PR news round-up (23-27 July)
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.
