PR News From Portland, Edelman, Compass, Weber Shandwick, and KFC

Portland Communications Picks Up Henry Cook as Associate Director

Henry Cook, former SpAd and Vote Leave adviser (Brexit) for Michael Gove, has been named as the new associate director for UK PR firm Portland Communications. Cook will be working with Victoria Dean’s unit giving businesses advice relating to the Leave vote opportunities available. The addition of Cook to the company that in the past was pro-New Labour and was founded by Tim Allan, a former aid to Tony Blair while Blair was Prime Minister, could make for changes in policy. Though it may be more of an addition than a shift since Alastair Campbell remains as a senior adviser at Portland as well as the firm continuing to battle many of Corbyn’s policies. But the firm also has another Advisory Council member that is pro-Brexit – Michael Portillo.

2017 Edelman Trust Barometer Shows Global Lack of Trust by Public

A new report from Edelman shows a big drop in trust regarding media, government institutions, NGOs, and business, one of the largest they have ever seen. Trust fell 43% regarding media, hitting all-time lows in 17 countries; a 41% drop about governments and their institutions, and trust in government leaders dropped 29%; they’re seen as one of the world’s least credible group. CEOs of businesses saw less of a drop, but it still was down 12% globally and at its lowest level so far – 37%.
Richard Edelman, CEO and president of the enormous PR firm said: “The implications of the global trust crisis are deep and wide-ranging. It began with the Great Recession of 2008, but like the second and third waves of a tsunami, globalization and technological change have further weakened people’s trust in global institutions. The consequence is virulent populism and nationalism as the mass population has taken control away from the elites.”

Julie Binder Becomes first Communications Head at Compass

Julie Binder recently joined Compass, a tech real-estate company, as the communications leader, a new position in the company. Binder’s been tasked with efforts in strategic direction of communications for Compass, as well as media relations. Compass works with more than 1,200 real estate agents across the US using their 300 employees in nine US offices. Binder’s prior experience includes her most recent post at Percolate as VP of global comms, and at ADT as the VP for corporate communications overseeing global media relations, corporate citizenship, and employee communications. She also worked at Ruder Finn for seven years, rising to become an EVP there.

Weber Shandwick U.K. Office Names Graham Cox as New Business Leader

Graham Cox becomes the New Business division leader in the London office of Weber Shandwick (WS), an Interpublic affiliate, and will be responsible for bringing in new business throughout the UK. He’ll be reporting to the MD in London, Rachel Friend, as well as to WS’s EMEA director of new business and enterprise, Pete Jacob. He’s also worked as business director at People-Made and spent three years at Interbrand in charge of new business.

KFC Considering Possibilities for New PR and Advertising AOR in U.K.

KFC (owned by YUM) is looking at new PR and advertising representation in the UK, though Freud will remain as their corporate communications AOR – continuing a 20-year run. KFC has worked in the past with other agencies such as Storm Communications and Ketchum. Currently, AAR is overseeing the search for a consumer PR agency – Freud may be a possibility in this slot as well. And their current consumer PR rep, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, will also put their hat in the ring to continue. They’ve worked with KFC since 2002.