QVC UK appoints instinct pr as retained UK PR agency

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Consumer agency instinct pr has been appointed as the retained UK consumer PR agency for multi-media retailer QVC, following a competitive pitch last month.

QVC UK

QVC UK combines digital retailing, live TV, which reaches 27 million UK homes. It sells brands including Amanda Wakeley, Lulu Guinness, Benefit, Elemis, Nails Inc, Kelly Hoppen, Biba, Links of London, Apple and Dyson.

instinct pr will manage all UK PR activity across QVC’s fashion, jewellery, accessories and home categories.

The PR strategy will include new brand launches, product placement, digital influencer engagement and press events, with a key focus on increasing coverage levels and increasing brand awareness and engagement.

Agency directors Jonathan Kirkby and Juliet Price will lead the account which will sit across instinct pr’s fashion and consumer teams.

Jayne Bristow, QVC UK’s director of brand and comms, said: “We are pleased to partner with instinct pr and look forward to working with them to extend the reach and relevance of QVC amongst the UK consumer.”

Kirkby added: “QVC is a huge client win for us and we can’t wait to get started. We’re proud to have such an iconic brand with a huge amount of creative potential on our books that will see us deliver some of our most exciting work to date. We are committed to taking QVC to the next level alongside its talented and passionate in-house team.”

Modus Publicity continues to work across QVC’s beauty portfolio and Flagship Consulting leads all trade and corporate comms activity.

Lottoland hires Laura Pearson as head of corporate affairs

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Lottoland has hired Camelot’s Laura Pearson as head of corporate affairs. She will join the organisation in May.

Laura Pearson

Pearson was head of global corporate affairs at Camelot,  which owns The National Lottery brand. Before her five years in the business, she worked for Whitbread and ITV, and has experience across corporate communications and Government relations. Lottoland’s stakeholders encompass corporate, consumer and trade.

Pearson said: “Lottoland’s UK and its global operations are a fascinating example of innovation within the betting industry, and I am really looking forward to joining.”

She will report to Lottoland CEO Nigel Birrell.

He added: “We’re delighted to welcome Laura on board to lead our corporate affairs team, and have no doubt she will be an invaluable addition to our organisation.

“Our ever-expanding lottery betting offer continues to entice new waves of customers and brings with it new challenges. As such it is crucial we employ top talent to ensure success across the board – Laura  will help us do just that.”

Lottoland is a platform which allows its users to bet on some of the world’s major lotteries.

Highland Marketing hires strategy and content director

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PR and marketing agency Highland Marketing has appointed Lyn Whitfield to the new role of strategy and content director.

Lyn Whitfield

A former journalist, Whitfield has specialised in writing about and working for the public sector and the NHS, as well as the IT companies seeking to digitise healthcare.

Mark Venables, chief executive officer at Highland Marketing, said: “We are a dedicated partner for healthcare technology organisations that want to make a real impact in healthcare.

“Our knowledge of the sector and our range of PR, marketing and content creation skills are vital assets and Lyn will strengthen these, while bringing a fresh perspective to our work and our clients.”

Whitfield began her career in local newspapers, but has specialised in B2B, healthcare publications for nearly 20 years.

She added: “Joining Highland Marketing is an opportunity for me to use my skills in a new environment, to promote the growth of the agency, and to support its clients.

“I am very much looking forward to the challenge and, in particular, to working with companies looking to introduce innovative and effective technology to the NHS, its staff and patients.”

Whitfield will provide strategic advice and content support to the agency, and will work with clients on thought leadership, case studies and other communications.

 

AMEC 2017: Cision’s Kevin Akeroyd to talk data, measurement, technology and comms

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Kevin Akeroyd, global CEO of Cision, is delivering a keynote on the data, measurement and technology revolution and how it will change the comms world at the AMEC summit next month.

Kevin Akeroyd

Akeroyd will speak at AMEC’s Global Summit on Measurement, which is debuting in Asia for the first time and will be held in Bangkok on May 17 and 18.

He said: “I am excited to speak with the industry’s leaders at this world-class event. Cision is at the forefront of exciting data, identity and technological innovation in the communications industry that allows communications professionals to connect their campaigns to business outcomes and finally realise that “holy grail” of not just measurement, but actual attribution. I am looking forward to sharing my views on what I see as the future of data-driven communications.”

Akeroyd’s presentation, Cloud Data, Technology and Measurement Transformation: finally coming to the Communications World, will centre on how the data, measurement and technology revolution is now happening in communications and earned media, having already transformed sales, services, marketing, commerce and advertising.

Another focus of his keynote will be how to bring data, identity, and attribution on par with other disciplines, and how the industry should be able to bring investment back.

At the Summit, the winners of the 2017 AMEC awards will be announced. Cision has nine entries on the shortlist.

  • AMEC is the world’s largest media intelligence and insights professional body with more than 150 members in 85 countries. To find out more information on the summit and the awards, please visit amecorg.com.

 

Gender pay gap at 7.5% for marketing professionals as mandatory reporting comes into effect

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Employers will publish their gender pay gap figures from today as the UK becomes one of the first countries to make it compulsory. The gap is currently at 7.5% for marketing associate professionals, compared to the national average of 18.1%.

In September 2016, a Global Women in PR report showed a £12,600 pay gap between the salaries of men and women working in PR.

Francis Ingham MPRCA, director general at the PRCA, explained how the latest government requirement affects PR professionals: “The PR and communications industry is aware of the issue and is responding to it. When we surveyed the industry in August 2015, 80% of respondents said that the industry should voluntarily adopt a lower limit than the 250 employee limit proposed by the Government, which is why the PRCA is committed to annual gender pay gap reporting and including it in the industry kitemark’s diversity module.”

Voluntary, private and public sector employers with 250 or more employees will be required to publish their figures by April 2018. The regulations will cover approximately 9,000 employers – with more than 15m employees – representing nearly half of the UK’s workforce.

Minister for Women and Equalities Justine Greening added: “Helping women to reach their full potential isn’t only the right thing to do, it makes good economic sense and is good for British business. I am proud that the UK is championing gender equality and now those employers that are leading the way will clearly stand out with these requirements.”

As part of the new regulations, employers will be required to publish their median gender pay gap figures, publish their mean gender pay gap figures, publish the proportion of men and women in each quartile of the pay structure and publish the gender pay gaps for any bonuses paid out during the year.

Kaizo launches world’s first augmented driving device Navdy

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Kaizo has been hired for the UK launch of Navdy, which it says is the world’s first augmented driving device. It uses augmented reality (AR) to project information as a transparent image directly in the driver’s line of sight.

Navdy

The device puts maps, calls, messages, notifications, email, music, and car diagnostic information directly in front of the driver and will be in retail this month.

At CES 2017, it was an Innovation Award Honouree for Virtual Reality and CES 2017 Innovation Award Honouree for Vehicle Intelligence.

Gareth Jones, VP and general manager of EMEA and Commonwealth at Navdy, said: “This is a completely new type of device that can help turn any car into a connected car, giving drivers an amazing driving experience.

“Kaizo’s track record in bringing brands like Fitbit to the UK market made it the obvious choice to help build not just the Navdy brand, but to own this exciting new category.”

Rhodri Harries, MD of Kaizo, added: “We are excited to be working with this truly disruptive brand, and will be activating an earned and social programme to educate, inspire and of course stimulate sales.

“The programme is based on developing a groundswell of influential support and advocacy through personal experience, context and reviews.”

Hacks vs Flaks announces teams and sponsors

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An all-star cast of PRs and journalists are all set to go head to head this Sunday (9 April) in the 10th Hacks vs Flaks Easter Sports Day.  

The 10th Hacks vs Flaks Easter Sports Day will take place on Sunday 9 April.

A record haul of over £13,000 has been raised for national wheelchair sports charity WheelPower, thanks to lead sponsors Amazon and Nationwide and co-sponsors EY, Direct Line and FTI Consulting.

All eyes will be on the football and netball action at 12pm down at the Bank of England Sports Centre as the Flaks look to bounce back from last year’s dominant display from the Hacks.

The players will be joined at the reception afterwards at 2pm by WheelPower ambassadors and Paralympians Jess Stretton MBE and Issy Bailey.

“Do come down for an action packed afternoon of sport and networking and an opportunity to meet some truly inspirational Paralympic athletes,” said FTI Consulting’s Ed Berry.

The teams are as follows:

Football Teams:

Hacks
Nick Clark, Freelance (Captain)
Dan Hyde, Daily Mail
Callum Brodie, Moneysavingexpert
James Titcomb, Telegraph
Sam Brodbeck, Telegraph
​Richard Partington, Bloomberg​
Alex Ralph, The Times
John McDermott, The Economist
Matthew Pettipher, Financial Times
Tom Harvey, Freelance
Thomas Hale, Financial Times
Stephen Morris, Bloomberg
Mark Kleinman, Sky News
Kaya Burgess, The Times 
​Hamish Birrell, The Economist​

Flaks
Jamie Ricketts, MHP (Captain)
Tom White, FTI Consulting
Doug Campbell, Tulchan
Eden Black, Nationwide
Simon Thiel, Milltown Partners
Nick Hennis, Camarco
Calum Macdougall, Lansons
Adam Davidson, FTI Consulting
Alex Brennan, Hudson Sandler
Oliver Sherwood, Brunswick
Carl-Philip Brandgard, Herbert Smith
Craig Terrington, Fidelity
Tom Lewis, Finsbury
Tom Portingdale, Nationwide


Netball Teams

Hacks (As)
Anna White, Freelancer (Captain)
Chloe Beach, Sky
Emma Dow, Telegraph
Vicky Monk, Telegraph
Lynsey Hooper, BBC
Caroline Hamilton, Freelancer

Flaks (As)
Vicky Conybeer, EY (Captain)
Emma Walsh, Brunswick
Emma Jack , Grant Thornton
Hannah Blackmore, Grant Thornton
Becky Deeming, Toy & Hobby Association
Emma Beaumont, Consultant
Harriet Scott, Redwood
Sarah Cann, Good Relations
Rebecca Gwilliam, Portland

Hacks (Bs)
Ros Snowdon, Yorkshire Post (Captain)
Inderdeep Bains, Daily Mail
Claire Ellicott, Daily Mail
Lauren York, The Times
Sanchez Manning, Mail on Sunday
Alisha Rouse, Daily Mail
Jodie McEwan, The Times

Flaks (Bs)
Claire Duffy (EY) (Captain)
Charlotte Miller, Portland
Wendy Watherson, Grant Thornton
Rose Williams, Portland
Isabel Stoddart, Redwood
Lucy Noakes, Finsbury
Sarah Walker, Redwood
Tahlie Cooper, Good Relations
Natasha Lee, Redwood
Laura Rudolph, Good Relations
Alexandra Williams, Portland

Infection Prevention Society hires Forster Communications

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Forster Communications has been selected by the Infection Prevention Society to help position the organisation as the UK’s leading authority on infection prevention and control.

Forster will help position the Infection Prevention Society as the UK’s leading authority on infection prevention and control.

Following a recent campaign to inform and educate patients on seasonal infections, Forster is now promoting Infection Prevention Society’s voice on a range of key healthcare issues, including healthcare associated infections and antimicrobial resistance.

The agency, which was appointed following a competitive pitch, will support the Infection Prevention Society – which represents around 2,000 healthcare professionals working in infection prevention and control – with media engagement to highlight its value to patients, healthcare providers and wider society.

Dr Neil Wigglesworth, president of the Infection Prevention Society, said: “We’re excited to be working with Forster, who bring strong experience in communicating important healthcare issues. Our aim is that no person is harmed by a preventable infection, and Forster’s expertise will play a key part in helping us engage with the public, our members and key healthcare decision makers to achieve this.”

Amanda Powell-Smith, chief executive of Forster Communications, added: “The Infection Prevention Society has a crucial role and we are delighted to be working with it to help ensure patient safety, protect vital NHS resources and influence healthcare policy. Providing clear and compelling communications is crucial in healthcare, and we look forward to bringing our experience to the challenge.”

Weber Shandwick and Hope&Glory among winners at PRCA Digital Awards

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At the inaugural PRCA Digital Awards last night (5 April), Weber Shandwick and Hope&Glory won multiple awards, and Ketchum’s Stephen Waddington was recognised in the Outstanding Contribution category.

Stephen Waddington, who was recognised in the Oustanding Contribution category

Weber Shandwick won in Best Use of Video in a Campaign and in Best Use of Social Influencers in a Campaign with its ‘#BrutalCut for ActionAid UK’ campaign. It also won Digital Agency of the Year.

Hope&Glory and Virgin Active won Best Digital Marketing Campaign with ‘We’ve got a workout for that…’ and Best Use of a Specific Platform in a Campaign for its ‘#pimpmyprotein: Creating a Cult Fitness Brand’ campaign with STRIPPD.

British Heart Foundation and Metropolitan Police Service were also among the winners, and Grayling’s Ellie Schofield from Grayling was awarded Digital Professional of the Year. PR Moment’s Ben Smith won in the Best Digital Journalist/Blogger category.

See the full list of award winners here.

 

The Adecco Group appoints Octopus

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Switzerland-based staffing firm, The Adecco Group, has appointed Octopus Group as its retained UK & Ireland PR agency. The decision follows a five-way pitch.

Tom Holland

Octopus will work with The Adecco Group’s in-house team to reinforce the company’s position as a thought leader within the HR and talent space; building awareness and engagement among both employers and candidates. The consultancy will promote existing thought leadership programmes, such as Way to Work: CEO for One Month, as well as new, UK-specific programmes.

David Malkinson, chief marketing officer, North America, UK & I – general staffing at The Adecco Group UK & Ireland, said: “We were really impressed with the team at Octopus’ knowledge and experience of our sector, and the creative approach they have demonstrated. Their integrated approach, where PR sits at the heart of a wider inbound marketing programme, was also exactly the direction we were looking to take.”

Octopus will also support a number of The Adecco Group’s recruitment and HR services brands, including Adecco, Office Angels, Badenoch & Clark and Modis.

Tom Holland, group director at Octopus Group, added: “We’ll be looking to drive awareness and engagement with key audiences, and to help integrate PR and social media into a broader brand to sales programme. We’re really excited about this win and, in particular, about working with the team at The Adecco Group who clearly have some exciting ambitions.”