Carlsberg hires PR agency for major new global brief
Carlsberg has appointed a UK PR agency to lead strategic planning and creative development for the brewer’s brand PR and influencer work globally.
Choose Campaign site
WPP rejects KKR's majority bid for FGS Global
KKR already owns a stake of about 30% in communications agency FGS Global, with WPP holding 55%, and the rest owned by partners and staff.
Is Astronomer’s Gwyneth Paltrow ad a smart move?
Astronomer released a humorous video starring Hollywood actor Gwyneth Paltrow in its latest response to the high-profile Coldplaygate saga.
Havas ‘eyeing WPP bid’, The Times reports
Havas has been looking at the prospect of a takeover of rival holdco WPP, The Times reported over the weekend.
Ricky Gervais clashes with London transport body over ‘rejected’ vodka ads
Transport for London (TfL) says it was never asked to approve controversial billboard ads for the Ricky Gervais-backed vodka brand Dutch Barn, after the star hit out at the body for ‘banning’ them.
WPP's Mark Read among industry figures receiving royal New Year's Honours
Some senior figures from the marcomms sector have been recognised in UK King Charles' New Year Honours list.
Zara campaign criticised for alleged Gaza resemblance
Clothing retailer Zara is receiving backlash and calls for a boycott after posting images from its latest campaign that critics say allude to scenes from the conflict in Gaza.
Zara removes 'Gaza' campaign images and expresses 'regret'
Zara has pulled a new campaign featuring images some argue resemble scenes from the Gaza conflict, with the fashion retailer saying it "regrets" the "misunderstanding".
Rob Mayhew slams Havas over Shell in mocking video
Rob Mayhew, the popular social media creator, has published a video mocking Havas and its CEO Yannick Bolloré after the company defended its decision to work with Shell.
SEC Newgate to get new majority owner in $100 million deal
The investment from global alternative investment firm Investcorp values the comms business at more than $250 million and will fuel expansion, including in APAC.
WPP: AI will be 'fundamental' to our business
WPP has said AI will be "fundamental" to its business and the group is "excited by its transformational potential".
Edelman's David Brain to step down
David Brain, president and CEO of Edelman Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, is to leave the agency after 13 years.
H+K splattered with fake oil in Extinction Rebellion protest
Extinction Rebellion splattered fake oil over the London office of PR agency Hill+Knowlton today as part of a series of protests in the capital targeting organisations with "links to the fossil fuel industry".
PR gold or shocking waste? Joe Lycett money-shredding stunt divides
Media and comms figures have given a mixed reaction to comedian Joe Lycett apparently destroying £10,000 in cash in a protest against David Beckham’s involvement in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
WPP confirms FGS Global private equity deal
WPP has confirmed that private equity firm KKR has made an investment in FGS Global in a deal that values the consultancy at $1.425 billion.
'Good PR is knowing what to share and what not to'—has Harry damaged his reputation beyond repair?
From fights with his brother to drug use and his frank views on killing people in the army; revelations in Prince Harry's autobiography Spare have shocked and, predictably, caused a media storm.
Teneo to acquire Tulchan Communications
London-based Tulchan has had a presence in Singapore for more than a decade.
Super Bowl 2023: Brands largely stick to playbook but innovation shines
The mega-budget, all-American adstravaganza hit airwaves and screens as brands made their annual bid to grab attention as Super Bowl fever took hold.
Brands urged to ‘read the room’ as UK mourns
Brands have been advised to tread carefully on social media as a period of mourning for the Queen begins, amid a backlash at posts from some brands.
Cannes PR Lions shortlist revealed
Global PR agencies including Edelman and Ketchum have received multiple nominations in the PR Lions shortlist, alongside work from smaller PR shops.
Edelman, Weber, Romans: more PR agencies on Cannes Lions shortlists
More campaigns credited to PR agencies are included in the latest batches of Cannes Lions shortlists, as the International Festival of Creativity kicks off for 2022.
UK Government bans PR agencies from working in Russia
UK providers of PR and communications services have been banned from operating in Russia as the UK Government prohibits services exports to the country.
Next 15 in talks to buy Engine Group in the UK
Next 15 has confirmed it is in talks to buy Engine Group, the owner of Engine Creative and PR agency Engine MHP+Mischief.
Super Bowl 2022: Touchdown for brands that regained focus
Often seen as a bellwether of wider marketing trends, this year's Super Bowl campaigns point to corporate America and the marcomms industry rediscovering confidence and direction after a slightly haphazard 2021.
SEC Newgate plans privatisation, eyes APAC acquisition
The PR agency has announced plans to de-list from the stock market and form a new company backed by private equity investment.
Ogilvy PR ups Rahul Titus to new global role
Agency has promoted UK and EMEA head of influence to the new role of global head of influence.
Hotwire makes double acquisition worth $37.5m
Enero Group has announced a double acquisition for Hotwire worth a total of US$37.5m in cash and shares. The move will see the tech comms and marketing agency operate its first owned offices in Asia.
Firms pursue ESG policies to look good more than do good: survey
A desire to look good, rather than do good, is the primary reason businesses pursue sustainable and socially responsible policies, new research suggests.
Ogilvy PR launches global business influencer offer
The agency has launched a global offer focused on the growing trend of business influencers.
HSBC reviews global PR agency roster
A spokesperson referred to the review as periodic. PR Week understands the review will not affect the global corporate affairs and public affairs account.
Cannes Lions entry numbers dip as focus shifts to short-term Covid-era work
Total entries are down 6% on 2019 - but there has been a surge in entries from indie agencies and production companies.
Hotwire owner Enero reports 14% rise in full-year organic revenue
Enero, the Australian listed owner of agencies including tech PR consultancy Hotwire, has reported a 14% rise in organic revenue in the year to 30 June 2021 as underlying earnings surged.
One in three marcomm pros eyeing career change
New research highlights shift in attitudes to working practices.
Agencies in 'recruitment crisis' as most corporate comms pros favour in-house
Seven in 10 corporate comms professionals say in-house is likely to be their next destination if they move job, with just 11 per cent preferring an agency role, new research suggests.
Omnicom PR Group's David Gallagher to depart
The international president for growth and development is leaving the business for "a leap into the great unknown."
M&C Saatchi to furlough staff, cut salaries
M&C Saatchi says it is pursuing cost-cutting measures including furloughing staff and reducing salaries of a "very large proportion" of its highest-paid employees amid the coronavirus crisis.
Cannes Lions 'remains firmly open for business' amid coronavirus outbreak
News follows cancellation of MWC announced last week.
Yes, ageism can affect young PR pros too
Ageism is not only a problem for 'older' PR professionals; it can also negatively affect their younger counterparts.
Marketers boost influencer spend but are nervous of 'activist influencers'
More than half (55%) of marketers in a Europe-US survey are anxious about working with social-media influencers who are vocal about social and political issues.
Super Bowl 2021: brands play it safe but creativity still shines through
While it may not resonate as strongly this side of the Pacific, the Super Bowl nevertheless provides a valuable insight into creative campaign trends more generally.
Ad regulator tells brands and influencers not to use misleading beauty filters
The UK Advertising Standards Authority's action follows complaints it upheld relating to Instagram stories.
Ikea seeks agency for new global PR account
The retailer is sounding out agencies for a new global corporate and consumer PR brief.
Celebrities and influencers urge Edelman to drop fossil-fuel clients in open letter
Agency CEO has denied Edelman has worked to undermine climate-change regulation.
M&C Saatchi reports 'stronger than anticipated' trading and new financing deal
The group has cited 'robust' new-business performance
Two Huawei comms chiefs resign in Europe - one over 'Uighur alarms'
Huawei's comms leaders for the UK and Denmark have both stepped down - the latter apparently over the issue of facial recognition technology that would reportedly flag up members of China's Uighur minority to the Chinese government.
Ben & Jerry's: Don't expect instant gratification on purpose work
The brand's PR and influencer manager warns brands not to chase the news agenda but also says they risk being "left behind" if they don't act on a purpose.
'Do your own PR and don't give up hope' - bouncing back from job loss
Four PR professionals in the UK who have 'bounced back' and found employment tell their stories and offer advice.
Porter Novelli CEO Brad MacAfee departs
Brad MacAfee is leaving Porter Novelli after almost two decades, which included four years as chief executive of the Omnicom network agency.
Christmas 2020: public favours 'real stories' over big-budget campaigns
Three-quarters don't think brands should create usual style of festive ads.
Will the coronavirus sort truly purposeful brands from the 'purpose-washers'?
At some point in the future, I can imagine consumers asking brands that market themselves as 'purposeful': what did YOU do in the great COVID-19 outbreak?
Officials and journalists 'least trusted' for coronavirus news: Edelman
Sixty-three percent of respondents said they would believe information from their employers after one or two exposures, versus 58% for a government website and 51% for traditional media.
'Swerve socially-distant Santa, focus on joy' — PR pros on Christmas 2020
Christmas this year will be like no other, so what can we expect from campaigns over the festive season?
Havas to spend $115 million making AMO a 'real' global network
Southeast Asia among the target markets for acquisitions for the new-look AMO network, Havas CEO Yannick Bollore said.
Mastercard drops 'goal-for-meals' campaign after backlash
Mastercard was accused of turning the World Cup into the hunger games.
'The hunger games': Mastercard under fire for 'goals for meals' campaign
Is a campaign that promises to donate 10,000 meals to children each time Messi or Neymar Jr scores "gamifying starvation"?
Publicis returns to organic growth in second quarter
Organic revenue grew 0.8 percent despite weak FMCG sector.
Bell Pottinger and beyond: Does the PR industry have an ethics problem?
The furore over Bell Pottinger's work in South Africa shines the spotlight on the wider industry's ethical practices. Are the agency's actions a one-off, or are moral lapses common in the sector? And if so, what should be done?
We Are Social and Citizen to join new entity as BlueFocus signs deal with US analytics firm
The new entity will also include Vision 7 International arm, which consists of PR shop Citizen and other agencies Cossette, Vision7 Media, and The Camps Collective.