Abbie Hughes, Threepipe

Abbie Hughes joins Threepipe as PR director

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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.

She has 12 years of communications experience working across travel, leisure, technology and lifestyle sectors at both a national and pan-European level.

“It’s great to be back at an agency that’s led the way in offering businesses a fully integrated approach to communication,” Hughes said. “Threepipe is uniquely placed to give businesses an insight-led approach to reaching key audiences which, coupled with the great team in place, makes it a really exciting place to be!”

Cision webinar to reveal how to build a tech brand with earned media

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Staying ahead in tech PR requires constant innovation.

Today’s breakthroughs are tomorrow’s old news, and it can be tough to convey the benefits of complex technologies to key target audiences.

But there are also big opportunities for brands that can communicate their propositions in ways that excite and inspire their stakeholders – and this month’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, 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 claim your place.

With help from Cision’s Philip Smith, the pair will look at how communicators can effectively promote their brands in today’s competitive tech landscape.

Topics to be discussed include how tech media audiences are changing, what tech journalists look for in a PR pitch and how to craft successful integrated PR campaigns for tech brands.

Smith says: “The link between a company’s reputation and its share price is undeniable. In today’s competitive tech environment, comms is particularly important as technology continues to change the way people live and work.

“That’s what makes this webinar essential for anyone in the tech space. We have two of the UK’s leading experts joining us and I can’t wait to put our audience’s burning questions to them.”

Claim your place now using the link below to hear Chacksfield and MacLeod’s essential PR insights in Building a tech brand with earned media on Tuesday 20 February.

Cision webinar to reveal how to build a tech brand with earned media

Rory Green Opinion: The key earned media video trends in 2018

Opinion: The key earned media video trends in 2018

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

Rory Green

Video content is ever changing. If you look at the most popular videos from a couple of years ago they are completely different in style and content to videos that are trending today. While it is difficult to predict exactly what the video landscape will look like in 2018 there are current trends that will continue to shape what PR video will look like next year.

If you look at your social media feeds, you will not have to scroll down too far before you see a video. Increased video presence on social is not a new trend, but what has changed is the style of the videos that are watched.

There are many social media platforms out there now, and each has its own audience and style. That means a video that will work on one may not be as successful on another. So, ensuring that your videos can work across all platforms will be very important in 2018. This could mean filming in a way that the footage can be repurposed to work across multiple platforms.

Sound, or should I say lack of it, will also continue to influence how we make our PR videos in 2018. Since most videos play without sound you need to make your video work visually. This means that most videos now have subtitles. However, our attention spans getting shorter and audiences may switch off if they have to read lots of text! Therefore, you can expect to see more visual, interesting, ways of making videos work silently.

News and lifestyle websites are embracing video content and many now have their own in-house videographers and editors. This means that they are wanting to re-purpose B-roll into their own online package rather than taking a PR branded more polished film.

When we create a b-roll for television we ensure that it is filmed in a news style so that broadcasters can seamlessly edit our footage into their own packages. This is also the case for websites that use b-roll. However, the style of filming will differ from television, for example you may have to leave space for text and frame your shots in a way that they can be cropped to fit on multiple video platforms.

One final trend for 2018 will be how technology will change PR videos. Virtual reality headsets are now extremely affordable and it won’t be long till they are commonplace in everyone’s household. This will mean that PRs will need to start taking advantage of this new technology. It is genuinely exciting to think of the possibilities of being able to fully immerse your audience into the brand or product that you are PRing!

  • Pictured: Rory Green filming with Chris Packham

To discover more on how video content will shape the PR industry in 2018, enter your details below and download Cision’s latest white paper – Four trends that will shape PR and earned media in 2018.

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Four trends that will shape PR and earned media in 2018

PRmoment Awards nominees announced

PRmoment Awards nominees announced

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PRmoment has announced the shortlist of nominees for the northern and southern ceremonies of its 2018 awards.

The North, Northern Ireland and Scotland nominations are headlined by Smarts Communicate and Smoking Gun, who feature in 10 and nine different categories, respectively. Hope&Glory, The Romans, Cohn & Wolfe, Tin Man and Taylor Herring are among those targeting wins across multiple categories in the London and the South section.

Cision is sponsoring the Global Public Relations Campaign of the Year prize at both ceremonies, with the likes of Manifest, Golin and Vodafone battling it out to win the prestigious gong.

Ben Smith, founder of PRmoment, said: “Congratulations to all those shortlisted for the 2018 PRmoment Awards – I know everyone always says this but just being shortlisted is a tremendous achievement.

“We had a record number of entries this year so the standard really impressive – the creativity of the UK PR sector is something we should all be really proud of. I look forward to finding out who wins in London on March 22 and in Manchester on April 26.”

The southern ceremony takes place at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London on Thursday 22 March, while the northern awards will be held at The Principal in Oxford Street, Manchester, on Thursday 26 April. For a full list of nominees and more details on the events, visit PRmoment’s dedicated awards site.

Louise Robertshaw, London's Air Ambulance

Louise Robertshaw joins London’s Air Ambulance as marcoms director

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

Robertshaw was previously head of communications and campaigns at Guide Dogs. She spent nine years developing Guide Dog’s marcoms function, leading its brand strategy and instigating a charity-wide “digital-first” strategy.

London’s Air Ambulance recently merged its marketing and communications functions. Director of marketing and communications is a brand new role designed to focus on strategy and help the charity achieve its goals over the next three years.

“I am really excited to be joining such an inspiring and truly life-saving cause,” said Robertshaw. “We have ambitious plans to double income over the next five years and brand growth is a vital part of the overall strategy to drive donations.”

Jonathan Jenkins, CEO at London’s Air Ambulance, added: “The charity is incredibly excited to welcome Louise to its team.  She has a track record of delivering organisation-wide strategic leadership. And in her last role helped substantially increase fundraising income using her marketing and communications expertise.

“We are looking forward to working with Louise and supporting her in achieving similar results at London’s Air Ambulance.”

Rachel Nichols, DDA Live

DDA launches live events arm DDA Live

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The DDA Group and event production specialists Rachel Nichols and Daniel Starmer have joined forces to launch a new venture, DDA Live.

Based in The DDA Group’s London offices, DDA Live will produce and manage events, film premieres, parties, press stunts, press conferences and awards ceremonies. Its client portfolio already includes the BFI London Film Festival.

Prior to joining DDA Live, Nichols produced events for film industry clients and red-carpet events, including a tenure as awards producer for BAFTA.

Starmer joins the firm from Heart Productions. There, he worked on projects including the European premiere of Steven Spielberg’s The BFG, the UK premiere of The Nice Guys and the world premiere of The Beatles, Eight Days A Week.

Nichols and Starmer said: “DDA Live will be an injection of new energy into the industry and our work for the 2017 BFI London Film Festival set the framework for 2018. With a series of high-profile events already booked in the coming months with new and existing clients, DDA Live is poised to become a major new player in the UK event production space.”

Neil Bhatt, DDA’s president of film and TV, added: “Having admired Daniel and Rachel’s work in their previous roles over a number of years, we knew that these two dynamic and respected industry specialists were the right people to realise our UK event production aspirations.

“We couldn’t be more confident working with them to deliver innovative, creative and strategic live events for our full roster of clients.”

  • Pictured: Rachel Nichols
Another World wins KP Snacks brief

Another Word wins KP Snacks brief

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KP Snacks has appointed Another Word to handle a PR and trade advertising brief following a competitive pitch.

Another Word has been tasked with shifting perceptions of KP’s products, which include snack brands McCoy’s, Hula Hoops, Butterkist, KP and POM-BEAR.

The agency will be responsible for driving media and customer engagement for KP’s market insight and brand passion. It will report to Natasha Barnett, KP Snacks’ customer marketing manager.

Barnett said: “Another Word impressed us with their strategic understanding of our sector and our core opportunities. They demonstrated the ability to creatively engage our audience and drive awareness of our market leading brands.”

Lynda Redington, joint managing director of Another Word, added: “We are thrilled to add KP Snacks to our growing roster of big name brands. KP Snacks is a unique and dynamic business with loads of great stories to tell.”

60 Seconds with Authentic Ibiza PR co-founder Pandora George

60 Seconds with Authentic Ibiza PR co-founder Pandora George

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Pandora George, co-founder of Authentic Ibiza PR, talks about starting her own agency, how she chose her niche – and how tourism is changing on the island.

Why did you and Claire decide to set up Authentic Ibiza PR?

Both Claire and I love Ibiza and have been travelling to the island for over 25 years. We have been carrying out PR campaigns for Ibizan clients, so it seemed like a logical step to pool our extensive experience and set up a new venture together.

What made you decide to specialise in travel and Ibiza?

Primarily because we have plenty of experience in this field and love the place. I have worked with many travel clients over the years, including Amante Ibiza and The Giri. Claire has worked with Pikes Hotel and Formentera Yoga amongst other clients.

What is the agency’s unique selling point?

I think our pooled knowledge of the Island. We represent our clients but can also advise journalists about the best secret beaches, what to do on the island out of season – the best places to eat, shop, dance and retreat.

Together we get lots of journalists contacting us each year about where to go and what’s hot – something that is a strong offering for potential clients. Plus, we have worked in travel PR for over 20 years each.

Is there a particular type of client you are looking to work with?

Each year we plan to work with a select list of travel and lifestyle clients that suit our brand – the most authentic, stylish, original and enticing places that are on the island – from hotels, restaurants and beach clubs to wellbeing retreats and boutiques.

Travel trends are changing and there has been a recent shift towards people seeking a more natural and rustic but still luxurious island experience – from Agro-tourism hotels to supper clubs, organic restaurants and secret beaches. These are the clients we plan to work with – ones that represent the real Ibiza.

The Atzaro Group perfectly encapsulates our ideal client with its concept of “natural luxury”. It’s a beautiful five star spa hotel based around an ancient estate in the heart of the Ibizan countryside. Victor Guasch, who owns the hotel, was actually born there so it is about as authentic as you can get! It’s one of the oldest agro-tourisms on the island.

Ibiza has the reputation as a party island. Is that still the case, or is the scene on the island changing?

The island really is changing. It’s attracting an older, more sophisticated crowd – who perhaps partied there in their 20s but are now back 15 years later.

This audience is driving a different kind of tourism – such as a flourishing foodie scene and a really strong health and wellness scene far removed from the stereotypical image of the Island. They may still want to party but it’s maybe for one night a week!

Finally, what is your favourite Ibiza place or memory? 

I love La Paloma, a rural café that turns into an amazing restaurant at night, set in lovely gardens in the heart of Ibiza. It’s simple, pretty but has a really lovely atmosphere.

  • Pictured: Authentic Ibiza PR co-founders Pandora George (left) and Claire Norrish
PR News in Brief

This week’s PR news in brief (5-9 February)

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Here’s a round-up of this week’s essential PR news, featuring an interview with Monocle editor Andrew Tuck, four account wins for Acumen 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 this month’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

AMEC CEO Barry Leggetter explores what earned media measurement will look like in 2018 and predicts what the year will bring for communicators.

Businesses may be missing a trick if they don’t use responsible behaviour to drive commerce, says Weber Shandwick’s Jon McLeod.

Louie St Claire, Harvard’s Group CEO, argues that tech brands must invest in PR to connect with their audiences and outlines four simple steps to engage tech consumers.

Interviews

Andrew Tuck, editor at Monocle, talks about launching a premium weekly paper, its global take on the news – and the importance of exclusivity.

Account wins

Pride in London has appointed Eulogy as its lead agency partner to deliver its campaign vision for 2018, following a competitive pitch.

Savoury snacks manufacturer Addo Food Group has appointed Clarion Communications as its brand, corporate and social agency. Clarion will produce PR and social brand campaigns for the Wall’s and Pork Farms brands.

Corporate finance adviser DC Advisory has appointed MHP Communications as its retained financial and corporate public relations adviser.

Forces in Mind Trust, which helps ex-service personnel transition to civilian life, has appointed Amazon PR to provide it with strategic communications and influencing services, following a competitive tender.

Luxury furniture brand HOS has enlisted CAN PR to help it reach a larger national audience and showcase its home furniture range.

Swansea University has selected Midas PR to run its campaign for the 10th Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize.

Edinburgh comms agency Acumen has announced a number of account wins and retentions. Belmont Trading Company, Timberbush Tours, Force Ten Digital and The PodFather have all appointed the agency, while Castle Community Bank has reappointed Acumen.

Entertainment and lifestyle agency KPPR will handle publicity for television personality Spencer Matthews.

Plus 1 Communications has been appointed to handle all press enquiries for Jean-David Malat, an internationally renowned art curator and dealer.

D&D London has appointed ROLAND Dransfield to handle PR for the launch for its flagship Manchester restaurant, 20 Stories.

Menswear label Basic Rights has enlisted Dust PR London to handle its UK launch.

Agency news

Lansons is launching a new “neurocomms” service in partnership with Dr Helena Boschi, a psychologist who focuses on applied neuroscience in the workplace and is the author of Why We Do What We Do.

The London Fashion Agency has relaunched as LFA (Lifestyle and Fashion Agency). The relaunch signals the agency’s intent to extend its offering to lifestyle and homeware brands.

The Taylor Bennett Foundation, which provides training for black and minority ethnic communications graduates, will launch its first programme in Scotland this June. The scheme will provide four five-week training courses.

People news

Sky has appointed Debbie Klein to the newly created position of group chief marketing and corporate affairs officer. She will be responsible for the company’s overall brand and marketing development, as well as assuming overall leadership for corporate affairs and Sky’s Bigger Picture programme.

Cirkle has appointed Ruth Kieran, Text 100’s deputy managing director, as its new managing director. She is tasked with leading the agency’s next phase of growth, as well as overseeing its current client portfolio, which includes the likes of GSK, PepsiCo and Morrisons.

MHP Communications has appointed Ruby Quince as creative director to support creative work and drive integrated campaigns across the agency.

Cohn & Wolfe has appointed Ruth Allchurch as managing director of its consumer brand business in the UK. Reporting to Rebecca Grant, Cohn & Wolfe’s managing director UK, she will take on commercial and creative responsibility for the practice.

Headland has hired former Change.org communications director Tom Bage and BBC News producer Davina Hagan as director and account director, respectively.

Ascot Racecourse has appointed Miles Evans to the newly created position of head of digital and broadcast. He will be responsible for the racecourse’s overall content strategy.

Mark Bailey is now the managing director of Cube3, the brand, web and campaign agency.

MRM has hired Andrew Ehrensperger as an account executive. Ehrensperger will be tasked with boosting the consultancy’s fintech and language capabilities.

Ethan Spibey, the founder of PR and comms LGBT+ network InterComms, has been named as one of the 10 Outstanding Contributors to LGBT+ Life in 2018 by the British LGBT Awards.

Media news

Trinity Mirror has announced the proposed acquisition of Northern & Shell’s publishing assets for £126.7 million. The deal includes the Daily Express and Sunday Express, Daily Star and Daily Star Sunday, and OK! magazine.

CNBC has announced that it is now the exclusive distributor of its interviews. The broadcaster will now licence all copies of its interviews.