PUBLIC SECTOR: National Savings hires external agency

National Savings, the Government-owned savings vehicle, is on the verge of announcing the appointment of an external PR agency to help with strategic planning and support over the next year. Communications head Joe Logan has shortlisted Charles Barker BSMG, Countrywide Porter Novelli and Citigate Dewe Rogerson from 11 agencies who pitched initially for the pounds 100,000 account. Logan will announce the winner by mid-December with a view to getting the agency on board before the end of the year to start a profile-raising campaign.