In brief: Brighter Comms promotes Lewis, Rapport rebrands, John Doe launches influencer division

Cardiff-based agency Brighter Comms has promoted Bethan Lewis to the role of comms director. Lewis, 29, was formerly senior comms manager and has worked for the agency for two years. In her new role, she will play a more prominent role in the strategic direction of client work at the five-year-old agency.

Rapport Events has rebranded as Rapport: The People Activation Agency and will diversify its offering to include all aspects of employee engagement and internal comms. The Manchester-based agency, whose clients include Talk Talk, Müller and Purina, has also unveiled a new website and two launch films to coincide with the rebrand.

Global public affairs consultancy Interel has expanded its presence in South America with new agency partnerships in Argentina, with Identia; Brazil, with Imagem Corporativa; Chile, with Extend; Colombia, with Dattis; and Peru with Concertum and CSR Consulting. The partnerships come in the wake of large political changes in South America, including a possible end to the 50-year-old war in Colombia with Farc rebels and the impeachment of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. All the partners will become part of the Interel Global Partnership.

Michelle Thurgood, previously a senior manager of external relations at construction and building supplies group Tarmac, has created her own agency Corkscrew Communications. Also previously a transport consultant for AMEC, Birmingham Airport and in local government, Thurgood's agency will focus on helping bring development and development projects to fruition.

Media tech agency Bubble & Squeak has been appointed by Digigrid to provide all global PR and social media. The agency will  focus on the promotion of Digigrid’s Desktop and Rackmount products into global trade and consumer media, as well as through social channels. 

Agency John Doe has launched a global influencer department called John Doe_i, to offer content creation, influencer strategy and campaign implementation. The new department will report into creative director James Wilkins, formerly of Way to Blue.