M&C Saatchi PR hires consumer and corporate directors

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M&C Saatchi PR has strengthened its senior team with the appointments of Danielle Heximer and Sherawaye Hagger as consumer directors and James Page as corporate associate director.

Pictured left to right: Sherawaye Hagger, James Page and Danielle Heximer.

Prior to joining M&C Saatchi PR’s London HQ, Heximer worked at Edelman on campaigns for the likes of PayPal, Disney Life and Carphone Warehouse.

In her new role, Heximer will focus on leading key consumer clients for M&C Saatchi PR, including Curry’s PC World and the Financial Conduct Authority.

Hagger joins M&C Saatchi PR from Ogilvy PR, where she worked across global accounts such as Bacardi, Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire.

She is set to take on M&C Saatchi PR’s key lifestyle accounts, including Nude by Nature and Club Med.

Both Hagger and Heximer will report to Kat McGettigan, head of consumer at M&C Saaatchi PR.

With several years of corporate comms experience both agency and brand side at Weber Shandwick, RSSB and Thames Water, Page, James Page has been brought in to oversee a variety of accounts ranging from EDF to Alibaba.

He will report to Rowland Barran, head of corporate at M&C Saatchi PR.

Molly Aldridge, global CEO of M&C Saatchi PR, said: “We’re delighted that Danielle, Shera and James have joined us – they are all passionate, super-smart and offer the perfect skill set and expertise, adding to our great blend of talent delivering impact for both local and global clients.”

GK Strategy launches ‘GK Intelligent Planning’

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GK Strategy has launched a planning communications service GK Intelligent Planning as it looks for further integration of its public affairs, media relations and digital communications capabilities.

Emily Wallace

GK Intelligent Planning aims to support developers from initial concept, through to development, to strip out risk surrounding planning applications and to enable projects to move smoothly with stakeholder and public support.

GK’s approach will be underpinned by its existing research capability ensuring the breadth of political and public opinion, through a suite of digital and political monitoring tools, which is understood by decision makers and the wider public before a development proposal is put forward.

The team will be supported by GK’s Associate, Stephanie Elsy, who is a former director of government affairs at Serco Group and was Leader of the London Borough of Southwark during a number of major developments including the Shard, One More London, the Tate Modern and numerous housing regeneration schemes. She currently chairs her local neighbourhood forum in Emsworth which is developing a Neighbourhood Plan that will guide future development in the area.

Emily Wallace, chief executive at GK Strategy, said: “We believe that planning communications is ripe for reform and we want to be the agency to shake it up. All too often planning campaigns rely on old fashioned lobbying techniques that do too little to remove risk from the process for developers and those seeking planning permission for large developments. We want to change this.”

Elsy said: “As a former Council Leader, I know all too well how important it is for developers to work closely with local communities and other key stakeholders to build coalitions of support around their plans. Achieving this buy-in is hugely important and I look forward to supporting the team to develop and deliver the very best strategies to achieve this.”

Clementine Communications wins Metaxa UK account

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Clementine Communications has secured Metaxa’s UK PR brief following a successful re-launch event for Metaxa 12 Star at London’s Hoxton Hotel last October, with new brand ambassador, explorer Mike Horn.

Clementine Communications wins Metaxa

Clementine Communications will handle Metaxa’s UK PR activities

The London-based luxury lifestyle agency will handle Metaxa’s trade and consumer relations, increase brand awareness and facilitate interviews with the company’s senior spokespeople.

Clementine Communications also previously partnered with the Greek spirit house to arrange biannual press trips to the House of Metaxa in Athens and the island of Samos.

The agency’s portfolio of luxury lifestyle food, drink and travel clients includes Cointreau, Edgerton Pink Gin, Franciacorta, Cramele Recas and Friarwood.

LD Communications wins Vevo brief

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Online music video platform Vevo has appointed LD Communications as its UK consumer PR agency, following a five-way pitch.

Vevo

LD has been briefed to create a mix of product and content-led PR campaigns for Vevo, drawing on its background in both the music and technology industries.

The agency will also be responsible for elevating Vevo’s involvement at major music events, including The Great Escape.

The team will report to Nicola Formoy, Vevo’s Head of PR, UK and International.

Formoy said: “Vevo has bold ambitions to be the music video and entertainment destination of choice for audiences and artists, and that means we were looking for an agile, smart agency, with strong ideas and great industry knowledge to help us build the brand.

“LD has the right mix of consumer expertise alongside B2B, with the perfect team to support us across all disciplines as we continue to expand. I’m very much looking forward to working with them.”

Doug Wright, MD at LD Communications, added: “We are delighted to be working with Vevo who continue to grow and deliver video content in exciting and impactful ways. Bringing LD’s specialist mix of live, music tech and artist PR to Vevo’s products and creative output is the perfect partnership.”

AEW UK appoints Temple Bar Advisory for IPO

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AEW UK Investment Management has appointed Temple Bar Advisory as its financial PR advisor to the AEW UK Long Lease REIT, which is seeking to raise up to £150m from an IPO.

The team at Temple Bar Advisory is led by partners Ed Orlebar and Tom Allison, supported by Alycia MacAskill and Lucy Featherstone.

AEW UK Long Lease REIT looks to offer a secure, diversified and inflation-linked income return through exposure to alternative and specialist real estate sectors in the UK.

The AEW UK Long Lease REIT will invest in a diverse range of sectors that are underrepresented in institutional portfolios including leisure, healthcare, education, hotels, student accommodation, supported living and automotive.

Clifford French to drive Glenmorangie’s Open campaign

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Glenmorangie has appointed Clifford French to activate its sponsorship of the 146th Open Championship at Southport’s Royal Birkdale Golf Club in July.

Clifford French wins Glenmorangie

Golfer Justin Rose will help Clifford French activate Glenmorangie’s Open Championship campaign

The sports and entertainment agency will be working with professional golfer and Glenmorangie ambassador Justin Rose, who finished tied fourth as a 17-year-old amateur at Royal Birkdale in 1998.

Clifford French’s integrated communications campaign will combine influencer content with earned media outreach and talent hospitality.

“We’re excited about the campaign Clifford French has developed around our partnership with the Open,” said Julian Quintero, Glenmorangie’s UK senior brand manager. “We have been impressed with the team’s understanding of the influencer marketing landscape, combined with their creative ideas around how to bring the brand and key messages to life.”

Dan French, Clifford French co-founder, added: “With a clear strategy that resonates with golfers, an ambassador with a nostalgic link to the course and fantastic assets to activate: we can’t wait to get started!”

Tangerine to publicise Motoring.co.uk re-brand

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Motoring.co.uk has chosen Manchester-based PR agency Tangerine to publicise its re-branding project and manage its print and digital communications.

Motoring.co.uk’s senior management: (left to right) Steven Morrow, Stuart Parkin, Emma Green, Chris Green, Terry Hogan and John Caslim

Brand incubator Garage Soho spearheaded the creative development behind the new branding concept, and Tangerine will work closely with the team to bring it to life this summer.

The website joins tech company Garmin on Tangerine’s motoring roster. The agency celebrated a successful pitch to reinvigorate Garmin’s Sat Nav and Dash Cam offerings in March.

Terry Hogan, MD at Motoring.co.uk, said: “Tangerine has an established track record in successfully supporting a number of big motoring brands.

“So, we knew we were in good company from the outset. Their experience, topped with a clear understanding of our audiences and combined approach of strategic thinking alongside bold creativity, convinced us we had found the right team to work with.”

Mary Harding, Tangerine’s consumer MD, added: “Tangerine is continuing to build its automotive credentials and we’re very proud to add Motoring.co.uk to our client list. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with them, kicking off with a momentous year in the brand’s history.”

Maisons du Monde hires Mischief as UK PR agency

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Mischief has been chosen as the first retained UK consumer PR agency for interiors retailer Maisons du Monde (UK), following a competitive pitch.

Maisons du Monde

Mischief will handle the launch of Maisons du Monde’s 2017 collection in the UK, as well as create “fame-driving” campaigns.

Mischief associate director Jess Buttress will lead the account and report to Maisons du Monde’s head of UK marketing, Jamie Forshaw.

Forshaw said: “Mischief’s understanding and passion for our style-conscious customer shone through. Not only do they have superb knowledge of the world of interiors, they showed great creative thinking that will bring the brand to life in a really exciting and memorable way.”

Buttress added: “Maisons du Monde is a brand packed with personality, making them the perfect partner for Mischief. It’s a hugely exciting opportunity for us to launch an incredible brand to UK media and we’re really excited to work with them.”

Social Communications hires Tony Whittingham

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PR & Public Affairs consultancy Social Communications has hired account director Tony Whittingham, who will lead on marketing services for its growing list of clients across the UK. 

Tony Whittingham

Whittingham joins the team at the head office of Social Communications, which is based in central Manchester.  The agency employs 23 members of staff with offices also in London and Leeds.

Working with clients across construction, infrastructure, housing, property and professional services, Social Communications offers a range of communications services including PR, public affairs, planning consultation, sales marketing and creative design.

Caty Cartwright, director at Social Communications, said: “Tony’s appointment is another milestone for the agency as we continue to diversify and strengthen our services.

“With his former experience, Tony will help to formalise our existing marketing offer and firmly add another string to our bow.  Not only will this strengthen the planning consultation, PR and design services that we already provide, it will also ensure that we can maximise our growth potential across all of our three offices.”

Clarity PR to promote portable vapourizers

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Firefly has enlisted Clarity PR to handle UK communications for its range of portable vapourizers, created by ex-Apple designer Mark Williams and Silicon Valley entrepreneur Sasha Robinson.

Clarity PR wins Firefly

Clarity PR will help bring Firefly’s premium vapourizers to the UK market

The agency will oversee Firefly’s UK communications strategy, including media relations, reviews, events, thought leadership and speaking opportunities.

Baran Dilaver, Firefly’s COO and head of marketing, said Clarity has the right experience to bring – what Newsweek has dubbed – “the iPhone of vapourizers” to a UK audience.

He said: “The Clarity PR team has a track record of being able to take new, innovative premium products and to design campaigns to launch them to new audiences. Clarity PR was the best choice for us to work with on this exciting next stage of our product expansion.”

Sara Collinge, Clarity PR’s UK MD, added: “We at Clarity PR feel that we are best placed to help Firefly fully realise their business needs and the team are excited to help facilitate its expansion into the UK market.”