PR news round-up (3-7 June)

Here’s a round-up of PR news from the past week, including CommsCon X Insights, CisionMeets… Reuters and new wins for Palm PR and Hills Balfour.

CommsCon X INSIGHTS

Last November, Cision held #CommsCon18 – our first ever communications congress where we brought together the biggest and best in PR and spent a whole day discussing the state of the industry with high-profile panel events, keynotes and debates.

But this year we’re going to approach things a little differently and will be hosting a variety of smaller, themed events throughout the year as part of the CommsCon franchise – so what’s next?

On June 25, we bring you CommsCon X INSIGHTS – the first event of our series and which concentrates on comms measurement and proving ROI in an era where AI and machine learning are looking to transform the PR industry.

In a world of big data, we will be discussing why it’s more crucial than ever before for communicators to maximise their humanity with authentic, creative and effective campaigning – and how to utilise the theory of ‘people plus tech’.

CisionMeets… Reuters

L-R: Moderator Richard Griffiths (director, strategic communications, Ketchum), Axel Threlfall, Alessandra Galloni and Nick Tattersall

Reuters want comms professionals to build long-lasting relationships with its journalists, editor-at-large Axel Threlfall revealed at Cision’s latest media briefing.

Threlfall told a packed house at the company’s UK headquarters that he recently had a conversation with a PR who had declared that working with Reuters had been a “mystery” to him.

He encouraged communicators to give him a call and to start building a relationship, rather than relying on a scattergun approach. “I’m happy to build a rapport with anyone, if they have the patience and a decent pitch,” he said.

Threlfall was joined by global news editor Alessandra Galloni and Nick Tattersall, managing editor, news, EMEA, with the trio discussing how the organisation works, how it differs from other news outlets and how to engage with its journalists.

Read the full write-up of CisionMeets… Reuters | Watch the highlights video

Interviews

Jules Pearson, co-founder of London on the Inside, reveals why she set up the title, what its new “Heroes” campaign is all about and how she likes to work with PRs.

David Butcher, managing director of Communications and Content, talks about giving his consultancy a simple name, how financial firms communicate and why more businesses in the sector should aim to stand for something.

Opinion

Orla Graham, senior client insights manager at Cision, reviews the 2019 AMEC summit and highlights her key takeaways.

People news

Claire Hardy

Portland has appointed Claire Hardy as a director in its financial communications practice.

Tribera has announced a number of new hires. Luke Addis has joined the team as social director, Dani Osadicw has been appointed creative director and David Bailey joins as client development manager. The agency has also hired Sheridan Okey as senior content manager and Rebecca Halsey as content assistant.

Account wins

Stagecoach has selected Tangerine Communications to to deliver a city-wide project in Carlisle for Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire.

Funkin Cocktails has appointed Palm PR to manage a consumer PR campaign. Palm will help to increase brand awareness while also helping the company to launch its Nitro Cocktails range.

Disabled children’s charity Newlife has appointed The PHA Group as its PR agency who are tasked with driving national awareness of the UK’s childhood disability equipment crisis.

The Croatian National Tourism Board has appointed Hills Balfour to manage its PR, social and online comms strategies across Europe.

Orascom Hotels Management has appointed Rooster PR to handle all consumer and trade PR and raise awareness of the brand, its hotels and destinations in the UK market.

Feld Entertainment has appointed instinct to handle the launch of its Marvel Universe LIVE!arena show.

Mfor Festival has selected Flock to lead on its PR activity ahead of the event’s two month countdown.

Hugh Jones Solicitors has appointed specialist legal comms consultancy LexRex to raise the firm’s profile.

Agency news

Family investment company Thunderbird Group has acquired B2B comms agency McOnie. The purchase will allow the specialist safety agency to broaden its range of services, while Thunderbird Group will add to its portfolio of specialist marketing and comms agencies.

EMERGE has launched a new podcast production division called EMERGE On Air.