LEWIS appoints Andy Oliver to new client engagement officer role

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Andy Oliver, former APAC SVP at LEWIS, has relocated to the agency’s London HQ to take up a new role as global client engagement officer.

Oliver will focus on building client relationships and engagement globally and assist multinational clients and companies expand their relationship with LEWIS into Europe, Asia and South America.

He started his career with LEWIS in London in 1996. He moved to San Diego, California in 1998 to establish a presence in the US. He then relocated to Singapore in 2009 to take on a regional role in the APAC region.

Based in Hong Kong in 2014, Oliver managed the acquisition of China-based agency EBA Communications.

Chris Lewis, CEO at LEWIS, said: “Andy Oliver is one of an all-rounder and one of our most long serving people. His wealth of experience working on three continents, makes him the perfect senior counsel for our international clients.

“More and more of our business is global. That is why we are very happy to have him back to our headquarters in this new role.”

Oliver said: “I’ve been incredibly lucky to have been given numerous opportunities on multiple continents. Taking on a new role as we unveil a new brand and new services presents another exciting opportunity for me and the agency.”

Camera brand Hasselblad hands international brief to Neville McCarthy

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Professional camera manufacturer Hasselblad, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, has appointed Neville McCarthy Associates to handle its PR and comms activity in the UK, USA, China, Japan, UK, Germany and France.

The agency has been briefed to handle all media relations for the brand across traditional and online media, run ‘interactive’ events, identify strategic brand alliances and initiate international influencer outreach.

It will target tech, travel, financial and lifestyle media, to raise the profile of Hasselblad’s heritage and promote new brand announcements.

Perry Oosting, CEO of Hasselblad, said: “We are looking forward to working with a trusted PR partner like Neville McCarthy Associates. This year will be a particularly exciting year for Hasselblad, partly because we will be celebrating our 75th anniversary. NMA is a creative and experienced agency that is well placed to support our latest developments and maintain Hasselblad’s position as the market leader in high-quality professional cameras.”

Dominic McCarthy, MD of Neville McCarthy, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Hasselblad and are eager to begin promoting its future innovations, technical knowledge and inventive spirit around the world.”

Think briefed to handle UK PR for Antiguan luxury resort Carlisle Bay

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Think Publicity has been selected to handle the UK PR for five star luxury resort Carlisle Bay in Antigua.

Think, which celebrates 11 years in business this year, has been briefed to raise the profile of the hotel across the UK, targeting luxury print titles, bloggers and broadcast media, alongside media buying activity and campaign design support.

As part of the brief, Think has partnered with ZDLUX&Co., a luxury-focused comms and press relations consultancy, to work on the account.

John Rogers, general manager of Carlisle Bay, said: “We were impressed by Think’s depth of knowledge, ideas, contacts and, above all, commitment to the brand. We are very much looking to it taking Carlisle Bay to the next level in the UK.”

Phil Nixon, Think founder and agency director, said: “There is no better way to start a New Year! Carlisle Bay is an outstanding resort and proud member of The Leading Hotels of The World and Condé Nast Johansens. This strengthens both the agency’s national tourism credentials and places Think on the international map, something we will be looking to capitalise on.

“The partnership with ZDLUX&Co. is strong and we have complementing relationships in the industry. We cannot wait to check out the famous white sands, turquoise waters and the rainforest adjacent to the resort.”

Zeina Dakak, founder and MD of ZDLUX&Co., said: “It is a great honour to be collaborating with Think ensuring the prestigious Carlisle Bay is recognised and noticed. This is most definitely an exciting time for ZDLUX&Co.’s evolution, extending our services in the luxury travel sector.

Beattie appoints Jessica McAndrew as digital comms director

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Creative comms group Beattie has enhanced its digital team with the appointment of the BIG Partnership’s Jessica McAndrew as digital comms director.

Jessica will work with MD Laurna Woods and digital marketing director David Reid to further develop the agency’s digital comms offering.

Woods said: “Our Only Digital brand is well established in the field of search, web design, data and marketing tech. As well as working with existing digital clients, Jessica’s remit will be to grow the digital content side of our business. Over the next 12 months you are going to see us producing a lot more videos, apps, creative collateral as well as online and TV advertising.

“We are delighted to have signed Jessica. She is one of Britain’s top digital communications experts and will strengthen our senior management structure. We look forward to getting her on board to help drive our creative digital team forward.”

McAndrew will join Beattie from the BIG Partnership, where she was a digital account director. Before that, she did stints at Frame Digital, Peach Digital and Groundzero.

VFX academy Escape Studios briefs Alfred on press office activity and stakeholder engagement

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Escape Studios, Europe’s leading VFX academy and part of Pearson College London (Pearson PLC), has appointed PR consultancy Alfred to run its press office activity and develop a stakeholder engagement programme.

Escape Studios, part of Pearson PLC, offers short classroom-based courses and undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses in VFX, Games and Animation.

Alfred was initially brought on board after a three-way pitch to support the 2016 VFX Festival, which takes place in London from 23 to 25 February.

Following its initial work on this project, the agency’s remit has been expanded and retained.

Alfred will now handle UK press office activity to build the profile of the academy with key trade and consumer titles.

The team will also develop a stakeholder engagement programme to further grow the profile within the creative industry.

Dom Davenport, founder of Escape Studios, said: “A switched on and collaborative team was absolutely key to us, and Alfred really fits the bill. We needed a team with great industry understanding from both a media and technical perspective, as well as one that is brave enough to bring new ideas to the table. Myself and the team at Escape are delighted to have Alfred on-board.”

Alfred co-founder Dan Neale, added: “It’s brilliant to be working with Escape Studios during such an exciting period of growth. We’ve a huge amount of experience with the major film, TV and gaming studios, as well as a deep understanding of how to to raise a profile with stakeholders, industry wide. We’re looking forward to a great 2016 and are excited about the plans we are about to put into place.”

McCann’s Mark Lund named non-exec chair of Smart Energy GB

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Mark Lund, chief executive of McCann Worldgroup UK, has been appointed non-executive chair of Smart Energy GB, the national campaign for Britain’s smart meter rollout.MarkLund

Smart Energy GB’s role is to build consumer confidence, awareness, and understanding of smart meters, and to encourage consumers to change their behaviour so they can better manage their energy use.

More than two million smart meters have been installed across England, Wales and Scotland. By 2020 every household should have been offered an upgrade.

Mark has more than 30 years’ experience in comms and marketing. Prior to joining McCann, Mark helped co-found two independent advertising businesses, including Delaney Lund Knox Warren (DLKW).

He was chief executive of the Central Office of Information (COI), the UK government’s marketing and communications arm and behaviour change centre. Mark has also held roles at the Advertising Association and the IPA.

Sacha Deshmukh, chief executive of Smart Energy GB, said: “Mark brings an enormous wealth of experience in consumer engagement and behaviour change to this role and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to be working with him as our new Chair. Smart Energy GB’s task to engage the entire nation is already well underway and Mark’s expertise will ensure that we continue to deliver an engaging campaign in 2016 and beyond.”

Lund said: “ is engaged in a very significant piece of behaviour change communications and has already delivered some great activity. I’m excited to work with a highly talented team to help make sure that everyone in Great Britain can benefit from the transformation that smart meters will bring.”

Energy and Climate Change Minister Lord Bourne said: “I look forward to working closely with Mark and Smart Energy GB to ensure all bill payers experience the benefits of smart meters by the end of 2020.

“I am determined to put consumers in control of their energy use. The roll out of smart meters will put an end to estimated bills and help people become more energy efficient.

RFU briefs Frank PR to promote upcoming HSBC London Sevens tournament

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The Rugby Football Union has appointed Frank PR to promote the HSBC London Sevens, the final tournament of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, at Twickenham in May 2016.

The HSBC London Sevens takes place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 May at Twickenham Stadium. For the first time, Twickenham Stadium will be turned into a festival of rugby and food, which will be provided by local and artisan food vendors.

Frank, which won the account following a competitive pitch, will help raise the profile of this new “Feast of Rugby” format in a bid to target new audiences and drive ticket sales.

With live DJs, children’s entertainers and hands-on culinary demonstrations, the event will target both rugby fans and food lovers.

Nic Fletcher, head of marketing at the RFU, said: “PR plays a huge part of our integrated marketing campaign for the HSBC London Sevens so it’s essential that we work with an agency that has strong sport and event experience.

“The exciting changes to this year’s theme also reinforce the need to tell this story successfully and creatively, and we have confidence that Frank PR has the ability to do this.”

Renewable energy company Green & Smart appoints Luther Pendragon to support float

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Green & Smart, a Malaysian renewable energy company that generates power from biogas, has brought in Luther Pendragon to support its planned IPO on London’s AIM.

Green & Smart will use the proceeds of the float to enhance its “credibility and profile” in the renewables industry by providing funding for the construction of two biogas power plants in Asia. The business uses these power plants to captures gases from palm oil mills in Malaysia to produce electricity.

The company expects to start trading on London’s junior market in Q1.

Harry Chathli, Claire Norbury and Alexis Gore make up the Luther Pendragon team on the brief.

Sivadas Kumar, group CEO & finance director of Green & Smart, said: “Luther has been an invaluable advisor throughout the IPO process to date, assisting in preparing us for our forthcoming roadshow and driving our communications strategy.

“We look forward to successfully completing the IPO, and to working with Harry and his team to manage our media and investor relations going forward as a listed company.”

Reputation Communications’ MD Patrick Barrow elected to Media Society council

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The Media Society, a charitable organisation that organises events to discuss topics in the media, has elected Reputation Communications’ MD and co-founder, Patrick Barrow, to its council. 

The Media Society‘s council ensures the society’s activities and events have a broad appeal and attract attendees interested in media.

Barrow, who co-founded Reputation Communications, joins the council, which includes president Richard Peel, who has worked at BBC News, social commentator Peter York, former Today programme editor Phil Harding and Barney Jones,The Andrew Marr Show‘s editor, among others.

He said: “The Media Society is an organisation whose relevance is becoming more acute as the whole nature of how people consume, perceive and demand media changes so dramatically. More than ever, there’s a personal stake for all in what media looks like and what it has to say. It’s an exciting time and I’m very pleased to have been asked to contribute and bring, what I hope, is a different perspective from ’the dark side’ of PR.”

Peel added: “Patrick will be a tremendous addition to the Society’s Council. His experience in regional journalism and as part of a national newspaper team, along with his spell as Director General of the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA), will enable him to add knowledge and experience and fresh thought to the Council’s deliberations. We are delighted that he has agreed to join us.”

Way To Blue briefs Björn Köster to lead German offer

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Way To Blue has named iCrossing’s Björn Köster as its new German MD, who will be based in the agency’s Munich offices.

Köster was previously VP of global business development at waytobluemarketing agency iCrossing, where he developed cross channel digital marketing strategies for several medium to large enterprises.

In his new role, Köster will report to Way To Blue’s European MD, Alicia Deza.

Way To Blue CEO said: “We are thrilled to be further cementing our presence in the German market. Our intention is to further invest in GSA under Björn’s leadership and provide an integrated service to clients that truly stands out from existing offerings in the market.”

Köster said: “I´m very proud tohave joined this international and innovative company where we share our passion for communications and where we strongly believe in positive disruption within the digital ecosystem and beyond.”