PR news round-up (12–23 August)

Here’s a bumper round-up of PR news from the last two weeks, featuring Cision's latest webinar, wins for Frank, Brands2Life and Centropy PR and senior hires at OVO Energy and Relevance International.

Big, loud and... old-fashioned? The PR stunt's place in 2019

Creating an eye-catching campaign stunt has always been a key tool in a PR’s arsenal. There’s no better way to garner coverage than an outrageous activation which demands the attention of everyone who comes across it.

However, what is the PR stunt’s place in a modern PR world of integrated campaigns, in-depth analytics and demonstrable ROI?

To find out, our latest webinar – Big loud and… old-fashioned? The PR stunt’s place in 2019 – brings together communicators who know how to create a memorable activation; Tin Man founder and CEO Mandy Sharp and Rich Leigh, founder of Radioactive PR and stunt blog PR Examples.

The pair will discuss how stunts have evolved and the part they now play in wider campaigns, while also listing their favourite activations and presenting their tips on how to execute a thought provoking, boundary-breaking, viral moment.

Interviews

Ian Taylor, editor-in-chief of men’s style site FashionBeans, discusses the site’s approach to men’s style, the importance of imagery and how PRs can best work with the team.

Laura Oliphant, co-founder and MD of Stand Agency, reveals the type of client she loves, the rise of "Impact Relations" and how to produce campaigns which tackle difficult subjects.

Opinion

Alister Houghton, content marketing manager at Cision, discusses PR stunts ahead of Cision's latest webinar.

Mary Pollard, partner and head of purpose at Portland, explains why the agency has created a Total Value Index which measures a business’s profit and purpose.

Hayley Stansfield, public relations manager of media agency Blueclaw, explains how building journalist relationships with a tailored and relevant approach will always lead to trust and success.

People news

OVO Energy has appointed Sarah Booth as director of brand and communications. She will lead the energy provider's new sustainable marketing commitments.

Relevance International has hired Fiona Harris to be managing director of its UK office. Harris will spearhead the day-to-day strategy and execution and is responsible for fostering new business, expanding the agency's rapidly growing team and serving as the strategic lead in the London office.

Fiona Harris

Common Industry has appointed Amanda Moorby as managing director. Previously partnerships director at D&AD, Moorby will add business and creative brand strategy expertise to the team.

Raglan House Holdings, the parent company of comms agency Freshwater, has promoted group managing director Angharad Neagle to chief executive of both firms.

The PR Office has promoted Aaron Bass to associate director, where he will assist the firm's directors and chairman in overseeing its day-to-day operations.

Midlands-based comms agency Wyatt International has announced two new hires. Chris Hill has joined as creative director, while Alex Cooper is appointed brand relationship manager.

Islands Partnership, the destination management organisation for Visit Isles of Scilly, has appointed Victoria Bond as PR manager. Bond will oversee all press trips, comment requests, images and access to businesses and spokespeople.

Account wins

The Book People, one of the UK's leading booksellers, has appointed Frank as its retained PR, social and influencer agency. Frank will develop and activate a series of stand-out moments across earned, owned and paid channels to raise awareness of The Book People’s direct to schools’ business and launch its new CSR programme – The Big Book Boost.

FREE NOW - formerly mytaxi - has appointed Brands2Life as its retained consumer and corporate relations agency. Brands2Life will support the firm's  continued growth, advise on its comms strategy and build the new brand through creative consumer activations.

Virgin StartUp has selected Full Fat to announce its new leadership team and lead a campaign to highlight its new 50/50 gender balance funding pledge.

Definition has announced four new client wins. The agency has been appointed by tech firm FibreNation to support its expansion across the UK, global drinks logistics provider JFHillebrand to deliver a rebrand celebrating its 175th anniversary, healthcare firm Benenden Health to deliver both B2B and B2C campaigns, and business management consultants Manifesto Growth Architects to guide and manage PR around two of its events based around the membership economy.

Animal welfare charity Naturewatch Foundation has appointed Quite Great PR to support comms around World Animal Day on 4 October.

The PHA Group has won two new charity briefs. The agency will drive national awareness of Sue Ryder's work to provide palliative, neurological and bereavement support to people across the UK, while it has also been appointed by Blue Cross to help raise the charity's profile across new audiences and improve brand recognition through a programme of campaign activity.

Canoe has secured two client wins. Timberland has selected the consultancy as its UK PR agency, handling all media enquiries, seasonal campaigns and influencer seeding programmes. The agency will also manage PR strategy, media enquiries and seasonal campaigns for surfing brand Finisterre.

Global endpoint security and data risk management firm Absolute Software has selected Centropy PR as its UK agency of record. Centropy will oversee the company’s UK influencer relations, research and content strategy as part of a wider integrated communications campaign.

Big data company GeoSpock has appointed LEWIS to deliver a comms programme to raise awareness of the company in the UK and Singapore.

Premier has secured two new business wins. The arts and culture specialist has been selected as The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation's retained agency, where it will promote a series of commemorative books and events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the special effects pionier's birth. The agency will also provide PR support for global media, services and education group Bertelsmann as it launches a new exhibition on Verdi at the Morgan Library in New York.

LDR Creative has announced two additions to its drinks portfolio. The agency will lead the global rebrand for spring water and premium mixer producer Llanllyr SOURCE, while also handling global comms for drinks industry event Bar Convent Berlin.

Sports and leisure commercial platform developer Legends International has appointed Calacus to support its global business growth plans.

TaylorMadePR has secured two new clients. The agency will help launch global security vaults and gold company IBV International Vaults Group's new flagship branch in Park Lane, while it will also manage the launch of Kaleidoscope Collection's Homewood country house and spa near Bath.

Alfred has won two new clients. The agency is supporting animal charity World Animal Protection on its #TheRealCheekyNandos campaign to change the restaurant's chicken welfare policies, while it has also been appointed by on-demand ordering platform Slerp to handle its B2B launch.

Broadcaster Clara Amfo has appointed LMPR to handle her global comms and brand partnerships.

Clara Amfo

Renonwed fine-art photographer David Yarrow has appointed EMERGE to handle all UK PR and comms for the launch of his new photographic mongraph and exhibition at the Maddox Gallery in October.

Exercise brand Total Fitness has selected PR Agency One to handle its PR and comms. PR Agency One will help the brand to strengthen its position as the north’s leading mid-market health club.

Tech solutions firm Zebra Technologies Corporation has appointed Archtype as its PR agency of record across EMEA and APAC.

Fragrance brand STORIES by Eliza Grace has selected Push PR to be its comms representative.

Breast lift and shape tape brand Perky Pear has appointed Brazen as its retained consumer PR, social and content marketing agency.

Cornish Sea Salt has appointed The Tape Agency to handle its comms.

Australian self-tanning brand Bondi Sands has appointed Honcho to an SEO and content marketing brief.

CIPR news

The CIPR has teamed up with mental health charity Mind to produce a skills guide and webinar to improve the understanding of mental health and wellbeing in PR.