NEWS: Hertz drops Key as it re-tunes PR

Hertz, Britain’s leading car hire company, has dropped agency Key

Communications following a decision to bring PR in-house.

The move follows the departure of Hertz Europe’s director of public

affairs Jeremy Snook. He left in December to set up his own consultancy

specialising in auto, travel and tourism clients and has been acting for

Hertz rival Europcar since January.

Robin Davies, vice-president of strategic planning for Hertz Europe,

confirmed Key had ceased working for Hertz UK in February, after a year

on the job. He stressed the decision to take PR in-house ‘did not

reflect’ on Key’s work.

According to Davies, Hertz expects to appoint a successor to Snook

‘imminently’. But in the meantime, Davies has assumed command of PR for

both Hertz Europe and Hertz UK, aided by a PR assistant.

‘We took the opportunity to review our structure and strategy, and we

decided to take UK activity in-house. Our new PR director will continue

with the pan-European co-ordinating role and, with additional office

support, also take on PR for our UK company,’ said Davies.

Support will be provided by a PR manager who will work alongside the new

director, although the search for a PR manager will not begin until the

senior post has been filled.

* Key Communications has been appointed by risk management consultant

and insurance broker Sedgwick UK Risk Services, after a four-way pitch.