Rob Flello joins Brevia Transport

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Brevia Consulting has appointed Rob Flello as chairman of its Brevia Transport division, as well as a member of its advisory board. 

He will oversee Brevia Transport’s work, the public affairs agency’s specialist division in road, rail, aviation, ports, and shipping.

Flello brings over 12 years of experience as a member of parliament, where he served on the transport select committee and established the Parliamentary Freight Transport Group.

David Beamer, managing director of Brevia Consulting said: “I am delighted to welcome Rob to Brevia. During his twelve years as a member of parliament, Rob demonstrated an expertise in transport policy which will massively benefit our clients and help us grow the division.”

Flello added: “I am excited to have joined Brevia, which already has a strong reputation in the transport sector. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to develop our transport client base and provide expert advice and support to clients.”

Muckle selects Pauline McLaughlin to launch Glasgow office

Muckle Media selects Pauline McLaughlin to launch Glasgow office

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Muckle Media has appointed Pauline McLaughlin as a director to oversee the launch of its new Glasgow office.

As well as managing the office launch, McLaughlin will lead the agency’s digital and social media offering. She will also work with managing director Nathalie Agnew to grow both income and Muckle’s digital and creative teams.

She was previously director of Equator’s PR and social media division and has almost 20 years of experience in journalism, PR and social media.

McLaughlin said: “I’ve been watching Muckle Media for a few years now and have been impressed, not only with the agency’s growth, but also the creativity and professionalism of the team which has resulted in them punching well above their weight in terms of campaign delivery and award wins.

“Having been in a purely digital environment for the past five years I am looking forward to taking what I’ve learned back to my PR and communication roots and helping Nathalie build a full service offering that competes at the highest level.”

Agnew added: “Pauline’s experience, drive and ambition is a great fit for Muckle Media and I can’t wait to work with her to grow our digital and creative offering in Scotland and beyond.

“Launching in Glasgow has been in our sights for several years so we’re very excited to be opening in Scotland’s largest city. We already have some exciting opportunities from the Glasgow office.”

  • Pictured: Nathalie Agnew (left) and Pauline McLaughlin
Opinion: Why the PRCA is taking decisive action on diversity in PR

Opinion: Why the PRCA is taking decisive action on diversity in PR

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Neha Khatwani, the PRCA’s public affairs, policy and research manager, talks about the new PRCA diversity guidelines and why 2018 is a pivotal year for diversity in PR.

This month, we launched the PRCA Diversity and Inclusion Guidelines.

Diversity has always been a hot topic for the PR and communications industry. It regularly features in industry events and conferences, and has also featured in the PRCA’s campaigning work through the PRCA Intern Campaign (a commitment to ban the practice of unpaid internships) and the PR Apprenticeship Scheme.

We have also seen many organisations doing great work by implementing policies to make their workplaces more diverse and inclusive. Cicero, Dynamo, Forster Communications, Golin and the Taylor Bennett Foundation were all showcased in the new guidelines. Nevertheless, the industry has struggled to make tangible progress in this area, and there has been significant demand for the PRCA to act decisively.

The launch of the PR Census in 2016 was a pivotal moment for our campaigning work and it shed light on the state of diversity within the industry:

  • The industry is 91% white and 83% British.
  • 64% of communicators are women, but the gender pay gap in 2016 was £9,111.
  • Only 2% of PR and comms practitioners consider themselves to have a disability.
  • Around 6% of industry members describe themselves as gay or bisexual.

The census revealed that the PR industry’s response to diversity has been relatively static since we first started recording these statistics in 2011. Many were rightly disappointed by these findings and called on us, as the industry’s professional body, to act.

As such, the PR and Communications Council pledged to improve diversity and inclusion within the industry and to provide it with a clear road map on how to achieve this. We took this pledge seriously, and today I can say that we delivered on it.

The comprehensive guidelines examine the current state of diversity in the industry, outline the business case for improving diversity and offer clear, manageable steps to making the workplace more diverse and inclusive.

We address issues such as geography, age and mental health – alongside more explored issues such as gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. The industry must address the issue of diversity holistically to achieve true progress.

The report’s recommendations range from offering flexible working practices to reforming recruitment practices so they are more fair and transparent. It also suggests offering paid and structured internships or apprenticeships and monitoring diversity metrics.

We must stress that this should not be a “box-ticking exercise”. These policies should have senior buy-in and should lead to a workplace culture that accommodates difference.

This will be a defining year for diversity. PR has come a long way, but there’s still a lot more we can do. The industry cannot continue to grow if it does not represent the people with which it communicates. I urge everyone to get involved in our work and address the issue seriously.

  • To read the PRCA’s new diversity guidelines, click here. To take part in the PR and Communications Census 2018 survey, click here.
FTI hires Janey Spratt as senior director

FTI hires Janey Spratt as senior director

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FTI Consulting has appointed Janey Spratt as senior director in its digital practice.

Reporting to senior managing director Ant Moore, Spratt will use her skills in data, creativity and engagement to support campaign development for some of the agency’s corporate digital client bases. She will focus on campaigns related to advocacy, reputation management and capital markets activity.

Spratt joins from social media agency Battenhall, where she was a member of its leadership team and advised clients in technology, media and consumer sectors.

Moore said: “We’re excited to have Janey on board to help grow our digital practice even further. Her track record in client management and campaign development stood out for us as we continue to build FTI’s corporate digital and campaigns platform.”

PR News in Brief

This week’s PR news in brief (12-16 February)

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Here’s a round-up of this week’s essential PR news, featuring account wins for ANM Communications and Camron PR, the Suzy Brown Bursary and the latest Cision webinar.

Building a tech brand with earned media

Staying ahead in tech PR requires constant innovation. There are big opportunities for brands that can communicate their propositions in ways that excite and inspire their stakeholders – and next week’s Cision webinar will help you do exactly that.

Marc Chacksfield, TechRadar’s interim global editor-in-chief, will outline how the title established itself as a leading tech brand over the past 10 years. Then, he’ll reveal what titles like TechRadar are looking for in a tech PR pitch.

Then, Kaizo director Steph MacLeod will highlight what sets tech PR apart from other sectors and give her top tips for building a successful tech brand with earned media.

Click here now to reserve your place and join us on Tuesday 20 February.

Thought leadership

Beth Gaudin, a senior consultant at Forster Communications, argues that wellbeing should be a top priority in PR and outlines how to design a wellbeing strategy that works.

Rory Green, videographer at specialist broadcast agency Shout! Communications, predicts how video content in the PR industry will evolve in 2018.

Launch director Niki Wheeler recalls this year’s Creative Shootout final and breaks down the key PR pitching tips communicators can take away from the event.

Account wins

Grayling has won competitive briefs for The United Nations Office for Project Services and The Health Foundation.

Pop-up mall company Boxpark has appointed W as its retained agency following a competitive pitch.

Educational broadcast charity the Royal Television Society (RTS) has appointed Bubble Agency to provide UK PR support.

National reinsurance scheme Flood Re has reappointed Hanover to deliver an integrated PR and public affairs strategy.

Footwear retailer Moda in Pelle has appointed Label PR to handle all press, influencer engagement and celebrity campaigns across its stores, concessions and websites.

Business and IT services company Ricoh has appointed Kwittken to an integrated comms brief. The agency will handle day-to-day media relations activity, as well as a cross-platform content programme.

French shoe brand Clergerie has selected ANM Communications to handle its press and publicity.

Zeitgeist will work with Printworks London to promote the venue’s relaunch as a live venue. It will reposition Printworks as a destination for live events and arts space, rather than a nightclub.

The Japan National Tourist Organisation has appointed Henman Communications to deliver a campaign to raise awareness of the country as a tourist destination ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup. The campaign will run throughout the Six Nations, with former Wales international Shane Williams fronting the promotion.

Italian furniture designer and manufacturer Calligaris has hired Camron PR to represent the brand.

Coconut water brand Obrigado has appointed Focus PR to position it as a challenger brand with ambitions of becoming a staple product.

The Royal Atlantis Residences has selected Relevance International to handle its global PR. The agency will help to promote the company’s new luxury 43-storey hybrid hotel and residential building in Dubai, opening in late 2019.

Roof light manufacturer Roof Maker has appointed HROC as its PR agency following a competitive pitch. HROC will handle trade and consumer PR targeted at architects, builders and consumers.

Manchester-based personal injury law firm Horwich Cohen Coghlan has appointed Sugar PR to a legal PR and content marketing brief.

Agency news

Mason Williams Communications is launching a bursary in tribute to former colleague Suzy Brown, who passed away in 2017. The bursary is on offer to those looking to enter the consumer PR industry, with a winner selected each year. More information can be found here.

People news

M&C Saatchi PR has appointed Julian Cirrone to the newly formed position of creative director in its CREATE strategic and creative department.

Threepipe has appointed Abigail Hughes as a PR director. Hughes was an account manager at Threepipe in 2009 and re-joins the agency from Red Consultancy, where she led accounts including Huawei UK, Trainline and Heathrow Airport.

London’s Air Ambulance, the emergency service’s charity, has appointed Louise Robertshaw as its director of marketing and communications.

Speed Communications has appointed Sarah Firth to be its first creative director, working across all three of the agency’s divisions.

Cambre Associates has hired EU policy expert Nicolas Gyss to boost expertise in its tech practice to meet client demand.

Lombard International Assurance has appointed Olgert Gorani as head of marketing and communications Europe. He will lead the team responsible for delivering the company’s European  internal comms, media relations and marcoms.

PRCA news

The PRCA has promoted Matt Cartmell to deputy director general after five years leading the association’s communications, marketing and events.

The association has also launched its Diversity and Inclusion Guidelines to help improve diversity in the industry. The guidelines can be found here.

CIPR news

The CIPR has created a new think tank comprising 17 senior communicators from across the energy sector. The Energy Leadership Platform will engage on key issues relating to the industry.

Emmanuel Ofosu-Appiah, CNC

60 Seconds with CNC’s Emmanuel Ofosu-Appiah

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Emmanuel Ofosu-Appiah, senior associate at Communications and Network Consulting, talks about the Taylor Bennett Foundation‘s trainee schemes, diversity in PR and making the switch to corporate comms.

You graduated the Taylor Bennett Foundation’s trainee scheme. How did that help prepare you for working in the PR industry?

The programme was an amazing introduction to consultancy. It was also a challenging internship which gave me the opportunity to make new friends.

I participated in the corporate and financial PR trainee programme hosted by Brunswick. During our time on the scheme we were briefed on how to plan strategic campaigns (which we presented to Brunswick’s senior team), compiled daily media round-ups on news stories, wrote commentary and opinion pieces and were given the chance to visit top organisations.

You joined CNC in September 2017. Describe a typical day at the office.

Most mornings, I arrive at my desk just before 8.30am. I tend to read the main stories and business sections of the national newspapers and then check to see if there is any specific news concerning my clients. I also use this time to think and set out my day and key projects.

My day is then split into a various activities which include internal meetings, engaging with clients, speaking to journalists or writing articles, creating content briefs or updating project pipelines. Working with the media is a key part of my role, which means I try to speak to key international media and trade titles daily. This is something I really enjoy.

I also get the opportunity to support new business drives and I have worked with colleagues at every level.  We all have the opportunity to contribute, no matter how many years of experience you may possess. There are also lots of chances to travel abroad which is another great perk of working here. As the saying goes, travel really does broaden the mind!

What is your opinion on diversity in the PR industry?

A diverse workforce offers a variety of viewpoints and a wealth of experience, which is proven to improve business decision-making and outcomes. Diverse companies are typically better equipped to win top talent and improve their business pipelines, too.

I am really passionate about helping people from diverse backgrounds understand that there is a place for them in communications. I am committed to playing my part to do this, which is why I joined the BAME 20/20 initiative, which has been set up to increase diversity in the industry.

What do you do outside of work? Can you tell us a bit about your social enterprise AspiNect and what it is about?

AspiNect provides a platform for young and upcoming entrepreneurs and businesspeople to showcase their skills to the world through events and our YouTube channel, AspiNect TV.

We held our first competition in December 2016 for over 150 attendees and had Lord Dr Michael Hastings, KPMG International’s global head of corporate citizenship, and entrepreneur Daniel Priestley on the panel and as guest speakers.

We are actively looking for future sponsors to help build it out and it would be great if we could host another event this year.

Finally, if you had one piece of advice for someone with a BAME background thinking about entering the industry, what would it be?

Nobody expects you to know everything about PR when you walk in the door. Every agency or team will want to train you on its own approach.

My advice would be to find out what areas of communications interest you and think about what sectors you are passionate about. I would also say it is worth seeking out opportunities to network with industry professionals and build up your CV with internships and work experience – which usually turns into longer, permanent work.

Claudio Giambrone hired to promote Wembley Park development

Claudio Giambrone joins Quintain to promote Wembley Park

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Developer Quintain has appointed Claudio Giambrone as head of marketing to its Wembley Park development team.

As part of his brief, Giambrone will oversee all PR and comms for the area’s regeneration project. He will support the creation of a number of PR events to help promote the development, including the autumn launch of the new Boxpark Wembley.

He joins from the South Bank Employers’ Group, where he spent the last five years as head of marketing. In the role, Giambrone was responsible for promoting the likes of the London Eye, National Theatre and Southbank Centre.

James Saunders, chief operating officer at Quintain, said: “Claudio has an impressive track record of accomplishments from his time at South Bank and beyond, and we are pleased to have him bring that experience and expertise to Wembley Park.

“As we continue to deliver one of Europe’s most exciting regeneration projects, we know his ability to lift the profile of an area and make it a prime destination for all visitors will be invaluable.”

Giambrone added: “It’s a privilege to be able to join the Wembley Park team at a time of significant change.  I’m excited at the prospect of developing a new narrative for Wembley Park, and helping the neighbourhood thrive through creative place-making, culture and innovation.”

Suzy Ferguson, Suzy Spirit Award

Suzy Spirit Award announces 2018 shortlist

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Five finalists for the Suzy Spirit Award 2018 have been announced. They are Mischief PR’s Andy Garner, Bubble’s Sadie Groom, Cirkle’s Caroline Kinsey, TLC Marketing’s Emma Lloyd and Pinch Point Communications’ Sarah Pinch.

The winner will be announced at the PRmoment awards ceremony in London’s Park Plaza Westminster on Thursday 22 March.

Launched in 2012, the Suzy Spirit Award honours Suzy Ferguson, a former LEWIS employee who died of bowel cancer. It recognises exceptional and inspiring individuals working in the PR and communications industries.

Bowel Cancer UK will receive a donation as part of the award. The judges and organisers would like to thank everyone who submitted nominations.

Sally O’Neill, Suzy Spirit judge and VP international at LEWIS, said: “It’s fantastic to see the award going from strength to strength every year. This year we received some very high calibre entries including candidates from all over the UK.”

She added: “It’s impressive to hear about these unsung heroes that are inspiring people in and outside of work every day. Given many don’t even know they’ve been nominated by a friend or colleague, it’s equally pleasing to learn of their surprise at being recognised for what they see as normal behaviour. This truly reflects the ‘Suzy spirit’ we’re looking for.”

  • Pictured: Suzy Ferguson