Latest news and analysis across the PR and communications industry

News

Edelman wins Bronze in Cannes Pharma Lions

By Frank Washkuch, June 17, 2019

Impact Porter Novelli in Dubai was credited for PR for the Print & Publishing Grand Prix.

Government-backed climate-change organisation appoints agency

By Ian Griggs, June 17, 2019

The Energy Saving Trust has appointed Kindred to handle a behaviour-change comms brief, winning the account from incumbent Weber Shandwick.

Local news and regional newspapers hit hardest by print circulation declines

By Stephen Delahunty, June 17, 2019

Popular newspaper brands have suffered double-digit falls in print circulation while broadsheet titles have also suffered significant year-on-year declines, although the Financial Times hit its target of a million paying subscribers a year ahead of schedule.

Watch: Amstel's garden fence pub campaign aims to bring people together

By Stephen Delahunty, June 17, 2019

The brand director at Amstel tells PRWeek the Dutch brewing company needs to "walk the walk more" as it launched its latest campaign.

Finsbury, Hering Schuppener and GPG network more than doubles headcount as LLYC joins

By John Harrington, June 17, 2019

LLYC, the 600-strong Spanish, Portugese and Latin Amercian PR agency, has left Havas' AMO network to join the network headed by WPP agencies Finsbury, Hering Schuppener and Glover Park Group.

Public Affairs Board announces new executive committee

By Stephen Delahunty, June 17, 2019

The board has announced a 19-person committee for the coming year with members from across the UK.

Hotwire global and UK consumer chiefs step down

By John Harrington, June 17, 2019

Hotwire global head of consumer Emma Hazan has resigned, alongside the agency's UK consumer chief and creative director, PRWeek has learned.

Public affairs agency Connect merges with Belfast's Stratagem

By John Harrington, June 17, 2019

London-based public affairs agency Connect has merged with Belfast consultancy Stratagem, creating a £3m-revenue business with a headcount of 35.

Edelman, Weber, Havas PR, MSL: PR shops on Cannes Lions shortlists as festival begins

By John Harrington and Frank Washkuch, June 17, 2019

PR agencies have received multiple nominations in the latest batch of Cannes Lions shortlists, as the International Festival of Creativity begins on the French Riviera.

Cannes Lions: PR Lions entries plummet to lowest level in six years

By Arvind Hickman, June 17, 2019

The Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity has received its lowest number of PR Lions entries for six years - a three-times sharper decline than overall numbers.

'Saudi Arabia and Egypt are the key markets to watch' - Cicero & Bernay's MD

By Jennifer Bell, June 17, 2019

Tariq Al Sharabi says the oil-rich KSA is going through a complete communications overhaul while Egypt is retaining its position as a major market driven by creative industries

Is influencer marketing taking over traditional marketing?

By Omar Darwish, June 17, 2019

PR expert Omar Darwish asks, while influencers can instantly create a social media hype - how long will the trend continue?

Paving the future of communication

By Ahmad Itani, June 17, 2019

Ahmad Itani, founder and CEO of Cicero & Bernay Public Relations and vice chairman of PRCA MENA, says that in a fast-paced market, change is a prerequisite to progress in PR.

'Journalists and social media influencers are too spoiled' - agency CEO on regional PR drawbacks

By Jennifer Bell, June 17, 2019

Not a Cliché founder Duha Shabib says, as the region looks to foster its image, PR is needed now more than ever - but the Middle East faces a unique set of challenges.

Leo Burnett MEA wins creative contract for Middle East sustainability pioneer

By Jennifer Bell, June 16, 2019

The agency will develop an integrated re-launch communication strategy for the UAE-based public-private partnership company Bee'ah.

Facebook hires Standard Chartered veteran for senior public policy role

By John Harrington, June 15, 2019

Facebook has hired Standard Chartered's public and regulatory affairs chief Ed Bowles as its UK-based public policy director for Northern Europe.

Porta and SEC agree to merge

By John Harrington, June 14, 2019

Listed marcomms firms Porta and SEC have agreed to merge in a deal that values Porta - which owns PR shops Newgate, Publicasity and Engage Comms - at around £4.5m.

Cannes Lions entries down as China and India step up

By Arvind Hickman, June 14, 2019

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has had 30,953 entries, down by four per cent from last year despite introducing new categories. There were entries from 89 countries.

Pitching car crashes: Throwing up, sleeping with the client (and the client falling asleep), boardroom piglet

By Arvind Hickman, June 14, 2019

From throwing up on the boardroom table to sleeping with clients, not all pitches go to plan. Here are some of the best 'car crash' pitch stories doing the rounds.