Hotel chain Hyatt International has dropped eight-year retained
agency Hancock Communications after a review of its UK marketing.
The move ends a 20-year association between the hotelier and Nicky
Hancock, who was director of communications and marketing for Hyatt
before departing to found the agency.
Hancock said the move was sparked by a decision to realign the sales and
marketing set-up at the hotel giant.
She added that the firm was scaling back its PR efforts in the UK since
it no longer manages any hotels in London.
Hancock Communications operates a press office function for the chain
and will do so until the end of the year, when a replacement agency is
likely to be appointed.
No-one from Hyatt was available to comment on whether a pitch will be
taking place for this work.
During the seven years the agency was retained, it has covered crisis
management, market research and consumer PR.