It is understood that new chief executive, Ian Dyson, has ordered a review of key supplier relationships, triggering a repitch of Smithfield's retained PR account.
Smithfield is understood to be repitching for the business, with City heavyweights Brunswick and Tulchan Communications also thought to be in the running.
Smithfield won the PR account from College Hill in early 2009.
Dyson, who started at the managed pub chain in September, is already ringing the changes at the indebted firm.
Last week, finance chief Phil Dutton left as the company attempts to renegotiate some of its £3bn debts with bondholders.
