PR News in Brief

This week’s PR news in brief (5-9 March)

Here’s a round-up of the week’s essential PR news, featuring Centropy PR, Henman Communications and Cision’s exclusive International Women’s Day profiles.

Thought leadership


To celebrate International Women’s Day, Cision spoke to eight industry-leading women about the state of equality in the industry and what it takes to succeed in PR.

Launch director Niki Wheeler looks back on some of the great women she’s encountered over the course of her career and considers how industry attitudes are changing for the better.

Interviews


Classic Rock editor Sian Llewellyn talks about profiling the world’s greatest female rock stars, her relationship with PRs and how to get up-and-coming acts featured in the magazine.

Lawrence Collis, executive director at Good Relations, outlines why the agency uses a newsroom model for everything from news generation to crisis management.

Rosie Davies, founder of the Lifestyle & Fashion Agency and PR Dispatch, talks about her experiences as a young female entrepreneur in PR and the future of her agencies.

Account wins


Manchester-based property developer Capital & Centric has appointed Newgate Communications to manage its corporate PR.

Speed Communications has been appointed to raise the profile of The Planet Mark, a certification programme that recognises commitment to improving sustainability, as well as its sustainability initiatives.

JAM has been appointed by Transport for Greater Manchester to help highlight “annoying passenger behaviours” commonly believed to irritate customers on Metrolink, in a bid to increase customer satisfaction.

Anteater Communications has been appointed to handle PR and talent management for BBC Masterchef finalist Marianne Lumb and her restaurant, Restaurant Marianne.

Plimsoll Publishing, a publisher of market and financial intelligence reports, has appointed Karol Marketing to raise awareness of its unique financial analysis model, products and services in the trade and national press.

Henman Communications has won a pan-European brief to launch The Campus, a state-of-the-art sports academy in the five-star resort of Quinta do Lago in the Algarve in Portugal.

Macdonald Monchique Resort & Spa, a five-star property in the western Algarve, has appointedtravel PR specialist The Brighter Group to increase its brand awareness in the UK and drive bookings.

Australian health tech company dorasVi has handed its UK consumer PR brief to Well Hello. The agency will focus on driving sales of ViMove2, a wearable sensor that helps doctors assess, manage and treat patients.

Ilk has won soft drinks producer Clearly Drinks‘ social media, digital and PR account, following a competitive pitch. The agency has been briefed to enhance the firm’s brand position in the B2B sector and drive sales across wholesale and retail outlets.

Private equity and credit fund manager Pollen Street Capital has appointed Boscobel & Partners as its communications adviser.

The Pollen Estate has appointed Alpha Kilo to handle his global public relations.

Agency news


Newgate Communications has opened an office in Shanghai. Grace Zhang, Newgate’s partner and head of China, will help establish the office as the firm seeks to strengthen its operations in Asia.

Centropy PR has expanded following five months of successive growth which have seen its client portfolio reach double figures.

PR and Marketing company Mason Media has rebranded as MASONand recruited Emma Blackmore and Nick Huber as senior strategists.

People news


MHP Communications has appointed Oliver Hughes as its head of capital markets and promoted Andrew Jaques to executive chairman of capital markets.

Financial services consultancy MRM has promoted Chris Tuite to the new position of head of consumer finance and made him a director on the agency’s board.

Digital marketing and SEO agency Distilled has rehired Jess Champion, its former head of PR and comms, as vice president in its London office.

Oldham-based agency Pelican Communications has appointed Chiedza Zvirahwa, Casey Li and Aria Baranauskaite as consultant, digital consultant and consultant, respectively.

Newington Communications has hired Christine Quigley and Will McMyn to head up its Transport and Infrastructure and Energy and Environment teams, respectively.

PRCA news


The PRCA has launched a new PR and communications apprenticeship to replace its old programme. The scheme has been in development for almost three years and places greater emphasis on planning and evaluation in PR.

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