This week’s PR news in brief (30 April – 4 May)
Here’s a round-up of the week’s essential PR news, featuring PrettyGreen’s Paddy Hobbs, the CIPR energy leadership platform and the PRCA’s 2018 census.
Thought leadership
Paddy Blewer, co-chair of the CIPR’s new Energy Leadership Platform, explores how the group will demonstrate the value of PR during a period of unprecedented change for the energy industry.
3 reputational risks facing the FMCG industry
Shifting consumer preferences, new political pressures and resistance to healthier product ranges are all creating reputational risks for businesses in the FMCG sector.
Cision Communications Cloud data showing ‘packaging waste’ mentions in the mainstream media from January to December 2017
With more than 25% of a company’s value linked directly to its reputation, protecting firms against these risks is a key responsibility for communicators in the industry.
That’s why the Cision Insights team has analysed millions of print, digital and broadcast press clippings to identify the three biggest threats facing the FMCG industry right now.
Interviews
Mike Burton, head of content at social publisher The Hook, explains the content it looks to create, the importance of working with celebrities and how PRs can work with the title.
PrettyGreen’s Paddy Hobbs
Paddy Hobbs, head of sport at PrettyGreen, talks about how he ended up working in PR, how to promote combat sports and his most memorable campaign.
Account wins
Skincare brand HydroPeptide has appointed RKM Communications to manage its UK launch event and deliver ongoing PR and social media and community management.
British holiday firm Teletext Holidays has appointed Siren Comms to increase awareness of its brand and drive demand for its services.
Steamship Maid of the Loch has appointed Clarion Communications to support its major restoration appeal.
Clarion will help Maid of the Loch set sail
Mattress brand Tempur UK has appointed Rooster to launch its UK PR programme, with a brief to drive brand awareness and increase its share of voice in the trade and consumer press.
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants has appointed Relevance International to handle its PR strategy, following a four-way pitch.
GoFundMe, the world’s largest social fundraising platform, has expanded Fleishman Hillard’s brief to include a pan-European consumer comms drive.
Pork producers Tulip has appointed Mercieca as its PR and social media agency.
Austrian eyewear brand neubau has appointed Little Red Rooster to run its UK press office and handle its UK relaunch.
Willerby, the UK’s largest holiday home and lodge manufacturer, has appointed Smoking Gun to handle its social media and launch its new venture, Park Homes by Willerby.
People news
Tanya Joseph, architect of the award-winning This Girl Can campaign, has joined Nationwide Building Society as director of external relations.
Tanya Joseph
Former GQ online editor Conrad Quilty-Harper has joined creative agency LUCHFORD APM as its digital and editorial director.
Consilium Strategic Communications has hired Olivia Manser as associate and Carina Jurs and Sarah Wilson as account executives.
Elliot Mitchell has joined Zeitgeist as publicity director. He is responsible for launching the agency’s new artist PR division.
Industry body The Advertising Association has appointed Chris Sutcliffe, former news editor of The Media Briefing, as its new content publisher.
EAST VILLAGE account manager Hattie D’Souza has been named in Birmingham’s 30 under 30 list of influential young people.
Skout has appointed Lottie Buckley as account manager and Juliet Haley as account executive.
Agency news
Luxley Communications has launched a ‘junior’ division dedicated to clients in the pregnancy, family and early years sectors.
Zeitgeist has launched a new artist PR division that promises to give artists access to European festival and event promoters, tech start-ups and music-driven campaigns from leading brands.
The PHA Group has has launched a grad scheme, offering successful applicants the chance to work in rotation across its various PR practices over a 12-month period.
Stature PR has launched Stature Blockchain Projects, a team within its corporate and financial division dedicated to blockchain and ICO (Initial Coin Offering) projects.
Boutique entertainment agency Gaby Jerrard PR has opened an Edinburgh office.
PRCA news
The PRCA has launched its PR and Communications Census 2018, which reveals that the industry has grown 7% since 2016 and is worth £13.8 billion.
The census also reveals that the number of UK PR professionals has increased by 3,000 since 2016, to 86,000 employees. The industry is also marginally more diverse than it was two years ago, with 89% of employees being white and 86% being British.
PRCA director general Francis Ingham said: “The PR and communications industry is thriving, and I have no doubt that it is poised for even further growth in the future. Salaries are increasing, we are recruiting more employees, individual sectors are performing well and exceeding expectations.
“While diversity continues to be a problem for the industry, we are starting to see movement in the right direction, and that should be welcomed.”
