PR news round-up (4-8 June)
Here’s a round-up of last week’s biggest PR news – featuring the CIPR Excellence Awards, new appointments at Quill PR and how PR measurement saves lives.
Thought leadership
Consumers are increasingly shunning traditional marketing channels. Marketers now believe pull tactics, such as PR and comms, are more effective than print, TV and native advertising. So, isn’t it time brands fully embraced earned media?
When is PR measurement a matter of life and death? It was the difference between success and failure for the Stroke Association‘s New Era for stroke campaign.
“Getting into a top tier outlet is great. But what does that mean for the business?” asks Cision CMO Chris Lynch. Click the link below now to see how new tech is helping PRs answer that question using recognised business metrics.
Account wins
The CAN Group is now representing Mel B, the former Spice Girl and current America’s Got Talent judge.
E-vapour brand blu has appointed Publicasity to manage its social media channels and influencer marketing, following a competitive pitch.
Everyone Active, the operator of London’s Westway Sports & Fitness Centre, has enlisted Henman Communications to launch #RALLY4GRENFELL. The charity fundraising campaign will raise money for those affected by the Grenfell Tower Fire.
Lidl has appointed LK Communications as its retained PR partner in Northern Ireland, following a competitive pitch.
Legal and professional services business Knights has appointed MHP Communications as the financial PR adviser for its forthcoming AIM IPO.
Compostable packaging firm TIPA has selected Diffusion as its UK communications agency. The agency will develop TIPA’s brand positioning and raise awareness of its products among retailers, influencers, manufacturers and environmentally-conscious consumers.
Data science company Polymatica has appointed Spark Communications to manage its UK PR, with a brief to develop the brand’s positioning and provide ongoing media relations and thought leadership support.
CafePod Coffee Co has handed its retained PR account to See.Saw Communications following a three-way pitch. The agency will also assist with the brand’s upcoming relaunch.
Social alarm clock app Snoozle has appointed Faith PR to help promote its launch later this month.
Impax Asset Management, an AIM-listed asset manager specialising in sustainable investments, has appointed Montfort Communications as its communications adviser.
Splendid Communications has won a brief to handle social media and content for Harvester, the family-friendly restaurant brand from Mitchells & Butlers.
The Lucre Group has won a six-figure brief to deliver UK PR and content services to Meadowhall, the Yorkshire-based indoor shopping centre.
People news
Financial services specialist Quill PR has appointed Sarah Gibbons-Cook as a director. She previously spent 13 years managing PR and investor relations at Janus Henderson. The agency also welcomes Louise Hill as its new head of content in May.
Sarah Gibbons-Cook (left) and Louise Hill
Tank PR has appointed Andrea Blair as digital manager and Lisa Baker as office manager. Blair will advise clients on SEO and PPC.
11K Consulting has appointed Fei Meng as account manager. Based in the firm’s London office, she will lead key clients accounts, manage events and drive new business in the UK and China.
Agency news
Behaviour change specialist Jennifer Wilson is leaving her post as director of Way To Blue in Sydney this month and moving to London to launch its new wellbeing practice.
Wilson has spent the last 15 years delivering award-winning mobile solutions, including smoking cessation app MyQuitBuddy.
CIPR Excellence Awards
Cision clients secured over half of the gongs on offer at Wednesday evening’s annual CIPR Excellence Awards at The Artillery Garden at the HAC in London.
Taylor Herring were the big winners on the night after securing awards for the Best Integrated, Transport or Automotive and Consumer Relations campaigns.
Kier Group won prizes for the Best Construction, Property or Infrastructure Campaign and the Best Use of Content, while English Heritage took home the prestigious Outstand In-House Public Relations Team award.
The evening also saw wins for Vodafone, Manifest, Talker Tailor Trouble Maker, Headland and Network Rail. A full list of winners can be found here.
