Redleaf promotes Vanessa Chance to associate director

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VC Redleaf 1

Vanessa Chance

Redleaf has promoted Vanessa Chance to associate director in its professional and financial services team.

Chance has more than 10 years of experience in financial services PR, both in agencies and in-house. She joined Redleaf from LV= and has worked with brands including Aviva, AXA IM, Charles Taylor, CII, Alliance Trust AM, HSBC Workplace Retirement Solutions, Zurich Life and Alexander Forbes.

Charles Ansdell, managing director, financial services at Redleaf, said: “Vanessa has made a great contribution to the agency in terms of managing clients and bringing in new business in the time she has been here. Her creativity, energy and excellent selling-in ability have helped us deliver award-winning campaigns for clients and her promotion is well deserved.

“Redleaf is growing and winning more business across the whole financial services spectrum and this is largely due to the strength of our team here. We look forward to Vanessa continuing to play an important role supporting our new business initiatives and delivering for our clients.”

Pitch perfect: new trends in winning new business

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Perfect pitch imageThe new business pitch of today is fiercely competitive and can be both shorter and  less formal than ever.

While the structured pitch process has its advocates, clients and agencies are beginning to develop alternative methods to create the best partnership.

So, how do agencies stand out in this environment? This White Paper looks at some of the changes in the pitching process PR professionals recognise and it features advice from agencies of all sizes, including MHP, LEWIS, W, PLMR, Porter Novelli and more.

In addition, Johnny Pitt, The Creative Shootout creator,  gives pointers on how to succeed in a shorter pitch; new business coach Ken Kelly discusses how to build chemistry in your pitch; and Future Factory, the business growth firm, offers its five tips on adapting to change.

Download the White Paper now to find out more.

ibtm events appoints davies tanner for global comms brief

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ibtm events, part of Reed Travel Exhibitions, has appointed UK-based tourism and business events comms specialist davies tanner as its retained agency, following a four-way pitch.

davies tanner

ibtm events

Led by associate director Julia Gosling, davies tanner will focus on building the profile of the ibtm events brand globally, as well as provide in-territory support for its portfolio of business exhibitions, including including ibtm arabia, ibtm america, ibtm china and its flagship event, ibtm world in Barcelona.

The initial two year contract with davies tanner covers the ibtm events portfolio from January 2017, the first of which will be ibtm arabia, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 7 to 9 February 2017.

ibtm world 2016, which takes places from 29 November to 1 December, will fall under the remit of the incumbent agency.  Zadro remains the PR agency for AIME.

Sallie Coventry, ibtm events’ portfolio director, said: “As part of an ongoing review of marcoms activity, we are delighted to have appointed davies tanner. We’re looking forward to working with the team to implement an ambitious and exciting programme of activity, beginning with the 2017 shows and continuing beyond.”

Gosling added: “The business tourism and events industry is at the very core of our business, so to work with the global ibtm events portfolio is a fantastic opportunity for us.  We have strong credentials in the sector and solid relationships that will really add value to the ibtm events brand. We’re looking forward to building a long-term partnership with their central team and working with their show directors around the world to further develop the portfolio.”

Richmond Towers awarded six-figure California walnut brief

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The California Walnut Commission (CWC) has awarded Richmond Towers Communications a PR contract worth around US$700,000 (£536,000) to promote California Walnuts to UK consumers.

Richmond Towers Wallnuts

Richmond Towers awarded six-figure California walnut brief

Running from October 2016, Richmond Towers says the campaign is one of the biggest generic food initiatives in UK PR. The account was advertised for tender in April.

Activity is expected to focus on reintroducing walnuts to UK consumers, with a particular emphasis on health benefits.

“Walnuts have fallen off the UK consumer radar,” said Richmond Towers’ chief executive, Rob Metcalfe. “So we need to remind people how good they taste as well as sharing the increasingly positive news on health benefits.

Michelle McNeil Connelly, CWC’s senior international marketing director,  added: “Richmond Towers delivered a great proposal showing a good understanding of the UK market, food and health trends and the great potential for California Walnuts through PR and social media.

“We are delighted to be working with such an experienced team and believe that there is great potential to develop the UK market.”

Richmond Towers has a long history of generic food promotion, working for the South African Avocado Growers’ Association for 17 years from 1996. “If we can do for California Walnuts what we did for avocados, and there is every reason to think that we can, UK consumers are in for a tasty and healthy treat,” Metcalfe added.

60 Seconds with Lucinda Kemeny

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Lucinda Kemeny, who recently (19 July) joined British American Tobacco as head of communications of Next Generation Products (NGP), talks about her decision to move in-house and the challenges she anticipates in her new role. 

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Lucinda Kemeny

What was behind your decision to move in-house?

Agency life was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed juggling different accounts and the chasing down of new business, but after nine years I felt it was time for me to move into the third phase of my career and come in-house to learn new skills.

What are the major differences between agency and in-house?

In an agency, new business generation is very important, as is the execution of PR plans, being the eyes and ears for your client in terms of what the media is following and also recommending best practice.

But, in-house you are much closer to understanding the corporate goals of the business and structuring a plan that delivers both externally but also internally. The stakeholder audience handled by one person is typically much broader.

What are your comms ambitions for NGP, part of BAT?

This is the first time that Next Generation Products (NGP) has had this role. The ambition is quite simply to lead the category, and PR will support that goal. It is fascinating, given the speed of development of new devices, the rapid geographic expansion of the business while also formulating a message that can reach a corporate, policy and consumer audience all at the same time.

What challenges do you anticipate?

This category is not without challenges. As a brand new sector there are a lot of people who don’t understand the products, and may be nervous of them as a result. There is also a lot of research out there that makes claims and counter claims about the relative health benefits of using e-cigarettes compared to smoking tobacco. And all this is going on at the same time as many regulators decide how to approach the sector. But then again, I always did enjoy a challenge!

What interests you in the wider PR industry at present?

The move towards consolidation interests me, particularly around agencies wishing to provide strategy, financial, corporate, public affairs, and internal advice all from one place. Specialisation will always have a role to play, particularly around complex client needs, but I can imagine larger firms continuing to merge and consolidate as big clients push for their agencies to provide more services under one roof.

What has been the highlight of your career, so far?

I am fortunate enough to have fitted three careers into 20 years, so this is not an easy question as there have been so many. Moving in-house has certainly been a highlight as, for the first time, I can really see everything that goes on within companies around the communications spectrum.

Winning an award last year for crisis communications was another highlight I should mention. But it is hard to forget the huge rush I got in my 20s when I landed a big scoop. Dancing around my desk somehow seemed like the right thing to do!

  • Are you working in an interesting or unusual PR role? Do you have strong views on the industry that you want to share with the Gorkana community? If so, please contact Emily Andrews.

Creative Shootout 2017 opens for entries

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Entries are now open for the 2017 Creative Shootout, a one-day creativity competition now available to all marketing disciplines. This year, participants will need to create a campaign for mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, with finalists pitching the idea in front of a live audience in January.

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Creative Shootout 2016 winner Mischief PR

Johnny Pitt, head of Launch PR, founded The Creative Shootout last year. Following a first year focused on PR, which saw Mischief crowned overall winner, agencies or in-house teams can now enter from any marketing discipline.

Entry, which opens today (19 September), is done by giving the judges just ‘60 seconds’ on why the agency, or in-house team, believes it has the creative clout for Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.

According to the organisers, the format can involve any content – visual, video, showreel, app, audio, written, an email or even a cake – but it must be viewed, read (or digested) in 60 seconds by the judges.

From there, entries will be shortlisted to eight finalist teams, which will go on to compete in a live head-to-head final on 19 January 2017 in London.

Finalists will receive a real brief on the morning of the final from Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. They will then pitch it back to judges and a live audience of several hundred in the afternoon. In the evening, first, second and third winners will be crowned at an after party.

The Shootout’s official partners are  Haymarket Media Group and Launch PR. It is also supported by associations including The IPA, CIPR, CMA, PRCA and IAB UK.

The 2017 judging panel will consist of:

  • Paul Bainsfair, DG, The IPA
  • Claire Beale, global editor-in-chief, Campaign, Haymarket Media Group
  • Mercedes Benson, social media and vlogger, Google UK
  • Luke D’Arcy, president UK, Momentum Worldwide
  • Gracie Francesca, vlogger, The Internet’s Big Sister
  • Simon Gill, chief creative officer, Isobar
  • Rhianwen Hart, winner, 30 under 30, Global Planning, Starcom Mediavest
  • Clare Hill, MD, The CMA
  • Jo Loughran, Mind and Rethink Mental Illness
  • Joan O’Connor, PR director, Coca-Cola Western Europe
  • Johnny Pitt, founder, The Creative Shootout and Launch PR
  • Kati Price, head of digital media, The Victoria & Albert Museum
  • Damon Statt, creative director, Mischief PR
  • Joe Wade, CEO and co-founder, Don’t Panic

Teams can enter the competition until Friday 11 November. More information on how to enter the Creative Shootout can be found here.

  • Are you  experiencing more one-day, competition-style pitches such as The Creative Shootout? Gorkana’s September White Paper ‘Pitch perfect: new trends in winning new business’ explores how the pitching process has changed and what agencies can do to stay on top, with comment from Johnny Pitt. 

The Gorkana Weekly Industry News Brief: 10 – 16 September 2016

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Missed out on this week’s PR News? Get your handy round-up of the essential highlights of PR and media stories, features and events content from the last seven days on Gorkana News.

People News

Public and corporate affairs agency, Newington, has made former CBI (Confederation of British Industry) corporate communications director, Muniya Barua, director of corporate affairs.

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Ashley Morton-Hunte

Ascot Racecourse has promoted Ashley Morton-Hunte to corporate and racing comms manager.

Tech start-up specialist Clarity PR has appointed Liban Nooh as director of marketing.

The Sun’s former royal editor Duncan Larcombe has joined Kent-based PR agency Zest as director.

Maitland has made Sundeep Tucker a partner. He joins from a head of corporate communications role at Nomura.

Ian Middleton has joined Celicourt as a partner and co-investor in the company.

Lansons has hired Rollo Crichton-Stuart as board director to strengthen the consultancy’s financial comms remit.

Manifest has named Ilk’s Martin Farrar-Smith as branding and design director.

Pitch Wins

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Ribs & Burgers

Frank has been appointed to handle the UK PR for Ribs & Burgers, which is part of the Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group, following its decision to launch its first UK restaurant.

Golin has been chosen by Vets Now, which provides out-of-hours emergency and critical care services for pets, to lead its consumer PR in the UK.

British brand Sellotape has handed a social media brief to Mercieca to raise the profile of its new ‘Don’t Come Unstuck’ campaign.

Telecoms service provider Nexbridge has appointed MediaCityUK-based PR agency Rule 5 to provide media support for conference call provider WHYPAY? and non-profit fundraising platform The Wonderful Organisation.

Agency News

Global CEO advisory firm Teneo has integrated its entire UK strategic comms businesses, including Blue Rubicon, under the new name Teneo Blue Rubicon.

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Peter Ross

Peter Ross, former MD and EVP of Weber Shandwick’s EMEA tech practice, is launching a content writing business Ross Content Writing & Consulting.

FTI Consulting has formed a network of affiliate companies, run by senior MD Jon Aarons out of the firm’s London office, in order to expand upon its global reach.

Italy’s SEC Group has announced a formal partnership with UK-based Newington Communications.

Weber Shandwick has acquired Flipside, a specialised mobile and digital agency, for an undisclosed sum.

Opinion

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Salamander Davoudi

Opinion: Why Iran is turning to proactive communications
Salamander Davoudi, co-founder and managing partner at Tancredi, explains how Iran’s corporate environment makes it an exciting frontier for PR.

Opinion: Mastering the basics of media relations
Thanks to technology and social platforms, media is accessible almost everywhere and, in theory, can be used by every brand. So why do many businesses ignore the basics of media relations? ask Vikki Cook and Adam Waters of Media 101.

Opinion: Make video streaming work for your budget
Rory Green, videographer at broadcast PR agency Shout! Communications, talks about video streaming as a valuable tool for PR campaigns and explores live streaming options for every budget.

News Analysis

How a human connection makes Paralympic stars PR gold
Following the success of the London Paralympics in 2012, it wasn’t certain that Rio would grab the same level of attention for sponsors and stars in 2016. But, PRs tell Gorkana the athletes’ human interest stories and extraordinary feats continue to create a compelling narrative.

The AIP on how PR will help balance the alcohol debate
The Alcohol Information Partnership (AIP), which launched last week, aims to balance the debate around alcohol and its misuse in the UK. Chief executive Dave Roberts tells Gorkana how PR is an essential channel for its message and how it will make it all work.

How to PR a ‘see now, buy now’ London Fashion Week
London Fashion Week has grown from an exclusive event which hosted previews of premium fashion lines months ahead, to an occasion where consumers can buy items “off the runway”. Comms pros from Portas, Push PR and W talk to Gorkana about how this has created a new media environment to work in.

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City A.M. Media Briefing

At an exclusive Gorkana, Cision and PR Newswire media briefing event, Christian May, editor of City A.M., explained why the “optimistic newspaper” takes a different approach towards corporate and financial news.

Journalist News

Danny Collins has been promoted to digital foreign reporter at The Sun.

Harriet Chubb has now joined BRIDES as assistant editor, where she is is responsible for travel (including the annual Honeymoon Guide) and all main book features content.

Stephen Matthews has been appointed UK online health reporter at MailOnline.

Katy Parker has been appointed acting editor of Canary Wharf Magazine.

Matthew Nixson has joined The Mail on Sunday as deputy news editor. Previous to this he was night news editor at the Daily Mail.

Chelsey Pippin has been appointed commissioning editor, features at BuzzFeed UK. Prior to this, she was senior lifestyle writer at the website

 

The New Media Writing Prize 2016

Gorkana is sponsoring one of the categories in the New Media Writing Prize, which is now open for entries.

The prize, which is in its seventh year, showcases “exciting and inventive stories” that integrate a variety of formats, platforms and digital media. It aims to encourage and promote the best in new media writing and wants to lead the way toward the future of the written word and storytelling.

For the 2016 competition there will be four prizes: The Main Prize, the Student Prize, the Dot Award, and the Gorkana Journalism Awards.

Visit the FAQ page for entry details and key dates.

Social Media Week 2016

#SMW16: How brands stay true to their audiences

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How do brands stay true to their audiences in a rapidly changing world?

Relative Insight and TechHub hosted a panel for Social Media Week that attempted to explore that question. While the discussion itself wasn’t brimming with ideas, it did toss out a few points to explore further.

Staying ‘true’ to your audience obviously necessitates knowing who your audience is, and – crucially – what ‘language’ they speak. By ‘language’, read ‘slang’, ‘mood’, ‘lexicon’, ‘grammatical conventions’, and yes, even the nasty emotion.

I wrote about an amusing case study a few months ago where a language mismatch threatened to decimate a campaign before it started.

Ben Hookway from Relative Insight talked about how they define a language audience in a brilliantly simple way – by grouping language usage on Twitter. You can then track the behaviours of said language groups and tailor your targeting strategies to connect with each demographic…even the elusive millennial.

However, as Jono Alderson wrote about recently, very few brands have the time and resource to devote to this kind of research. There are tools and platforms in abundance, all promising instant and accessible insights, but we’re not really there yet. The human element that hasn’t been replicated by robots is the actionable insight derived from thorough analysis of the data.

That’s why it’s imperative that analysts are thinking critically about how they use the data they’re working with – within the context of brand-specific audiences, markets, platforms, industries and peers.

My favourite recent example is the Hemnet House – a domestic architectural design based on 200 million clicks of data. It’s a powerful illustration of how consumer data can be used to inform every team within a company – and PR is well-placed to lead the analysis.

Muniya Barua made director of corporate affairs at Newington

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Public and corporate affairs agency, Newington, has made former CBI (Confederation of British Industry) corporate communications director, Muniya Barua, director of corporate affairs.

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Muniya Barua

Barua takes over the role from Natasha Graham who is leaving the agency in October.

Barua joins Newington – formerly Bellenden – after seven years at UK lobby group, the CBI, where she held the roles of director of corporate communications and head of news.

Barua began her career as a business reporter at the Liverpool Daily Post, and has produced news bulletins for London Today and London Tonight, as well as business and economics news for CNN and the BBC.

In her new position, Barua will lead the corporate affairs team, and sit on the senior management team alongside chief executive Mark Glover and managing directors, Phil Briscoe and Naomi Harris.

Glover said: “In the last decade we have built Newington into the UK’s fifth biggest public affairs consultancy – from starting out with two consultants in South London, we are now a team of 45 spanning the UK and with a growing presence in Brussels.

“I’m delighted Muniya is joining us to lead the growth of our burgeoning corporate affairs offer so that we can provide clients with a truly integrated service at a local, national and European level. She brings a wealth of experience from her time at the CBI where she led its media, digital, sponsorship and marketing arms.”

Barua added: “I’m delighted to be joining Newington as it enters its next exciting stage of growth. It’s a company with great people, strong values and clear ambition.”

Earlier this week, AIM-listed SEC Group announced that it was buying a majority stake in Newington.

Bellenden rebranded as Newington Communications last month, to mark its tenth anniversary year. It also moved to new offices in Great Suffolk Street in the Newington area of Southwark. Its clients include: AQA, British Land, Canary Wharf Group, Dulux and Octopus Investments.

FTI Consulting launches affiliate network

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FTI Consulting has formed a network of affiliate companies, run by senior MD Jon Aarons out of the firm’s London office, in order to expand upon its global reach.

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Jon Aarons

FTI says the new, more formalised, network will allow it to increase its ability to deliver global results for clients, as it extends the geographic coverage of its existing 28 offices to encompass more than 100 additional countries.

Edward J. Reilly, global chief executive officer of the Strategic Communications segment at FTI Consulting, said: “As our clients increasingly look to FTI Strategic Communications for globally integrated counsel, we have explored additional measures to ensure we are able to offer a consistent and best-of-breed combination of corporate reputation, financial communications and public affairs services across our network.

“By investing in an efficient collaboration model designed to champion the highest standards of strategic counsel wherever our clients do business, we exponentially increase the geographic breadth of our offering and, ultimately, the value we deliver.”

FTI Consulting, headquartered in Washington DC, has established an elite tier of Gold Affiliates; FTI-endorsed and promoted on its site, as well as a list of Silver Affiliates which are held to similar standards. All members of the Affiliate Network will be provided with anti-corruption training and certification and will work closely with the firm’s own employees.

Jon Aarons, senior managing director and global head of network development in the Strategic Communications segment at FTI Consulting, said: “The firms we’re unveiling today as our Gold Affiliates have been valued partners of FTI Strategic Communications for years.

“What we’re announcing will only strengthen these existing professional relationships – while increasing transparency for our clients and providing them access to the regional expertise they need in today’s business environment.”

The following strategic communications firms have been selected as the initial group of Gold Affiliates:
Simplicity, Chile; Communications Office Colić, Laco & Partners, Croatia; Rada Research & PR, Egypt; Cocomms, Finland; V+O Communications, Greece; Gelbart-Kahana, Israel; Insight, Communications, Korea; Strateus Group, Morocco; Crux Advisers, Norway; NBS Communications, Poland; Narva, Sweden; IRF Communications, Switzerland; Image Public Relations, Turkey, Istanbul; and Ekonomi, Turkey.