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The latest corporate and financial PR news, opinion and features.
Got a story? Contact John Harrington on 020 8267 4901 or john.harrington@haymarket.com.
News and news analysis
Edelman announces new focus on ‘action communications’ and corporate affairs in wake of COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter
Richard Edelman, CEO of the world’s biggest PR firm, has launched a new mantra for his agency; challenging the comms sector and business in general to focus on action rather than words.
Wheaton Precious Metals hires UK consultancy for major London listing
Tavistock Communications has been appointed to advise what is predicted to be the biggest company to list on the London Stock Exchange in almost a decade.
Ex-health minister and former financial regulator chair join GK Strategy
Former Conservative MP and health minister Alistair Burt and ex-Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) chair John Griffith-Jones have joined GK Strategy, the public affairs agency has announced.
Ex-Portland health chief makes statement of intent with agency launch
Portland’s former health chief, Dr Jane Brearley, has announced the launch of her diversity-focused agency Intent Health, PRWeek can exclusively reveal.
'No big campaigns, plenty of direct comms' - how big banks should respond to 'dirty money' report
Major banking groups, and the sector as a whole, face a significant reputational challenge after allegations emerged that they transferred more than $2tn in suspect funds over 18 years. Two comms professionals give their view on how the banks should respond.
WPP names first global corporate affairs chief
WPP, the world’s biggest marketing services group, has hired its first ever global corporate affairs director with the aim of improving the firm’s reputation and highlighting its corporate purpose, PRWeek can reveal.
Pitch Update: TikTok, Red Bull, Pret, Toolstation, Japan and more
PRWeek's weekly round-up of pitches and account moves.
TikTok chooses agencies for six-figure policy and public affairs briefs
Social-media platform TikTok has appointed Headland and Stonehaven to provide policy comms and public affairs functions, respectively, PRWeek has learned.
Tulchan hires ex-Dentsu Aegis CEO and institutional investor
Tulchan Communications has made two senior appointments: institutional investor Mark Burgess and former Dentsu Aegis Network chief executive Jerry Buhlmann.
'PR's reputation has grown during pandemic' - Comms and COVID-19 survey
Most senior PR figures believe the perceived value of PR among budget-holders has grown during the coronavirus pandemic, PRWeek's research shows.
PRWeek UK Corporate, City and Public Affairs Awards – entry deadline extended
The deadline for entering the PRWeek UK Corporate, City and Public Affairs Awards has been extended to Friday 16 October.
Weber Shandwick names new corporate affairs lead after Marlowe quits to join insurer
Weber Shandwick has promoted Ed Taylor to managing director of its corporate affairs practice after Anthony Marlowe joined insurance firm Rothesay Life as its head of comms and public affairs, PRWeek has learned.
One in three in-house PR chiefs expect permanently smaller teams – Comms and COVID-19 survey
Staff cuts among UK in-house comms teams during the coronavirus crisis have been less severe than at PR agencies, although in-house chiefs are less optimistic about growing their teams in the future.
In-house PR embraces home working – Comms and COVID-19 survey
A large majority – 85 per cent – of UK in-house communications chiefs plan to reduce the number of days their comms staff must work from the office, according to new research by PRWeek.
Thames Water comms chief departs
Thames Water comms director Sunny Tucker has left the company, and his role is not being replaced, PRWeek has learned.
EasyJet comms chief Flic Howard-Allen departs
EasyJet’s chief communications officer, who was also a member of its management board, has departed the airline as it makes thousands of redundancies in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, PRWeek has learned.
Opinion and features
Don’t stop at BLM; it’s time comms professionals used their budgets to act on Islamophobia too
With an increasingly socially aware customer base, communications professionals are uniquely positioned to help their employers and clients respond to the growing clamour for a fair, equal and tolerant society.
From the editor-in-chief: The mood darkens but there’s growing evidence corporate affairs is reaching peak influence
The world, including the media and comms sector, now feels a subtly different place to the one before we were first locked down six months ago.
'We'll simply get bigger and do more' - in-house chiefs on how COVID will change PR
PRWeek UK's survey of in-house comms, corporate affairs and public affairs chiefs brought some fascinating predictions for the future in the COVID era, as we outline below.
Hurdles ahead for new UAE-Israel marketplace
The warming in relations between the UAE and Israel is positive for business in the region. A patient approach to building relations and proactive communications can help clients maximise new opportunities.
When tea tribes go to war (a mug is all that you can score)
This is likely to be remembered as the year in which some of the UK’s most beloved tea brands found their voices.
Summer 2020 put corporate purpose in the spotlight: did companies pass the test?
As business bounces back, who will go beyond their prepared mission statement to face up to the new challenges posed by corporate stakeholders?
'I’ve started a new chapter and I don’t want to go back' - Chuka Umunna on Edelman, ESG, purpose and politics
Former MP-turned-strategic corporate advisor Chuka Umunna talks about his new leadership role at Edelman, the impact of COVID-19, racism, and why he’s done with politics.
From the editor-in-chief: Some bosses asking staff to spend at least half the week in the office as they tackle key autumn phase
So, the summer is over and it’s back to school for the kids (fingers crossed) and back to work for the adults. Or is it? More on that in a moment.
Algorithms: Time for the PR industry to emerge from the dark ages
Following the exam results fiasco, anyone looking for a defence of the humble algorithm has been met by a deafening silence.
Lack of discipline in tactics and messaging risks turning XR into a 'rebellion extinction'
Extinction Rebellion’s attempts to blockade the delivery of newspapers is another tactical own goal for a movement that is running out of goodwill. The group needs greater discipline and consistency in core messaging to remain relevant.
24-25 September 2020| Online event
In an exciting new launch, PRWeek’s inaugural Corporate & Public Affairs Summit will provide delegates with high-level strategic insight while showcasing innovative tools and techniques through a comprehensive conference programme.
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Recent City & corporate people moves
Fanclub strengthens senior team with strategic creative and financial specialist hires
Fanclub PR has strengthened its board and senior management team with the addition of former Edelman director Paul Lucas and SI Partners partner Paul Allen.
Movers & Shakers: The Academy, WPP, Clarity, Fanclub, Media Zoo, Blurred and more
PRWeek's weekly round-up of industry hires, departures and promotions.
Blurred hires senior consultants to grow ESGP team
Blurred has strengthened its Environmental, Social, Governance and Purpose (ESGP) team with senior hires from Ketchum and Ogilvy.
Powerscourt makes five hires including director and insurance PR chief
Powerscourt has announced five hires, including a director who joins from FTI Consulting and a senior consultant currently working at insurer MS Amlin.
APO Group hires former Weber and Edelman director
African communications and business consultancy APO Group has appointed former Weber Shandwick and Edelman director Fathima Ebrahim as VP of media relations.
Movers & Shakers: Morrisons, YouTube, Tulchan, Deliveroo, BCW, Grayling and more
PRWeek's weekly round-up of industry hires, departures and promotions.
Soho House on hunt for new comms chief
Soho House & Co’s chief communications and strategy officer has left the global chain of private members clubs he joined in 2013.