Six PRCA-recommended tips to manage staff mental health

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#FuturePRoof: watch PRs from M&C Saatchi PR and more talk on mental health

A #FuturePRoof report, launched with the PRCA, has shown that mental health in PR is either frequently ignored, or managed as a performance issue. The PRCA gives its six top tips for managers to handle such issues in the work place.

#FuturePRoof’s report, which included the participation of 120 self-selected PR practitioners that have experienced poor mental health in their career, shows that 57.6% would be uncomfortable, or very uncomfortable, to talk about their mental health with a line manager. Alternately, 37.7% said they would be comfortable.

Furthermore, many practitioners are unaware whether their sickness policy at work specifically addresses mental health. Some 53.3% said they were unaware of a policy, 14.2% reported that their workplace did have a policy and 32.5% reported that it did not.

#FuturePRoof also uncovered an ‘extreme’ case where mental illness was cited as grounds for dismissal in an employment contract; a move that breaches the Equality Act 2010 which prohibits such actions.

Paul Sutton, an independent consultant, said in the report: “My belief is that the communications industry has always put the job first and people second. There exists a very strong ‘yes culture’, where no ridiculous deadline is un-achievable and no unrealistic expectation is too much trouble. Personal lives and issues take a back seat. It’s a historic thing that’s not changed in all my time working in marketing communications.

“To compound that, senior communications people aren’t trained to recognise the signs of stress or to manage issues. Quite simply, we don’t know how to deal with personal stress and pressure, and that’s where the real problem lies.

“If management personnel knew a) how to recognise when someone is suffering from a mental health issue, and b) what to do about it, that would go a long, long way to solving the problem.”

Here are the PRCA’s six tips to manage mental health in the workplace:

1. The cost of mental health to public relations and the broader business community is well known. Make mental health and wellbeing a priority issue within your management team.

2. Company policies and procedures should cover sickness due to mental health. Provide clear signposting and training to all employees and managers on policies and procedures.

3. Where resources do not exist within an organisation, access external support such as the resources listed in this report. Small organisations should consider retaining specialised support.

4. Removing the stigma around the issue of mental health in the workplace will have the single biggest impact on positive outcomes. Create safe environments to encourage staff to talk about how they feel with each other and with managers.

5. Respect the boundaries between the personal and work lives of your employees that may otherwise have been eroded by mobile technology. Consider flexible working and home working as solutions to help employees manage their work lives and personal lives.

6. Examples of proactive employee support for mental health and wellbeing include: employee assistance programmes; subsidised exercise; mental health awareness training; and wellness action plans.

EliteSingles hands UK and Ireland brief to Mash PR

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Online dating company EliteSingles has handed London-based Mash PR a retained brief for the UK and Ireland.

Mash PR’s remit spans consumer, brand and corporate activity for EliteSingles

EliteSingles specifically targets professionals aged 35 and over, who are actively seeking long-term relationships with “like-minded” people. It uses an “extensive personality test” and “in-depth verification process” to offer users the best chance of receiving compatible matches.

The company is privately owned and boasts year-on-year growth of more than 20%, with over 800,000 new membership registrations per month.

Mash PR’s remit spans consumer, brand and corporate activity, encompassing a mix of executive profiling, thought leadership, influencer relations and consumer ‘advice-led’ press campaigns.

The consultancy will also support the brand’s ongoing marketing activities through editorial placement and influencer endorsement.

Bart Visser, director of brand marketing at EliteSingles, said: “We love Mash PR’s enthusiasm and tenacity. The team is driven by results and solutions – their approach is resourceful, fast and strategic. We were looking for a dynamic PR partner in the UK market that would invest time in getting to grips with our brand and our target audience.

“Mash PR has done a great job in providing a thoughtful and pragmatic service. This is an exciting year for EliteSingles and we’re pleased to have Mash PR by our side as we continue to grow our business in the UK and Ireland.”

Stu Campbell-Carran, founder and CEO at Mash PR, added: “We have extensive experience within the dating space and it is a sector that we really enjoy – because ultimately we help people find love. EliteSingles has a defined consumer offering, providing a premium online dating service for people who want much more than a quick hook up.

“Its target users approach finding love in a considered, methodical and thoughtful way, which mean our comms must also marry up to that mindset. We’re excited to work together to execute a series of insightful press and influencer campaigns, positioning EliteSingles as the voice of authority for serious dating.”

This week’s top trending features on Gorkana News

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Your bitesize update on the best PR opinion, interviews, events and insights on Gorkana News:

PR Case Study: The Real Mr Darcy
TV channel Drama wanted to create a PR campaign to promote its Jane Austen season, which would launch on 12 February. To fire up media attention, UKTV’s in-house PR team, in partnership with Taylor Herring, decided to find out what Jane Austen’s beloved character, Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, really would have looked like…and there’s not a Colin Firth look-a-like in sight!

Opinion: Why wine PR doesn’t have to leave you with a headache
Influencing people to buy and drink wine doesn’t sound like a tough job – but as one of the most “saturated” categories in FMCG, wine brands face a difficult challenge in standing out on the shelf. Rachel Watt, account manager at W Communications, shares five ways PRs can gain cut through in one of the most crowded markets – including a soon to be popular take on “desk research”.

Webinar: The rise of earned media and how to achieve integrated comms
Brands that do not acknowledge the importance of earned media are ‘missing a trick’, according to Patrick Barrett, MD at Simpatico PR (pictured),  who took part in our latest webinar. Alongside Tom Ritchie, Cision’s EMEA product and marketing director, he discussed why content is becoming increasingly important for brands and how to create the perfect integrated comms plan.

Insight: Five reasons PR has an edge in content creation
Five PR agencies, which took part in a recent Content Marketing Association (CMA) roundtable, explain why having PR at the core of their business has helped them become successful in content.

 

Karma and Engine make Sunday Times 100 Best Companies list

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Karma Communications Group and Engine have been made it onto The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2017 list. The Communications Store has made its debut in the 2017 Best Small Companies to Work For list.

The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2017

In the main list, the highest entry, taking 39th place, is Karma Communications Group, which includes PR firm Kaper amongst its roster.

Founded in 2000, Karma has a staff of 248, 63% of which earn more than £35000 a year. The average staff age is 33, and there is a 52:48 male/female ratio.

Senior managers are said to play an active role in social as well as creative endeavours. There are monthly birthday lunches, as well as an annual subsidised ski trip.

In November 2016, Karma Communications Group was bought by global professional services provider Accenture, which came 15th in this year’s Sunday Times 30 Best Big Companies list.

Engine, which includes PR firms MHP and Mischief among its roster, took the 74th spot this year. The comms group has been on the list for the last seven years.

Engine, which launched in 2005, has a staff of 720 operating from its London HQ and three satellite offices around the country. 64% of the team earn £35000+, and there is a 53:47 male/female ratio.

CEO Debbie Klein has allocated a bonus budget to every department for spontaneous rewards to those who go “the extra mile”. All new joiners also attend a welcome breakfast with Klein and group MD Simon Peck.

Other staff incentives include extra days of leave, themed get-togethers, weekly yoga classes and a choir.

Last year, team-building exercises included a day of challenges on a private island on the Thames.

The Communications Store has made its first appearance on The Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For 2017 list, taking the 100th spot.

Based in London, clients include Jimmy Choo and Topshop. The average age of its 142-strong team is 30. Some 48% of the entire team earn £35000+.

The agency gives each of its employees 48 hours a year to take on volunteer work, and raised £20,000 last year matching their fundraising work.

Training provided for staff received “overwhelming” positive feedback, with programmes for personal growth and one-on-one coaching sessions included.

firstlight chosen by Swedish fintech unicorn Klarna

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Klarna, which was recently voted one of the top ten most disruptive companies in the world by CNBC, has appointed firstlight to build awareness of its payments solution among consumers and retailers in the UK.

Paul Davies

Luke Griffiths, general manager of Klarna UK, said: “firstlight has already played a huge role in helping us build our profile and create new partnerships. Impressive media results have boosted brand awareness and generated important new business opportunities for us. We’re looking forward to continuing our partnership to take Klarna to the next level in the UK.”

Founded in Stockholm in 2005, Klarna offers online payment solutions to 65,000 merchants and 45m consumers worldwide. Backed by Sequoia Capital and active in 18 markets, the company’s goal is to become the world’s favourite way to buy.

Paul Davies, founder and managing director at firstlight, added: “Klarna is one of Europe’s most successful and ambitious fintech businesses. It’s brilliant to be working with such an innovative company during this exciting period of growth.”

firstlight recently hired Teneo Blue Rubicon’s Sam Bevans as an associate director on its corporate team.

Metia Group appoints new vice president EMEA

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B2B marketing agency Metia Group has appointed Stuart Handley as vice president Europe Middle East Africa (EMEA).

Stuart Handley

In his new role, Stuart will be based in London and take responsibility for leading the development and delivery of content marketing, social media, lead generation and communications campaigns at the global agency.

Most recently, Handley was VP of brand at Mimecast, where he led communications for its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on Nasdaq.

Previously, his senior communications and marketing roles have encompassed an in-house position at Dell Technologies and agency-side roles at Text100 and Hill+Knowlton.

Handley said: “Metia has built an impressive record helping its clients grow their businesses. Its focus on delivering measurable results meets the demand from CMOs for strategies that show clear impact on the business. That said, hitting the numbers is only part of the story.

“I wanted to join because Metia delivers this impact with work that also shows creative flair and innovation in digital marketing. CMOs get the best of both worlds if you like – results that move the business and stand-out campaigns they can be proud of.”

Handley will work with technology brands such as Microsoft, Dell, Misys and Workday. In 2015 and 2016 Metia Group delivered programmes across 48 EMEA countries.

Steve Ellis, chief executive officer at Metia Group, added: “We are confident that Stuart will provide the experience and drive to keep the business expanding in the UK and the rest of EMEA.”

Thom James joins Fever as head of social

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Fever has brought in Dentsu’s Thom James as its new head of social, as the agency looks to further enhance its digital offering.

Thom James

James joins the Fever board from from Dentsu’s digital creative shop Isobar, where he has headed up the agency’s social division since 2013.

At Isobar, James led Kellogg’s EMEA social media programme, IKEA’s UK social and digital business and AB InBev’s World Cup and Wimbledon campaigns for Budweiser and Stella Artois.

James has also worked on a number of award-winning social and digital campaigns. He was responsible for launching American Express and Tesco Mobile’s social programmes, led social strategies for retailer Next and Coca-Cola’s vitamin water, and launched P&G’s influencer programme for Aussie Haircare.

In his new role at Fever, James will be responsible for growing the agency’s digital offering. He will lead a team of specialists that already includes designers, photographers, videographers, animators and social campaign managers.

He will also take board responsibility for Fever’s current social clients, which include Logitech, The True Honey Company, Ultimate Ears, Black Tower, Dinosaurs in the Wild and Jaybird.

Bruce McLachlan, MD of Fever, said: “While we have invested substantially in our video and social content studio capabilities over the past twelve months, we’re now increasingly seeing our clients look to us to drive and develop full social strategies that cover paid as well as earned.

“Thom’s experience in this space, as well as in developing influencer relations programmes, will be integral to our future growth. Three of our last four client wins have been as a result of our social content capability as much as our publicity experience, and Thom’s appointment will further enforce our ability to develop through-the-line, integrated campaigns for our partners.”

James added: “Fever understand that great storytelling works irrespective of channel, and the best creative sits at the intersection of PR, content and social. The number of recent wins that allow Fever to deliver on that blend of disciplines shows clients also buy into that way of thinking, and I’m looking forward to helping the agency build on what’s already an extremely strong platform.”

Instinctif Partners expands property client portfolio

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Instinctif Partners has added Keller Williams, Savills, Union Developments and Nested to its property portfolio.

Laura O’Connell

Estate agency Keller Williams has appointed Instinctif as it looks to expand its UK operations. The team will deliver a multi-channel, profile-raising communications programme.

Instinctif has been appointed by Savills to promote The Camden Collection, a group of new and renovated homes in the London Borough of Camden, and by Union Developments to promote its latest project, a new residential and commercial development on Mare Street.

Also, Nested has retained Instinctif to raise its profile in the property space. The firm acts as a chain-breaker, promising to sell a house within 90 days or lend the seller money for their next house purchase, interest-free.

Laura O’Connell, managing partner at Instinctif Partners, said: “Our ability to combine a cross-section of relevant skills that cover the length and breadth of the property industry ensures that we can offer an unrivalled service under one roof. Bringing together these specialist services under a workable integrated framework has been a real game changer and has attracted a number of new clients.”

With these wins, Instinctif’s property team has grown to more than 25 team members.

On 21 February, Instinctif Partners hosted the first in a series of events for the property industry. Its debut event discussed the implications of the Housing White Paper in London with the deputy mayor for housing, James Murray, offering insight alongside other industry leaders from Redrow, Savills and Future Housing Review.

Newgate appoints head of recruitment

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Corporate communications agency Newgate has appointed Angela Thomas as its first head of recruitment. She will work across Newgate and its parent company AIM-listed Porta Communications plc.

Angela Thomas

Thomas, the former head of agency and corporate practice at communications recruiter Ellwood Atfield, will report to Porta HR director Annmarie Stephenson. She will work closely with senior management and support Porta Group companies including Publicasity and 21:12.

Gavin Devine, chief executive of Newgate and chief operating officer of Porta, said: “Bringing Angela into our team means that we have constant access to a highly experienced recruiter.  Having her in-house will allow us to promote Newgate’s employer brand, and ensure that we attract talented candidates who best fit our company culture. This is a step change in our approach to on-boarding staff; Angela will make a huge impact on Newgate and on Porta.”

Thomas added: “I am delighted to be joining Newgate at an exciting time of strong growth, and I am looking forward to helping to augment what is already an impressive and committed team.”

 

 

Mash PR appointed by National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society

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Mash PR has been appointed by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) to raise awareness of the autoimmune condition.

Mash PR has been retained by the NRAS to raise awareness of the chronic disease, that of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and the charity’s work in the field. The agency is working on a part-pro-bono basis, providing NRAS with services including influencer relations, fundraising support, media relations, public affairs, lobbying, social media and events.

The first press campaigns for NRAS will launch in February to support RA Awareness Week 2017, which runs from 19 to 25 June.

Sally Wright, head of marketing and communication at NRAS, said: “We appointed Mash PR as our retained agency because we wanted a fresh, energetic and tenacious approach to media. RA and JIA are unknown conditions and having met several agencies we feel that Mash PR is best equipped to blow the lid on this. The Mash team are fun to work with – its creative approach to handling a serious brief really impressed us.”

Across the UK there are around 690,000 people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) which is an autoimmune condition which can, if left untreated, lead to disability and a shortened lifespan.

Stu Campbell-Carran, CEO at Mash PR, added: “We decided to work with NRAS as there is a clearly defined need for PR to support its cause. Awareness of RA in the UK is very low and there is also a great deal of confusion as to what the condition actually is, as it is so frequently confused with osteoarthritis. This means that we can make a measurable difference by supporting NRAS with activity to increase education and raise awareness.”

As local MP for Maidenhead, Berkshire, where the NRAS is based, UK Prime Minister Theresa May is the charity’s patron.