon PR to drive awareness of its upcoming Initial Coin Offering and coordinate a media relations campaign to drive presence for the company in the tech, business and blockchain press.
CryptoUK, the UK’s first self-regulatory trade body for the cryptocurrency industry, has enlisted Headland to provide it with public affairs and media relations services.
Smarts Communicate will provide PR services for the Scottish government’s Healthier Scotland campaigns. The agency will work with the Scottish Government Marketing and Insight Unit and other framework agencies to drive awareness and behaviour change.
Irish food board Bord Bia has appointed Fleet Street Communications to raise awareness of Irish producers in the UK, shine a light on its sustainability accreditation and reinforce the credentials of Irish beef across consumer and trade media channels.
Agency news
Bristol-based consultancy Empica is merging with Inform Media. Inform’s Neil Fraser is also joining Empica to head up its B2B offering.
Newington has established a dedicated digital team to expand its corporate affairs offering. Tom Flynn, the agency’s incoming director of digital, will lead the new division.
Tech PR specialist The Whiteoaks Consultancy has celebrated its 25th anniversary by rebranding to Whiteoaks International and securing the PRCA’s Communications Management Standard for Agencies accreditation.
DeVries SLAM has rebranded to DeVries Global following the integration of SLAM PR and DeVries.
People news
Allison+Partners has appointed seven new partners including its MD for UK and Ireland, Jim Selman. He is now the agency’s first European partner.
Investment trade body The Investment Association (IA) has appointed Anisha Patel as head of communications and Hannah Marwood as head of government affairs.
Greenbrook Communications has welcomed Matthieu Roussellier back as a director as one of six new appointments at the agency.
The Can Group is to represent television presenter and comedian Ryan Hand. It will manage his PR, brand opportunities and sponsorships.
CIPR news
CIPR International has announced that Ricardo Carioni, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of Nicaragua to the UK and Ireland, will deliver this year’s Maggie Nally Memorial Lecture.
Hacks vs flaks
Journalists and PRs will do battle this Sunday in the annual “Hacks vs Flacks” sporting showdown, as football and netball teams go head-to-head to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young.
Organisers expect record fundraising from lead sponsors Nationwide and Uber, along with co-sponsors EY, Direct Line, FTI Consulting, Sharpener Communications, VisMedia, Telford, Purplebricks, Galliard and Rokstone.
The event is open to all and starts at midday at Club des Sports in London. A reception will follow at 2pm with Cardiac Risk in the Young ambassadors.
