Bell Pottinger announces partnership with BFC Fashion Trust

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The British Fashion Council‘s (BFC) Trust has called in Bell Pottinger to provide emerging designers with guidance on their brand and digital strategies.

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Eudon Choi

The Fashion Trust is a British Fashion Council initiative, which was founded in February 2011, to promote ‘the art and business of fashion’. It offers business support to British based designers through financial grants, mentoring and a graduate traineeship programme.

In 2016, The BFC Fashion Trust, which is co-chaired by Tania Fares and Sian Westerman, awarded grants totalling £350,000 to 12 recipients.

Bell Pottinger will mentor a selection of these beneficiaries and provide advice on strategic brand positioning and digital marketing.

Fares said: “Since the inception of the BFC Fashion Trust we have seen designers go on to achieve great success and growth. We are very excited to be working with Bell Pottinger on this initiative and look forward to mentoring more British talent in 2017.”

Bell Pottinger will kick off the initiative this month supporting two brands; womenswear brand Eudon Choi (pictured), who won the LYCRA®Style Emerging Talent Award at the WGSN Global Fashion Awards in New York in 2011; and Mother of Pearl, the winner of the Walpole Emerging British Luxury Talent prize.

The agency will support one designer per quarter, with the aim of raising the profile, e-commerce and online presence of each brand through strategic media relations, social campaigns and collaborations with influencers and ambassadors.

Caroline Rush CBE, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer the Fashion Trust recipients the expertise and guidance of the Bell Pottinger team on brand positioning and digital marketing. Communications define and play a fundamental role in every brand’s identity and strategy and being able to receive the expertise of professionals such as Bell Pottinger is a fantastic opportunity and privilege for our designers.”

Karlina Nathan, Bell Pottinger’s head of luxury, will lead the account with the wider Bell Pottinger Luxury team.

Nathan said: “New talent is the lifeblood of British fashion, and as a consultancy, we are passionate about working with talented young people to unlock their potential. We are delighted to have been invited to partner with the BFC Fashion Trust to support the next generation of designer businesses.”

Way To Blue wins European brief to launch Kimpton Hotels

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InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has chosen Way To Blue to handle the European launch of its US luxury boutique hotels collection Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants.

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Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants

San Francisco-based Kimpton is said to be responsible for first introducing the boutique hotel concept to the US in the 1980s.

Brought into IHG in January 2015, it currently operates 62 hotels in over 30 US cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Miami and Washington DC.

Way To Blue, which won the account following a competitive pitch, has been briefed to handle comms strategy, content creation, consumer PR and social media for the brand in multiple markets across Europe – looking ahead to the opening of the first European hotel in Amsterdam (expected Spring 2017).

The Way To Blue team will operate from its UK hub and deliver on-the-ground work through its European offices in Amsterdam, Paris and Munich.

The account will be led by Way To Blue’s global head of consumer brand, Alan Twigg, with group head of digital Claire Slight leading on social activity.

The team will report to Jacque Riley, brand director for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Europe, and IHG comms manager Emily Sexton.

Emma Corcoran, IHG’s vice president, corporate affairs, Europe, said: “The Way To Blue team proved very quickly that they understood and had true affinity with the Kimpton brand. They demonstrated a real ability to bring creative ideas to life and ensure activity was integrated seamlessly across multiple channels.”

Adam Rubins, Way To Blue CEO, added: “This stunning brand was conceived after a trip to Europe by the company’s founder, Bill Kimpton. To bring the Kimpton brand home for its European launch is not only a very exciting moment for us here at Way to Blue, but a landmark one for IHG and the brand.”

Richard Parkinson becomes global creative director at Text100

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Next 15-owned global marketing comms agency Text100 has announced a new leadership structure, including the appointment of Richard Parkinson, its London-based global head of client services, to global creative director.

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Richard Parkinson

Parkinson has 20 years’ experience in designing and implementing global, creative, brand and marketing programmes for internal and external audiences.

He is a founder and former CEO of marketing consultancy IncrediBull, which was bought by Text100 in 2015.

Parkinson joins Text100’s executive leadership team as EVP and global creative director and is responsible for leading the agency’s creative function: “driving a culture of creativity and innovation right across the business”.

Cecile Missildine will continue in her role as EVP and regional director of Text100 EMEA, before moving into a new position to lead the development of its Global Insight and Analytics offer once the ongoing search for a new UK-based EMEA regional director is complete.

Missildine joined Text100 in late 2000 and has been EMEA regional director since 2012. Before that, she led the agency’s Paris operation for four years.

Lee Nugent, currently MD, consulting and strategy, for APAC, will also join Text100 executive leadership team, succeeding Anne Costello as EVP and regional director for the Asia Pacific business.

Based in Singapore, Nugent will lead more than 300 consultants across Australia, China, India, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, as well as his home marketplace.

Remaining on the executive leadership team, Costello will move from her role as regional director for APAC, initially stepping up to become chair of the APAC region, before taking on a global “people-focused” role for Text100.

Costello has worked at Text100 for more than 15 years.

Aedhmar Hynes, CEO of Text100, said: “This is the next significant step in Text100’s drive towards our vision for 2020. We welcome both Richard and Lee to the global leadership team. They will bring their unique talent and experience, having both run successful communications agencies in the recent past.

Hynes added: “We’re really delighted that Anne and Cecile, two of our most-experienced and senior professionals, have agreed to take on crucial, new roles looking after People Development and our Insights & Analytics offer. These will be critical areas of growth in 2017, and having our most established leaders drive them will ensure their success.”

Paragon Group appoints Headland

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Paragon Group, a mortgage and personal loan provider, has hired Headland Consultancy to advise on corporate and financial communications.

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Suzanne Morris

Headland’s role will encompass financial communications, media relations and campaign management.

Suzanne Morris, partner at Headland, said: “We’re excited to be working with one of the sector’s most highly-regarded management teams at an important time in Paragon’s development.”

The Paragon Group of Companies plc is a FTSE 250 company, listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Founded in 1985, the company has been diversifying its business model in recent years to take advantage of growing demand for alternatives to UK high street banks.

In 2014, Paragon group set up Paragon bank, which has raised more than £2bn in retail deposits.

Deborah Bateman, director of external relations at Paragon, added: “Paragon is evolving into a retail funded banking group so it was important for us to choose a partner that is experienced in communicating with investors and customers alike. Headland showed an excellent understanding of our business and their rounded corporate and financial offer really stood out.”

60 Seconds with Stuart Skinner, PHA Media

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Stuart Skinner is divisional managing director at London PR agency PHA Media, looking after the firm’s enterprise department. He talks to Gorkana about the challenge of overseeing three diverse teams. 

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Stuart Skinner

Tell us about your new role
The divisional MD role gives me overall responsibility for client delivery and revenue growth in the agency’s largest PR division. There is also a big onus on continual innovation and fine tuning of the skills and services we offer our clients, and also on the types of work and clients we engage with.

I do have wider agency responsibilities too, such as working with all executives to design creative new business approaches, helping to train employees in different PR and management skills and also assisting our HR team to identify the best emerging talent in the industry.

What/who are your teams responsible for?
Currently I’m responsible for three teams: technology & innovation, entrepreneurs & business and campaigns & causes. All three are led by excellent directors who report to me, and there has been consistent growth over the last 18 months to two years in each area. I also work closely with our head of political strategy to help more of our clients see the benefits of political advice and campaigning.

What are the advantages of agency specialism? Are there any disadvantages?
I am an advocate of creating pockets of expertise within an agency that serves a broad church of clients and industry sectors. We have found that building teams from scratch around carefully researched growth areas is hugely rewarding; not only does it establish multiple revenue streams and increase the scope for commercial growth but, equally importantly, it provides focus, ownership and great opportunities for key people to progress their careers.

Describe your ideal client
I don’t mind who they are or what they do, as long as they are passionate and telling a different story to their competitors. That’s everything we need to work with, and we’ll have plenty in common from the start.

What are your top three tips for people management?

1. Be transparent and honest at all times. Give full background and explain decisions, don’t fob people off with throw away lines, respect their intelligence and take time to explain and answer questions.

2. Ensure everyone knows your team ethos and vision, so they can look ahead and see the full journey, and try to reiterate this regularly.

3. Always have time for people and remain approachable – if the communication lines are always open, you will benefit as much if not more than your team. Making this work can be as simple as sitting in an open plan bank of desks, rather than behind a closed door, making an effort to speak to everyone every day and scheduling regular one on one time with each team member.

What advice would you give your 23-year-old self?
Take a breath, don’t rush and look at the bigger picture more often.

Label PR adds global brand Proactiv+ to its beauty roster

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The Proactiv Company-owned skincare brand Proactiv+ has appointed Label PR to manage all UK influencer outreach, publicity and social media for the brand, following a competitive pitch.

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Proactiv+

Proactiv+ targets breakouts of spots and pimples on skin. Previous brand ambassadors include Jorgie Porter, Olivia Munn and Julianne Hough, as well as Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Maroon 5’s Adam Levine.

Label PR will develop an influencer community of Proactiv+ advocates, as well as handle its national press office, covering product placement, news generation, celebrity seeding, product launches and events.

The agency plans to publicise the brand’s entire product range of skin care, accessories and concealers.

Claire Odom, European marketing director for Proactiv+ , said: “Label PR’s pitch shone through with ideas and passion for our brand. We are excited by the prospect of expanding our digital community with the help of influencers who understand the reality of suffering with spot-prone skin.

“The team’s understanding of our audience and the emotional journey our customers face was what set them apart – along with their experience in the beauty sector.”

Almina Kadic-Wilson, PR and creative director at Label PR, added: “As a hybrid agency, fusing digital and PR services in response to the changing face of the industry, we’re thrilled to be working with Proactiv+. We’re looking forward to delivering key messages for the brand through targeted projects and in new and innovative ways.

“Blending our proven influencer outreach service with our technical expertise in digital, we’re excited to deliver the highest possible return on investment for the brand.”

Meanwhile, Label PR has promoted Poppy Fairhurst to senior PR account manager following a year as an account manager. PR account executive Charlotte Waller has also been promoted to senior account executive.

Golin B&B launches to offer free London accomodation for interns

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Golin has launched a new initiative called Golin B&B for its next intake of interns. It aims to help reduce the barrier of London housing costs by providing a paid flat-share for their first month, followed by a 0% loan for a deposit and first month’s rent in the capital.

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Golin MD Bibi Hilton



The launch comes as London Mayor Sadiq Khan calls for employers to offer loans to staff that covers their rental deposit. The Fifty Thousand Homes campaign aims to help workers with London’s steep house prices.

Golin’s next intake of interns (which the agency calls “Bright Young Things”) will be offered a paid flat-share with their fellow interns in London’s zone 1 or 2 for their first month, followed by a 0% loan for a deposit and first month’s rent in the capital to help with living costs for the remainder of their internship.

Golin B&B initiatives include:

  • Flatshare for all interns together in London’s zone 1 or 2
  • 0% PayLater loan for first month’s rent and deposit
  • Reimbursing interview travel costs for those based outside of London
  • Advice on budget, lifestyle & commute requirements, relocation essentials (such as SIM card and transport maps), help finding and registering with health services
  • A Golin ‘B&B buddy’ to offer local tips for services, restaurants, gyms etc

The ‘Golin B&B’ initiative will launch in February 2017 when applications open for the agency’s spring intern intake.

Bibi Hilton, Golin MD, said: “If you want to move to London to start your career you need anywhere between £1,000 – £2,000 in your pocket for a deposit and the first month’s rent. That’s a significant sum of money for anyone, but if you don’t have family support or know anyone to stay with, then it is likely to prevent you being able to take up internship or a starter position.

“That’s a problem for us. We want to hire the best creative brains in the UK and we don’t want brilliant people turning down an internship with us or being put off applying in the first place due to the cost of living.

“We have always paid our interns and pay the London Living wage, but as London living costs soar it’s no longer enough. We want to ensure we don’t miss out on great talent from the far flung corners of the UK.”

Stephen Benzikie launches strategic consultancy Hydra

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Stephen Benzikie, former MD at Bell Pottinger corporate and financial, has launched new strategic consultancy Hydra.

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Stephen Benzikie

Prior to his role at Bell Pottinger, Benzikie led Edelman’s financial practice.

He said: “Hand pick the best practice heads from leading agencies, add well-known comms directors from global companies and offer them as a single team of top advisers from day one. That is Hydra.”

Hydra will offer advice and execution across key areas of corporate communications, focusing on the support of senior and board-level professionals such as CEOs and communications directors.

The firm aims to deliver substantial integrated programmes, led by consultants with typically more than 20 years of experience advising companies.

Hydra’s members include former director of corporate affairs at Barratt Developments Patrick Law, investor communications specialist Andrew Mills, former director of corporate communications at American Express Europe Sally Brown and Air Miles founder Geoffrey Bean.

Benzikie added: “We have been in a unique position to put this together because we were all working independently in our own businesses or had started to ‘go plural’, combining comms work with non-exec roles. Even the biggest agencies would be hard-pushed to hire a group of this quality all in one go.”

The firm’s services will include corporate, financial, IR, brand strategy, internal and change communications, litigation support and digital communications.

Hydra’s consultants are already working on programmes for Choice Hotels, private equity company Duke Street, corporate turnaround group Buchler Phillips and London Asia Capital.

Mundipharma appoints head of corporate communications

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Susie Hackett, the former head of communications for pharma company Roche, has been appointed head of corporate comms at Mundipharma International Limited.

mundipharma-1In her new role Hackett will build and lead a team that will work to boost Mundipharma’s brand, strengthen comms capabilities across its network of independent associated companies and support the future strategic direction of the organisation as it aims to diversify its portfolio.

Hackett said: “I am really looking forward to starting a new phase of my career at Mundipharma – it is a growing company and I was attracted by the organisation as, in line with its entrepreneurial approach, it enables an opportunity to lead the integration of strategic communications across the business.”

Hackett spent over 15 years at Roche.

Hope&Glory wins Whole Earth

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Peanut butter brand Whole Earth has appointed Hope&Glory as its retained consumer brand agency, following a communications review.

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Hope&Glory aims to position Whole Earth as a “perfect way to re-fuel”

Whole Earth, which is owned by Wessanen UK and reaches its 50th anniversary this year, is looking to raise awareness of peanut butter as an excellent source of natural protein and fibre.

Hope&Glory has been briefed to position Whole Earth as a “perfect way to re-fuel” and promote the brand platform of “Fuel Good; Feel Good.”

The brief also includes amplifying sponsorship properties, including the Whole Earth Man Versus Horse Challenge, and the brand’s associations with the British Triathlon Federation.

Hope&Glory will work alongside creative agency Mad River on experiential, Cubaka on social media and Highlight PR, which handles trade comms activity.

The account will be led by Hope&Glory managing partner Jo Carr and associate director Pieter Graham.

Katrina Farmer, brand manager for Whole Earth, said: “We are really excited to be working with such a positive and energetic team. Hope and Glory has a wealth of experience in the sports arena as well as in food and drink and they will be a much-welcomed addition to our team.”

Carr added: “Whole Earth Peanut Butters – without any of the nasties of added sugar or artificial additives – is tremendously well placed to capitalise on the trend amongst consumers for natural but delicious tasting protein fixes to help them power through the day. We are looking forward to strengthening its position in the market yet further.”