Gorkana meets… marie claire’s Natalie Lukaitis

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Natalie Lukaitis joined marie claire as digital beauty editor from STYLIST magazine in May. In an exclusive interview, she talks to Gorkana’s Jessica Lester about writing for the “New Type A” girl, being a Google rankings geek, and what PRs can do to grab her attention.

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Natalie Lukaitis

You have worked at a number of women’s lifestyle print titles in the past, namely STYLIST and ELLE. How does working on an online platform differ?

Print is more of a brainstorming process. You have time to think about a concept in depth, from the feature and content you produce to the artistic value of it. On the other hand, online is more in the moment. You have to come up with a fully formed idea in a short amount of time, which allows you to get more of your creativity up on a platform faster.

Both are creatively stimulating, but you get satisfaction from them in different ways. For example, when you pick up a magazine and see your work on a page, it’s an amazing feeling, which is similar to seeing your work published online, but I guess online is more immediate.

Does it alter the way in which you work with PRs?

Not too much. I guess the only way it differs is that we focus more on digitally creative things, like videos and social media – and the timeline. I like to make sure I can link to whatever I’m writing about online, so I don’t normally add products in that aren’t readily available.

How does it differ in terms of the workload and daily routine? 

Working at a weekly really got me ready for the digital world. It was fast paced and a lot of creativity went into each and every day. It was a great experience. My daily routine on digital is definitely fast paced. As a team we like to be the first to get news up and find the fun, interesting and cool things to talk about. It’s a great feeling when you see your features at the top of Google search (I’m a major geek for that).

Describe the way in which your team works.

Our digital team is currently growing, which is fantastic! I’m very proud to be a part of a publication that can see the importance of all publishing forums. marie claire is very forward thinking, so it’s constantly opening my eyes to new things. As a team, we’re all very supportive. We share everything in the morning, just in case someone’s idea sparks another for someone else and we have a great collaboration with the print team too. It’s somewhat of a force to be reckoned with I guess.

Who specifically is marie claire‘s target demographic?

We call her the New Type A girl. She’s outrageously cool, has fashion and beauty prowess, but is also a champion of other women and completely aware of worldly issues.

Explain your relationship with PRs.

Like any other industry, it’s really important to build relationships in this one. I work very closely with PRs and have a lot of respect for them.

What is the best way for them to grab your attention?

I love beauty products, so my attention is grabbed pretty easily when it comes to new things.

What is the deciding factor in working with a PR?

It all comes down to the product and whether that is a good fit for what we’re working on and our audience. I’m an advocate for trying everything I recommend.

How do you best like to work with them?

At the moment we’re doing some really creative stuff digitally, which is really exciting.

How do you prefer to be contacted?

Email.

Natalie was talking to Gorkana’s Jessica Lester

Regester Larkin director relocates to Houston office

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Claire Snowdon

Claire Snowdon, director at Regester Larkin and head of its aerospace, defence and maritime sector team, has relocated to the Houston office.

Snowdon will continue to work across Regester Larkin’s international portfolio of clients. She leads the design and implementation of crisis management frameworks for a range of global organisations.

Snowdon said: “We’ve had operations in the US for the last seven years, so I’m thrilled to be joining the team there and to see a different side to many of the clients that I already work with.”

Kate Brader, managing director at Regester Larkin Americas, added: “It’s great to have Claire on board, it strengthens our senior advice during live incidents to clients here, particularly around strategic communications and issues management.”

Regester Larkin specialises in crisis communications and reputation management, it is headquartered in London with offices in Houston and Singapore.

Shortlist for PRWeek UK Awards 2016 announced

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Unity has been shortlisted for 10 PRWeek UK Awards this year, with Golin nominated eight times, The Romans in the running for seven, and Taylor Herring and Mischief nominated six times.

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The team at Unity

Unity’s nominations include Best PR Event, Best Use of Content, Healthcare, Best Integrated Campaign and Mid-Sized Consultancy of the Year.

Also in the running for Mid-Sized Consultancy of the Year are Cirkle, Hanover Communications, M&C Saatchi PR and Porter Novelli.

Shortlisted agencies for Large Consultancy of the Year are Brands2Life, Four Communications, Instinctif Partners, Lansons, Weber Shandwick London, as well as Golin.

Golin is also up for Best Use of Creativity, Integrated Campaign, FMCG, Automotive, Transport, Financial Services and City and Corporate Comms.

Battling it out to win Small Consultancy of the Year are Chameleon, DawBell, Tin Man, The Romans and Taylor Herring.

The Romans’ other nominations include New Consultancy of the Year, Best use of a Small Budget, FMCG, B2B, and City and Corporate Comms, while Taylor Herring is in the running for Technology, Automotive and Transport, Best Use of a Small Budget, Best PR Event and Specialist Consultancy of the Year.

Also in the Specialist Consultancy of the Year category are Battenhall, DawBell, Harvard and Pegasus.

Mischief has the chance to pick up the Culture, Media Sport and Travel, Most Innovative Use of Digital and Social Media, Best Use of Planning Strategy and Evaluation, Best Use of Creativity and Best use of Content.

AxiCom’s Michael Rennett, British Airways’ Emily Coen, Cirkle’s Jessica Kirby, MWW PR’s Eleanor Crossman and Virgo Health’s Jessica Smith are all in the running to be named Young PR Professional of the Year.

This year’s PR Week Awards will take place on Tuesday 18 October at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.

The full shortlist can be viewed here.

Children’s cancer research charity Kidscan renews brief with Rumpus PR

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Manchester-based agency Rumpus PR has been re-appointed by children’s cancer research charity Kidscan following a competitive six-way pitch.

Kidscan

Kidscan, which has worked with Rumpus since 2013, has helped the charity fund a range of groundbreaking research projects, with the sole purpose of providing new and improved treatments for children with cancer.

The team at Rumpus PR, which developed several new ideas to increase Kidscan’s visibility both regionally and across the UK, will support the charity across events, awareness campaigns, and vital fundraising activity.

Rumpus is also increasing Kidscan’s presence within the sector media to ensure the charity sector and those affected by childhood cancer understand Kidscan’s position as an authority on the disease.

Lowri Turner, director of development at Kidscan, said: “Rumpus has consistently delivered on its aims for Kidscan over the past three years, and this year presented a fantastic strategy that will boost awareness of our successful research projects and secure our position as experts in our field. We are delighted to be working with Rumpus once again, and anticipate another successful year ahead.”

Gareth Clements, commercial director at Rumpus PR, added: “We have developed a fantastic relationship with Kidscan, and supporting a charity that is doing so much to improve the lives of children with cancer is a real honour for Rumpus. The team has developed some brilliantly creative and hard-hitting ideas that we intend will propel awareness of Kidscan’s work to the next level.”

Wearable tech brand Misfit hands UK PR brief to Ranieri

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Misfit, the wearable tech brand co-founded by former Apple CEO John Scully, has brought in consumer tech PR and social media specialist Ranieri to handle its UK PR.

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Acquired by Fossil Group at the end of 2015 for a reported $260 million (£198 million), Misfit aims to “fill the gap in existing fashion-forward wearable technology”.

With a focus on Misfit’s Ray, Shine 2 and Speedo Shine 2 products, Ranieri’s brief includes a PR, events and influencer campaign, which will target the lifestyle, health and fitness and technology sectors.

The agency will also work alongside Pride PR in the Netherlands, which is heading up a network of PR agencies across Europe.

Niels Van der Valk, Fossil Group’s regional director for CE in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: “We have previous experience of working with Ranieri as the agency was responsible for the highly successful launch of the Shine activity tracker in the UK.

“We’re really pleased to get the chance to partner with them again. Ranieri has extensive experience in our target markets and can develop insightful ideas that will work in this space.”

Pietro Ranieri, MD at Ranieri, added: “We’re pleased to be back working with Misfit again. The press coverage achieved the first time round was enormously positive, and the brand soon became a firm favourite with the media. We’re looking forward to seeing where the Fossil acquisition takes Misfit in the future and are excited to be part of that journey.” 

Gorkana meets… Music Week

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Gorkana’s Louise Pantani catches up with Daniel Gumble, news editor of Music Week, as he talks about his love of music, the magazine’s readership and a typical week at the music trade publication.

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Daniel Gumble

What’s a typical Music Week news story?
We deal with so many different types of news stories that it can change drastically from day to day. Generally it can be anything from record labels and publishers signing new artist deals to chart updates, live event announcements, music industry conference coverage and new executive appointments.

Have you always wanted to be in music journalism, did that stem from your background as a musician?
The answer is yes to both parts of that questions. I’ve always had a slightly/extremely unhealthy obsession with music and have played in bands half my life. For most of that time I also wanted to be a journalist – for years I wrote for blogs and websites for free to build up my CV while working jobs I couldn’t stand. Over the past five years I worked as editor of professional audio and musical instrument publications Audio Pro International (now Audio Media International) and MI Pro, before joining Music Week earlier this year.

How does Music Week differ from consumer music publications?
As a trade publication our core focus is the business of music. So where consumer titles like NME and Kerrang! are predominantly focused on artists and reviews etc, we report on what’s happening with labels, publishers, consumer listening patterns, market shares, and generally the more business oriented corners of the industry that you wouldn’t tend to read about in the consumer press. That said, we do interview artists and cover big releases, so it’s not all graphs and pie charts!

What does an average day’s work look like for you?
Again, this can vary significantly from one day to the next. Typically though, the editorial team gets together in the morning for a news meeting to take a look at what’s happening in the world, what looks interesting and what stories should be followed-up. Stories are then delegated among the team.

Generally speaking, I will spend the first half of the week ensuring the most up-to-the-minute news is covered online and the second half of the week discussing which items will be reserved for the news pages of the print magazine. Then, as the week draws to a close and deadline looms, it’s a case of proofing and editing the pages before going to press.

Describe a typical Music Week reader, how would you spot them in a crowd?
Hmm, we have a very varied readership, so not sure I could describe a particular type. Generally they’d be the coolest looking person in the room!

What should PRs avoid when they try to get in touch with the team?
Phoning up to check we’ve received a press release two and half minutes after sending it via email. Also – and I won’t name names – I’ve been on the receiving end of someone quite literally pleading me to cover a story after being politely, yet categorically told that it wasn’t suitable and would not be used. Not a great approach!

Do you think you will ever move to become an online-only publication?
No. Our print magazine and our website offer two very different services, and I think they both complement one another very well. We have strong audiences across both formats so I don’t see that happening any time soon.

Finally, I have to ask: as a music lover yourself, if you could have dinner with three of your favourite artists, dead or alive, who would you choose?
This is definitely the toughest question! I could think of about 50 so whittling it down to three is a struggle. I’d probably have to go with John Lennon, Morrissey and Kurt Cobain – I can’t think of many others that have had such a big influence on music, and I’m pretty sure they’d make for interesting dinner guests.

If they weren’t available, I’d have Kate Bush, David Bowie and Courtney Love on standby.

Instinctif Partners and BritishAmerican Business collaborate post-Brexit

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PR agency, Instinctif Partners, and business network, BritishAmerican Business (BAB), have partnered to support business growth and trade between the UK and the US in the wake of Brexit.

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Warwick Smith

The partnership will focus on relations between British and American companies and policymakers, leveraging Instinctif’s public policy insights and BAB’s corporate relationships. The organisations will bring analysis and advice to US companies looking for guidance around Brexit and other political uncertainties affecting the transatlantic business relationship.

The new platform, based in New York, will be called TransAct.

Wendy Mendenhall, managing director of BritishAmerican Business in New York, said: “TransAct will engage select leaders committed to shared American, British and European values with the valuable support of Instinctif Partners.”

Warwick Smith, managing partner of global public policy, and Nic Pearce, managing partner of global engagement at Instinctif Partners, added: “Brexit is currently the most obvious example of the tide of political change sweeping the developed world, not just in the UK and Europe but also in the US and more widely. This fast changing political landscape brings with it doubt and uncertainty for business.

“TransAct will help business understand what is happening, and provide a platform to explain the impact on the economies affected. In doing so, we envisage that we will not only help business prepare for change, but help our political leaders make better informed decisions. Instinctif Partners is delighted to join with BAB in this mission.”

Rostrum announces five promotions

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Corporate PR and content marketing agency, Rostrum, has announced five promotions: Jo Cresswell to account director, Sam Anderson to operations manager and Sophie Mellish, Hannah Polson and Nick Seymour to senior account executive roles.

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Jo Cresswell

Cresswell is responsible for managing Rostrum’s corporate team and works with clients across a variety of sectors including technology, payments and prepaid, logistics, incentives and motivation and trade associations.

Mellish, Polson and Seymour work on Rostrum’s corporate and financial services team, while Mellish is also part of the corporate team and chairs the agency’s editorial council. Before joining Rostrum, she worked as an account executive at MSLGROUP.

Polson joined Rostrum from a communications assistant role at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust. Her financial services clients include Legal & General and Freedom Finance. Seymour joined from WealthAsia Media, a financial services trade publication in Hong Kong, and currently works on Legal & General, National Friendly and ITM, among other clients.

Mark Houlding, CEO at Rostrum said: “Rostrum continues to commit to developing our talented team and these promotions are evidence of the quality and strength in depth we now have at Rostrum.”

Aberdeen Young Professionals partners with Aspectus

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Laura Iley

Aberdeen Young Professionals (AYP), a local talent network for young professionals working in and around the city, has partnered with Aspectus, as it looks to engage the next generation of energy and business professionals.

Aspectus, which recently opened its own Aberdeen office to service its growing oil and gas client base, will help to raise awareness of AYP’s networking events.

Ross Jolly, founder of AYP, said: “We partnered with Aspectus because of its innovative approach and specialist sector knowledge. Its culture is about empowering young, talented individuals and we couldn’t think of a better company to passionately communicate our vision.”

At its regular events, AYP enables young professionals to make useful contacts in a relaxed and sociable environment. The group currently has over 5,000 members.

Laura Iley, head of energy, oil and gas at Aspectus, added: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with AYP. These are challenging times for the city and particularly the oil and gas industry. Having personally been part of and benefited from AYP events in the past, I’m delighted to work with Ross to maximise engagement around this important network and reach as many young professionals as possible.”

Moving to the Darkside with The Sun’s former news chief, James Clench

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James Clench, who joined PHA Media in May after 15 years at The Sun, talks exclusively to Gorkana about why he’s made the transition, the stories he was most proud to work on at the national newspaper, having a tête-à-tête with William and Kate, what his journalist colleagues thought of his move and whether he ever put the phone down on a PR…

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James Clench

You’ve just moved over to PHA Media after more than 15 years at The Sun (most recently as head of news). What made you decide to move over to PR?

The Sun was a huge part of my life as I started out there as a graduate trainee (one of their first two) and was running the news operation when I left. Being news editor was rewarding but a very tough gig. You’re keeping a lot of plates spinning in the air and it is all-consuming. Part of my decision was motivated by family – I wanted to redress the balance between work and home life. And part of it was wanting to work in a more commercial environment, to see first-hand how a variety of businesses work.

What did your journalist colleagues think of the move?

I think it was a mixture – some were baffled, some got it. There was liberal use of the phrase “brave move”, which I suspect was a euphemism for “Have you lost your mind?”. When I told them I was going to PHA, there was more understanding – the agency has got such strong links with journalism that it didn’t seem quite such a leap.

During your time at The Sun, what was the biggest story you worked on and the one you’re most proud of?

On the news desk, I was incredibly proud of the work we did on big breaking terror stories – Lee Rigby, Charlie Hebdo, Sousse. They are fast moving, you’ve got to stay on top of the detail and you can only do that if you’ve got a good team around you. Plus you need reporters who are prepared to run through brick walls for the paper.

I loved being a general news reporter for the variety of work, so it’s hard to choose one story. It was humbling to meet the forgiving parents of Jimmy Mizen, the schoolboy who was murdered in a bakery in South East London, eye-opening to spend a day with Pete Doherty at the height of his relationship with Kate Moss, nerve-racking to go to Beirut during the Israel-Lebanon war, adrenalin-fuelled covering 7/7 and fantastic fun “conquering” the Matterhorn before an England-Switzerland game at the Euros.

Before being made associate news editor in 2011 (and then head of news in 2014), you spent a year as a royal reporter at the paper. What were some of your most memorable moments in that role?

I found it very frustrating – the Palace PR team were early adopters of “not giving a running commentary” on a wide array of subjects. As a result, the agendas of the Press and the Palace PR team rarely coincided, although Miguel Head – then William and Harry’s press secretary – was excellent to deal with.

On the plus side, some of the trips were exotic (if generally hard work): South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, India, Australia, New Zealand and Barbados. I was part of a group of journalists who spoke for a few minutes with William and Kate on the day of their engagement moments before they took part in a televised press conference. I don’t think I’d ever heard Kate speak and she was noticeably more “cut glass” than William. She was also well briefed and impressively confident. I also wrote a book on the couple that was published days after their engagement.

What do you miss the most at The Sun?

The excitement of a breaking story or a fantastic exclusive tip coming through to the news desk – and telling the editor about it in conference when it’s ready to go. I also miss some good friends and their quick wit.

What are you not missing at all?

Going into conference on quiet days. Other newspapers getting great stories that we didn’t have. Big stories breaking half an hour before you’re due to go on holiday.

What was your opinion of PRs before considering a move into the industry?

Like all industries, it comes down to the individual involved. Some are very good, some are awful. The best ones were those who showed a bit of initiative, were organised, took decisions and didn’t flap. I was never a fan of aggressive PRs and always thought it was counterproductive for the client. Why make an unnecessary enemy?

Some of the best PRs were the bosses themselves. Mark Carne of Network Rail came in for a meeting and was brilliantly persuasive about the positives of the railways – even though we were in a room literally overlooking London Bridge station, the scene of nightly chaos!

Did you ever put down the phone on a PR when you were a journalist?

No – far too well-mannered. But I was tempted if someone got through to me five minutes before conference with something completely irrelevant.

Your biggest surprises now you’re on the PR side of things?

The variety – both of clients and the number of great eateries in Soho. And this isn’t a surprise – but I’ve been very impressed with the talent spread through the departments at PHA.

At PHA, you’ve been briefed to focus on top-of-the-line clients and online reputation management. What will this involve and which brands are you working with?

I’m able to offer clients an insight into the thought processes going on in newspapers. Which stories are going to run and run, which ones will be a one-day-wonder. Online reputation is a growing discipline where the journalistic skills of speed, accuracy, attention to detail and an ability to look around corners – allied with the tech knowledge of our digital department – are vital. We advise our clients on how to avoid a crisis in the first place – but we also provide an integrated service to those who come to us in the middle of one. I’m working with a number of brands across corporate and consumer including sport, leisure, health and business clients.

Finally, what is your top tip for PRs when dealing with journalists?

Good coffee and pastries delivered to a news desk first thing are a good way to win favour.