News in brief

Twenty-seven entries have been shortlisted across ten categories. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Claridges, London, on 21 November. For the full shortlist visit www.prweek.com/uk/events/partner

AGENCY Hill & Knowlton joint-marcoms MD Wendy Mair has left. UK CEO Marie-Louise Windeler said Mair might return to the agency – where she worked for 16 years – in a 'quite different' job. Whether the unspecified role will be created is largely up to global HQ, said Windeler.

CONSUMER Choices UK has brought in Brazen PR to help shed its
perceived 'northern' image and promote its rebrand from 'Choices Video'. The account is the first time the rival to Blockbuster has used a UK-wide consumer agency.

TRAVEL Icelandair has taken on Rob Bates as PR manager UK & Ireland. Bates joins from BGB Communications and will focus on  launching its Manchester to Iceland route in April 2006.

CONSUMER Killa Communications is targeting the British racing industry in promotional work for premium bourbon Woodford Reserve. Brown-Forman, the company that behind the brand, has created a Woodford Reserve stables in the US as well as bagging racing sponsorship deals. It plans to repeat the strategy in the UK.

CONSUMER Communique PR is to launch MiniCol, a 'healthy alternative to cheese'. Swiss firm Emmi is pushing the product in the UK for the first time and has allocated a £500,000 marcoms spend to make it a success.

TECHNOLOGY LogicaCMG this week confirmed the appointment of Trimedia Communications for UK B2B work. The agency takes over from Band & Brown following a three-way pitch (PRWeek, 21 October).