Johnson will join the agency at the beginning of October as director of content to lead a new b2b content marketing arm set to launch later in the year.
He joins from his current position as deputy editor of Marketing Week and will be in charge of developing the business’ work with owned media. The new venture will be a business set up by the group and separate from its current PR operations.
CEO Martin Loat said: "As a seasoned and respected marketing journalist, Branwell is the ideal person to lead this initiative.
"Our content arm will be positioned separately to our PR team and will work directly for clients, or as partner to publishers and event organisers who need a burst of energy into their existing content offerings."
Phillips will join Propeller PR’s board in a newly created director role that will see him leading on client services and strategy.
MD Kieran Kent said: "He will play a critical role in helping us to grow the PR business, taking overall responsibility for client servicing and strategy, as well as focusing on the continued development of staff and our overall PR service offering."