This week’s PR news in brief (19-23 February)
Here’s a round-up of the week’s essential PR news, featuring a story that changed Microsoft’s corporate comms forever an interview with Esquire style director Charlie Teasdale and news from the PRCA.
Thought leadership
In 2013, Steve Clayton, Microsoft’s chief storyteller, did something that changed its corporate comms forever. Click here now to find out what.
Kaizo director Steph MacLeod and Marc Chacksfield, TechRadar’s interim global editor-in-chief, outline how to build a tech brand with earned media in this week’s Cision webinar.
Neha Khatwani, the PRCA’s public affairs, policy and research manager, talks about the new PRCA diversity guidelines and why 2018 is a pivotal year for diversity in PR.
Interviews
Charlie Teasdale, Esquire’s new style director, discusses his role, changes to the magazine’s style section and his most memorable moments at the publication.
Issa PR founder Viet N’Guyen discusses the agency’s London expansion, the brands she’s worked with and which influencers she’d like to collaborate with most.
Account wins
Munch has been appointed to handle the PR for forthcoming BBC Three comedy series Miss Holland and raise the profile of the show’s central character.
Home and fashion retailer Laura Ashley has appointed Halpern as its retained PR agency. The agency will support on special projects to help the brand celebrate its 65th anniversary this year.
Digital current account provider Loot has appointed W to expand its user base and establish its profile in the UK.
Ovarian Cancer Action has appointed Amazon PR to provide media relations support for its Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month campaign in March.
Mason Williams will provide comms support for Spanish chef Jose Pizarro and his three Pizarro restaurants.
The Breckenridge Tourist Office in Colorado has appointed The Lifestyle Agency to act as its UK press office.
Powerboat P1 Management has selected Champions (UK) to implement its global comms strategy.
Beauty brand Seoulista Beauty has appointed PR and comms consultant Naomi Scroggins to handle its UK PR.
Brand publicist Gemma Calvert will manage publicity for Dr Hazel Wallace. Calvert will support Wallace’s PR strategy, focusing on her forthcoming book release and her The Food Medic brand.
Agency news
Hotwire is entering a branded partnership with Irresistible Films to create Hotwire Reels. The partnership will allow the agency to produce global, multi-lingual video for its global network.
Finn Partners has launched TravelTech, a dedicated travel technology group. Its creation follows Finn’s acquisition of specialist travel and tourism consultancy The Brighter Group.
People news
FTI Consulting has appointed Janey Spratt as senior director in its digital practice. Reporting to senior managing director Ant Moore, Spratt will use her skills in data, creativity and engagement to support campaign development for some of the agency’s corporate digital client bases.
Brevia Consulting has appointed Rob Flello as chairman of its Brevia Transport division, as well as a member of its advisory board.
LEWIS has made three senior appointments to improve its integrated offering. Helen Ellis and James Holmes both join as directors, while Ruvina Uppal has been appointed as an associate director.
Virgin Holidays has appointed Amber Kirby as marketing and customer experience director. She will oversee the brand’s social media, with its PR and comms split between Kirby and the Virgin Atlantic PR team.
Isabel Moore has joined Disney as a communications executive. She was previously a PR assistant executive at Sky.
Muckle Media has appointed Rachel Finlay as an account director to its Edinburgh office. The agency has also promoted Ellie Wagstaff to senior account manager and Eilidh Marshall to digital account manager.
Broadcast consultancy Markettiers has appointed Jamie McNicholas as account executive. He will help manage growth in the consultancy’s Manchester office.
Clementine Communications has hired Victoria Johns as senior PR director. Her role will focus on commercial and creative responsibility.
PRCA news
The PR and Communications Council, the PRCA’s industry think tank, has made the social value and purpose of PR its main thought leadership priority in 2018.
The PRCA and Local Government Association have signed a three year service level agreement to work as a consortium and assume responsibility for the administrative management of local government comms body LGcommunications.
