Fever founder Frankie Oliver joins Nexus as MD

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Frankie Oliver, co-founder and former joint-MD of consumer agency Fever, has joined Nexus Communications as MD, as the agency announces plans for future acquisitions and the launch of a new consumer comms brand in the Autumn.

Nexus
Oliver will lead an aggressive new growth strategy for the company that will see her create a new integrated consumer comms brand.

Nexus will continue to operate in health, nutrition and food PR. The new agency brand will focus on integrated comms briefs.

She joins Nexus’ board, which is chaired by Jonathan Choat who founded the business in 1998. The board also includes Nicky Smith, who heads up the agency’s consumer health practice, Kevin Coles, who heads up its food and issues management practice and finance director Lesley Gilbert. The board is further supported by client services director Amanda Cryer.

Together with the Nexus board, Oliver will also look to acquire businesses that align with the agency’s new growth strategy.

Choat said: “Nexus has established itself as a specialist agency that truly understands the food and health sector. The launch of our new integrated communications brand means we will now be able to deliver real breadth as well as depth to our clients’ communications campaigns. We are incredibly pleased that Frankie has joined the business to lead this strategy.

“Not only does she have a brilliant track record, she has a compelling future vision of the communications industry that is both exciting and infectious. We need to be much more vivid, and Frankie Oliver is nothing if not vivid.”

Oliver added: “I’m thrilled to have joined Nexus. Not only does it have an incredibly strong business, successfully built up over the last 20 years, it also has significant and commendable ambition to grow and compete through-the-line. The PR agency model is evolving beyond all recognition and our strategy will enable us to credibly win integrated work.”

Oliver has worked in PR for 21 years. During that time, she has helped grow a number of PR businesses, including Larkspur (now Citizen) and Trimedia (now Grayling).

She joined Nelson Bostock Communications in 2007 after which she co-founded and launched Fever in 2010, building up the company to be a £4 million revenue business in five  years.

Oliver has led a number of award-winning campaigns for a variety of clients including American Express, BBC Worldwide, Bacardi-Martini, Diageo, Disney, General Mills, HTC, OSPREY London, O2, P&O, Thorpe Park and Warner Bros. Studio Tour.

Data workflow specialist Phixflow appoints KISS

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PhixFlow, a data and workflow company, has appointed KISS PR to handle its communications.

Andy Humphries BC

Andy Humphries, PhixFlow

A PR agency specialising in advertising, branding, digital, and strategy, KISS will initially focus on Phixflow’s media relations, thought-leadership and customer testimonials.

Based in Cambridge, PhixFlow helps its clients automate and mobilise their business processes. It serves the media, energy and utilities, financial services and insurance, healthcare, government, and retail industries.

Tracy Postill, account director at KISS PR, will lead the account.

Justine Smith, managing director of KISS PR, said: “PhixFlow is an ambitious SME that has a clear set of business objectives and an interesting story to tell. We are rapidly expanding our technology portfolio across the board and we look forward to delivering some great results for the company.”

Blue Rubicon wins RICS brief

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Professional accrediting body RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) has appointed comms consultancy Blue Rubicon to deliver a series of campaigns to highlight the value and role of surveyors in society.

RICS provides accreditation for professionals in the land, real estate, infrastructure and construction industries. Blue Rubicon will be tasked with explaining the general role of surveyors in society, while increasing RICS’ profile among national, trade and regional media stakeholders.

Charles Stewart-Smith, Blue Rubicon director,  will lead the account, reporting to Roz Britton, head of media & PR at RICS.

Britton said: “While the work of surveyors is essential to all of our lives, few people really understand what these everyday heroes do. Blue Rubicon has a formidable reputation and we’re excited to be working with them to engage media and government alike to build appreciation of the contribution of the sector and showcase the achievements of our members.”

Blue Rubicon, a Teneo company, specialises in strategic consulting to chief executives, boards, and corporate affairs and marketing teams to build and transform reputations. Its client roster includes McDonalds, Coca Cola, Unilever, Facebook, and Samsung.

Former government special adviser joins MHP

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Lisa Hunter BCMHP Communications has unveiled Lisa Hunter, former special adviser to Iain Duncan Smith at the Department for Work and Pensions, as an associate director in its corporate affairs team.

Hunter will work on the PR firm’s political and corporate accounts, combining her experience in public affairs and media relations.

Her most recent position was head of media at Lloyd’s of London, where she worked for nearly two-and-a-half years.

Previously, she spent almost two years as special adviser to Iain Duncan Smith and was also special adviser to Jeremy Hunt between November 2011 and June 2012, during Hunt’s time as Culture, Media and Sport Secretary.

Hunter said: “I am really excited to be joining the Corporate Affairs team at MHP Communications. The company has a strong reputation for integrated work, combining expertise in both public affairs and media relations, and I look forward to applying my knowledge and experience in this new role.”

Jonathan Lomax, Head of Corporate Affairs at MHP Communications, added: “I am delighted to welcome Lisa to our team and, more widely, to MHP. Lisa’s considerable political and media skills are a perfect match for our agency offering, addressing briefs across the corporate and political spectrum.”

 

Theo Paphitis hires Jess Littlewood as PR lead

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The Theo Paphitis Retail Group (TPRG) has brought in LIVING TV’s (now SKYLiving) former senior PR manager, Jess Littlewood, as head of PR, with a brief to consolidate comms activity for the group and its chairman, Theo Paphitis.

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Littlewood will oversee the personal publicity for television personality, retail entrepreneur and businessman Theo Paphitis, as well as his retail brands, Robert Dyas, Ryman and, strategically, Boux Avenue.

In the last four years, Littlewood moved into the retail sector as head of PR for retail supply chain specialist iForce.

Littlewood has worked on brands including Classic FM and The Samaritans, as well as TV brands including former teen channel Trouble, games entertainment channel Challenge and, for the majority of her TV career, LIVING TV.

At LIVING TV, she worked on UK and US TV brands such as Extreme Makeover, Most Haunted, America’s Next Top Model, Britain’s Next Top Model, Boston Legal, Four Weddings and numerous series with Jade Goody, including the final series following her battle with cancer. She also managed US press visits including to the Grey’s Anatomy set and The Emmys.

Paphitis said: “Jess is a welcome addition to my team. Her diverse PR background will help her get her feet under the table quickly and her arrival is perfectly timed to support my personal PR requirements, and also help us shout about all the aspects that make our brands stand out from the crowd.”

Littlewood added: “My blend of retail and entertainment PR experience has enabled me to be a good fit for the Theo Paphitis Retail Group.  Working closely with Theo and the brands is a very exciting opportunity and one that will use my complete skillset to create a consistent and joined up communications strategy for Theo and the group in a variety of areas.”

The Times Philip Collins joins The Pagefield Academy

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Philip Collins mainPagefield, the independent comms consultancy, has appointed columnist Philip Collins to the faculty of The Pagefield Academy, which offers clients tailored training courses covering subjects from negotiation skills to risk management.

Collins, former chief speech writer to Tony Blair, will run his first half-day workshop on how to develop and deliver an impactful presentation, or speech, in July at Pagefield’s offices in Soho, London.

Sara Price, founding partner at Pagefield, said: “We launched the Pagefield Academy to offer clients the kind of training and senior support they need to help them through those aspects of their professional lives that keep them awake at night. Some of the most iconic speeches of the Blairite era were crafted by Phil and I am sure that our clients’ confidence will soar after a few hours of his expert tutelage.”

Collins said: “I’m looking forward to giving Academy attendees a few tricks of the trade and, crucially, the confidence to make sure the next time they give a speech, a presentation or even just address a room it is a much better experience for all involved.”

 

 

The Sun’s ex news chief joins PHA Media

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James Clench, The Sun‘s former head of news, has joined PR firm PHA Media.

At PHA, Clench will work on many accounts across all of the company’s divisions with a particular view towards top-of-the-line clients and online reputation management.

As head of news, his most recent role at The Sun, Clench managed a team of more than 50 news editors and reporters and, along with the editor, decided on the newspaper’s news agenda, balancing the demands of various stakeholders.

Prior to that, he has worked at The Sun as associate news editor, royal correspondent, senior news reporter, assistant news editor and news reporter.

He said: “I am very excited to be joining such an accomplished and well-respected agency as PHA Media. I’ve been impressed by the culture of innovation and expertise at the firm, which has clearly been integral in attracting so many top clients in recent years.

“There is a strong thread of journalistic knowledge which runs through PHA, from Phil Hall (chairman and founder of PHA down, to the great benefit of those clients.”

Phil Hall, chairman and founder of PHA Media, added: “James’s vast and varied journalistic experience and knowledge of the media will be invaluable to our clients here at PHA Media.  We’re delighted to welcome him on board.”

Frank promotes this year’s Jeans for Genes Day

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National charity Genetic Disorders UK (GDUK) has chosen Frank to promote its annual charity fundraising event, Jeans for Genes Day.

Frank

 

Now in its 21st year, the mass participation Jeans for Genes fundraising event has raised more than £40 million in total to help children with genetic disorders.

Kate Moss, Kylie, Warwick Davis, Tallia Storm, Charlotte De Carle, Louise Thompson, Nicola Roberts and Lorraine Kelly have confirmed they are supporting the initiative this year.

Frank will manage all consumer publicity in the lead up to Jean for Genes Day, which takes place on Friday September 23.

In addition to leading the celebrity campaign strategy, Frank’s brief includes co-ordinating the media launch and promoting its official limited edition T-shirt.

Claire Morrison, GM of Frank’s Scottish arm, McFrank will lead the account.

Laura Pattison, campaign director for Jeans for Genes Day, said: “Frank’s enthusiasm and creativity really stood out during the pitch process and we’re thrilled to have them on board.”

Morrison added: “Jeans for Genes Day is, hands down, one of the most established and engaging charitable fundraising days of the year and we are absolutely delighted to be on board.”

Burson-Marsteller appoints head of brand comms

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Debi Clay-Moore BCBurson-Marsteller UK has appointed Debi Clay-Moore as director of its brand communications practice.

Clay-Moore will report to Burson-Marsteller’s UK CEO, Amanda Pierce.

Formerly at Red Consultancy, Clay-Moore has worked with high-profile business portfolios delivering year-on-year revenue growth. She led campaigns for Johnson & Johnson, Nestle, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s.

Pierce said: “Clay-Moore is a brand communications heavyweight and just the right person to grow the practice. She offers clients creativity, sage advice and extensive experience. A real asset.”

Clay-Moore added: “I am delighted to be joining Burson-Marsteller’s brand communications practice. It is full of super smart, super savvy individuals, and I look forward to us doing lots of brilliant work together.”

Prior to the Red Consultancy, Clay-Moore was at Cohn & Wolfe where she worked on campaigns for Unilever, Colgate, Palmolive, Ferrero Danone and Diageo.

MassChallenge appoints Red Lorry Yellow Lorry

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Global start-up accelerator, MassChallenge, has appointed Red Lorry Yellow Lorry as its UK and US PR partner.

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry’s comms campaign, which will run from offices in London and Boston, is set to focus on building brand awareness of MassChallenge.

The campaign will also support the brand in recruiting more partners and sponsors, and to drive applications of start-ups to its programmes.

Diane Perlman, CMO at MassChallenge, said: “As the most start-up friendly accelerator in the world, we need the best partners to realise our vision to support high-impact innovation globally and in each local ecosystem. We chose the lorries, not only because of their media and content expertise, but mostly because they understand our vision, share our passion and can play a key, strategic role for our growing network.”

Rob Ettridge, partner at Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, added: “MassChallenge is a vibrant innovation community. It invests huge amounts of time, support and money, bringing entrepreneurial ideas and businesses to life and realising the dreams of their founders. We’re really looking forward to telling the stories of this unique network, with its start-ups, entrepreneurs and high-profile partners.”