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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
Instinctif trio launch strategic engagement consultancy
A creative and strategic engagement consultancy, United Culture, has launched that combines PR, marketing, brand and HR.
New initiative to connect unemployed comms pros with struggling organisations
A PR professional has set up a not-for-profit venture, Look After, to help out-of-work PR practitioners provide support to businesses and charities struggling through the coronavirus crisis.
‘Crisis management and corporate brand rising up agenda’ – FTSE comms chiefs
The need for better crisis-handling ability and a more defined sense of corporate purpose was rising up the agenda of FTSE 100 companies even before the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a new report by executive search firm Watson Helsby.
Pitch Update: Samsung, Sanofi, LG, Swisse Me and more
PRWeek's weekly round-up of pitches and account moves.
LG reviews global corporate account
A WPP team has held the business for more than a decade.
Powerscourt supports industry initiative to produce 10,000 ventilators for the NHS
Comms consultancy Powerscourt is providing strategic media advice to VentilatorChallengeUK, a coalition of leading industrial, technology and engineering businesses from across the aerospace, automotive and medical sectors.
Richard Edelman tells global staff: 'No job losses due to coronavirus'
Edelman has guaranteed to protect the jobs of his global agency's 6,000-strong workforce during the coronavirus outbreak, PRWeek has learned.
Exclusive: Luther Pendragon and Linstock form enhanced reputation management agency
Linstock has merged into Luther Pendragon to create a reputation management consultancy specialising in public affairs, crisis comms and behavioural science.
Sports Direct boss apologises for poor comms and ‘ill-judged’ attempt to keep stores open
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has apologised for his "ill-judged and poorly-timed" attempt to keep his shops open during the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus impact: PR freelancers face 'dire straits' as firms cut budgets
The PR industry is calling for urgent government intervention to support freelancers and self-employed workers as research reveals more than half have already lost at least 40 per cent of their regular income and the majority face financial ruin unless they receive help.
Global head of comms moves to The Romans
A ‘prodigal son’ has rejoined The Romans as a director and will sit on the agency's management team.
Retail magnate 'breaks every rule in PR' in car-crash coronavirus interview
An 80-year-old businessman has faced a fierce backlash over a “damaging” 60 Minutes interview in which he said coronavirus was nothing to worry about and had been good for business.
Engine MHP wins corp and public affairs brief for major fintech account
Swedish ecommerce giant Klarna has appointed Engine MHP to provide corporate reputation, b2b, consumer and public affairs support in the UK.
Freud vows to protect jobs and wages: 'It's taken COVID-19 to bring the world to its senses'
Freuds staff have been told their jobs and pay packets will not be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in a rallying call from founder and chairman Matthew Freud, PRWeek can reveal.
Ketchum London strengthens research and analytics offer with new hire
Ketchum has appointed Giuseppe Polimeno from social listening platform Pulsar as head of research and analytics in London.
GM hires P&G CCO Craig Buchholz as global comms SVP
He replaces Tony Cervone, who is retiring.
Opinion and features
Global pandemic reinforces the value of the corporate comms function
The coronavirus crisis has exposed how important corporate communications and public affairs has become to the c-suite. It’s time large corporations established a seat at the top table for comms directors.
Open letter from the PRWeek UK editor: Now is not the time to cut PR budgets
Reducing spend on communications during the coronavirus crisis would be hugely counterproductive, with the negative ramifications felt now and as recovery takes hold, argues PRWeek UK editor John Harrington.
Ignoring the result of the Labour leadership election is a mistake for public affairs professionals
It is difficult for opposition parties to get attention – from the media, from the public, from business – at the best of times; now, at the worst of times, Labour’s new leader could look less relevant than ever.
Top of the Month: Sainsbury's and peers rise to COVID-19 challenge
The coronavirus has been a massive test of whether firms that talk the talk on 'purpose' can walk the walk. In general, UK supermarkets have passed with flying colours.
Three ways SME owners can raise their comms game and visibility during the COVID-19 crisis
This is an unprecedented time for a lot of small businesses, which have neither bigger corporations' scale of operations, nor the advisors to help them navigate the difficult days that lie ahead.
You’re not alone! Two survival guides to virtual pitching during the COVID-19 crisis
Anyone who takes part in client pitches is in new territory, now that social distancing and isolation measures are in place across the UK and beyond. So how can you do it virtually and still build chemistry?
Trust and authenticity are vital for comms and media during the pandemic
As much as the phrase ‘nothing has changed’ came to define the communications failure of Theresa May’s premiership, ‘everything has changed’ looms large over Boris Johnson’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis.
Branson and beyond: are veteran corporate 'mavericks' acting like dinosaurs with comms in COVID-19 crisis?
When PRWeek was compiling a list of the 50 best PR campaigns of the past 50 years last summer, one name came up frequently: Virgin. And, naturally, its famous founder.
‘I will find it difficult’: an industry leader in his 80s discusses self-isolation
The new government regulations have meant that there's had to be a significant change in the way I, and many others, live and operate.
Plan, ask questions and switch focus: five good ways for comms professionals to work from home
At times of crisis, business leaders often turn to communications professionals to guide them.
24-25 March 2020| Doubletree Tower of London
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.
Latest Jobs
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Communications Executive Hanbury Strategy London (Central), London (Greater)
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EU Associate Director - Health Working Hanbury Strategy Brussels (BE)
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AM - SAD level roles - Financial Services Capstone Hill Search London (Central), London (Greater)
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PR & Communications Manager St Pierre Groupe Didsbury, Manchester
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Head of Media The PFA Charity Homeworking
Recent City & corporate people moves
SEC Newgate freezes recruitment and considers government support schemes
SEC Newgate has paused new hires and is looking into a range of programmes for employers in its various markets, but does not plan to furlough staff, PRWeek has learned. The group has appointed a new CFO, who will join in June.
Lexington hires former Labour MP to strengthen Responsible Business practice
Lexington has appointed former Wakefield MP Mary Creagh to chair its growing Responsible Business practice.
Movers & Shakers: WPP, M&C Saatchi, Edelman, WE, Gandhi and more
PRWeek's weekly roundup of industry hires, departures and promotions.
TheSoul Publishing appoints global comms boss and agencies for transatlantic brief
Independent digital studio TheSoul Publishing has hired Eric Schultz from Golin, and appointed new agency partners Milk & Honey PR and 5W Public Relations, PRWeek can reveal.
Newgate partner returns to in-house government relations in transport
George Robinson has left Newgate Communications, where he was an associate partner, to take up the role of head of UK government relations at travel platform Trainline.
Insurance firm NHBC hires head of marketing and comms
NHBC, a warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK, has appointed Guy Lambert as head of marketing and communications.
'Nudge unit' hires defence intelligence specialist as MD
The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) has appointed intelligence expert Rachel Coyle as managing director, EMEA.