Lynsey Barber

Albania seeks image makeover with global contest backed by Alastair Campbell

The Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has launched a contest to rebrand the country and move its image away from stereotypes of corruption and communism, with the help of Alastair Campbell.

Cancer Research UK takes the selfie and makes it its own

PR Week digital editor Lynsey Barber reckons that Cancer Research UK's #nomakeupselfie was one of the finest examples of bandwagon jumping she's ever witnessed.

Viber plans PR and marketing push with hire of CMO Mark Hardy

Viber, the mobile messaging platform, has appointed Mark Hardy to lead global PR and marketing efforts following its $900 million (£540 million) acquisition by Japanese internet giant Rakuten.

PR helps Kickstarter project raise $50,000 in 11 minutes

A PR campaign by Dynamo to promote the funding of a 3D printer on Kickstarter has smashed its goal of $50,000 in just 11 minutes.

Nectar-backed ad tech start-up Adpoints briefs Speed

Adpoints, a start-up that incentivises consumers to engage with video ads by offering them Nectar points, has appointed Speed Communications to lead PR efforts as it seeks to grow its business in the UK.

BAFTA-nominated film firm engages Alexander PR

Air India in agency hunt to support global PR and social drive

Air India, the country's state-owned airline carrier, is on the hunt for an agency to work on a wide-ranging two-year PR and social brief.

Tobacco industry accused of using 'scare story' PR tactics to derail plain packaging

The tobacco industry embarked on a PR strategy that exaggerated the threat of the illicit tobacco trade in response to the Government's plans for plain packaging, a new research paper has claimed.

Battenhall boosts senior team with client service director Samantha Phillips

Whiteoaks and PAN Communications partner for CloudSense PR brief

Wine training body turns to Stir PR for consumer campaign

The WIne & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has called in specialist food and drink agency Stir PR after a three-way pitch to help promote its courses among drinks enthusiasts.

Social media marketing start-up Retortal appoints Whiteoaks

Hit or Miss? Co-op invites public to "Have Your Say" on future strategy

The Co-operative Group has launched a wide-ranging research campaign to gauge the public's opinion of the 150-year-old company and what they think it should be doing.

Cannes Lions to celebrate up-and-coming talent with Young Lions PR competition

The Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity has launched a competition aimed at showcasing young talent in the PR industry.

Yelp hands UK PR duties to Dynamo

Yelp, the local search and review site, has handed UK PR duties to Dynamo ahead of its 10th birthday celebrations and a global advertising push.

Top of the month: Iceland distances itself from prosecution of 'dumpster divers'

PRWeek digital editor Lynsey Barber applauds frozen food retailer Iceland for telling the CPS it did not instigate or agree with the prosecution of three people accused of taking food from the bins outside its Kentish Town store.

App Annie to boost European profile with Positive Marketing

App Annie, the app analytics start-up, has tasked Positive Marketing with raising the profile of the business across Europe after a three-way pitch against Ballou and Bite.

Industry veteran Michael Draznin joins Liberty to lead US team

Liberty Communications has hired Michael Draznin to help lead the agencies efforts in New York and San Francisco a year after the UK agency opened shop in the region.

Showcase: PlayStation 4 Launch

Fever, Manning Gottlieb OMD, Curb Media and PlayStation in-house team, November 2013. Sony faced a gaming console war with Microsoft's Xbox One when it released the PlayStation 4 ahead of the all-important Christmas sales period. Its competitor also had a much larger budget.

Newsmaker: Sky's the limit for Meigan Terry as she takes Virgin Atlantic top comms job

Being repeatedly described as "one of the brightest and most successful comms people of her generation" certainly demonstrates Meigan Terry's ability to win friends and influence people.