This week’s PR news in brief (15-19 January)
Here’s our round-up of essential PR news stories and features from the past week, including Good Relations’ Huw Morgan, account wins for Kaizo and Skout, and new appointments at Hotwire and Gong Communications.
Thought leadership
Huw Morgan, director of Good Relations’ internal communications practice, argues that Carillion’s collapse shows why brands must invest in employee engagement.
Interviews
Archant’s Emma Youle talks about her work, why investigative journalism is a vital public service and how PRs can partner with investigative reporters.
PR Events
Cision’s first webinar of 2018 will explore the latest trends in media relations. In it, you’ll hear from two of PR’s leading authorities on how to create a media relations programme that delivers results in 2018 and beyond.
David Frossman, head of media at W Communications, will outline how to deploy media relations effectively as part of an integrated comms strategy.
Then, Eulogy MD Lis Field will give her top tips for securing coverage in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
This essential webinar will take place at 2pm on Thursday 25 January. So, click here now to reserve your place at Future trends in media relations.
Account wins
Preventative healthcare service Thriva has appointed Tin Man following a competitive pitch process. The agency has been tasked with creating a campaign to raise brand awareness and increase the number of customers using Thriva’s home blood test service.
Meat-free burger brand Moving Mountains has appointed Palm PR to manage the launch of its UK-first “bleeding” plant-based burger, following a three-way pitch.
Little Tikes has appointed Carousel PR to manage its UK public relations, social media and influencer outreach. The agency will manage the brand’s press office activity, encompassing media relations, partnerships, launches and campaigns to raise brand awareness.
InternetRetailing Events has appointed Kaizo to refocus its comms strategy. Kaizo will work with it to generate thought leadership campaigns which resonate with business leaders and influencers, as well as retail and technology audiences.
Japenese licensing company Sanrio has hired Aduro Communications to raise awareness of its key brands in several trade sectors. Aduro will spearhead a campaign to introduce the Sanrio’s characters, which include Mr Men and Hello Kitty, to the UK trade press.
Brand USA has appointed Hills Balfour as its agency of record across Europe. It will represent the organisation’s interests across a number of European regions, adding to its established role representing Brand USA in the UK and Ireland.
Fruit and vegetable crisps brand Emily Crisps has hired Well Hello to a wide-ranging brief, tasking the agency with recruiting a progressive, bold audience to the brand with a mix of influencer, social and consumer media, along with experiential activity.
B2B agency Skout has won briefs with Birmingham City University, Gekko and Igloo Vision. It will create content marketing strategies to raise awareness of Birmingham City University and Gecko, while it has been tasked with building commercial and business awareness of Igloo Vision’s “VR igloos”.
Free-from brand BFree Foods has appointed Cow PR to promote its gluten free products. Cow will create an experiential campaign, underpinned by a press office function, to promote the brand to those looking to switch to gluten free food to improve health.
Artist and designer Maarten Baas has selected Alpha Kilo to handle his global PR. The agency will work with Maarten and his team to create a global strategy across digital and print media.
JPR Media Group will manage campaigns for Portugal Sail Week and jewellery brand ChloBo. The agency will create a launch event on a yacht for Portugal Sail Week and organise influencers to promote the event on social channels. It will promote the ChloBo jewellery brand across lifestyle press, bloggers and influencer marketers, as well as organising influencer-led events.
Bar and restaurants operator Albion & East has appointed Anteater Communications to handle its PR.
Clementine Communications will manage the PR and comms strategy for French brandy range St Remy.
Sports strategy and analysis software developer SGB Sports Software has appointed Bubble Agency to handle its global PR.
South African Tourism has appointed Ginger Juice as its UK social media agency for the next three years. Ginger Juice will provide strategic social media and digital support to raise awareness of South Africa as a destination in the UK market.
Professional and garden power tool manufacturer STIHL has appointed HROC as its full-service agency, following a successful partnership with the agency’s PR division since 2016.
Agency news
Shooting Star has selected Sophie’s Journey as its charity of the year for 2018. The agency will offer free PR services to the charity for the next 12 months, as well as taking part in fundraising activities.
LEAF and JessandAmyCreative Communications have partnered to launch an integrated boutique consultancy service for natural beauty and wellbeing brands.
People news
W Communications has appointed Adam Mack, Weber Shandwick’s former EMEA chief strategy officer, as its first ever UK CEO. Mack will work to enhance W’s strategic capabilities and develop its offering in areas including data analytics, ROI measurement and channel strategy
Milk & Honey PR has promoted Jo Cresswell to associate partner. The agency has also promoted Harriet King to senior client executive and appointed Lindsay Stanley as its “client director on the ground” in New Zealand.
Lexington Communications has appointed Paul McGrade as senior counsel to boost the agency’s Brexit strategy and advice offering. He joins from the Foreign Office, where he was a senior diplomat.
Hotwire has selected Dawn Crew as its next CMO-in-residence. The agency’s CMO-in-residence programme is designed to connect experienced, high ranking marketers with Hotwire’s staff and client network.
Filament PR has appointed former CIPR president Sarah Pinch as non-executive director. Pinch will support MD Anne-Marie Lacey in her ambition to grow the company.
Financial and corporate comms consultancy Morgan Rossiter has hired Stefen Colligan as account director and Kieran Phippard-Alfrod as account manager.
Nina Sawetz, MD of freelance PR consultancy Future, has won a place on WeWork’s ‘Mission Possible‘ Entrepreneur initiative. Sawetz will have access to free office space, professional advice, mentoring programmes and exclusive WeWork events. The initiative was created to reward companies and entrepreneurs which look to affect positive change.
B2B agency Gong Communications has appointed Joanne Cotterell as financial director following a number of financial client wins.
Sale-based agency One has appointed Grace James and Sean Cresswell to its PR and Social team. James joins as PR account executive, while Cresswell will assume the role of social account executive.
Mischief PR and MHP Communications owner Engine Group has appointed Paul Caine as executive director of its board.
