Top five Italian co-operative bank, Banca Popolare Commercio and
Industria (BPCI), has hired Shandwick to boost its corporate profile and
run its press office. The bank did not previously retain a PR agency and
there was no competitive pitch. Shandwick will report to strategic
marketing head Mario Castellaneta. Shandwick Italy chief executive Furio
Garbagnati said: ’(We) will develop an extensive media relations
campaign to strengthen its profile and support new product launches.’