Iranian bank Turquoise Partners appoints Tancredi as corporate adviser to provide international PR support

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Iranian investment bank Turquoise Partners has appointed financial comms agency Tancredi as its corporate communications adviser.

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Giovanni Sanfelice di Monteforte

Tancredi will provide all corporate and financial communications advice to support the growth and development of Turquoise Partners in London and internationally.

Salamander Davoudi, managing partner and co-founder of Tancredi, will lead the team.

Rouzbeh Pirouz, executive chairman, said: “Tancredi impressed with its expertise, strength of relationships across Europe and deep knowledge of our sector. It was clear the fit was right from the start.”

Tancredi is headquartered in London with offices across Europe and the Middle East. The agency offers communications and institutional relations counsel to corporate, government and institutional entities from EMEA and emerging markets looking to develop a strong presence in the UK and elsewhere.

The agency was co-founded in January 2015 by Giovanni Sanfelice di Monteforte, former chief executive of Barabino & Partners and ex-head of corporate communications at Telecom Italia, Salamander Davoudi, a former Financial Times journalist.

Turquoise Partners is a financial services company offering investment management, brokerage and advisory services to domestic and foreign investors. Turquoise manages more than 90 per cent of all financial market funds on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE).

Rostrum wins pitch to advise maritime security specialist MAST on international PR strategy

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Corporate PR and comms agency Rostrum has been appointed to advise global security provider Maritime Asset and Security Training (MAST) on its international PR strategy. 

Rostrum will deliver international, national and industry media coverage for MAST. It will also develop creative content campaigns and provide guidance on social media strategy.

The agency’s team will be led by CEO Mark Houlding and Dan Williams, an account manager in Rostrum’s professional services division.

Houlding said: “MAST is an interesting brand for Rostrum to be working with and we’re confident of making a significant difference to the company’s brand and profile in the marketplace.”

Phil Cable, CEO at Rostrum, added: “The Rostrum team showed an excellent comprehension of our business and understood our ambition to expand MAST’s brand internationally. Rostrum will be supporting us across traditional and broadcast media, as well as assisting with our integrated digital and social media strategy.”

Rostrum’s portfolio includes companies such as independent consultancy Crossbridge and Intelligent Reach, as well as financial services groups such as HSBC and Legal & General.

MAST has provided armed protection for over 4000 ships across the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden and coastguard training in the Middle East. It has offices in the UK, US, Malta, Oman, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Singapore and China.

How brands can adapt a successful food and drink PR strategy in the wake of the Government’s latest healthy eating push

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Food and drink brands, particularly those aimed at children, are in the spotlight for what they put in their products and how they market them to the public. With the government raising awareness of health issues related to food high in sugar and fat, comms experts agree that food brands have to evolve their messaging and PR campaigns in line with the current political and consumer climate.

Earlier this week (January 4 2016), The Campaign4life ‘sugar smart’ campaign launched as the latest of many government initiatives to inform the public to make healthier food choices. The core focus, sugar, is firmly on the agenda and it has caused many brands concern when it comes to creating campaigns for an audience that is becoming increasingly health conscious. Many brands, particularly those aimed at children, are starting to rethink the volume and type of ingredients they use.

Here are three ways brands can get the right message out to consumer in this environment:

1. Monitor and adapt – move with the news agenda

Liam Keogh, the director of Palm PR which specialises in the food, drink and hospitality sector and has worked with juice brands Presscription and Juice Club as well as tea brand Bubbleology, said: “We have to be flexible, dynamic and changing all of the time. Government policy is just one of the things we respond to on a daily basis.

“We spend an awful lot of time monitoring the situation and looking at government guidelines and policy and public mood. The zeitgeist at the moment is the commentary around sugar intake and its potential negative effect, so obviously this has to have a bearing on food and drink brands and the worst thing you could do is ignore the context in your media campaign. A successful media campaign will take this into account.”

Sam Holl, client service director at Kindred – the agency behind the Fern Britton-fronted ‘Just Add Mushrooms’ campaign, adds that the stakes cannot be higher with public health campaigns: “When the issues can quite literally affect life and death, you can’t get it wrong. So we always spend time talking with, listening to and learning from our audiences before creating strategies or tactics.

“Once activity is agreed, the next step is to formulate a tailored approach that works through the line. So in the case of social media, for example, content needs to be tailored specifically for Instagram, Twitter or Facebook whilst supporting a traditional editorial campaign.”

Elinor Tyler, head of consumer at Storm Communications – an agency that has worked with Yeo Valley, Burts Chips and Nakd bars, urges caution. “On the back of a government health campaign like Campaign4Life, you’ll inevitably see more news articles and features on the subject and lots of brands will look to jump on board a trending topic like this. Brands and organisations really should only be commenting if they have something worthwhile and relevant to add to the debate.”

2. Develop the detail through your comms and campaigns

Detail is particularly important in this context, Holl added: “Once an issue is out in the open it’s then about developing an extra level of detail in communications over time and reviewing the broader landscape and then adapting comms not just on a macro, but also a micro level.”

This detail helps PRs fill in the gaps in government policies and how they are explained. Keogh thinks this creates opportunities: “Sometimes policies are not always as nuanced as should be and it can be a bit black and white. They don’t differentiate between things like refined and non-refined sugar or with fat between a burger and an avocado for example.

“This is a huge opportunity for PR pros to educate consumers on the nuances. Saying that the [government] campaign is also in its infancy and we will see how it progresses,” he adds.

3. Focus on the positive

Research is important and can give PRs the information to help them accentuate the positive aspects of a brand. “Comms professionals should not always see these things as a negative, what they can do is reveal something that is positive about the product, maybe an ingredient, so you can really benefit from the attention. Just make sure you do the research around the topic,” said Keogh.

Holl added: “The key is to approach any products that could be scrutinised with caution and, ideally, test tactics and messaging with your audience. We are lucky enough to have the Kindred100 at our disposal, a nationally representative sample of consumers from across the UK. This is an invaluable way to understand if our messages are likely to strike a chord and create a shift in consumer opinion.”

Headland Consultancy brings in Fishburn’s Del Jones

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Independent financial and corporate comms agency Headland has hired Del Jones as an associate director.

Jones led the financial practice at Fishburn. Previously, he had been associate partner at Insitinctif Partners, as well as a researcher for the Conservative Party.

He has advised a range of businesses including challenger and investment banks, infrastructure companies and private equity firms. His previous clients include investment provider Man Group, RBS, investment firm HarbourVest Partners, Paragon Group and the S&P Dow Jones Indices.

Jones reports into Headland’s CEO, Chris Salt, who said: “Del’s background in both financial PR and corporate communications makes him an ideal fit for Headland. We are delighted to have him join us at what is proving to be an exciting time for the agency.”

Jones added: “Headland has achieved so much for a relatively young consultancy. The firm has already built up an enviable client base and there is significant momentum in the business. It’s a great time to be joining the team.”

Case Study: Positive Living Around the World

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Find out how Threepipe launched a social media campaign to raise the profile of Standard Chartered Bank’s Positive Living HIV/AIDS education programme with the help of professional footballers Emre Can, Philippe Coutinho and Jordon Ibe from Liverpool FC.

Campaign: Positive Living Around the World
Client: Standard Chartered Bank
PR Team: Threepipe
Timing: November

Overview

Launched in 1999, Standard Chartered’s Positive Living programme combines face-to-face workshops and e-learning to educate global communities about HIV and AIDS. In support of the programme, Threepipe, along with Contented Brothers, helped Standard Chartered launch Positive Living Around the World – a collaborative social media campaign aimed at increasing global awareness of HIV and AIDS.

Objectives

  • Drive awareness of the Positive Living programme through Standard Chartered’s sponsorship of Liverpool FC.
  • Drive social media engagement with a global audience and encourage user generated content to be shared.
  • Offer the audience the opportunity to find out more about the Positive Living programme.

Strategy

Activating Standard Chartered’s sponsorship of Liverpool FC, Threepipe developed a social media campaign, which allowed football fans globally to show their support of the Positive Living programme through their love of the game. Distributed via Liverpool FC’s social media and wider communication platforms, the campaign encouraged fans to post videos of themselves attempting the Around the World football challenge to be in with the chance of winning prizes, signed by the players.

Launched by Liverpool FC players Emre Can, Philippe Coutinho and Jordon Ibe, in addition to newly appointed manager Jurgen Klopp, the Around the World trick not only symbolised the red ribbon synonymous with World AIDS Day but ensured the competition could be translatable across global territories. While engaging fans in a relevant way, the campaign also presented the opportunity to find out more about HIV/AIDS and the Positive Living programme by continuing the fans’ journey through to Standard Chartered’s Positive Living channels.

Positive Living Around the World was later executed live during Liverpool’s match against Swansea City, days before World AIDS Day 2015. Children from the Liverpool FC Foundation were joined on the Anfield pitch by club legends Kevin Keegan and Terry McDermott to take part in an exclusive Around the World competition at half time.

Results

Positive Living Around the World reached over five million fans globally, with nearly 32,500 engagements and over 553,000 views of the content featuring Liverpool FC’s players.

From those fans that directly engaged with the campaign, 4.6% of them clicked through to Standard Chartered’s Positive Living channels to receive further education on HIV/AIDS.

The campaign also generated significant media coverage regionally with the Liverpool Echo, nationally with the Daily Mirror and Metro, and globally with the likes of Canal+, Inside World Football and Eurosport.

Got a cracking campaign – with impressive results – that you’d like to showcase? Email [email protected].

MHP Communications promotes trio including former News of the World political editor Ian Kirby who becomes corporate affairs MD

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MHP has promoted Ian Kirby to a managing director role within its corporate affairs practice and has made Christian Pickel and Simon Hockridge directors within its financial practice.

Kirby (pictured) provides senior counsel across the firm’s portfolio of clients and manages the company’s media training offer. He also hosts MHP‘s political panel events.

He joined MHP’s corporate affairs practice as director in September 2012 after 13 years as political editor of the News of the World.

Pickel, who was previously an associate director in MHP’s financial practice, currently advises a number of major institutional and retail asset management houses as well as wider financial services clients. He specialises in creating financial services campaigns for multinational clients across Europe and the US. He joined MHP in 2011.

Hockridge’s client roster includes financial services companies, as well as a number of high profile listed retail and consumer brands. He joined MHP eight years ago from FS company Hargreaves Lansdown.

Gavin Devine, MHP chief executive, said: “Recognising and rewarding talent is a key part of our strategy to continue to nurture our people and grow our business. These well-deserved promotions reflect the contribution each individual makes to MHP and the added value and dedication they deliver to clients.”

Redwood Consulting wins PR brief for The Gates shopping centre in Durham and remit to develop brand vision for Bicester

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Redwood Consulting has been hired by real estate fund manager Clearbell Capital to deliver a comms campaign for The Gates shopping centre in Durham. It has also been appointed by Cherwell District Council to develop a brand vision for Bicester. 

Clearbell Capital has brought in Redwood to deliver a comms campaign for The Gates, which was given approval for a £30m redevelopment in October last year. The improvements are due to be completed in 2018.

Redwood’s brief will raise awareness of the scheme in local, regional and trade press throughout the development programme. It will also help with the creation of its marketing collateral, including support with direct marketing, website development and brochures.

The consultancy will also work with Cherwell District Council and branding company Harrison:Fraser to develop a new brand vision for Bicester, on the back of its governmentally-appointed Garden Town status in 2014. The comms programme includes stakeholder interviews and focus groups to define a vision for Bicester’s future growth, with a sequence of public launch events planned across 2016.

Kate Bourne, Redwood MD, said: “Redwood has had a hugely successful year winning a stream of exciting new clients and projects. We have a fantastic team working alongside partners and in-house teams to ensure the successful delivery of these two intensive, yet exciting, projects.”

Behind the Headlines with CubanEight’s Sian Gaskell

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Sian Gaskell, MD of CubanEight, on cutting her teeth at Channel 4, the mark of campaign success and her first challenging photoshoot.

Before I reach the office in the morning, I’ve already…
Had the prerequisite coffee and then managed to get my twin boys out the door and dropped them off at school.

You’ll mostly find emails about…in my inbox.
Client updates, latest media news, The Pool – love this site, team ideas, new business requests.

I know I’ve had a good day if…
I’ve managed to fit in a run or go to bootcamp.

My first job was…
As a publishing executive at Channel 4 Schools creating and editing resources to supporting programmes like How we Used to Live.

I can tell a campaign is succeeding when…
There is a shift with the media and they actively come to us/a client instead of the other way round.

I eat….when nobody is watching.
Peanut butter out of the jar!

The first time I pitched to a journalist…
That is too far back to remember, but one of my more memorable early pitches was to a Guardian journalist securing a news feature about the first every computer game aimed at 18-month-old toddlers. It was an interesting photoshoot.

The last book I read was…
The Girl on the Train.

If I could go back and talk to my 10-year-old self, I’d say…
Without using too many clichés: believe in yourself, go for the opportunities that life puts your way and love life – it goes way too fast!

This time next year, I’ll have been…
More organised for Christmas! I say it every year but it somehow just creeps up on me.

Fancy featuring in a Behind the Headlines interview? Please email [email protected].

 

MRM wins pitch to raise the profile of employee benefit consultant Goddard Perry

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Financial services PR agency MRM has been appointed to raise the profile of employee benefit consultant and third-party administrator Goddard Perry.

MRM wins pitch to raise the profile of employee benefit consultant Goddard Perry

MRM’s Mark Gee

Associate director, Mark Gee, will lead the account team at MRM for Goddard Perry, which offers a range of services from actuarial and pension administration services to online benefits and independent financial advice. He will work with the agency’s head of public and regulatory affairs, Havard Hughes, and its head of digital, Michael Taggart.

Gee said: “Given the rush for employers to comply with auto enrolment requirements, the workplace pensions arena is currently a very fast-moving and exciting commercial environment to be involved in. We are delighted to be working with the team at Goddard Perry to help it grow the business through a range of communication activities.”

Steve Goddard, MD of Goddard Perry, said it has a clear commitment to financial advisers and employee benefits consultants: “We are a true champion of these businesses and in MRM we have an agency that has a good understanding of reaching this target audience through a range of tools and tactics.”

Goddard Perry recently (Dec 2015) announced the merger of its two master trust brands, Spinnaker Master Trust and Salvus Master Trust, to create a pension scheme with 10,000 members and £40m of assets.

Population data analytics firm Trendit hands retained brief to Yellow Jersey for first listing of 2016

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Trendit, which uses data from mobile phones to monitor the movement of people, pedestrian footfall and other urban trends, including shopping habits, has hired Yellow Jersey to provide comms support after it completed a £4m standard listing yesterday, which marks the first UK IPO of 2016.

Charles Goodwin

Yellow Jersey’s Charles Goodwin

Trendit is looking to integrate its data, which includes location information and spending habits, into clients’ systems. Its integrated technology can be used by companies, primarily in the TMT sector, to build information about consumer habits for the purposes of marketing, and city planning and security.

The Israeli tech company will use the proceeds of its listing to buy into the ‘Smart Cities’ market, which has a global estimated value of £1 trillion ($1.5 trillion) and involves the use of technology and data to build more efficient and cleaner urban environments.

Yellow Jersey will continue to provide communications support to Trendit following its listing. Yellow Jersey’s Charles Goodwin, director and Alistair de Kare-Silver, consultant, lead the account.

Goodwin said: “Trendit’s successful listing is great start to 2016 for Yellow Jersey PR. Last year was a record breaking year for the agency, rising in the financial PR adviser rankings and again nominated Best PR by the Quoted Company Awards. Trendit is another incredibly smart business to be born out of Tel Aviv. We are excited to have been retained by the Company and we will be working closely with the management to help build Trendit’s profile across both business and technology media channels.”