Virgo Health makes digital and design hires

/in /by

Virgo Health, the Golin partner and healthcare communications firm, has appointed Nicole Burns as social strategist and Paul Andrews as head of design.

Paul and Nicole 1

Paul Andrews and Nicole Burns

Both Burns and Andrews will work in the ‘Virgo Pharmacy’ – a creative studio for Virgo’s digital, design and innovation content.

Rebecca Rhodes, chief global creative officer at Virgo, said: “Like any other, audiences in the healthcare space have come to expect more human and personalised forms of communication, and there is a greater demand for more inspiring and ultimately creative forms of engagement than we have ever seen in our industry before. With this mind, we are delighted to welcome Nicole and Paul to the Virgo team and with their expertise look forward to developing even bolder, braver campaigns that capture the attention of our clients’ audiences.”

Burns held a social and PR manager role at digital marketing agency Spinnaker London, while Andrews joins Virgo after spending nearly a decade with Ogilvy Healthworld.

Andrews added: “While content will always be king, the way in which we present that content is critical to a campaign’s success. Healthcare professionals, patients, carers – they are all consumers and as consumers they crave visually engaging forms of communication. With ‘The Pharmacy’ Virgo is already one step ahead when it comes to harnessing innovation and creativity to generate award-winning campaigns and I’m looking forward to pushing those boundaries even further.”

Behind the Headlines with Finn’s Matt Bourn

/in /by

Leeds-based Finn officially opens its new London office this month, so Gorkana goes Behind the Headlines with London head Matt Bourn to talk about cutting his teeth as a children’s entertainer, his thoughts on reinventing PR for the digital landscape and what happened when he first pitched to a journalist.

Finn Matt Bourn

Matt Bourn

Before I reach the office in the morning, I’ve already…
Given my kids a hug, my wife a kiss, read as many different media as I possibly can, cleared all emails, had a coffee and – at a push – eaten some breakfast.

You’ll mostly find emails about…in my inbox.
Launch plans for Finn London, thoughts on how to reinvent PR for the new digital landscape, countless newsletters on PR, brands, media, advertising and technology, in equal measure.

I know I’ve had a good day if…
I’ve spent my time solving the problems first and then ending doing the stuff I really enjoy, like developing team members, catching up with clients, speaking to journalists, learning about a new brief, seeing friends and finding that spare ten minutes (minimum) to write something.

My first job was…
A children’s entertainer, on a campsite in France. Bit of an unorthodox introduction to consultancy, but it was also where I met my wife who ran the rival children’s club.

I can tell a campaign is succeeding when…
Unprompted, the team is talking to me about the campaign, sharing results and coming up with more ideas to make it work. When it goes silent is the time to ask questions.

I eat….when nobody is watching.
My favourite meal to cook-up when I’m on my own is a steak, cooked rare, left to settle on flat mushroom, with a dab of mustard and glass of red wine. Usually accompanied by a scary movie.

The first time I pitched to a journalist…
He told me unless I had a bad story about my client to get the f**k off his phone.

The worst thing anyone has said to me is…
There’s no such thing as Father Christmas.

The last book I read was…
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James.

I’ve never really understood why…
Politicians behave the way they do, and that has been compounded in recent weeks. I can’t help feeling the world would be a better place without most of them in it right now.

If I could go back and talk to my ten-year-old self, I’d say…
Stop worrying and get on with what you’re good at.

This time next year, I’ll be…
Celebrating year one of Finn London with the Finn team, clients and friends!

Fancy featuring in a Behind the Headlines interview? Please email [email protected]

Splendid promotes Niki Hunter-Ekins to MD

/in /by

Niki Hunter-Ekins, previously operations director at Splendid Communications, has been promoted to MD and head of client partnerships, 11 years after joining the company.

Splendid

Niki Hunter-Ekins

Hunter-Ekins joined Splendid Communications in 2005 as a senior account manager, following five years at Gabrielle Shaw Communications and one year at Exposure.

In the past two years she has helped Splendid win leading brand clients including Tesco, MoneySupermarket, Hendrick’s Gin and Jack Daniel’s.

Hunter-Ekins will head up all senior client partnerships within the business and will be responsible for the company’s annual performance.

Alec Samways, previously CEO and managing partner at Splendid, will now take up the role of CEO and head of creative strategy. He will be responsible for the development of agency and client strategies.

Samways said: “Niki has been with Splendid Communications from, near enough, day one and she’s a real asset to the company, having played a huge part in the growth of the agency. The new move will allow me to focus on our creative offering and integrated business strategy. I am delighted to announce Niki’s promotion and I look forward to seeing where Niki takes the company this year.”

Hunter-Ekins added: “Over the past 11 years I’ve seen Splendid Communications grow from a team of five to 50 and develop from a PR agency to an integrated one offering PR, search and social, experiential, creative design and business strategy for leading brands. I’m thrilled to have been part of it and I look forward to strengthening our offering even more over the coming years. I’ll continue to nurture our fantastic client relationships and ensure best in class, integrated work every step of the way.”

Richard Dutton named CMO at Engine

/in /by

Engine, which includes PR firms MHP and Mischief amongst its roster, has brought in Leo Burnett’s Richard Dutton as its new chief marketing officer. Dutton will move into the role at the end of July.

Engine CMO

Richard Dutton

Dutton has spent the last seven years as business development director for Leo Burnett’s integrated marketing practice, Arc Worldwide, where he helped it become MAA and IPM agency of the year.

He is also currently head of brand experience at Leo Burnett, where he has driven new business across the agency’s practices.

Dutton is a board member of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA); a position which he has held since 2013.

As CMO at Engine, Dutton will be responsible for helping drive new business growth across Engine’s 13 specialist businesses, as well as building the Engine brand.

He replaces acting CMO Nikki McCulloch, who has been covering the role for the past year.

Simon Peck, group MD of Engine, said: “Richard has a brilliant track record of winning and growing business across a broad range of disciplines and clients. He will play a key role in supporting Engine’s ambitious growth plans.”

Dutton added: “Engine has a unique way of working, building bridges across disciplines. Its unique collaborative model allows its businesses to produce business transforming work for its clients. The management team has a clear and exciting vision for the business that I very much look forward to being part of.”

British American Tobacco appoints Lucinda Kemeny to new comms role

/in /by

British American Tobacco (BAT) has hired Lucinda Kemeny as head of communications, a newly-created role in its Next Generation Products division.

Lucinda 1

Lucinda Kemeny

Kemeny joins BAT from FTI Consulting, where she worked as a managing director and head of professional services.

Her work history also includes roles at MHP, Hogarth and Smithfield. Prior to that, Kemeny held senior business journalism roles for publications including the Mail on Sunday and the Sunday Times.

Next Generation Products provides adults with less harmful alternatives to cigarettes, such as e-cigarettes. Kemeny will support the development and execution of the business’ communications strategy.

She will work closely with the company’s corporate communications team, as well as the research and development centre in Southampton.

Donato Del Vecchio, the head of legal and external affairs for Next Generation Products, said: “We are pleased to welcome Lucinda on board as our first head of communications. We have an ambitious plan of product roll-outs and new product launches coming over the next 12 months and getting the communications right will be an important platform for our strategy.”

Lucinda can be reached at: [email protected].

PortAventura hands international brief to Weber Shandwick

/in /by

Weber Shandwick has been named as the international PR agency for PortAventura World Parks & Resort – one of Europe’s largest holiday and family entertainment resorts – with a brief to launch its third theme park, Ferrari Land.

Weber Shandwick PortAventura World_Furius Baco

Weber Shandwick will launch PortAventura World’s third theme back, Ferrari Land

Weber Shandwick Manchester’s consumer marketing division will lead the UK’s media relation strategy alongside teams in five international offices and a hub team in Madrid.

The WS team will also lead all UK PR and marketing activity, as well as launch PortAventura’s third theme park, Ferrari Land.

Backed by a £75million investment, it will include Europe’s “fastest and tallest” rollercoaster ride and is the first European attraction for the Italian brand.

Oriol Garcia, PortAventura World Parks & Resort comms manager, said: “With the new resort due to launch in the next year, it is crucial that Ferrari Land achieves widespread visibility and we are excited to work with Weber Shandwick Manchester.”

Anna Varley Jones, Weber Shandwick director, added: “This is a pivotal 12 months for PortAventura and Ferrari Land and our strategy will support the brand in tapping into consumer travel behaviours and the evolving media landscape.”

Hyperdrive Innovation gives Redleaf corporate brief

/in /by

Engineering company Hyperdrive Innovation has appointed Redleaf Communications as its corporate PR agency.

Redleaf Communications 1

Redleaf Communications wins corporate PR brief from Hyperdrive Innovation

Redleaf’s associate director Charlie Geller and Helena Shadbolt, account manager, will manage the account for Hyperdrive which develops batteries and lithium-ion battery systems for automotive, off highway, industrial, marine and standby power applications.

Geller said: “Hyperdrive is collaborating with Nissan and making electric batteries that recharge quicker and hold their power for longer. We are working with the company to help build its brand profile and deliver targeted national press coverage.”

Redleaf Communications is a full service comms agency which specialises in investor access, corporate PR and professional and financial services communications.

 

lastminute.com Group hires firstlight for Travel People brief

/in /by

firstlight has been appointed to handle a pan-European PR programme for the Travel People, a newly-launched media business from lastminute.com Group.

firstlight travel people 1

Alessandra Di Lorenzo

The Travel People aims to help brands reach European travellers through lastminute.com Group’s network of online travel brands, which include lastminute.com, Rumbo, Volagratis, Bravofly and Jetcost.

firstlight has been briefed to help raise awareness of the company’s profile across the UK, Italy and Spain, with a focus on the media and marketing sector, as well as travel and other verticals.

This activity follows a successful media launch of the business earlier this month (July).

Alessandra Di Lorenzo, chief advertising officer at the Travel People, said: “I’ve already been so impressed with firstlight’s approach and the results so far speak for themselves. Their knowledge and support will be invaluable as the Travel People’s journey continues.”

Paul Davies, founder and MD at firstlight, added: “Not only is it brilliant to have the opportunity to work for an iconic business like lastminute.com, it’s also really exciting to be unveiling a brand new offering to the market. The Travel People will benefit from our experience across the marketing sector and we can’t wait to make them famous.”

Stationery shop Paperchase briefs Stir PR

/in /by

Lifestyle agency Stir PR has been chosen by stationery shop Paperchase to promote its portfolio of lifestyle brands, with two campaigns set to take place over the summer.

Stir PR Paperchase

Stir PR will initiate two campaigns for Paperchase over the summer.

The agency has been briefed to position the design-led stationery brand as the first choice for consumers looking to buy stationery, including greeting cards, gifts, art and craft materials.

The account will be led by Stir board director Jo Seymour-Taylor, who will report to Bex Ohta, marketing manager at Paperchase.

Ohta said: “We were instantly drawn to Stir’s creative thinking, insight-driven strategy and wealth of influencer contacts, so are excited to be working with them. We’re also confident they’ll strengthen our own, in-house team, so can’t wait to see the results across both projects.”

Seymour-Taylor added: “We’re thrilled to have added such an iconic and innovative brand to our client portfolio. The summer is a particularly busy time of year for the stationer, so we’re looking forward to getting our creative hats on to raise awareness of the new Paperchase offerings in the coming months.”

M&C Saatchi PR’s Rik Salmon joins John Doe Communications

/in /by

John Doe Communications has brought in M&C Saatchi PR’s Rik Salmon as an associate director, with a brief to lead some of the agency’s biggest consumer and lifestyle accounts, including adidas Originals, Absolut and Havana Club.

JohnDoe1

Rik Salmon

Salmon spent the past two-and-a-half years at M&C Saatchi PR, where he developed and led creative campaigns, launches and events for brands including Red Bull, EE, Paddy Power, Capcom and Disney.

He also headed up pan-European activity for clients including Foot Locker, Spotify and Deezer.

Before M&C Saatchi PR, he spent four years at Eulogy.

In his new role at John Doe, Salmon will work closely with UK MD Rosie Holden, as well as newly-hired creative director James Wilkins.

Holden said: “‘It’s always a pleasure to hire brilliant people, and it’s exciting to have Rik on board at John Doe to help drive and manage our continued growth across all our agency offerings.”

Salmon added: “I’ve long admired John Doe from afar, and the opportunity to work with the likes of adidas Originals and the other fantastic brands here was too good to pass up. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some super talented people across my career so far, and I look forward to that continuing here.”