Sense reaches out to celebrities

Former ITV entertainment editor Vanessa Langford has filled an ambassador relations manager position; branding consultancy Spencer du Bois has been tasked with redefining Sense's brand positioning, values and strategy.

Head of comms Cinzia Marrocco said: ‘Sense has nearly 2,000 staff and an annual turnover of more than £52m, but its public profile doesn't reflect this. ‘We're reviewing how we speak to the public, donors and the media, and how we get messages across. In particular, we are keen to engage more with the mainstream media.'

Langford, who joined in July and has also worked as entertainment correspondent for the BBC's Liquid News, will provide a point of contact for high-value donors and celebrity supporters. Reporting to Marrocco, she will work on maximising coverage from work done for the charity by supporters such as Cilla Black and Stephanie Beecham.

Spencer du Bois will deliver a report to Marrocco at the end of September.

The charity's name is likely to stay, but its ‘deafblind' definition will be under scrutiny as Sense looks to emphasis that it also caters for the partially sighted and hard of hearing.