Spreckley

Business membership body hires Spreckley

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Global non-profit organisation The Association of Business Executives (ABE) has appointed Spreckley as its retained PR support in the UK.

ABE is a professional membership body and recognised exam board, providing further education qualifications in management.

Spreckley will support ABE by leveraging its experience in education and public sectors. It will work with entrepreneurs and business start-ups to raise the organisation’s media profile and share of voice among three groups; further education institutions, young people aged 16 to 21, and fast-growth businesses looking to fill entrepreneurial skills gaps.

The agency will also carry out a thought-leadership project programme for ABE, including an extensive consumer research project, case studies, and media relations.

Gareth Robinson, ABE CEO, said: “Spreckley demonstrated its knowledge behind the key challenges businesses face in meeting their changing skills requirements, as well as the potential to expand the PR programme into regions such as Africa and Asia where our other key markets lie. We have a great story to tell, and we look forward to telling it through Spreckley’s work.”

ICG launches strategic media offering

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Comms agency ICG has setup the Media Task Force, led by former Metro political editor John Higginson, to offer “high level” corporate-focused strategic advice to clients.

Higginson, ICG’s head of corporate comms, is joined by former Independent on Sunday business editor Maggie Pagano and ex-Daily Mail medical correspondent Jenny Hope.

Pagano has some three decades’ experience covering the City, is a regular pundit on Sky News and presents International Business Times TV. She was the founding editor of Financial News. She will help ICG’s clients understand how to land their financial news and mergers and acquisitions effectively.

Hope’s experience covers the NHS and medical environment, in which many of ICG’s health and social care clients operate.

John Lehal, ICG MD, said: “Last year ICG strengthened its Corporate Communications offering with the hire of former Metro political editor John Higginson to head up the practice. With Corporate Communications becoming an increasingly significant part of ICG’s business, this is the right time to move to the next level.

“From health, to business and politics our senior advisors in the Media Task Force provide a unique offering that will give our clients the insight they need in the challenging environments that they operate in.”

Higginson added: “The way companies and organisations communicate with their customers and stakeholders is changing. But those companies that are succeeding to get their message across are the ones that understand that while the medium may be changing the message stays the same. The Media Task Force will act as a key resource for our clients when they need it.”

Gorkana meets…International Investment

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International Investment‘s editor Helen Burggraf  (pictured) and editorial director Jonathan Boyd, and deputy editor James Fernyhough, tell us about the “resurrection” of the title under Open Door Media, their symbiotic relationship with PRs and how they cover the issues that matter to the global expat community.

Can you tell me more about the relaunch of International Investment, and how you came to acquire the brand from Incisive Media?

Jonathan Boyd: Open Door Media was set up three years ago when former Incisive MD Nick Rapley decided to run his own ship. He then set out to launch and resurrect the International Investment title [which originally closed in 2008]. Obviously, Incisive still owned all the intellectual property around this and there were some negotiations that took place, which resulted in a deal to acquire the brand and associated awards.

James Fernyhough

James Fernyhough

Why did you feel now was the right time to relaunch?

Jonathan: On the basis of what we’ve been able to prove with [sister title] InvestmentEurope, both on the editorial and commercial side, it certainly makes sense to look to grow in this direction. Our research suggests the market needs some choice. Plus, it’s also a model that Nick has experience with from his Incisive days.

Helen Burggraf: I had just started covering the private equity industry for the first time, which was hugely interesting, but covering the offshore industry for International Adviser before that had been really fun, so I was really happy to come back to it, and  begin seeing and interviewing the same people again.

That part of it is nice, you really appreciate something when you leave it and come back to it.

Who are International Investment‘s readership and what issues concern them?

Jonathan: We are very much in the audience building phase. It is definitely a different audience from InvestmentEurope. International Investment targets international and financial advisers, wealth managers, planners, bankers, and we will be dealing with issues that are very central to them.

Helen: Regulation and tax are hugely affecting this audience at the moment. There are also concerns around visas and healthcare, and there are issues with insurance and products, packages and pensions. Moving pensions out of the UK has been a big industry in recent years but HMRC has cracked down on the ability to move pensions overseas and access your money before your fifty-fifth birthday.

Who are International Investment‘s competitors and what sets you apart?

Jonathan Boyd

Jonathan Boyd

Helen: International Adviser is probably one of our bigger competitors in this area. There are also lots of titles across a number of markets – both expat and global titles. The Telegraph Expat, for example, is for consumer readers; The Wall Street Journal has an expat website that’s also mostly aimed at consumer readers.

Jonathan: Some people are trying to do pan-European publications as we do or pan-global publications. We’re not just competing with these pan-global titles. Our competition can be very much one person’s niche in one region or one market or for one group of expats.

How is the new editorial team structured?

Jonathan: There are two editorial teams, one for each title (IE and II), as well as freelancers. The company is based in this one room. It’s not like working for a big media company with people working on different floors and buildings. I think that gives a different feel to it; we’re physically close to each other so if someone has a query or a bit of information they can just shout it out across the shoulder.

What is your relationship like with PRs?

Jonathan: It’s a symbiotic relationship. There are certain ways that would be great for PRs to help at the moment. This is a brand that we’re trying to get people to know about. PRs who are looking to gain more exposure in a title that covers international life offices or the international financial adviser community would benefit from phoning up and having a chat with Helen or James.

How best can PRs approach and help you?

James Fernyhough: Because we’re new and setting up, we would really welcome people calling up for a chat if there are people doing stuff that we don’t know about. We would absolutely welcome finding out as much as we can about the industry.

Jonathan: Absolutely – calls, emails, visits! We’re always telling people that if you’re in town, come and see us. But yes, as a key message: reach out. Tell us what you want, what you need, what you’re doing. New areas and trends, and not just for the UK either. This is a global thing that we’re doing here. So for PRs who are thinking globally, they should think about us.

What are your plans or goals for the year ahead?

Jonathan: Digitally, we’ve launched a site and very much focused on making people aware of that so that they can get their daily fix of news and information. In terms of print, there will be a magazine that will be launching March to April with 10 issues per year. On the events side we are looking at a couple of events a year, one of which will be the continuation of the International Fund Products Awards which have been going for 16 years.

And finally, what is the most interesting cross-border deal you’ve covered?

Helen: For me it was FATCA (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act). It’s been massive for American expats; it’s just changed everything, and now Americans are renouncing their passports on levels that have never been seen because it’s the only way to be free of life-long tax filing requirement and potentially significant tax obligations, and the price of renouncing has soared exponentially. The way FATCA was signed into law was really fascinating because it was buried deep inside another piece of legislation, the HIRE Act, and no one saw it coming. That was always the most amazing thing that a piece of legislation that big could go through with no comment at all.

The International Investment team was speaking to Gorkana’s Ben Spencer

 

Ketchum wins UK brief for social media tool TINT

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TINT, which claims to be the world’s biggest social media ‘display’ tool, has hired Ketchum as its PR partner of choice in the UK.

The social media business, which was set up in 2013 and is headquartered in San Francisco, is a platform which lets brands aggregate, curate and display social media feeds onto any screen – from websites and mobile apps to digital billboards, retail displays and event walls.

TINT‘s software allows brands to filter content created by fans and followers about them and display it on any of their digital properties.

It already has 45,000 customers worldwide, and has worked with brands including Williams F1, Nestle, UK retailer Bench, as well as tech stock exchange NASDAQ, which uses TINT to incorporate social media for many of its IPOs.

Ketchum’s brief in the UK will be to enhance awareness of TINT’s social media platform. The campaign will target specific sectors, including retail/ecommerce, printing and publishing, hospitality and travel, and event management.

Stuart Thompson, European director at TINT, said: “Hashtags have really evolved and now form part of our real conversations and engagement with companies and organisations, and that is why brands around the world have such an appetite for TINT.”

David Vindel, MD, European technology, at Ketchum, said: “TINT has great momentum behind it, with an energetic and entrepreneurial management team and a track record of 45,000 customers built up in just two years.

“Finding ways to deepen relationships with their customers while maximising marketing spend is top of mind for our clients right now, so we are very much looking forward to, not only generating greater awareness of TINT in the market, but also introducing TINT to our clients and exploring novel ways in which we can use TINT throughout the Ketchum network too.

“At the same time, the Out of Home (OOH) medium is experiencing phenomenal growth and has finally embraced digital. New technology like TINT has transformed OOH into an increasingly dynamic, adaptive, innovative and interactive medium. Having a client in this space is genuinely very, very exciting.”

Elysian Estates hires Rich Leigh & Company

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Consumer PR agency Rich Leigh & Company has won its first retained hospitality PR brief from luxury accommodation website Elysian Estates.

Elysian Estates is a British-based property hire website, offering its clients the ability to hire properties in the UK, including castles, country estates and luxury houses. The site also offers a concierge service, to arrange services including catering, entertainment, child minding, activities and housekeeping.

Rich Leigh & Company, which won the account following a competitive pitch, has been briefed to provide creative PR and media relations support for Elysian Estates, with a strong focus on building authoritative links.

Rich Leigh, founder of Rich Leigh & Company, said: “I’ve had my eye on Elysian Estates for a while; I love the business and brand and was thrilled when we won the account, as there are so many creative ways we can achieve our goals of link building and, of course, sending traffic we hope will convert to clients for the site.

“Although I’ve worked with numerous hospitality clients before, this is the first one for the agency since starting a year ago, which is exciting. I know we’re all looking forward to developing and delivering the unique ideas the team have come up with.”

Rebecca Cole, MD of Elysian Estates, said: “Rich and his team demonstrated a clear passion for not only creativity, but also accountability. SEO is ever-important and PR is uniquely placed to build links with authoritative sites, something Rich was able to show us his team does regularly for current clients. We have some fun campaigns planned and, really, just can’t wait to get started.”

Mirada hands financial PR brief to Newgate

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Mirada, a developer of products for the digital TV market, has appointed Newgate as its financial PR agency following a competitive pitch process.

Newgate has been appointed to communicate Mirada’s business to the investment community by increasing its presence in national and investment media.

Mirada develops user interfaces for digital TV broadcasters and channels, enabling TV content to be delivered across multiple devices.

Bob Huxford, Newgate’s Growth Companies head, leads the brief. He will be supported by senior consultant Robyn McConnachie and account executive Ed Treadwell.

Huxford said: “Mirada is a dynamic business with a compelling proposition and strong positioning in an exciting growth market. We are delighted to have been appointed to support the management in the next phase of the Company’s development.”

Jose Vazquez, CEO of Mirada, added: “Mirada is currently embarking on a number of significant deployments with the recent launch of an OTT solution in Latin America and further rollouts of its solutions across major broadcast networks in the region expected soon.

“As experienced financial PR practitioners in the AIM technology space, Newgate is well placed to help us in effectively communicating these important developments.”

W wins Trouva and Boat International Media briefs

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W has won PR briefs from Trouva, an online store that curates products from independent boutiques across the UK, and luxury yachting publisher Boat International Media.

Trouva, which launched last year, works with 150 lifestyle boutiques from across the UK, with an aim to provide an alternative curated online shopping experience.

W’s brands division has been briefed to increase awareness of the Trouva brand and support business objectives to grow sales figures.

Activity will include a product placement campaign, alongside building a community of digital influencers.

Lucy Ward, head of creative and content at Trouva, said: “We were hugely impressed by W’s first-class connectivity and creative response to our brief. The dynamic team also showcased a commercial flair, that is vital to Trouva’s success this year.”

Hailed as “the Vogue of the yachting world” in The Times, Boat International Media’s monthly magazine is regarded as one of the most authoritative and trusted titles for the superyacht community.

W has been hired to boost the profile of its flagship event, the Superyacht Design Symposium, which takes place in the Austrian Alps from 21 to 23 February 2016.

Presided over by Stephen Bayley, co-creator of London’s Design Museum, the Symposium will bring together high-profile industry speakers to debate ideas and trends influencing the luxury design market – from Jaguar Landrover’s automotive design director Gerry McGovern, to Italian industrialist Lapo Elkann.

The account will sit within W’s Media and Corporate division.

Darrell McLennan Fordyce, chief marketing and events officer at Boat International Media, said: “W’s distinctive understanding of the luxury market has been instrumental for publicising the Superyacht Design Symposium’s revamped format and fresh content.

“This has also been a huge focus for Boat International Media recently, and complements our broader focus on luxury lifestyle, so we’re delighted to work with them on this exciting project.”

Pictured: Cakewalk designed by Tim Heywood

DeVries SLAM enhances leadership team

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DeVries Global has enhanced the leadership team at its UK operation,  DeVries SLAM, with the promotions of MD Helena Bloomer to regional MD, Europe, and brand strategy lead Gemma Chaldecott to deputy MD UK.

Bloomer was part of a three-strong leadership team to launch SLAM in 2006. She became became MD during the agency’s integration into DeVries Global in 2012.

Her new role as regional MD, Europe will see Bloomer take resposibilty for growth and capability across the region.

Chaldecott served as head of brand strategy for DeVries SLAM, having first joined the agency as a director in 2011. In her previous role, she led work with Beats by Dr Dre, Tanqueray Gin and PepsiCo.

As deputy MD, Chaldecott takes on day-to-day operational oversight of the UK office, including agency marketing, talent management, new business and financial duties.

Heidi Hovland CEO of DeVries Global, said: “Helena has ushered in unprecedented growth for the DeVries SLAM office since her installation as MD. Her leadership in fostering a creatively prosperous culture within the agency has led to their best year yet. We look to her appointment as a catalyst for new growth across Europe, while she continues to lead her team to further success.

“Together with the inimitable Gemma Chaldecott in her new role as deputy MD, they will be integral in recognizing DeVries Global’s visions of success in 2016 and beyond.”

Bloomer added: “Following an incredible year, we are focused on how to best offer our first-class client services across Europe and beyond. Working in harmony with our DeVries Global counterparts around the world, we move to becoming even more of a truly global organization.

“Europe is an important growth area for us and with these newly appointed roles, we will work with agency leads across the region to drive greater growth and synergies.”

Jargon PR wins DOCOMO Digital account

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DOCOMO Digital, the European-based subsidiary of Japanese mobile operator NTT DOCOMO, has appointed Jargon PR to provide media relations and branding support as it launches a global mobile commerce venture.

DOCOMO Digital, which develops payment solutions for mobile retailers, has hired Jargon as it looks to expand internationally. The agency will provide strategic and operational services during the company’s global launch at the Mobile World Congress, which is taking place in Barcelona next week.

Dennis Heisig, DOCOMO press manager, said: “Appointing Jargon PR was an easy decision. We were looking for an agency with proven technology and corporate experience, a proactive attitude and an international team. Having been named Small Agency of the Year by the CIPR in late November, Jargon PR was the obvious choice.”

Simon Corbett, Jargon MD, added: “We are delighted to be working with the talented and inspirational team at DOCOMO Digital. Our campaign will support the business at a number of international conferences and events throughout 2016, starting with Mobile World Congress next month.

“The win is testament to the hard work of the team and our impressive corporate and technology PR credentials.”

The Open University briefs Lexis

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Lexis has been called in by The Open University to support its ‘Life-changing Learning’ campaign, which aims to promote the impact of studying with the OU and to motivate “people of every age to begin their own learning journey”.

Lexis has been briefed to provide a series of consumer-facing activations that support a range of brand and direct response marketing campaigns. Work will include media, earned social media and experiential activity.

The account will be led by Ruth Kieran, deputy MD at Lexis.

Debbie Britton, director of marketing at The Open University, said: “The Open University has a track record of changing people’s lives by improving their career prospects and enhancing their futures through part-time study. The PR campaign will communicate this message most effectively to as wide an audience as possible.”

Kieran said: “The Open University is an iconic and world-leading academic institution, which has a continued legacy of trust and respect in the UK. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to work in partnership with their team, reach a wider range of audiences and demonstrate the life-changing opportunities the OU has to offer.”