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The latest public affairs and politics news, opinion and features.
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News and news analysis
PRCA member issued with written warning for 'violent language'
A public affairs professional has been issued with a written warning by the PRCA for his use of 'violent language' on social media.
Four in ten registered lobbying firms not signed up to industry ethical codes
More than four in ten lobbying firms listed on the UK government's official register, including major consultancies Finsbury and Brunswick, have not signed up to official industry ethical codes, PRWeek has learned.
Deliveroo poaches public affairs and policy chief from techUK
Takeaway app Deliveroo is beefing up its UK and Ireland public affairs operations with a senior hire from lobby group techUK.
Twitter bans state media ads over 'nefarious' Hong Kong social media tactics
Twitter and Facebook took action against accounts they said are connected to the Chinese government.
Watch: Tiny poem on a pill highlights precision of fight against cancer
Poet Laureate Simon Armitage (pictured) has written a poem micro-engraved onto a cancer pill to symbolise the work of a London-based research centre.
Court of Appeal rules London council must stop publishing fortnightly newsletter
A row between Hackney council and two local papers has sparked debate around whether council-owned media puts unfair competition on newspapers that rely on advertising.
'Staff safety is a concern' - Hong Kong PR chief on protests
A PR professional has said 'violence is out of the ordinary' in Hong Kong, as protests across the city over the past few weeks have escalated into angry confrontations and the use of tear gas.
'Campaign mode' - strong Brexit message slowly reinvigorating Government departments
After being given greater clarity about the need to leave the EU at the end of October, public affairs professionals are beginning to see Government departments spring back into life.
Businesses being advised to adjust comms for a 'no deal' Brexit
British businesses are quickly adapting their communications plans to the realisation that the Boris Johnson government is likely to force the nation out of the European Union without a deal, according to public affairs chiefs.
Ella's Kitchen chooses corporate and CSR comms partner
Ella's Kitchen has appointed Kin&Co to handle an integrated comms brief that includes corporate comms, reputation management and comms for its social and environmental strategy and impact.
Anthony Joshua's decision to fight in Saudi a 'low blow to boxing' and 'money over morals'
Sports marketing experts have questioned Anthony Joshua's decision to fight Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia on 7 December, amid claims the event is being used by the oppressive Kingdom to 'sportswash their severely tarnished image'.
Fleishman asks PRCA to investigate its role in alleged astroturfing campaign
FleishmanHillard Fishburn has called on the PRCA to investigate its work with SMG Europe after it has been accused of using misleading tactics, including astroturfing.
Fleishman astroturfing: Industry bodies reiterate stance, but won't act without formal complaint
PR industry bodies have reiterated their stance that astroturfing is a breach of professional ethics, but will not take action against FleishmanHillard Fishburn until a formal complaint has been received about the tactics the agency used with arena operator SMG Europe, owners of Manchester Arena.
Former Number 10 special adviser joins MSL
PR firm MSL has appointed the Lib Dems' ex-head of political communications Sean Kemp, as the agency looks to expand its corporate reputation offer.
Fleishman and client accused of astroturfing in 'outrageous, misleading' campaign
The leader of Manchester City Council has accused the operator of Manchester Arena and its PR agency FleishmanHillard Fishburn of astroturfing and using "outrageous" and "misleading" communications tactics to oppose a rival 20,000-seat arena proposal.
PRWeek and PRCA launch inaugural public affairs census
The PRCA and PRWeek has launched the first Public Affairs Census, in conjunction with research partner Opinium.
Jack Irvine: 'Astroturfing is widespread in PR and tactic also used by larger agencies'
Astroturfing in PR is "more widespread than you'd imagine" and is not just a practice used by smaller consultancies on the fringes.
Opinion and features
There is so much more to public affairs than Brexit
The ongoing saga of leaving the EU may have stolen the spotlight, but a raft of other drivers mean the discipline is busier than ever.
Six ways PM Boris Johnson can recalibrate his message to business
In normal times a new Prime Minister would now be able to indulge in a honeymoon period, but these are not normal times. The UK is in the midst of its greatest peacetime political crisis in modern history and time is of the essence.
When PM Theresa May's PR flopped - and when her comms triumphed
As she prepares to bow out, PRWeek rounds up the best and worst PR moments of Theresa May's Premiership.
Boris brings political uncertainty but his effect on public affairs will be minimal
Barring a miracle, Boris Johnson will be announced as the new Conservative leader - and our next Prime Minister - by lunchtime, but what will his premiership hold for public affairs, politics and Brexit?
Will the industry's London-bias thwart its future success?
London has long established itself as a global business, creative and media hub resulting in so many agencies and clients being based there.
NHSX & Alexa: A power couple, but with reputational pitfalls for both
NHSX announced its first big initiative late last week and they didn't go small - it's a partnership with Amazon's Alexa, the tech giant's AI-powered voice assistant.
If you want to run a campaign for good: be credible, be authentic and mean it
This week we are celebrating the winners of the second Campaigns for Good Awards.
Am I dreaming big enough? Why are there so few female founders in the PRWeek Top150?
Whilst thrilled to be included in this year's PRWeek Top 150 list, a flippant insta post from Matthew Freud in which he joked about winning the annual tallest dwarf competition made me question the value of such an accolade.
Spare us the spin: You can't promote a 'smoke free future' in Cannes while selling cancer to Indonesia
Philip Morris International's crusade for a 'smoke free world' and Facebook's promise to better protect user privacy are a classic case of corporate double-speak. In many cases, brands that undermine their social purpose are better off not pretending to have one at all.
Does the PR fallout over misogyny even matter to voters in the Conservative leadership battle?
For anyone who has concerns about the treatment of women by Tory MPs, last week was a new low.
Fellow students say 'PR sucks' but I have renewed faith in the power of earned
Tell people that you're leaving a perfectly good job to go and be a full-time student and everyone is lovely and positive. They can spot a mid-career crisis a mile off.
Greater use of employment tribunals could reduce sexual harassment in PR and comms
The PRCA survey into sexual harassment is sad reading but not surprising, and is borne out by my experience in advising NUJ members in the PR industry and indeed across other sectors of the media.
Sexual harassment is damaging the reputation of the public affairs sector
Talking about sexual harassment is never a comfortable conversation.
'The special attention - and career prospects - ended when I told him I had a new boyfriend'
A low point in my career was being warned before an evening event that a client I was hosting was "a bit handsy".
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Head of Communications The Talent Set Berkshire
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Director of Communications The Talent Set London (Central)
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Director, Head of Healthcare - Geneva Office (Leading Network Firm) Lee-Roberts Search Geneva, Canton of Geneva (CH)
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Associate Director - Energy The Foundry - Original London (Central), London (Greater)
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Account Executive / Senior Account Executive – Luxury Travel PR Spotlight Communications Hammersmith and Fulham, London (Greater)
Recent public/corporate affairs people moves
In brief: New creative sector mentoring scheme, senior hire at GK Strategy, Virgin StartUp win for FullFat
Plus, care home operator appoints Springup, Canoe wins surf brand, Absolute Software makes Centropy its UK agency of record, and more in PRWeek UK.
Jo Swinson appoints former Clegg press officer
Ben Rathe will return to the Liberal Democrats in a few months to serve as press secretary for new leader Jo Swinson.
United Nations names new comms chief
The United Nations has a new global comms chief, with the appointment of Melissa Fleming from the UN's refugee commission as under-secretary-general for global communications.
JBP strengthens board with new directors
Communications consultancy JBP has bolstered its board by appointing three new directors to help drive the company's continued growth.
In brief: Pagoda hires ex-Scottish Parliament staffer, wins for Rooster, Launch, Flock and Seymour
Insurance brand hires Launch, Rooster wins children's brand, rebrand at Tricker PR, plastic-free period brief for Seymour PR, and more from PRWeek UK.
PRCA's inaugural international president Barry Leggetter resigns
The PRCA's international president Barry Leggetter has resigned five months into the role, PRWeek has learned.