BBC: The BBC has refused to rule out redundancies in its 400-strong marcoms and audiences division as part of the review launched by director-general Mark Thompson. Further details of the shake-up will be announced in December.
TECHNOLOGY: Hutchison Network Solutions, the network carrier for mobile phone operator 3, has hired Mantra PR to promote the operation’s rebrand as Geo. Mantra is also promoting Geo’s spare network capacity to other phone operators.
EVENT PR: CoalitionTotal.Communication is handling PR for Event Vision, the organisation behind the Grand Prix Balls and La Dolce Vita luxury parties. The first key event for the agency is the Christmas La Dolce Vita on 13 December in London.
CONSUMER: PropertyDraw.com is using Frank PR to run a campaign around its online property lottery, which offers people the chance to win a £500,000 home with a £30 ticket. The agency is to promote the company’s spokesperson Barry Pestell, who has acted as David Beckham’s estate agent, and to encourage luxury home-owners to consider selling their homes using the PropertyDraw method.
AGENCY RESTRUCTURE: Berkeley Public Relations International has split into three business units: Berkeley PR, Berkeley Online and start-up PR division Ascent PR. Midlands office head Melanie Kanarek has been made Berkeley PR MD.
CONSUMER: Littlewoods has hired Ian Monk Associates to launch its LEM magazine, which is published in association with Condé Nast and contains samples from Littlewoods’s home catalogue. IMA is aiming to drive consumers to the catalogue via the magazine.
