KISS appoints new head of PR

KISS Communications has appointed Ware Anthony Rust’s Kate Matthews to the newly-created position of head of PR.

Matthews was previously head of PR at Cambridge-based marketing agency Ware Anthony Rust. Before that, she did stints as a board director at Thirteen Communications and associate director at the Red Consultancy.

She has more than 14 years’ experience creating and leading integrated PR campaigns for B2B and B2C clients, including Microscoft, Adobe, eBay, Flybe, Department for Education, ebookers, and learndirect.

Matthews will report to KISS MD Sarah Reakes.

Matthews said: “The KISS promise to ‘clarify the complex’ really stood out to me – as more and more brands compete for space, the ability to create simple but impactful ideas that cut through the noise is a real must for any successful agency. I have been impressed with the team’s energy and enthusiasm for delivering fantastic work and thought-provoking ideas.

Justine Smith, MD, PR, at KISS, will step down from her role at the end of this month (December). Justine has been part of KISS’ senior management team and a shareholder in the business for the last seven years, managing the agency’s PR team.

KISS CEO Simon Fryer said: “Justine has played a pivotal role within the agency and it is with great sadness that we see her leave, and we wish her the very best. Justine has been responsible for helping many people onto the start of their careers and supporting them to grow into the stars of tomorrow.”