Hill+Knowlton

News From 5WPR, Finn Partners, Edelman PR and More… A busy few weeks for the PR industry has kept public relations professionals occupied with staying abreast of the most recent developments. New partnerships create new opportunities, and so with that in mind, many industry leaders are rightly contemplating what the latest round of announcements portends for the future. 5W Public Relations is pleased to announce its new partnership with The Topps Company. Everyday consumers will recognize flagship confectionary products such as Ring Pop or Bazooka Bubble Gum. The Topps Company is also the exclusive trading card partner of Major League... Read More >

Jonathan Stern Now MD for Burson-Marsteller’s Miami Office Jonathan Stern just joined Burson-Marsteller this week to become their managing director and market leader in the Miami office. This office works for Florida accounts but also works a great deal with Latin American businesses. Stern will be in charge of client branding/marketing, consumer, digital, health care, media relations, reputation management, tech, corporate, crisis management, sports, public affairs, investor relations, government affairs, and also provide senior counsel to top clients. In the past, he’s worked with MillerCoors, Platinum Marketing Communications, and Cramer Krasselt. Fahlgren Mortine Now Part of Eastport Holdings, LLC in... Read More >

The Kenya Tourism Board intends to roll out a global online marketing campaign. To create a rich, impactful and memorable digital experience, content marketing will play a leading role for the successful implementation of this campaign across various digital environments. MARKETING OBJECTIVES Increase awareness of Kenya as a place where consumers can make memories through the interaction with Kenya (tourism products and through interaction with people). Increase the awareness of Kenya as modern holiday destination where people have the convenience of modern life but can also connect with tourism products in a uniquely Kenya. Increase the awareness of the activities... Read More >

The National Transport and safety Authority in Nairobi, Kenya was established through an Act of Parliament; the objective of forming the Authority was to harmonize the operations of the key road transport departments and help in effectively managing the road transport sub-sector and minimizing loss of lives through road accidents. They are seeking a communications and media relations agency. CORE FUNCTIONS: • To advise and make recommendations on matters relating to road transport and safety. • To implement policies relating to road transport and safety • To plan, manage and regulate the road transport sector in accordance with the provisions... Read More >

WPP Subpoenaed by Department of Justice Three of WPP’s subsidiaries have been pulled into the U.S. DOJ’s investigation into production practices. WPP is a communications holding company based in London, and they are cooperating with the DOJ’s investigation. Some of the PR companies under the WPP umbrella include Burson-Marsteller, Ogilvy PR, and Hill+Knowlton Strategies. This announcement follows one from Interpublic Group that they too have been contacted by the Department of Justice. Also included are two of Omnicom’s firms and three of Publicis’ agencies. The broader investigation has to do with antitrust laws. WPP issued a statement confirming the information,... Read More >

Kim Gagne Joins APCO as Sr. Tech Advisor A former Microsoft senior director of industry affairs, Kim Gagne will now be the senior advisor for APCO Worldwide’s tech practice. He will be based in the U.K. and working out of both the London and Brussels offices. Gagne was with Microsoft from 2004 to 2014, managing the Middle East, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe areas of their legal and corporate affairs matters. Beginning in 2014, he provided government and business relations support in Singapore as director of public sector policy. He then moved on to become senior director of industry affairs... Read More >

LaForce Cancels Holiday Party – Showing Their Pouty Face Over Trump Pouty-faced models have been around for some time, but when a fashion industry PR firm decides to cancel their annual festivities because of Trump’s presidential win, some might think it un-festive. The firm’s leader James LaForce and his husband Stephen Henderson informed their previously invited guests in a letter that the party was off for the year. In part, the letter said: “We envisioned an extra-cheerful celebration of Hillary Clinton’s presidency. Alas, Election Day did not go as we’d hoped. So it’s with deep regret that we are canceling... Read More >

2016 Middle East PR Association Honors PR Agencies in the Region There were lots of awards given, but a few agencies cashed in with the number of award recognitions they received at the recent Middle East PR Association event. Edelman Dabo, Cicero & Bernay, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Four Communications, Ogilvy PR, and Weber Shandwick all won more than two awards each at the ceremony. A total of 51 trophies were handed out to winners from among over 240 entries this year. The evening also was a celebration as Ray Eglington, Four Communications group managing director, took over as chair of MEPRA,... Read More >

SilkAir, a Regional Wing of Singapore Airlines has issued an RFP to review its creative, social media and public relations agencies. The company intends to appoint a partner agency/agencies to assist in its creative, social media and public relations. SilkAir (Singapore) Pte Ltd (“SilkAir”), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. As the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, SilkAir operates the Singapore Airlines Group’s narrowbody fleet and extends the Group network by seeding and developing new, exciting destinations in Asia Pacific. Today, the full service airline operates close to 400 weekly flights to 51 destinations in 14 countries. From... Read More >

Hudson Sandler Becomes LLP After Huntsworth Sells Majority Interest London-based Hudson Sandler (HS), an affiliate of U.S. agency KCSA , just filed the paperwork to become a limited liability partnership. Through this process, Huntsworth, which bought HS in 2008, moved from being the majority shareholder to a minority one with a rumored 25% (or so) interest in the new entity. HS, however, has been independently managed all along, so the transition will remain business as usual for their clients. Andrew Hayes, HS’s managing partner, confirmed that with this transition the 40 staff members were given partial ownership and a chance... Read More >