Proptech lettings business Lavanda appoints Farrer Kane

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Farrer Kane has been appointed by Lavanda, the disruptive challenger brand, to manage its media communications.

By using the home sharing economy to monetise otherwise void periods in a property’s life-cycle, Lavanda looks to help landlords maximise performance across their residential portfolios. Each property on their books is wrapped in a luxury hospitality experience in order to command the highest possible rates.

Harry Hill, the ex-CEO of Countrywide estate agents and founder of Rightmove recently joined as chairmen to help shape the company’s strategy.

Guy Westlake, co-founder at Lavanda, said: “Farrer Kane has an impressive track record in the tech and property sector and we’re looking forward to working with the team as we build the business. We are starting to really impact on the London lettings market and having the best team possible in place to help us communicate the benefits our model can deliver for landlords and tenants is crucial.”

Beth Farrer, director at Farrer Kane, added: “Guy is an industry pioneer and we think the Lavanda proposition of creating value through luxury hospitality, pioneering technology and proprietary data is an exciting one. The mix of technology and property sits in a real sweet spot for the agency and we always enjoy assignments that include both business and consumer audiences.”

Filta Group Holdings hires Redleaf Communications

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Redleaf Communications has been hired by Filta Group Holdings, the global provider of Cooking Oil Filtration & Fryer Management Services to restaurants and other customers, following its admission to AIM in November 2016.

Rebecca Sanders-Hewett, David Ison and Elise Palmer will manage the account.

Sanders-Hewett, managing director at Redleaf Communications, said: “Filta has a proven strategy and the right infrastructure in place to continue to increase its share of the addressable market and build on what is already an impressive blue chip customer base.

“As a scalable, highly cash-generative business with strong recurring revenues and an attractive dividend, Filta has a compelling investment case and we look forward to working with management to help communicate and raise awareness of it.”

Yellow Jersey PR makes two appointments

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Yellow Jersey PR has appointed Evie Lelliott as operations manager and Abena Affum as senior account executive.

Abena Affum

Lelliot joins Yellow Jersey from BMW where she was the central contact for an allocated group of brand ambassadors, providing bespoke client support.

At Yellow Jersey, Lelliot will work closely with management assisting across all agency operations.

Affum joins from Brunswick where she supported a number of FTSE 100 and 250 clients with financial, corporate and crisis communications.

She worked across a wide-range of sectors including TMT, Retail & Leisure, Energy and Financial Services and will continue to work across a number of sectors at Yellow Jersey, supporting current clients and new business.

Dominic Barretto, managing director at Yellow Jersey, said: “Having started with one man and his dog, seven years ago, we have grown to a team of 19. We are recruiting for more talent to meet a new wave of business inflow and moving offices again to a bigger site in July. We are currently advising on four IPOs and seeing quick expansion of our newly formed corporate division.”

MSLGroup promotes Anthony Poncier as head of social and digital for EMEA

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MSLGroup has promoted Anthony Poncier to head of social and digital for EMEA, following James Warren’s move to become strategic development director earlier in the year.

Anthony Poncier

Poncier joined MSLGroup in 2012 as EMEA digital transformation director and led MSL’s French social and digital team for the last three years.

In his new role, he will work in partnership with social and digital leaders at MSL offices across the EMEA network to develop the regional practice offer to meet the evolving needs of clients and grow the business.

He will also be responsible for developing innovative products and services.

Peter Steere, MSLGroup EMEA chairman, said: “I look forward to working closely with Anthony as a strong partner as we continue to build out MSL as one of the region’s strongest digital agencies.”

Poncier added: “I am eager to collaborate with our social and digital leaders across the region to support our clients with social and digital ideas that make a strong impact.”

The PR Office wins Invertex brief

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Invertex has hired London-based agency The PR Office to promote its scan-to-fit guided shopping experience platforms.

The PR Office wins Invertex brief

The PR Office will promote Invertex’s 3D rendering technology

The agency will spearhead a campaign to bolster the business’ media profile and raise awareness among key stakeholders in the retail space.

Marc Cohen, The PR Office’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to add Invertex to our growing technology portfolio and our industry-leading portfolio of Israeli companies. Invertex is a leading provider in its field and we look forward to using our expertise in assisting to raise its profile and getting its new systems installed in shops globally.”

Government approves new PR and communications apprenticeship

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The government has approved a new Public Relations and Communications Assistant apprenticeship for delivery from autumn 2017.

PRCA director general, Francis Ingham

PRCA director general, Francis Ingham

It was developed by a group of 23 employers including Golin, Campaign Collective and the PRCA, and will replace the existing PR apprenticeship programme.

The new apprenticeship puts greater emphasis on planning and evaluation and incorporates a broader range of skills, including using new social media channels and producing non-written content.

Until it goes live, employers will still be able to recruit apprentices on the existing PR apprenticeship, which has trained nearly 250 apprentices over the past three years.

“The government’s approval of the new PR and communications apprenticeship framework is a fantastic vote of confidence in a programme that already is transforming our industry,” said PRCA director general, Francis Ingham. “The PRCA apprenticeship programme has opened up our industry to hundreds of people who would previously never have considered PR and communications as an option.”

He added: “There’s a very clear message to employers – if you want a diverse and dynamic workforce, employ an apprentice. With the new apprenticeship levy, it makes moral, business and financial sense even more so than ever.”

Stuart Anderson launches Alpha Public Relations

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Clarion Wealth Planning Limited’s former head of marketing and communications, Stuart Anderson, has today launched specialist financial consultancy Alpha Public Relations.

Alpha Public Relations founder, Stuart Anderson

Stuart Anderson, Alpha Public Relations founder

The Manchester-based agency will provide PR and marketing services to boutique and mid-market professional and financial services firms nationwide.

Anderson believes his knowledge of the financial services sector will help Alpha Public Relations identify the best opportunities for clients and provide journalists with relevant, original and engaging content.

Prior to founding the agency, Anderson spent five years at Cheshire-based financial planning firms Clarion Wealth Planning Limited and Clarion Investment Management Limited. Before moving into marketing, he was editor of Pensions Age, Continuity Insurance and Risk and EN.

“I know the difference between an MBO, an MBI and a BIMBO, have a passing acquaintance with the inheritance tax 14-year trap and can even have a decent stab at a definition of amortisation,” said Anderson. “More importantly, I know why my clients’ clients should care about these things and how to explain the relevant issues in terms the public understands and enjoys reading.”

Hertz hands pan-European brief to Smarts Communicate and Stack

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MSQ-owned agencies Smarts Communicate and Stack have been named as the joint pan-European content agency for car rental company Hertz, following a six-way pitch.

Hertz

Stack, specialist in customer acquisition and engagement, will work with PR and content agency Smarts Communicate to lead Hertz’s global content strategy, developing creative campaigns and content creation across all owned, earned and paid channels.

As Hertz’s central agency, one of the teams’ key role will be to lead key international markets, as well as their agencies across Europe.

Working closely with markets such as France, Germany, Italy and Spain, Smarts Communicate and Stack plan to produce a centralised marketing comms plan.

Paul Wareham, senior brand and comms manager at Hertz, said: “We want rich content that not only engages our audience, but also drives business performance. We believe that the Stack and Smarts Communicate teams are just the people to do it.

“Their pitch stood out strategically and creatively. This is a team who really understands our ambitions and what we need to do to achieve them.”

Peter Reid, CEO of MSQ Partners, added: “Hertz is one of the most recognised brands in the world. They invented the car rental category and we are looking forward to working with them to reinvent it.

“We have put together a brilliant team from two of our MSQ agencies, Stack and Smarts Communicate, to ensure that the global team get best in class service across every part of this brief and beyond.”

Hacks vs. Flaks announces charity bike ride

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The first Hacks vs. Flaks charity bike ride will take place on Sunday, July 2, raising money for Dimbleby Cancer Care.

Richard Fletcher, captain of “the Hacks”

Billed as a networking event for journalists and PR professionals, participants will meet at 8.45am at Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey.

The event is open to cyclists of all levels, with a choice of 60km or 100km courses available, and a post-race BBQ for everyone who takes part.

Finsbury partner James Leviton will captain “the Flaks”, with The Times’ city editor Richard Fletcher captaining “the Hacks”.

“This event will be bigger than the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia put together, hopefully with fewer hills though!” said Leviton. “For us Flaks it’s about winning and I suppose a bit about networking, food and selling stories in.”

He added: “2017 has been a bad year for the Hacks. They lost to the Flaks at football and netball and it would be embarrassing for them to lose in the cycling as well.”

To take part, please email [email protected].

Rwanda chooses The PC Agency to build its brand in the UK

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The PC Agency has been selected by the Government of Rwanda to build its brand in the UK, as the country prepares for the first non-stop flights from the UK and the opening of several premium hotels and lodges.

RwandAir

British travellers are among the top five nationalities visiting Rwanda which saw 1.3 million visitors last year.

RwandAir launches a new, non-stop service from London Gatwick to Rwandan capital Kigali on 26 May. The flights, on a new Airbus A330-200, will offer travellers Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins three times a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The flight time is eight hours, 40 minutes.

This summer, travel brand One&Only will also launch a new lodge in Nyungwe, while Wilderness Safaris are due to open Bisate Lodge later this year near Volcanoes National Park.

Tour operators, such as Red Savannah, Expert Africa and Wild Frontiers, are also offering bespoke holidays and tours in the country.

Paul Charles, founder and CEO of The PC Agency, said: “Rwanda now has the leadership team, the product and the infrastructure to attract premium travellers. It’s no wonder that some of the world’s leading travel brands are opening new lodges there, to complement the stunning scenery and safari experience. We’re honoured to have been chosen to represent and boost this exciting country in Africa.”

Belise Kariza, chief tourism officer at the Rwanda Development Board, added: “Rwanda has seen a transformation in recent years and is now becoming one of the most sought-after destinations for premium travellers. With the new non-stop Rwandair flights to Kigali, and the opening of several premium lodges, Rwanda will be making a big impact as a must-visit country.”

Paul Charles will oversee the account and lead strategy, with support provided from associate director Philip Allport, account director Gordon Smith and senior account manager Katie Moine.