IT services company Agilitas hands European brief to Jargon PR

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Jargon has been chosen to raise awareness of Agilitas, an ‘inventory-as-a-service’ business that supplies clients with IT support and maintenance for a flat fee, throughout the UK business and tech press before targeting European media.

Jargon will run content campaigns for the IT company, with a focus on creating engaging industry research focused on the area of inventory-as-a-service.

The agency will also support Agilitas by creating and placing a number of case studies and news content within computing, IT channel, technology, business and vertical media.

Richard Eglon, marketing director at Agilitas, said: “We selected Jargon PR due to their extensive PR knowledge and successful track record in the technology market. Agilitas has ambitious growth plans over the next few years so it is pivotal to be aligned to first class partners who can help us achieve our goals.

“PR is an important part of our marketing strategy and will play a large part in shaping our future position in the market as a thought leader.”

Simon Corbett, Jargon PR MD, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting Agilitas. We focus on the technology, IT channel, and computing sectors and can add a lot of value to a business like Agilitas through media relations and content creation.”

Agilitas provides training to staff as well as IT replacement delivery to companies to reduce their costs.

pictured: Agilitas’ senior team

New digital marketing agency OneFifty launches with founding clients including O2 and Virgin Active

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Brands2Life’s Katie Buckett and Alex Pearmain have launched a new social and digital marketing consultancy OneFifty with backing from consumer brand agency Hope&Glory PR.

The new agency will work with marketing, brand, communications and customer service teams to provide data products, and help develop socially driven strategies.

Buckett is a digital brand comms specialist, with experience working both in-house and agency-side for global and UK organisations. She began her career within Vauxhall’s marketing comms team and has run social teams across a range of sectors including consumer technology and professional services.

Pearmain has experience in social media, service, comms and digital marketing teams as both a consultant and client. He was also the first head of social media for O2.

Both Buckett and Pearmain worked together at Brands2Life before setting up OneFifty.

Financially backed by Hope&Glory, the agencies will remain separate, with OneFifty based in Shoreditch, London. Buckett and Pearmain plan to have a full-time team of four by February and are actively recruiting.

Jo Carr, co-founder of Hope&Glory, said: “As a standalone agency, OneFifty came to us with a very strong proposition designed and built for the future needs of clients in the digital and social arena. At the same time, both sides felt that combining the data-led strategic approach OneFifty takes with the creatively-driven approach of Hope&Glory would also be a compelling offer to clients we might share in the future.”

Buckett said: “The backing we have secured from Hope&Glory gives us a great start. It means that we can have the approach and intensity of a start-up, but with the resources and ability to recruit of a consultancy two-years into its development. The way we have structured the partnership means that we can remain independent in culture, team, clients and approach.”

Pearmain added: “Our ambition is to work with amazing people who want to be architects of what comes next – clients, colleagues and creators of social and digital experiences. This isn’t going to be achieved by what has gone before, but through a different way of doing business.

“This comes from both what we do and how we do it: creating an environment in which to perfect the right skills and approaches, and offering both to consult and provide data products, to drive more informed decisions.”

Sky Academy hires Aduro for Sky Academy Arts campaign

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Sky Academy, a scholarship programme which offers funding for emerging artists, has hired Aduro Communications to help drive awareness of and entries to its 2016 programme, which offers £150,000 of funding for creative projects.

The Sky Academy Arts Scholarships is open to emerging artists aged between 18 and 30 in the UK and Ireland and aims to give five talented artists support to develop their creative practice and take their career to the next level.

The Sky Academy Arts Scholarships will be delivered in partnership with Hiive.co.uk, a professional network for the creative industries, which was launched with a campaign by Aduro last year.

Sky Academy head Judy Hill said: “Since 2011, Sky Academy is proud to have supported 20 young artists who have produced some truly innovative and inspiring projects. As well as the financial support of £30,000, each of our Arts Scholarship recipients receives one-on-one mentoring from Sky and the arts industry, helping to build their confidence and take their careers to the next level.”

Natalie Luke, founder and MD of Aduro, added: “Sky Adacemy Arts Scholarships offer incredible support to the UK & Ireland’s creative industries, so we’re delighted to be working closely with them to drive entries. We’ll be drawing upon our previous work with Hiive to spread the word through mainstream press, industry relevant press and alumni networks.”

Behind the Headlines with Experience12’s Chris Whittle

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Chris Whittle, founder and MD of Experience12, on his marker for a successful campaign, how painting Homer Simpson next to the Chalk Giant was his first big success in PR and his love for all things Asterix.

Before I reach the office in the morning, I’ve already…
Scanned Twitter on the train (and nine times out of ten had a moan at a train company about their shoddy service), caught up on emails, perhaps read if the mood takes me and walked to the office from the station to have a bit of time to pull the plan together for the day (if it’s dry). It’s an important bit of the day.

You’ll mostly find emails about…in my inbox.
Our current projects, some future projects and pretty much every day a client needing a quick response and turnaround on something. We’re trusted as fixers and can generally turn things around pretty swiftly (and we’ll pretty much always give it a try). That, and people trying to sell us SEO for our website (so many of them). No spam filter seems to be able to defeat them.

I know I’ve had a good day if…
We’ve got something signed off, a client has responded positively to a pitch or someone has dropped something interesting into my inbox which made us smile and is a little challenging. That or getting the buzz from a successful event – there’s nothing like it (whatever time you finish up).

My first job was…
A theatre technician and projectionist in an Arts Centre in Devon. It taught me a lot, not least of which was how to deal with a cinema full of an irate audience when the film or projector broke – it happened quite a lot.

I can tell a campaign is succeeding when…
People start smiling. You can feel the atmosphere change within the team and with the client when you start getting positive feedback on a campaign. You get that prickle up the back of your neck, you can feel the tide changing, the anxiousness disappears and everything feels like it gets easier. You know the client’s or your team’s idea is vindicated. It’s an addictive feeling and the reason I still do this for a living.

I eat…when nobody is watching.
Sauerkraut (everyone knows I eat Cornish Pasties at any point).

The first time I pitched to a journalist…
I was lucky, we had just painted Homer Simpson on a Hill next to the Chalk Giant in Cerne Abbas in Dorset for The Simpson’s Movie and it was all hands to the pumps on the sell-in. It was such a compelling photo story that it was an easy sell. I thought it was always going to be like that – the second time was a lot more difficult.

The worst thing anyone has said to me is…
“I don’t know what we’d do without you, but starting from Monday – we’ll find out….”

The last book I read was…
I always have about three or four books on the go and swap between them according to my mood. The Kindle App is my friend in this, I love the Kindle App. The ones I’m willing to admit to are Influence by Robert Cialdini which is fascinating, Warriors of the Storm by Bernard Cornwell (loved The Last Kingdom on BBC2 so have now read all the books) and some really ‘bad’ fantasy or science fiction that will remain nameless. If we’re talking real paper book it’d be Asterix and the Missing Scroll (I got it from my sister for Christmas. I always get something to do with Asterix for Christmas from someone in my family. It’s been happening since I was about seven years old).

I’ve never really understood why…
People think it’s acceptable not to have their oyster card or ticket out ready for the barriers. Absolutely baffles me, it’s not as if they don’t know they’re going to need it.

If I could go back and talk to my 10-year-old self, I’d say…
For god’s sake learn to surf (you come from Cornwall, people are going to ask you whether you surf for the rest of your life…). Don’t worry about being a bit of a geek, everyone else seems to have caught up, just hang in there.

This time next year, I’ll be…
Working with a larger team of talented people and looking back on a fun and successful 2016 (and probably trying to work out how a computer works again after the Christmas break like normal).

The Academy merges with Shine Communications

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The Academy has merged with Shine Communications to form a new group called The Academy, with Shine becoming its consumer PR arm.

The Academy founders Mitchell Kaye and Daniel Glover, who formed their agency in March 2014, have taken a majority stake in Shine Communications. Rachel Bell, who founded Shine in 1998, will revert to the role of chairman and remain a shareholder.

The Academy will become the name of the new communications group, with Shine @ The Academy sitting as its consumer PR offering.

Kaye, who will take on the role of CEO of Shine and The Academy group, had two previous spells at Shine before being backed by Bell to set up Mischief in January 2006.

Both Kaye and Glover built up Mischief before selling the business to Engine Group in July 2011.

Bell said: “My philosophy of letting people shine has been at the heart of Shine’s values since day one and was a big reason we set up the agency in the first place. So I am sure you can imagine my excitement at Mitch’s return to lead our combined businesses alongside Dan.”

Glover will become creative director of Shine and The Academy group. Both he and Kaye plan to extend the group into other disciplines.

Kaye said: “Dan and I always wanted to build a group and this gives us the opportunity to accelerate those plans. Shine was my first agency and therefore one that has always been close to my heart. The opportunity to lead Shine and expand The Academy’s offering is something we’re really excited about and cannot wait to get started.”

Glover added: “Our mission is to build an academy of companies that brings together the brightest minds to produce the best work in their respective fields. Shine has a reputation for developing brilliant PR people and producing industry-leading creative work so fits the criteria perfectly.

“We’ve used the last couple of years to develop a way of working that delivers intelligent thinking, applied creativity and world-class connection to push the boundaries of what PR can achieve for clients. It is now time to push on and scale that approach.”

The Academy will move into Shine’s Hardwick Street offices with immediate effect. The newly merged agency will be made up of a 40-strong staff and a client portfolio that includes QVC, Unicef, Sony, The Royal British Legion, Indesit Hotpoint and Lionsgate.

Zoopla appoints Brands2Life to handle integrated consumer PR

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Property website Zoopla has brought in Brands2Life to handle its consumer PR, following a competitive pitch.

The agency has been briefed to develop creative integrated content for Zoopla, as well as handle traditional press office activity.

Work starts immediately and the Brands2Life team will report to Zoopla’s PR manager, Stefanie Midmer.

Lawrence Hall, head of comms at Zoopla Property Group, said: “We challenged participating agencies beyond the more conventional pitch process. By incorporating video work, brainstorming and some road-mapping activity into the process, we were able to get a solid understanding of how an agency might work with us and what their capabilities are.

“The competition was strong, but the energy, detailed research and creative ideas Brands2Life brought to the process was excellent. They clearly understand the online and property space and importantly identify with how we are bringing PR, social and content together to achieve greater internal integration, output and results.”

Jodie Simpson, co-chair of Brands2Life’s consumer practice, added: “We’re so chuffed to add Zoopla to our list of clients and break into the housing market with one of the best brands in the business. We’ve created an exciting programme packed with shareable content ideas which we’ll execute across social and traditional channels to challenge Zoopla’s competitors and help them reach new and existing audiences on and offline.”

Yorkshire Post’s Bernard Ginns launches advisory firm Branksome Partners

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Bernard Ginns, business editor of The Yorkshire Post, has set up Branksome Partners to provide comms advice to individuals, companies and organisations.

Ginns (pictured) expects the Yorkshire-based agency to start trading inKOS Media editorial staff h/s. April.

Prior to joining the YP, Ginns was editor of new media start-up Kent on Sunday and, before that, was a news reporter at The Mail on Sunday, covering EMEA from London.

He said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as business editor of The Yorkshire Post over the last eight years. I am sad to be leaving friends and colleagues at the YP, Yorkshire Evening Post and Johnston Press and wish them well for the future.

“I joined The Yorkshire Post in 2008 and have been closely involved in business development at the title, creating new revenue streams through initiatives like the Excellence in Business Awards, the Yorkshire Vision magazine and the Business Club, as well as expanding our coverage in print and online.”

Ginns started his journalism career at the London Newspaper Group after graduating from the University of Manchester.

Press Association’s Sophie Lister returns to Hudson Sandler

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Sophie Lister has rejoined Hudson Sandler’s brand and corporate team as a client director following a stint in-house with the PA, where she ran its internal and external comms function.

Lister joined the PA in February 2015 as comms manager from Hudson Sandler.

She said: “I’m really delighted to have returned the team here at Hudson Sandler. The culture, client list and pace of innovation and growth is really exciting to be part of. I missed it.”

Lister initially joined Hudson Sandler in 2012 and was the agency’s first hire to its brand and corporate team.

Kirsty Leighton, Hudson Sandler’s MD, added: “Sophie is a great strategic senior hire and I am delighted she has caved into my badgering!”

“Sophie’s expertise across internal communications and customer engagement, along with her deep understanding of storytelling and campaign planning will enable her to make a valuable contribution as we support our clients in a rapidly changing comms environment.”

60 seconds with Lora Coventry, Liontrust Asset Management

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Lora Coventry, PR manager at Liontrust Asset Management, on how the industry could benefit from more women in senior positions, the indispensable asset of passion, and why she’d make a great Blue Peter presenter.

60 seconds with Lora Coventry, Liontrust Asset Management

Which media outlet can’t you start your day without?

My mum was a complete Radio 4 junkie which she’s passed on to me, and I’ve listened to the Today programme for as long as I can remember. The main thing I check every morning, without wishing to sound too ‘new media’, is Twitter. That’s where I get most of my news.

In 2012 you made the leap from journalism to PR; what one piece of advice would you give to yourself if you could go back in time?

It wasn’t that I was specifically looking to move into PR, it’s just that I thought I’d done as much with my [previous] role at the time as I could. I was looking for the next challenge and I’ve always tried to find companies that are exciting and I believe in, which really helps as a PR. My advice is trust your instincts and be honest – that’s why you are there. I have a huge amount of respect for any PR who does this job without having previously been a journalist.

What three qualities do you ask from your colleagues?

Passion is really important. You have to believe in the company you’re working for and what it’s trying to do. You have to be honest with each other. I think it’s also really important for people to have an open-mind. The world is changing at such a fast pace and if you can’t be open to new ideas then you can’t help to grow a business.

What is your favourite thing about working in the PR industry?

It’s a relationship business, so it’s all about the people you know – it’s close-knit and everyone is very friendly. Both on the journalist side and the PR side, everyone seems to be working together to do the best job that they can do.

What piece of coverage are you most proud of?

At Liontrust we do a lot of work with Oxford United Football Club – we’re their shirt sponsor. We also partner with London Zoo. We have three corporate commitments to the community through animal conservation, financial education and helping disadvantaged children to give them opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. It’s not necessarily PR coverage, but the work with do with the football club, with the Zoo and with the local communities has been really exciting.

Is there something you’d like to change in the industry?

At my previous company (Quill), two of the directors were women, and it was very inspiring to work for a company run by women. I think all industries would benefit from having more women in senior positions.

If you weren’t in PR, what would you be doing?

I have been told by more than one boss that I’d make a good Blue Peter presenter. I’d like to think it’s because I’m very creative and I think on my feet, but in reality it’s probably because I have a lot of outfits with animals on.

What do you do to take off your business head?

PR is notoriously quite a boozy industry. To offset that, I have fitness goals that I try and work towards. I run a few 10ks and sprint distance triathlons, but this year I’m working up to do an actual Olympic distance. I also do Bikram Yoga for all the injuries I sustain doing the fitness. Other than that, it’s just hanging out with my cat and loved ones.

Which three guests would make up your dinner party?

Kermit the Frog for eye candy, music and conversation, Joanne Rowling, and Michelle Obama for push-up competitions!

Fanatical about fitness? Krazy about Kermit? Share your extra-curricular passions in a ’60 seconds’ piece by emailing [email protected].

Sky names Gap’s Catherine Hicks as group corporate affairs director

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Sky has hired Catherine Hicks to lead its corporate, consumer and internal communications.

She also takes responsibility for Sky’s events and social purpose teams, and will add public affairs and policy to her remit later in the year.

Hicks joins from Gap where she was responsible for global communications and brand PR. Prior to this, Catherine was a partner at Brunswick where she worked for 13 years focusing on corporate and financial comms with consumer facing companies.

She succeeds Graham McWilliam who has been appointed deputy head of Sky News.

Sky chief exec, Jeremy Darroch, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Catherine to Sky. She has an exceptional track record of growing the reputation of global, consumer businesses. As Sky becomes a more international company Catherine will play a crucial role, and we look forward to benefitting from her broad experience and perspectives.”

Hicks added: “I’m passionate about working with big, iconic, consumer brands and it doesn’t get bigger, better and more exciting than Sky. This innovative media and entertainment brand plays an important role in the lives of tens of millions of consumers in the UK and across Europe. The corporate affairs team at Sky is first class and I look forward to leading the team as we continue to build Sky’s position as Europe’s leading entertainment company.”