MANCHESTER — Pets at Home Group, the UK’s leading pet care business, has appointed Citypress as its retained consumer PR partner after a competitive pitch.

The agency’s brief is to bring the company's ‘We’re Better with Pets’ brand purpose to life through creative campaigns, press office, store openings and corporate responsibility. The work will focus on celebrating people’s bond with pets and promoting use of Pets at Home Group services, including Vets4Pets and The Groom Room.

Pets at Home Group had revenues of more than £1 billion last year.  The UK consumer account was previously held by Cirkle, which won a competitive pitch in April 2019, taking over from Havas Manchester. The group's financial communications account remains with Maitland.

Pets at Home Group marketing manager Jenny Jones said: “We have huge ambition for our brand to be even closer to pet owners by providing all of the products, care and services they need, alongside being a leading national voice on pet care. As our new consumer PR partner, Citypress has a deep understanding of our business and sector, along with the creativity and ideas that will engage our customers.”

Citypress director Victoria Bridge added: “Pets have been such a huge support to so many of us during the pandemic and so celebrating the bond between pets and their owners feels more relevant than ever. We are excited to work with Pets at Home Group and to help bring their brand purpose to life.”

Pets at Home joins other brands including Aldi, Coca-Cola, British Land, Sykes Holiday Cottages and Mamas & Papas on the client roster at Citypress, which earlier this year become employee-owned.