PRovoke Media 05 Dec 2022 // 5:21AM GMT
LONDON — Avian WE chief executive Nitin Mantri (pictured) and One Philosophy founder and WeAreUkraine founder and president Nataliya Popovych have been inducted into the ICCO Hall of Fame, which recognises those who have made exceptional progress in the internationalisation of the public relations industry, and who have combined cultural sensitivity with commercial acumen to create agencies that share global reach with local relevance. Mantri said he would use the recognition “to deepen my efforts to promote purposeful, ethical and inclusive communications that will inspire bedrock change around the world,” while Popovych said: “I am honoured – and really appreciate the recognition. I feel that this recognition goes to all my colleagues in Ukraine and everywhere who contribute their time and effort to the cause of Ukraine’s victory and freedom in the world. While Russia decided to live in the past and is trying to exterminate Ukrainians in the 21st century, all public relations consultants around the world can also make a choice today - to stand up for freedom and better a future.”
LONDON — Ketchum has appointed three creatives to join its creative department in London, led by chief creative officer for global markets, Indy Selvarajah. Donya Pandkhahi joins the agency from Wieden+Kennedy, where she worked on campaigns for Camden Hells and Sainsbury’s. Sara Nazario joins from VMLY&R Milan, where she worked on Guess Accessories, Costa Crociere cruises and Intimissimi Uomo. Maria Hopwood joins from Cravens, where she worked with Parkdean Resorts, First Bus North and QHotels.
LONDON — The Taylor Bennett Foundation, the charity that encourages and supports Black, Asian and minority ethnic graduates to pursue a career in communications, has appointed two new trustees to its board: Lena Ahad, managing director at FTI Consulting, and Marcia La-Rose, head of HR at Four Communications. The board of trustees also includes: Sarah Pinch, MD at Pinch Point Communications; Matthew Wall, managing partner at Taylor Bennett; Brunswick director James Baker; Savills PR manager Kuldeep Mehmi; Google B2B communications lead Jo Ogunleye; Syma Cullasy-Aldridge, chief campaign director at the CBI and Marc Cohen, MD of The PR Office.
LONDON — Sara Ghaffari, associate director at PLMR, has been elected as chair of the Global Communications Alliance (GCA), a network of 17 independent communications agencies across five continents. Ghaffari takes up the position from Markus Hilse, managing director of Navos in Germany. PLMR will lead the GCA as it looks to grow the network and further expand its collaboration on client projects and new business opportunities, particularly across the growing energy offering from its members. The agency will also aim to create new career development and training opportunities for consultants at all levels across partner agencies. Ghaffari will be supported by PLMR senior account director Victoria Cameron as vice chair.
LONDON — Purpose Union, a specialist social purpose strategy firm, has appointed a new practice director and added a new senior associate as it strengthens its DE&I offering. Jinan Younis has been promoted from director to head up Purpose Union’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practice, after leading DE&I strategies for multinational clients. Karen Larbi joins Purpose Union from Campaign Bootcamp to help brands and NGOs run effective campaigns on intersectional issues. In her previous role, she coached groups and individuals on how to run effective campaigns around issues such as power and privilege, diversity, equity and inclusion and sustainable activism, working with organisations including the RSPB, Mind and the Legal Education Foundation.
LONDON — Platform Communications has appointed Katie Crosta to the newly-created role of head of arts, culture and entertainment, working with clients to make culture more accessible to all. Crosta has more than 15 years’ experience working with clients in the arts and immersive experience sector, including Sony Pictures Entertainment, ITV Studios, Lionsgate, Sony Television Network and EOne. She was formerly account director at PR agency Red Setter and at entertainment industry specialists DnA PR, where she led campaigns for Breaking Bad, The Amazing Spiderman and Ghostbusters.
LONDON — Broadcast Revolution has hired broadcast journalist Ashleigh Carroll to work within its newsroom team as deputy head of news. Carroll spent nearly 15 years working within the Global group of radio stations, including presenting news coverage on Capital, Radio X and Heart. She also produced content for LBC and LBC News. Carroll will be working alongside head of news and former BBC Radio 4 and 5live producer Mike Young as a strategist advising clients.
LONDON — Global influencer agency Billion Dollar Boy has appointed Serafin Sivcak as account director for the DACH region and named co-founder Thomas Walters as Europe CEO as the firm seeks to expand its presence in Europe. Sivcak, who will cover Germany, Austria and Switzerland, was previously senior brand marketing manager at Google, where he developed and executed marketing projects for Google Search, Google Maps and Google Wallet, and has also worked at R/GA, BBDO Worldwide, Scholz & Friends and Jung von Matt.
LONDON — Independent public affairs and public relations agency M+F Health has promoted Marie Lane to director. With senior in-house and agency experience working with patient advocacy groups, charities, and pharma, including within the communications team at Pfizer and Sanofi, in her new role Lane will lead some of the agency’s largest PR accounts including Sanofi, Janssen, MSD and CSL Vifor. She will also join the firm’s leadership team, reporting to owner and MD James Hollaway.
LEEDS, UK — Digital marketing agency ICS-digital has appointed Laura Smith to the newly-created role of digital PR director. Smith was formerly senior account director at Manifest and PR director at Jaywing, and has worked with brands including ScS Sofas, Krispy Kreme and Hotels.com. Clients at the 100-strong agency include Buzz Bingo, Skilling and Flutter Entertainment.
LONDON — Raptor PR, a B2B communications agency for the games industry, web3 gaming and media brands, has appointed Merve Liebelt as a senior strategic advisor. Liebelt will work with Raptor PR CEO and founder Rana Rahman to lead the agency into its next phase of growth. She has worked with brands including Puma, Tinder, Christian Louboutin and Allianz, including as VP and general manager Europe at Paris-based Jin Group and as managing director of ML Brand Consulting.