This week’s PR news in brief (5-9 February)
Here’s a round-up of this week’s essential PR news, featuring an interview with Monocle editor Andrew Tuck, four account wins for Acumen and the latest Cision webinar.
Building a tech brand with earned media
Staying ahead in tech PR requires constant innovation. There are big opportunities for brands that can communicate their propositions in ways that excite and inspire their stakeholders – and this month’s Cision webinar will help you do exactly that.
Marc Chacksfield, TechRadar’s interim global editor-in-chief, will outline how the title established itself as a leading tech brand over the past 10 years. Then, he’ll reveal what titles like TechRadar are looking for in a tech PR pitch.
Then, Kaizo director Steph MacLeod will highlight what sets tech PR apart from other sectors and give her top tips for building a successful tech brand with earned media.
Click here now to reserve your place and join us on Tuesday 20 February.
Thought leadership
AMEC CEO Barry Leggetter explores what earned media measurement will look like in 2018 and predicts what the year will bring for communicators.
Businesses may be missing a trick if they don’t use responsible behaviour to drive commerce, says Weber Shandwick’s Jon McLeod.
Louie St Claire, Harvard’s Group CEO, argues that tech brands must invest in PR to connect with their audiences and outlines four simple steps to engage tech consumers.
Interviews
Andrew Tuck, editor at Monocle, talks about launching a premium weekly paper, its global take on the news – and the importance of exclusivity.
Account wins
Pride in London has appointed Eulogy as its lead agency partner to deliver its campaign vision for 2018, following a competitive pitch.
Savoury snacks manufacturer Addo Food Group has appointed Clarion Communications as its brand, corporate and social agency. Clarion will produce PR and social brand campaigns for the Wall’s and Pork Farms brands.
Corporate finance adviser DC Advisory has appointed MHP Communications as its retained financial and corporate public relations adviser.
Forces in Mind Trust, which helps ex-service personnel transition to civilian life, has appointed Amazon PR to provide it with strategic communications and influencing services, following a competitive tender.
Luxury furniture brand HOS has enlisted CAN PR to help it reach a larger national audience and showcase its home furniture range.
Swansea University has selected Midas PR to run its campaign for the 10th Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize.
Edinburgh comms agency Acumen has announced a number of account wins and retentions. Belmont Trading Company, Timberbush Tours, Force Ten Digital and The PodFather have all appointed the agency, while Castle Community Bank has reappointed Acumen.
Entertainment and lifestyle agency KPPR will handle publicity for television personality Spencer Matthews.
Plus 1 Communications has been appointed to handle all press enquiries for Jean-David Malat, an internationally renowned art curator and dealer.
D&D London has appointed ROLAND Dransfield to handle PR for the launch for its flagship Manchester restaurant, 20 Stories.
Menswear label Basic Rights has enlisted Dust PR London to handle its UK launch.
Agency news
Lansons is launching a new “neurocomms” service in partnership with Dr Helena Boschi, a psychologist who focuses on applied neuroscience in the workplace and is the author of Why We Do What We Do.
The London Fashion Agency has relaunched as LFA (Lifestyle and Fashion Agency). The relaunch signals the agency’s intent to extend its offering to lifestyle and homeware brands.
The Taylor Bennett Foundation, which provides training for black and minority ethnic communications graduates, will launch its first programme in Scotland this June. The scheme will provide four five-week training courses.
People news
Sky has appointed Debbie Klein to the newly created position of group chief marketing and corporate affairs officer. She will be responsible for the company’s overall brand and marketing development, as well as assuming overall leadership for corporate affairs and Sky’s Bigger Picture programme.
Cirkle has appointed Ruth Kieran, Text 100’s deputy managing director, as its new managing director. She is tasked with leading the agency’s next phase of growth, as well as overseeing its current client portfolio, which includes the likes of GSK, PepsiCo and Morrisons.
MHP Communications has appointed Ruby Quince as creative director to support creative work and drive integrated campaigns across the agency.
Cohn & Wolfe has appointed Ruth Allchurch as managing director of its consumer brand business in the UK. Reporting to Rebecca Grant, Cohn & Wolfe’s managing director UK, she will take on commercial and creative responsibility for the practice.
Headland has hired former Change.org communications director Tom Bage and BBC News producer Davina Hagan as director and account director, respectively.
Ascot Racecourse has appointed Miles Evans to the newly created position of head of digital and broadcast. He will be responsible for the racecourse’s overall content strategy.
Mark Bailey is now the managing director of Cube3, the brand, web and campaign agency.
MRM has hired Andrew Ehrensperger as an account executive. Ehrensperger will be tasked with boosting the consultancy’s fintech and language capabilities.
Ethan Spibey, the founder of PR and comms LGBT+ network InterComms, has been named as one of the 10 Outstanding Contributors to LGBT+ Life in 2018 by the British LGBT Awards.
Media news
Trinity Mirror has announced the proposed acquisition of Northern & Shell’s publishing assets for £126.7 million. The deal includes the Daily Express and Sunday Express, Daily Star and Daily Star Sunday, and OK! magazine.
CNBC has announced that it is now the exclusive distributor of its interviews. The broadcaster will now licence all copies of its interviews.
