Confessions of an intern: part three

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As the second week of my internship is coming to an end, my time at Gorkana is almost up. This week has been quite hectic with a schedule full of fun yet educational things.

I’ll confess that the week did start off in a miserable way with the horrendous tube strike that caused me to miss most of my Monday morning. It’s funny how trains have such a direct impact on your mood. But let’s not dwell on the slight negative part of the beginning of the week.

The rest of the week has gone by so fast with me wondering how time flies so quickly. I had the chance to experience a day with the events team at the annual sales kick off which I won’t talk about in detail as you can read all about our adventures in my previous post. 

My main aim of this last week was to get more knowledgeable about what several departments do at Gorkana and to connect all the pieces of the puzzle.

The highlights of this week, apart from the sales kick-off, have been:

  • Shadowing some of the very friendly insights staff across all the stages of the analysis process –  starting from working with the data analysts to the operations manager who is responsible for overseeing all of the above and dealing with any issues. I have to confess this department has been fascinating. If you’re anything like me, anything that involves numbers and charts seems nearly impossible to do, and yet these guys make it look so easy.
  • Attending a client meeting with one of the account directors of a global PR agency. 
  • Shadowing the media research team, who are responsible for updating the media database and all the different bits and pieces on MyGorkana.

All in all, my two weeks at one of the leading media intelligence companies has been an educational roller coaster, meeting new people, facing some challenges and having a blast.

 

Scottish FA comms chief to join Frame

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Frame, the Glasgow-based creative marketing and communications agency, has appointed Darryl Broadfoot, Scottish FA’s head of communications and corporate affairs, as a partner in its PR division.

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Darryl Broadfoot

Broadfoot takes up his new post on 27 March and will be joined by Big Partnership account manager Paddy Baxter in April.

Stephen McCranor, co-founder and managing partner at Frame PR, said: “Darryl and Paddy’s appointments give us seven PR specialists as part of a 60-strong agency, and provide more muscle to a multi-disciplinary offering that can truly compete at any level in the UK.

“Darryl’s appointment further enhances our credentials in sports PR and sponsorship activation, and we see this as a real growth area for the business in the year ahead.”

Broadfoot added: “After more than a decade in sports media, and seven years at the Scottish FA, I am energised by this latest challenge, and share Stephen’s vision to grow Frame PR’s reputation domestically and abroad.”

Frame’s PR division was set up two years ago by McCranor in a joint venture with Frame and the Andrew Wilson and Malcolm Robertson-owned Charlotte Street Partners. Frame recently moved into a new headquarters in Pacific Quay, Glasgow.

Frontierpay appoints Bottle

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Specialist foreign exchange broker Frontierpay has appointed Bottle to share its business insight and raise brand awareness.

Frontierpay has appointed Bottle to increase its profile within national and trade press, including the payroll, human resources, business and expat media. Bottle will help the company voice its expertise on the complexities of outsourcing international payments for employees.

Frontierpay works with businesses to ensure that their overseas-based staff are paid on time, and in the right currency – an essential process that is often fraught with difficulties, such as navigating complex markets and uncompetitive exchange rates. It manages in excess of $1 billion annually, making payments in 140 currencies to more than 180 countries.

Bottle will help boost Frontierpay’s profile through content positioning, media relations and light social media management. Through the use of its daily 7.30am newsroom, Bottle will position senior members of the Frontierpay team as thought leaders on the process, difficulties and ultimate importance to businesses of an effective foreign payments strategy.

Owain Walters, CEO at Frontierpay, said: “Our partnership with Bottle is proof of the growth and development taking place at Frontierpay and we look forward to working with them to take Frontierpay into its next stage of maturity. The global payments industry is an exciting space to be in right now, as more companies than ever before begin to branch out and employ staff overseas. Negotiating complex exchange fees and organising international payments across a number of continents feels like alien territory to many of these businesses and we look forward to working with Bottle to shed some light on this complex area.”

Holly Tyzack, head of editorial at Bottle, said: “We have a proud history at Bottle of working with clients in the financial services sector, and so we are very excited to now be working with Frontierpay. The ability to pay staff on time, every time is a cornerstone for any business, however, many of us might not be aware of the finer details of what this process involves when those employees are based abroad. We feel that this a fascinating area in the financial services arena and we’re confident that with Frontierpay, we will have some great stories to tell.”

Powerscourt supports Bank of Cyprus listing on the LSE

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Powerscourt supported Bank of Cyprus, the banking and financial services group, as it listed its shares on the main market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) on 19 January.

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From left to right: chairman of Bank of Cyprus, Dr Josef Ackermann, CEO of the London Stock Exchange Group, Xavier Rolet and CEO of Bank of Cyprus, John Hourican

Bank of Cyprus listed with a market capitalisation of €1.5 billion (£1.3 billion).

Powerscourt has advised Bank of Cyprus on financial and corporate communications since 2014, during the bank’s turnaround under CEO John Hourican.

He said: “Powerscourt plays a crucial role in communicating our strategy and we are benefiting from its first-class strategic communications advice and execution ability.”

Since 2014, Powerscourt has supported Bank of Cyprus through its successful return to the debt capital markets after a 10-year absence and its full repayment of Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) funding.

Director Karen Le Cannu led the Powerscourt team which includes consultant Alex Rowbottom and analysts Sofie Brewis and Callum Junor.

Brands2Life launches in US with San Francisco opening

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Rene Musech

Brands2Life has today launched its first US office in San Francisco and appointed Rene Musech as managing director of Brands2Life US.

The US team will act as an extension of the agency’s London operations and launches with a portfolio of clients including Collinson Group, a business which “influences customer behaviour to drive revenue and value for clients”;  Fairsail, the global HR and people management system provider; and publisher Informa – with an initial brief to promote Internet of Things World 2017.

It will also develop and execute global strategies and creative campaigns, as well as provide US media and influencer relations for Brands2Life’s clients. The team specialises in enterprise technology, digital, mobile, security, AI and robotics. Brands2Life San Francisco will be based on 2nd St. in the heart of SoMa.

Musech formerly served as head of Liberty Communication’s San Francisco office. Prior to this, she worked in the business and technology practice in Brands2Life in London.

Giles Fraser, Brands2Life co-founder, said: “Over 50 per cent of Brands2Life’s current work is international and involves strategy, integrated communications, content creation for digital and social channels, international co-ordination and implementation. Our expansion to the US enables us to serve our clients on the ground on both sides of the Atlantic and further our ability to provide the industry’s best international campaign support.”

Sarah Scales, Brands2Life co-founder, added:  “Clients have repeatedly asked when we are going to bring our unique approach to the US and our Better Stories | Bigger Impact  offering. With the opening of our San Francisco office we are now meeting that need.”

Musech concluded: “Brands2Life has long been a global leader in integrated, creative communications and international campaign strategy. I’m thrilled to be rejoining the company to work with Brands2Life’s very talented team to bring the agency’s approach and extensive experience to San Francisco, the centre for technology innovation.”

Swinton Insurance appoints head of PR

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British insurance retailer Swinton Insurance has hired Gill Galassi for its newly-created head of public relations role.

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Gill Galassi

Galassi is the former head of global comms for PZ Cussons and, previously, head of corporate comms at Well Pharmacy.

At Swinton, she will report to marketing director Anne Kirk, and will be responsible for the continued development of Swinton’s brand awareness and corporate reputation.

Kirk said: “Gill brings a wealth of experience to this new role and gives us further focus and capability to deliver on our plans for future growth. The market, technology and our customers’ expectations continue to change rapidly.

“We’re investing in our marketing function and looking to bring the best talent into our business in order to embrace these opportunities. Gill’s appointment is a great example of this.”

The new comms role is part of a wider marketing drive for Swinton, which is recruiting for 16 new roles within its digital and marketing function, based in its Manchester office.

Galassi added: “This is a really exciting time to be joining Swinton, as the business celebrates its 60th anniversary later this year and moves to its brand new head office at 101 Embankment in Manchester city centre.

“My focus will be to enhance and protect the brand across multiple channels, with an increased focus on local and digital platforms. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Fashion brand Quiz appoints Hudson Sandler

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Quiz, the international womenswear fast-fashion brand, has appointed Hudson Sandler  retained advisor for its international strategic communication and brand awareness work.

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Olivia Buckland, showcasing Quiz

Alex Brennan, partner, will lead the Hudson Sandler team, joined by client director Sophie Lister and client executive Fern Duncan.

Tarak Ramzen, chief executive and founder at Quiz, said: “Quiz is a dynamic brand that operates as a true omni-channel retailer. We are confident that Hudson Sandler’s expertise of the retail sector and our shared values and ambitions for the company will enable us to successfully communicate our vision and business strategy.”

Brennan said: “Quiz is one of the best untold stories in fast fashion. We will be working to amplify this highly successful brand and ensure it is recognised and understood amongst a broader business and industry audience, supporting the company’s ongoing global expansion ambition.”

Restaurant Yang Sing appoints Havas PR

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Yang Sing, one of Manchester’s longest-established and best-known Chinese Cantonese restaurants, has appointed Havas PR UK to support its 40th anniversary year.

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Bonnie Yeung

Havas PR has been briefed to help make 2017 a year of celebration for Yang Sing and the agency will be creating a number of events to commemorate 40 “successful years of business”.

The agency team reports to Bonnie Yeung, daughter of Harry Yeung MBE, the executive chef at Yang Sing.

Brian Beech, Havas PR UK’s managing director, said: “Since opening in 1977, Yang Sing has become a favourite for Mancunians and visitors to the city centre of Manchester.

“Over the past four decades, Harry Yeung and his team have continuously offered delicious re-interpretations on Cantonese classics, attracting diners such as Sir Alex Ferguson, David Cameron, and visitors from around the globe.”

He added: “The Yang Sing means something special to many Manchester restaurant goers, including myself, and so it’s a pleasure to be working with the Yeung family and team at Yang Sing this year, on what is going to be a very special and exciting commemorative celebration.”

Bonnie Yeung said: “We are aiming to make 2017 a year of both celebrating our past and looking to the future.

“Across four decades we have seen grandparents on first dates, the birth of their children, their marriages, and then the birth of their children. It is very heartening to see several generations of the same family walk through the door.”

She commented: “We have a shared history and heritage which is something really special; something that money cannot buy. We’re therefore really excited to be working with Havas on a series of celebratory events across the year.”

60 Seconds with Mundipharma’s Susie Hackett

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Susie Hackett, the new head of corporate communications at pharmaceutical company Mundipharma, talks to Gorkana about her new role, the challenges she anticipates and the audiences she aims to reach. 

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Susie Hackett

What are you most looking forward to in your new role at Mundipharma?
Mundipharma has a different approach to other pharmaceutical companies, and I am looking forward to working in an entrepreneurial environment that enables fresh thinking and perspectives, but also has an infrastructure that supports rapid decision-making and flexibility.

What are you hoping to achieve for the company in 2017?
Communications has been an underdeveloped function – I would like to demonstrate that with the right resource and support communications can genuinely drive strategic value.

Who will be your primary target audiences?
As with any business our audiences are varied, however we are continually reviewing the medicines development landscape, looking for opportunities to develop and commercialise potential new medicines. I will therefore be looking to reach other pharmaceutical companies and start-ups, to raise the profile of Mundipharma and what we do.
Using communications to support our ongoing business development work will be important for enabling us to build the strategic partnerships that we need and I look forward to working with our business development team in this area. Similarly I want to raise the profile of the organisation with potential new employees – we offer an exciting and invigorating work environment!

What are the key messages you will be trying to convey?
Who Mundipharma is and our philosophy and approach.

Do you anticipate any challenges?
Of course! As an underdeveloped function I will be looking to build a team and will be competing with many companies looking to hire the best communications talent.

What do you like about comms in the pharma industry?
Working in healthcare communications is challenging and highly rewarding – I am motivated by the fact that our medicines can genuinely help people live healthier and better quality lives.

This Girl Can creator joins The Playbook

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Tanya Joseph, the architect of Sport England’s award-winning This Girl Can campaign, has joined The Playbook’s new Change Network – a group of specialist advisors with expertise in behavioural science and behaviour change campaigns. 

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Tanya Joseph

As director of business partnerships for Sport England, Joseph was named ‘Marketer of the Year’ at the 2015 Masters of Marketing Awards after This Girl Can was credited with inspiring 2.8 million women to get active.

She will advise Hanover-owned The Playbook on audience insight and creating behaviour change campaigns, with a particular focus on getting more people active and taking part in sport.

Joseph said: “I am delighted to be working with The Playbook and excited to contribute my experience to its insight-led campaigns that really do drive a positive change in behaviour.”

Also joining The Playbook’s Change Network is Dr Rosie Webster PhD, a behavioural scientist, expert on digital health and associate of the UCL Centre for Behaviour Change.

Eddie May, MD of The Playbook, said: “I’m really excited about the opportunity to work with Tanya and Rosie. Our purpose as a business is to create campaigns that change perception and behaviour, and the Change Network will allow us to tap into some genuine expertise to add value to our clients.

“As the architect of the brilliant This Girl Can campaign, few people know more than Tanya about engaging an audience and changing their behaviour.  Rosie, meanwhile, has fantastic knowledge and experience in behavioural science, psychology and digital health campaigns.  We plan to add more expertise to the group over the next few months.”