LONDON — Starling Bank has appointed Good Relations as its consumer agency after a competitive pitch, with a brief to encourage people to switch from their current bank. The challenger bank’s previous agency was Third City, which was hired in 2021. Good Relations’ consumer client roster also includes Celebrity Cruises, Majestic, Krispy Kreme, Halfords, EDF, Cinch, Zoopla and Sodastream.

LONDON — Consumer PR agency Smarts has made an investment of more than £1 million in a new influencer and talent offering, ‘Creator Hub’. The Creator Hub will work on partnerships between brands and content creators globally and will be led by director Jill Boobyer, supported by Smarts US president Mike DaRe, former global head of culture and entertainment for Diageo’s Johnnie Walker brand. The new division is already working on recently won global briefs for Booking.com and Zalando.

LONDON — Edelman has launched a strategic partnership with Founders Forum Group, a global community for digital and technology entrepreneurs. The move follows Founders Forum Group’s recent acquisition of Tech Nation, whose mission is to grow the UK tech sector and maintain its position as a global tech hub. Edelman is providing communications support for Founders Forum Group, and the agency will use its Trust Barometer to provide insights on ‘Trust in Leadership’ and ‘Trust in Technology’ to Founders Forum Group’s community of founders, CEOs and chairs.

LONDON — Sport, consumer, entertainment and B2B agency Press Box PR, whose 27-strong team is made up of former journalists, has launched a talent management and publicity arm. The division’s inaugural signing is Thomas Skinner, a candidate on The Apprentice, who has just signed a debut book deal with Harper Collins. Press Box will exclusively represent Skinner for commercial and media activity.

LONDON — Luxury brand development and communications agency Bacchus has extended its global property division after a number of client wins. In Miami, Bacchus will be representing urban wellness community The Well Bay Harbor (pictured), which opens in March 2025, and is also overseeing PR, strategy and events for hospitality brand and private members’ club Casa Tua, including the launch of a new residential and culinary hub. Bacchus is also advising on international strategy, luxury brand partnerships and global media engagement for the restoration of The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria, which will include private residences for the first time, and US-based design and hospitality brand RH, to support its expansion into the UK and Europe including its first retail gallery outside of North America, in a restoration of 17th-century estate Aynho Park.

MANCHESTER — The PHA Group has been appointed by professional training education provider BPP to support in raising awareness for its apprenticeships and law courses, including qualifying examinations for solicitors and barristers. The agency began working with BPP in 2022, profiling its apprenticeship spokespeople, and the remit has been expanded to include PR for BPP University Law School.

MANCHESTER — Businesses open to employing a PR apprentice are being sought for a new Public Relations and Communications apprenticeship. A maximum of 20 businesses will join the first cohort, adding a junior member to their marketing or communications team for 12-18 months from 31 August, while they study for a Level 4 Public Relations and Communications apprenticeship scheme. The programme is being launched by The Juice Academy and Apprentify and taught by practitioners from PR agency Smoking Gun. The Juice Academy has already trained over 600 apprentices in digital marketing via its existing apprenticeships.

CAMBRIDGE, UK — Conscious Communications has been certified as a B Corp, joining a growing community of PR agencies and other purpose-driven businesses globally who have met rigorous standards in the areas of governance, workers, community, environment and customers.