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Cole will support director Charles Goodwin in Yellow Jersey‘s strategic communications segment. With Paris-based venture capitalist AD&P, Cole helped build a number of successful companies across sectors including biotech, cloud collaboration and online publishing.
Dominic Barretto, Yellow Jersey MD, said: “We welcome yet another new member of the team at a very exciting stage in the firm’s growth and look forward to using Josh’s brain to add a new layer of support across key accounts.”
Amazing PR has been brought in to handle the PR for non-profit organisation The Academy of Chocolate.
It has been briefed to help the Academy raise awareness of the importance of educating the consumer about the difference between fine chocolate and mass produced chocolate confectionery via workshops, seminars and a biannual conferences.
The Academy of Chocolate was founded in 2005 by five professionals in the chocolate industry who were united in the belief that eating fine chocolate is “one of life’s great pleasures”.
Academy members meet to taste, discuss, demonstrate and debate issues regarding sourcing, transparency and the journey of chocolate “from bean to bar”.
Amazing PR will also promote the eighth Academy of Chocolate Awards which recognise key individuals in the industry as well as successful products. Entries are now open until 29 March.
For the first time this year, the best of the Gold winners for each category will be showcased and sold at Oxford Street department store Selfridges.
Curzon Cinemas has handed a UK consumer PR brief to MWW PR.
MWW PR will work on a project basis to drive awareness of the curated Curzon Home Cinema service, an on-demand offering customers to chose a “day and date” allowing them to watch a range of films at the same time as their cinema release.
Philip Mordecai, director at Curzon Home Cinema, said: “This is a big year for Curzon Home Cinema as we continue to emphasise the simultaneous releasing of new films (day and date) as well as our natural ability to curate quality film experiences.
“Allowing film lovers to access the best films in the comfort of their home as well as through our venues across the UK gives consumers the choice they crave in the modern era as we find ourselves more immersed in a digital world.
“We’re looking forward to having the MWW PR consumer team on-board to drive awareness of Curzon Home Cinema and get people to love film as much as we do.”
Ked Mather, senior account director at MWW UK, said: “Curzon has a rich heritage in British culture and is probably best known for its unique cinema venues. Curzon is much more that that though, and its Curzon Home Cinema on-demand film service can reach consumers who might want to watch film when and how they wish to.
“We’re excited to work with Curzon and drive more awareness of Curzon Home Cinema within consumer media in the UK.”
AstraZeneca has appointed FTI Consulting’s Jennie Younger as vice president global corporate affairs to lead the pharma giant’s international corporate affairs function from its headquarters in Cambridge.
Younger takes responsibility for all internal and external communications and government relations across the business.
Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca CEO, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Jennie to AstraZeneca at this important time for our company. Jennie brings extensive communications and investor relations expertise that will reinforce our strategic progress with key stakeholders.”
Younger has some 25 years’ experience working in communications. Most recently she was senior MD and partner at FTI Consulting in London. While there, she seconded to a leading international law firm to support its implementation of a new global strategy.
She was previously Deutsche Bank’s head of global comms and client marketing for investment banking, global head of comms at GlaxoSmithKline and head of investor relations with British Gas.
Street & Co has been appointed to handle press office activity for Kathryn Sargent, as she becomes the first female Master Tailor to open a shop on Savile Row in Mayfair next month.
The shop will be sister to the Atelier on Brook Street, and will open for Spring/Summer ’16 as a seasonal residency.
Street & Co has been briefed to oversee the launch of the shop as a London destination to both UK and international media.
The agency will raise the profile of Sargent’s bespoke tailoring for both men and women, with a focus on obtaining profile opportunities.
It will also support her presence and role in the forthcoming London Craft Week, which takes place from 3 to 7 May.
Permira, the global investment firm, has hired Montfort Communications as its UK strategic communications adviser.
Founded in 1985, Permira advises funds with some €25 billion (£19.7bn) in committed capital across sectors including consumer, financial services, healthcare, industrials and tech.
James Olley, senior consultant, is managing the brief. He will work with Noémie de Andia, head of communications at Permira.
The London Stock Exchange has appointed Cardew Group to provide comms support around its proposed £21bn merger with German stock exchange Deutsche Börse.
Cardew’s appointment coincides with yesterday’s news that the LSE and Deutsche Börse had agreed the terms for a “merger of equals“. Under the terms of the proposed deal, LSE shareholders will own 45.6% of the new holding company, while Deutsche Börse shareholders will own 54.4%.
The agency will provide M&A comms advice alongside LSE’s retained PR firm Finsbury.
Anthony Cardew (pictured), chairman of Cardew Group, said: “We are delighted to be advising the London Stock Exchange Group during its merger of equals with Deutsche Börse to create a leading global markets infrastructure group based in Europe.”
New challenger bank Tandem has appointed Eulogy as its retained PR agency ahead of its launch later this year.
Tandem claims to be on a mission to create a “good bank” that only does well when its customers do well. It launches later this year with a range of current accounts, credit cards and loans helping customers manage their finances “in a way which suits them”.
Eulogy, which won the six-figure account following a competitive pitch, has been briefed to develop and deliver media relations, social media and content activity which will tell the Tandem narrative, enhance brand exposure and create social buzz for the challenger bank.
Rowan Adams, head of comms at Tandem, said: “Everything we do at Tandem has to start with the customer experience, and Eulogy thoroughly recognised this in its pitch. Packed full of thoughtful ideas that reflect our beliefs and ethos, I am delighted to have the team on board to help tell our story as Tandem starts its first chapter.”
Elisabeth Field, MD of Eulogy, said: “Tandem is about to do something to the retail banking industry that is long overdue. We absolutely love the challenge and excitement that challenger brands provide, and they don’t get much more exciting than what Tandem has tasked us with.”
With the winner of the 2016 Suzy Ferguson Spirit Award set to be announced tomorrow, find out what makes the five shortlisted candidates stand out from the crowd. The people who nominated them explain how each candidate has shown exceptional character, integrity and determination, and why they recommended their colleagues for this unique and prestigious industry award.
Chloe Couchman – head of PR at Merlin Entertainments (formerly PR director at Carlson Wagonlit Travel when nominated)
Chloe was nominated by her former colleague Carrie-Ann, global media relations manager at Carlson Wagonlit Travel, for being, above all, a “fantastic and influential mentor”. In the office, she led several community involvement initiatives, while out of the office, Chloe volunteers her time and PR expertise to support Chrysalis London, a contemporary dance school that supports new talent.
Carrie-Ann said: “I’ve been so influenced by Chloe’s drive and enthusiasm that I wanted other people to know all about her too.”
Anita Glover – head of corporate comms at MHS Homes
Anita was nominated for the award by Maria Soleil, digital comms co-ordinator at MHS Homes. She leads on the charity fundraising initiatives at MHS homes and in the last two years has inspired the organisation to raise more than £35,000 for charity.
Maria said: “When I read about Suzy’s qualities Anita was the first person I thought of as she encompasses her qualities – integrity, inspirational leadership and a strong personality.”
Henry Playfoot – strategy director at Claremont Communications
Ben Caspersz, founder and MD of Claremont Communications, nominated Henry, who he says “lights up our lives.” Ben was inspired to make a nomination after reading about Suzy standing at the door of her church welcoming people in. “Welcoming people, that’s what Henry does every day.”
Ben adds: “He inspires through his words and ideas, picking people up when they’re down and when they’re stuck on a particular issue.”
Chloe Staniforth – account executive at Cream PR
The youngest nominee for the Suzy Spirit Award this year, Chloe was nominated by Cream PR’s co-founder and director Jane Whitham. This is her first job because she decided not to finish her A-Levels and head straight into PR.
A few years ago, Chloe suffered a brain hemorrhage at work – she’s since recovered and has remained intensely focused on her career, continuing to impress her managers and clients. Jane said: “There seems to be so so many tremendous similarities between Suzy and Chloe which immediately resonated, and I’m immensely proud of her.”
Louise Thompson – marketing and PR manager for Dalton Park Outlet
Louise was nominated by Jeanne Holland-Young, MD of PR agency Holland Young. At Dalton Park Outlet, Louise has been involved in mentoring for the past couple of years and currently has two students from Sunderland University under her wing.
Describing Louise as supportive, who rigorously enforces a ‘no-blame’ culture within her operation, Jeanne said: “First and foremost Louise is a total professional. She handles every situation with skill and diplomacy and every person with the utmost courtesy. This award is all about the person behind the role and highlights their attitude to work as well as those they work with.”
Now in its third year, the Suzy Ferguson Spirit Award recognises those unsung heroes who have made a difference to others in the industry and bring out the best in other people, yet don’t expect anything in return.
It was launched by Gorkana in partnership with LEWIS in memory of the PR agency’s former employee, Suzy Ferguson, who passed away from bowel cancer in 2012, aged 31.
The 2016 winner will be announced at an awards ceremony tomorrow afternoon (18 March). More information can be found here.
Lifestyle agency Stir PR has been brought in to promote pregnancy programme Emma’s Diary and help launch new parenting website Families, following a three-way pitch process.
Part of the Lifecycle Marketing group, Emma’s Diary provides pre-natal, pregnancy and early post-natal advice from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and other industry specialists.
Families is a new website due to launch this summer, which will lead on from Emma’s Diary, covering toddlers through to 11-year-old children.
Stir has been briefed to increase awareness and enhance the credibility of Emma’s Diary, as well as help launch Families.
The account will be led by Sarah Tadier, account director at Stir PR.
Chris Hill, development director at Emma’s Diary, said: “The market for offering parenting advice is competitive, so it’s essential we’re able to share relevant information to stay front of mind for parents and carers.
“With their insight-driven strategy and creative ideas, Stir PR was the clear choice to take on the job of raising awareness of Emma’s Diary in the UK, as well as launching our exciting new site Families in a few months’ time.”
communications segment. With Paris-based venture capitalist AD&P, Cole helped build a number of successful companies across sectors including biotech, cloud collaboration and online publishing.
and government relations across the business.
Deutsche Börse had agreed the terms for a “
