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The latest public affairs and politics news, opinion and features.
Got a story? Contact Ian Griggs on 020 8267 4893 or ian.griggs@haymarket.com.
News and news analysis
No. 10 seeks political comms operative to lead White House-style press briefings
Downing Street has begun the search for a £100,000-a-year political press spokesman to “communicate with the nation on behalf of the Prime Minister” in televised briefings from the autumn, with several industry names under consideration.
Johnson election campaign architects and former Telegraph editor set up consultancy
The men behind Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s election victories have teamed up with The Daily Telegraph’s former political editor to set up a strategic communications agency.
Controversial ex-Government comms chief joins anti-extremism campaign
Former journalist and government comms chief Kirsty Buchanan has joined anti-extremism organisation Mainstream as its campaign director.
UKIP leadership contender among founders of public affairs agency offering ‘Brexpertise’
Six ex-politicians, including former UKIP deputy chair, Suzanne Evans, have launched a public affairs agency, offering clients their ‘Brexpertise’ as the UK continues the process of leaving the European Union.
Ex-Cicero Research MD launches marcomms 'agency collective' for financial services
Former Cicero Research managing director Phil Wickenden has launched a full service marcomms agency that combines research, consultancy, design, digital, PR and corporate communications.
PRWeek UK launches awards for healthcare PR, corporate comms and public affairs
PRWeek UK has launched two new award schemes: one celebrating the best in healthcare and pharma comms, and the other recognising outstanding achievements in corporate and financial PR and public affairs.
Atos hires agency for expanded brief
Engine MHP has expanded its remit with Atos UK & Ireland - the digital transformation and tech services consultancy - to include PR, public affairs and digital comms.
Ofcom's Chris Wynn joins John Lewis Partnership to lead corporate and public affairs
The John Lewis Partnership has appointed Ofcom's director of communications, Chris Wynn, as director of corporate communications and promoted Gillian Taylor to head of brand communications for the group, PRWeek can reveal.
Lib Dems hire former journalist to lead on strategy and messaging
The Liberal Democrats have appointed former journalist and media comms chief Mimi Turner as the party’s director of strategy.
Huawei uses local projects in drive to restore battered image overseas
Localisation is Huawei's branding strategy for the year. Its work in Canada is one example.
BECG acquires public affairs agency to enhance client offer
Built Environment Communications Group (BECG) has acquired fellow public affairs agency Cavendish for an undisclosed sum and has relaunched it as Cavendish Advocacy.
Movers & Shakers: Edelman, Portland, Teneo, Fleet Street, APCO, Nestle and more
PRWeek's weekly roundup of industry hires, departures and promotions. This column for the week commencing 6 July.
Public Affairs Board elects new chair for 12-month term
Members of the PRCA’s Public Affairs Board (PAB) have elected Liam Herbert as the new chair of the organisation.
'Governments using fake news laws to silence political opponents on social media' - Middle East academic
Middle Eastern governments are using social media to spread disinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic, while at the same time creating laws to combat ‘fake news’ to silence dissenting voices, a regional academic has warned.
Porter Novelli collaborates with Global Situation Room for new services
Porter Novelli has expanded its collaboration with public affairs firm Global Situation Room to launch additional offerings for clients.
Pharma firm hires charity policy specialist to lead government affairs
Pharma firm Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) has appointed charity public affairs specialist Jagtar Dhanda as its policy advocacy and government affairs manager.
Sir Lynton Crosby's group merges agencies to form financial and intelligence consultancy
The consultancy group headed by political strategist Sir Lynton Crosby has merged two of its existing agencies to form a new consultancy focused on "intelligence advisory" and financial insights.
Opinion and features
The COVID-19 Diaries: Blame and division, but we want a better future
PRWeek continues its ongoing partnership with strategic insights consultancy BritainThinks to gauge the public mood on COVID-19.
Having a diverse workforce isn’t just about hiring BME people, it’s about keeping them
Recently, I saw a video of former West Indies cricketer Michael Holding, reflecting on the racism faced by his parents in the UK, in which he breaks down in tears.
Five ways I learned to cope with the return to agency life after time out
For anyone on furlough – or for those who find themselves made redundant – finding a way back to work after time out can be tough.
This is what governing like you’re campaigning looks like
What are the three most important things we know about election campaigns? First and foremost, they don’t change anyone’s mind.
The Government’s Brexit preparedness campaign is a 'new start' built on old lies
The ‘Let’s get going’ Government information campaign is now all but unavoidable.
Industry employers: overlook itchy feet at your peril
Even though companies are now looking at getting back into the office post-lockdown, the road to normality feels like a long one.
'Even a campaign with no budget can force a government U-turn' – Behind the Campaign with Quash Quarantine
Paul Charles, chief executive of The PC Agency, discusses the recent campaign to fight the UK Government's coronavirus quarantine plans for the sake of hospitality and travel firms.
Believe it or not, the pandemic is a perfect time to set up a new agency
It sounds counterintuitive, but if you have been thinking about creating your own PR agency or going solo, then now is a great time.
Redundancy comms: compassion and clarity, not a thesaurus, are vital
“Tim, we’ve decided to adapt your role in a strategically streamlined way.” Do people really speak like this when announcing job losses to their colleagues?
Diversification of PR services is vital in a ‘post-earned’ world
The basis of the modern PR agency is a well-trodden path. In essence, leveraging an established base of media contacts, knowledge and strategy to sell media relations to clients at a decent margin has been the route to success.
COVID-19 is a catalyst for the evolution in public affairs
How you influence political decision-makers has evolved over the years, but in recent times it has changed dramatically, catalysed by the coronavirus experience.
‘Build back better’ is a neat phrase; it would look good on a baseball cap
The PR industry has always been a sucker for a good imperative. 'Just Do It', 'Make Poverty History', 'Think Different' to name just a few.
Top of the Month: Marcus Rashford's crusade to feed children is a masterclass in campaigning
The Manchester United forward displayed real leadership, humility and humanity to put food on the table of children at a time when these traits are increasingly rare in British politics.
‘If morals were money, Facebook would be bankrupt’ – PR leaders on ad boycott
Facebook’s response to an advertising boycott has been slow and inadequate, but are brands joining the boycott merely virtue signalling, or can they drive meaningful change? We ask five industry leaders.
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Director/Senior Director – Public Affairs Capstone Hill Search London (Central), London (Greater)
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Account Director Public Affairs & Policy Healthcare Premier Resourcing UK Greater London
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Senior Account Manager - Public Affairs- PR Agency f1 Recruitment London (Greater) London Central
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Public Affairs Senior Executive Hanbury Strategy London (Greater)
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Associate Director Hanbury Strategy London (Greater)
Recent public/corporate affairs people moves
Movers & Shakers: BCW, Finsbury, Instinctif, PrettyGreen, Don't Cry Wolf, Threesixty and more
PRWeek's weekly round-up of industry hires, departures and promotions.
Movers & Shakers: John Lewis Partnership, BCW, Milk & Honey, Lib Dems, UK Space Agency and more
PRWeek's weekly roundup of industry hires, departures and promotions.
Chuka Umunna joins Edelman UK
Chuka Umunna is to join fellow former Labour and Change UK MP Luciana Berger at Edelman UK - as executive director and head of its environmental, social, governance (ESG) consultancy offer.
Movers & Shakers: Edelman, Red Havas, Bulb, Teamspirit and more
PRWeek's weekly round-up of industry hires, departures and promotions.
Energy firm Bulb hires former WeWork comms chief and easyJet CMO
Renewables energy company Bulb has appointed a former WeWork EMEA comms chief and an ex-easyJet chief marketing officer to lead its marcomms in a leadership hiring spree.
WPI hires former PWC corporate affairs director to lead post-COVID project
Political and research consultancy WPI Strategy has hired Anna Wallace, a former corporate affairs director for professional services giant PWC, as an associate.