News

MS&L London's Kelly Walsh to Speak at CyberMummy - UK's First Mum Blogger Event

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

MS&L London’s Kelly Walsh to Speak at CyberMummy – UK’s First Mum Blogger Event

MS&L London’s CEO Kelly Walsh is to speak at CyberMummy, the UK’s first ever event for mum bloggers. She will be one of the expert panellists discussing ‘Working with brands and the Tricky Business of Making Money.’

“At MS&L we’re working more and more frequently with mum bloggers and recognise that best in class blogger relations is all about transparency and trust,” said Kelly Walsh. “Our US team was behind the development of the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) ethics guidelines and we’re building on this in London to create something more bespoke for our clients and key contacts. It’s absolutely critical that ethics is at the heart of blogger engagement.”

Celebrating the growing power of mummy bloggers, CyberMummy will be held on 3rd July in London. The UK’s leading bloggers and experts on social media will be hosting sessions on everything from getting started, to the ethics of being online.

MS&L believes that we are in The Age of Conversation. Our job is to help our clients have influential conversations with audiences and stakeholders, whoever they may be. Join us by becoming a member of The Conversation Society at http://theconversationsociety.wordpress.com

For further information, please contact:
Kate Steele
MS&L
Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 3118
Email: kate.steele@mslworldwide.com

About MS&L Group

MS&L Group is one of the world’s top 5 PR and Events networks, offering the best in public relations, digital, social media, real-time communications, corporate and events communication. Operating in wholly owned and affiliate offices in more than 90 countries spanning the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pac, MS&L Group provides many of the world's largest companies and most recognized brands with best-in-class communication strategies to help them reach their business and communication goals.

MS&L Group is part of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577], the world's fourth largest communications group. With activities spanning 104 countries and 43,000 professionals. Publicis Groupe a complete range of advertising services through three global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Media consultancy and buying is offered through two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; and interactive and digital marketing led by Digitas and Razorfish. Publicis Groupe recently launched VivaKi to leverage the combined scale of the autonomous operations of Digitas, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group, Denuo and ZenithOptimedia to develop new services, tools, and next generation digital platforms. Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com

The age of the conversation

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Kelly Walsh, MS&L, PR Week UK, 23 June 2010, 00:00am

The growth of digital comms means brands have to think harder about the consumer.

Let's start with three big numbers. Current official UK national debt is £776bn, equating to about £30,000 per household. This is predicted to rise to £90,000 per household by the end of this Parliament, according to Treasury figures.

UK consumers' main fear is unemployment, according to GfK Roper's Mood of the World 2010. And fear of the future inhibits consumers from spending more than a tightened budget does.

To some consumers, this unhappy economic state of affairs has been a reason to develop a taste for good old-fashioned 'wartime' food and thrift.

Since the beginning of the recession, sales of powdered milk, sandwich paste and corned beef have increased, according to mySupermarket.co.uk.

Seth Godin blogged on 1 June about the conversations going on inside the consumer mind: http://tinyurl.com/2umu74p. 'Everyone has multiple conversations and priorities going on, competing agendas that come into play every time we make a choice about doing, buying, creating or interacting. These voices ... determine which career we choose, how good a job we do, where we shop and what we watch.'

It is this internal monologue, combined with and influenced by the exponential growth in digital multilogues (Godin reckons the world doubles the data it pushes at you every 18 months), that now define the business of PR. 'Twice as much email, twice as many friend requests, twice as many sites to check, twice as many devices. When does your mind lose the ability to keep up?'

If the resulting consumer behaviour has been to stick thumbs in ears while wrapping fingers over eyes in a desperate attempt to control the onslaught of requested and unrequested communication, we need to think hard about these changes and how best to try to influence the consumer.

Last year, McKinsey published research on the purchase decisions of 20,000 consumers across five industries and three continents. The research showed that the proliferation of media and products requires marketers to find new ways to get their brands included in the initial-consideration set that consumers develop as they begin their decision journey. They also found that because of the shift away from one-way communication - from marketers to consumers - toward a two-way conversation, marketers need a more systematic way to satisfy customer demands and manage word-of-mouth.

The confluence of economic and digital factors means we are in The Age of the Conversation. Which makes us all one of a new breed of conversation agencies. Our job has become about helping clients to have influential conversations with their audiences and stakeholders when they are most receptive.

We believe the best way brands, companies and other organisations can influence, persuade, cajole and explain is to deepen relationships with their audiences and stakeholders by having credible people advocating on your behalf.

MS&L has identified six critical intervention points in the consumer decision journey, each of which provides opportunities to interact with the consumer, build relationships and converse meaningfully with them.

The amount of consumer choice is still expanding as is the communication to go with it, but in markets such as the UK where the Government is looking to cut swathes of spending, and with it jobs, consumers face tough futures choosing what to spend their money on. We think that the relationships PR can have with consumers and the conversations that go with them matter most in such times.

- Kelly Walsh is CEO of MS&L

VIEWS IN BRIEF

- What is the best coverage your agency has attracted for a story based on a survey?

This year we launched the Celebrity Lips of the Year campaign for our client Lypsyl. The survey was designed so that communities on beauty and fan sites could get behind it - they weren't just being given the results, they could affect the outcome, which created fantastic conversations about the brand.

- Who is your fantasy campaign spokesman/woman? Why?

A bigger, better, brighter version of myself - it's just that we believe 'people like me' because most public figures fall short on the trust and credibility stakes.

MS&L London's Kelly Walsh to judge PR Week Awards 2010

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

MS&L London’s Kelly Walsh to judge PR Week Awards 2010

MS&L London’s CEO, Kelly Walsh, has been asked to join the judging panel of the PR Week Awards 2010. For the last 23 years the Awards have recognised work of the highest merit and are regarded as the most prestigious in the UK communications industry.

“I’m very pleased to have been asked to join the PR Week Awards jury to represent MS&L London and celebrate the excellent work our profession does. As an industry, PR is stronger than ever, sitting at the heart of all brand conversations. So no doubt it will be a very strong field, with some truly creative entries. I’m looking forward to working with the other judges to choose this year’s winners.”
The winners of the PR Week Awards will be announced at a ceremony on 19th October at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
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For further information, please contact:
Kate Steele
MS&L
Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 3118
Email: kate.steele@mslworldwide.com

About MS&L Group

The Conversation Society

Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Conversation Society is a new society for MS&L Group staff, clients and friends, for those who are interested in the business of conversations, how they form, who holds them, and how to communicate effectively within them. We'd like you to join.

We’re launching this because while some other agencies talk about ‘conversation communications’ or describe themselves as a ‘conversagency’, we actually are; we’re practising what we preach, because in the new world of PR our work is about helping clients be in, or out, of relevant conversations whether they be face-to-face, via social media or as a result of traditional editorial.

The Conversation Society will hold meetings every other month upstairs in Patisserie Valerie on Old Compton Street in Soho. Each event will have a different theme, topic and speakers who will give short, 10 minute, talks each before entering into a wider conversation with our guests… the idea is to provide short, snappy, insightful thinking and chat for our friends.

The Conversation Society #1

For our launch event we’re delighted to be welcoming Carrie Longton from mumsnet, behavioural economist Nick Southgate (from The School of Life) and the founder of the Rotherham Institute for Obesity, Dr. Matthew Capehorn.

The topic they will be discussing is why the UK is STILL getting fatter and how we can change what seems to be a deeply-entrenched and long-term trend. Each will have a different theory, view and suggestions.

Spaces at The Conversation Society are limited and already in demand so please contact Sam Harrisingh at MS&L Group (sam.harrisingh@mslworldwide.com) to reserve your space (first come, first served!).

MS&L LONDON APPOINTS NICK WOODS AS CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

P R E S S R E L E A S E
Contact:
Kate Steele
Director, New Business & Marketing
0207 878 3118

MS&L LONDON APPOINTS NICK WOODS AS CREATIVE DIRECTOR

London, 22 April 2010 - MS&L London’s Head of Consumer Lifestyle, Nick Woods, has had his remit extended to include the role of Creative Director. Woods, who currently runs a number of UK and international accounts within the consultancy, will take on responsibility for all the agency’s creative output in May.

Kelly Walsh, CEO, MS&L London said:”Creativity is at the heart of our business and in this age of the empowered consumer, it has never been more important. Anyone who has ever worked with Nick on a pitch or client campaign will recognise his talent. He was the natural choice for this strategic role and I’m delighted to be able to appoint him.”

Nick Woods commented:”I’m very pleased to be given this opportunity and look forward to working more broadly across the agency, to bring our clients’ stories to life in as engaging a way as possible”

Woods joined MS&L in June 2008; prior to this, he was a Director at Weber Shandwick. Nick has also worked for Consolidated Communications and Porter Novelli.

About MS&L Group – www.mslgroup.com

MS&L Group is one of the world’s top five PR and Events networks, offering the best in public relations, digital, social media, real-time communications, corporate and events communication. Operating in wholly owned and affiliate offices in more than 80 countries spanning the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific, MS&L Group provides many of the world's largest companies and most recognized brands with best-in-class communication strategies to help them reach their business and communication goals.

MS&L Group is part of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577], the world's fourth largest communications group. With activities spanning 104 countries and 43,000 professionals. Publicis Groupe offers a complete range of advertising services through three global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Media consultancy and buying is offered through two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; and interactive and digital marketing is led by Digitas and Razorfish. Publicis Groupe recently launched VivaKi to leverage the combined scale of the autonomous operations of Digitas, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group, Denuo and ZenithOptimedia to develop new services, tools, and next generation digital platforms. Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com

STANISLAS MAGNIANT TO LEAD MS&L GROUP'S EXPANDING EUROPEAN DIGITAL NETWORK

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

P R E S S R E L E A S E
Contact:
Kate Steele
Communications Director
+44 207 878 3118

STANISLAS MAGNIANT TO LEAD MS&L GROUP’S EXPANDING EUROPEAN DIGITAL NETWORK

London, 19 April 2010; Publicis Groupe’s PR & Events network, MS&L Group, today announced the amalgamation of all of its country specific digital practices into a single pan-EMEA digital offering. Bringing together capabilities and talents from the network’s existing digitally-focused offerings, the EMEA practice leverages MS&L Group’s digital content and social media capabilities across the region. The network will be led by Stanislas Magniant on a European level and headed up by Gareth Davies in the UK. The practice will provide social media analysis, online PR, community management and digital content strategies for MS&L Group’s local and international clients.

Kelly Walsh, CEO of MS&L UK commented, “Eight out of ten brand executives expect an increase in digital projects over the next 12 months, so this is all about meeting a very real demand. The mix of our global capabilities and geographical reach, with the strong local insight that exists in each country, is a very potent one for clients looking for expert guidance.”

Employing 70+ staff across hubs in Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, Sofia, Amsterdam, Stockholm and London – MS&LGroup’s digital practice in EMEA counts over 10 year experience in digital activities with major clients including Procter and Gamble, Carrefour and GDF Suez. It is a key pillar among MS&LGroup’s growing digital capabilities worldwide. These include a strong digital hub in North America – integrated within the region’s broader Engagement offering – and an expanding digital footprint in China, India and SE Asia.

Gareth Davies, “With the recent integration of Publicis Consultants Worldwide and MS&L Worldwide agencies, we have considerably strengthened our digital capabilities in key European markets and are now best-placed to offer top of the line social media counsel to global and local clients.”

About Stanislas Magniant: Stan has over 10 years of experience in Europe and the US in the field of online PR for corporate and public affairs clients. He began his career at Mindshare Interactive campaigns in Washington DC, and joined Publicis Consultants in Paris in 2002. Stan graduated from Sciences Po Lille and holds Masters degress in Political and Social commnunications from the Sorbonne and the George Washington University. He is also an assiduous blogger and frequent commentator on the impact of new technologies on political and social communication.

About Gareth Davies: Gareth heads MS&L’s London-based Digital Practice, providing consultancy and project management for clients across the agency’s portfolio, including: P&G, Samsung, Fiat, Corel and sanofi-aventis.

Gareth joined MS&L from the Rainier/Loewy group of companies, where he helped to establish the consumer-tech agency Custurd PR. Gareth has over eight years’ experience in both a B2B and B2C capacity working agency side and on a pan-European basis for brands including Intel, IBM, the Walt Disney Internet Group and Toshiba. He also has a wealth of experience creating high impact launch campaigns for emerging consumer brands, including: Hyundai ImageQuest, and Flybook. In addition, he was part of the marketing team that launched the Egg credit card.

About MS&L Group – www.mslgroup.com

MS&L Group is part of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577], the world's fourth largest communications group. With activities spanning 104 countries and 43,000 professionals. Publicis Groupe offers a complete range of advertising services through three global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Media consultancy and buying is offered through two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; and interactive and digital marketing is led by Digitas and Razorfish. Publicis Groupe recently launched VivaKi to leverage the combined scale of the autonomous operations of Digitas, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group, Denuo and ZenithOptimedia to develop new services, tools, and next generation digital platforms. Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com

MS&L London nominated for two SABRE Awards

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

MS&L London nominated for two SABRE Awards

MS&L London and its clients have been named as finalists for two EMEA SABRE Awards – one in the ‘Employee Communications’ category for the campaign ‘P&G Shines Light on Employees’ and one in the ‘UK £50,000 - £100,000’ category for the campaign ‘Generating More Than Coverage’ with MORE TH>N BUSINESS.

It’s the second time MS&L has been shortlisted for both campaigns. MS&L and P&G recently won the PRCA (Public Relations Consultants Association) Award for Internal Communications for its work on SHINE, a global employee magazine developed to support the integration of Wella employees into P&G. Shine is now the key tool to communicate vital strategic and motivational messages to the Wella global team.
The ‘Generating More Than Coverage’ campaign, on behalf of insurance company MORE TH>N BUSINESS, in conjunction with the Warwick Business School, was also nominated for a PRCA Award for successfully targeting small and medium enterprises.
The P&G Shine team is: Associate Director: Ella Mayhew, Account Director: Ben Mascall, Senior Account Manager: Kate Forrester.

MORE TH>N BUSINESS team is: Director: Jonathan Sinnatt, Account Director: Verity Lowe, Account Manager: Audrey Blackburn.

The winners will be announced on the 26th of May at an awards ceremony in London.

The SABRE Awards recognise Superior Achievement in Branding and Reputation and are considered to be some of the most prestigious and sought-after awards in the industry, with only 20 per cent of the entrants from 28 countries making it to the finals. MS&L London has secured nominations along with network colleagues PCPR Germany and MS&L Italy.

About MS&L Group
MS&L is part of Publicis Groupe's MS&L Group, the holding company's flagship public relations, public affairs, financial communications, social media, branding and events network. Working with 2500 people across 100 markets, the Group is the lead agency for some of the world's largest global companies and brands, including Procter & Gamble; Coca-Cola; Nestlé and Carrefour.
www.mslworldwide.co.uk

About Publicis Groupe
Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577] is the world's fourth largest communications group. In addition, it is ranked as the world's second largest media agency, and is a global leader in digital and healthcare communications. With activities spanning 104 countries on five continents, the Groupe employs approximately 43,000 professionals. Publicis Groupe offers local and international clients a complete range of advertising services through three global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Media consultancy and buying is offered through two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; and interactive and digital marketing led by Digitas and Razorfish. Publicis Groupe recently launched VivaKi to leverage the combined scale of the autonomous operations of Digitas, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group, Denuo and ZenithOptimedia to develop new services, tools, and next generation digital platforms. Publicis Groupe’s Specialized Agencies and Marketing Services offer healthcare communications, corporate and financial communications, sustainability communications, shopper marketing, public relations, CRM and direct marketing, event and sports marketing, and multicultural communications. Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com

MS&LGROUP LAUNCHES GLOBAL 'BRAND & TALENT' PRACTICE

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

PRESS RELEASE UNDER EMBARGO to THURSDAY, APRIL 8 2010

Contact: Kate Steele | kate.steele@mslworldwide.com| Tel. +44 207 878 3118

MS&LGROUP LAUNCHES GLOBAL ‘BRAND & TALENT’ PRACTICE
Employee Communications Specialists Across 20 Countries

London, April 8 2010; Publicis Groupe’s flagship PR and Events network MS&LGroup will today launch its global employee communications offer, the Brand and Talent Practice™, helping companies worldwide ensure they achieve the maximum contribution from their people, by attracting and motivating the right talent and retaining them longer.

The difference with Brand and Talent™ is that the practice covers the entire range of employee communications in a joined-up approach: across media and audiences both internally and externally; across functional lines within the enterprise; and across markets where cultural values and work-life balance often vary drastically. This helps companies attract and engage the right people more effectively at a lower cost; make them more productive; retain them longer; and create ambassadors both during and after their employment.

Led from MS&LGroup’s London centre of excellence in employee communications – SAS, Brand and Talent™ is headed by Kevin Keohane, Client Partner at SAS. Keohane, whose book ‘The Talent Journey: The 55-Minute Guide to Employee Communications’ has just been published, summarises the strategic value as eliminating inconsistency, duplication and waste — ultimately generating greater investor confidence and premium valuation.

Said Keohane, “traditional approaches to employee communication aren’t keeping up with the times – today’s successful companies see huge strategic value inherent in a more joined-up approach and are looking for partners like us to guide them.”
Bringing together experts from various backgrounds - including PR, advertising, branding, corporate communications, sustainability, media buying, research and evaluation – from this month Brand & Talent™ offers a ‘hubs + satellites’ network of employee communications specialists in 20 countries.

As multi-national clients increasingly demand local market and audience insight, Brand and Talent™ is able to provide market intelligence, audience insight, media buying, production and implementation in 104 countries via Publicis Groupe fully-owned agencies.

Brand & Talent™ already counts among its client list the likes of AXA, Barclays Capital, BP, Coca-Cola, EADS, Ernst & Young, GDF Suez, GlaxoSmithKline, KPMG, Renault and Sainsbury’s.

About MS&LGroup
MS&LGroup is one of the world’s top five PR and events networks, offering the best in public relations, digital, social media, real-time communications, corporate and events communication. Operating in wholly owned and affiliate offices in more than 80 countries spanning the Americas, EMEA and Asia, MS&L Group supports many of the world’s leading companies with best-in-class employee communication strategies. Some of our recent and current clients in the ‘people’ space include AXA, Barclays, Bayer, Citi, EADS, Ernst & Young, GDF Suez, Pfizer, Philips, Renault, Sara Lee and Siemens. MS&L Group is part of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577], the world's third largest communications group, with activities spanning 104 countries and 43,000 professionals.

About SAS
SAS has been helping organisations get more from their employee communications for 20 years and is now the global ‘centre of excellence’ hub for the MS&L Group Brand and Talent™ practice. Some of the world’s leading organisations turn to us to make sure that what they say and do before, during and after the talent acquisition process ensures they get the greatest possible contribution from their people. Clients include BP, BT, The Coca-Cola Company, GlaxoSmithKline, KPMG, Syngenta, and others.

MS&L London's Gareth Davies to judge prestigious CLIO Awards

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

MS&L London’s Gareth Davies to judge prestigious CLIO Awards

MS&L London’s Head of Digital, Gareth Davies, has been asked to join the jury of the 51st Annual CLIO Awards. The awards are one of the world’s most recognised international advertising, design and communications competitions and will be held on May 26th and 27th in New York.

“I’m very pleased to have been asked to join the CLIO jury responsible for Strategic Communications and Public Relations,” said Gareth Davies, Head of Digital, MS&L London. “The awards have an incredible heritage and celebrate our industry’s creative excellence. I am looking forward to working with the other judges to choose this year’s winner of the iconic statue.”

“For 50 years, CLIO has been appointing top creatives whose work epitomises the vanguard in their respective fields and this year is no exception,” said Karl Vontz, director of events, AdweekMedia & CLIO Awards. “These judges are keenly aware of the changing dynamics in the global marketplace and will bring their high standards of excellence to the CLIOs.”

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For further information, please contact:
Kate Steele
MS&L
Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 3118
Email: kate.steele@mslworldwide.com

About MS&L Group

MS&L London sponsors CyberMummy - UK's first ever conference for Mummy Bloggers

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

MS&L London is sponsoring CyberMummy - the UK’s first ever event for one of its most influential blogging tribes – mums. Celebrating the growing power of mummy bloggers, the event will be held on 3rd July in London. The UK’s leading bloggers and experts on social media will be hosting sessions on everything from getting started, to the ethics of being online.

“We’re really pleased to be sponsoring the first ever CyberMummy conference, said Kelly Walsh, CEO, MS&L London. Mummy bloggers are an incredibly influential group. They start and take part in many of the critical conversations that are of relevance to our clients. Lots of brands are beginning to talk with mum bloggers but there’s still a lack of understanding as to how companies should engage with them.

Critical Conversations define MS&L’s approach to communications. Regardless of the communications channels such as media relations, social media or one-to-one stakeholder outreach, our starting point is to define conversations and understand what’s driving the crucial audiences. Working together with our clients, we develop and deliver effective strategies and programmes to ensure that they participate in those conversations.
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For further information, please contact:
Kate Steele
MS&L
Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 3118
Email: kate.steele@mslworldwide.com

About MS&L Group

MS&L London hires Julia Crawford as Director of P&G CEEMEA

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

MS&L announced today that it had hired Julia Crawford as Director of the P&G CEEMEA (Central Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa) within the London Consumer Practice. Julia will head up the Oral Care and Femcare business, reporting into Louisa Clarke, Client Services Director, P&G EMEA.

“I’m extremely pleased that Julia is joining us,” said Kelly Walsh, CEO. “She brings a real depth of experience, creativity and a focus on strong client relationships. Julia is a great addition to an already impressive team.”

A consumer brands specialist, with a focus on consumer health & hygiene, food, travel and leisure, Julia joins from Mandate.

For further information, please contact:
Kate Steele
MS&L
Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 3118
Email: kate.steele@mslworldwide.com

About MS&L Group

MS&L London to present 'campaign master-class' at PRCA event

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Two members of MS&L London’s Corporate team, Jonathan Sinnatt (Director) and Verity Lowe (Account Director), have been chosen to present a campaign master-class at a PRCA FrontLine event this Tuesday night, 9th February, 2010.

The PRCA is the trade association for the UK PR consultancy industry, promoting all aspects of public relations consultancy. The Association exists to raise standards in PR and help members be better organisations.

The PRCA has asked the team to present the strategy behind its ongoing thought leadership campaign: ‘The Business Inflation Guide’ for client More Th>n Business (part of the RSA Group).

More Th>n Business (M>B) is a direct insurance provider to small businesses across the UK and MS&L London was appointed in 2008 to raise its profile beyond trade media, as a ‘champion for small businesses.’ MS&L London identified a gap in the market for research that measures small business inflation and along with the client and the prestigious Warwick Business School, developed the concept of the ‘Business Inflation Guide’ – a quarterly economic indicator measuring the cost of running a small or micro business in the UK.

The campaign was short-listed in the B2B category at the PRCA awards in 2009.

A detailed case study will be available from the 10th of February on the PRCA’s website: http://www.prca.org.uk/casestudies

MS&L London Achieves 'Outstanding' Best Companies 2010 Award

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

MS&L London has been awarded ‘Outstanding’ two star status by the prestigious Best Companies organisation, which recognises excellence in the workplace. Accreditation is based on confidential staff feedback around key areas such as: Leadership, Personal Growth, Wellbeing and Team Working.

CEO Kelly Walsh, who will attend the awards ceremony in March, said: “Being given ‘Outstanding’ status this year is a fantastic result. It reflects the commitment everyone in the London office has to ensuring that MS&L is a great place to work and the fact that we generate award-winning campaigns for our clients. Our focus continues to be on helping people to reach their full potential in a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment.”

Over 1,000 organisations from the private and public sectors applied for star status this year. Only 140 achieved ‘Outstanding’ rating.

MS&L London and Health and Safety Executive win European Excellence Award

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

MS&L London won a European Excellence Award in the Health category for its work on the Health & Safety Executive (HSE)’s ‘Asbestos - The Hidden Killer’ campaign at a gala event held in Vienna last week.

The objective of the campaign was to raise awareness amongst workmen of the dangers of exposure to asbestos. Around twenty workmen a week die in the UK from asbestos-related diseases. MS&L was asked to work with HSE to try and stop another generation of workmen having their lives cut short. Using a simple football analogy to generate interest among the target audience, ex-England footballer, Ian Wright spearheaded the campaign. The story featured on the news agenda-setting BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and generated blanket TV, press and online coverage. By the end of the campaign the HSE saw a 1000% increase in enquiries to the information line and a six fold increase in page requests on their website.

Steve Coldrick, HSE’s asbestos programme director said: “Asbestos remains Britain’s biggest workplace killer, but with the perception that it is largely a risk of the past we needed a hard-hitting PR campaign that would capture the imagination of tradesmen, particularly young ones. Using Ian Wright, a former plasterer, ticked all the boxes for us and delivered great results.”

“We’re pleased that our approach has been recognised and commended by experts in the communications industry. The award is a testament to the good working relationship between HSE’s communications and asbestos programme teams and MSL”

The European Excellence Awards honour outstanding achievement in the PR profession on an international scale. Bringing together the finest work, the awards are coveted by all PR professionals across the region and are presented for only the most outstanding accomplishments within this arena.

The HSE campaign has been shortlisted three times and it is the second time it is an award winner, making it MS&L London’s most celebrated campaign of 2009.

Another MS&L's member elected vice-chairman of one of the PRCA Groups

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, Ella Mayhew, Associate Director of MS&L London’s Corporate Practice was elected to the role of Vice-Chairman of the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) Corporate Group for 2010.
Now, it is the turn of Gareth Davies, Head of Digital at MS&L London, to accept the role of Vice Chairman of the PRCA Digital Group.

The PRCA is the trade association for the UK PR consultancy industry, promoting all aspects of public relations consultancy. The Association exists to raise standards in PR and to help members be better organisations. Gareth will be working with the new PRCA chairman, Sarah Evans Toyne from Broadgate Mainland, to define how the Group supports digital leadership in 2010 and to ensure members of the PRCA have relevant digital skills and knowledge.

Gareth commented: “I’m really exited by this opportunity. Having been part of the Digital Group since the beginning of 2009, it’s going to be great to keep working with my peers and ensure that as an industry we are taking full advantage of the opportunity digital offers.”

Gareth has over seven years’ experience in both a B2B and B2C capacity working agency side and on a pan-European basis for blue chip tech brands. He also has a wealth of experience creating high impact launch campaigns for emerging consumer brands.
Gareth's digital knowledge is drawn from many years implementing innovative and creative on-line programmes for a range of businesses of all sizes.

MS&L’s Digital practice in the UK represents a variety of clients including: Coca-Cola, P&G, Atos Origin, Samsung and Nestlé.

MS&L's ELLA MAYHEW ELECTED VICE-CHAIR OF PRCA CORPORATE GROUP

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ella Mayhew, Associate Director of MS&L London’s Corporate Practice has been elected to the role of Vice-Chair of the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) Corporate Group for 2010.

Ella commented: “I’m delighted to have been elected. The Group has an important part to play in improving the understanding of corporate communications in the UK and MS&L will have a key role in shaping the conversation.”

For 2010, Ella will be helping the PRCA’s Corporate Group to create a forum for members to share best practice and help define clients’ and the PR industry’s understanding of corporate communications.

As a member of the senior team of MS&L London’s Corporate Group, Ella works across a range of sectors, but has a particular interest in the UK/European heath and wellness agenda which impacts her work on food and drink and consumer health clients.

MS&L’s Corporate practice represents UK and multinational clients including: Coca-Cola, P&G, MORE TH>N BUSINESS, Atos Origin and Corel.

Publicis Groupe To Create A Powerful Public Relations and Events Network, MS&L Group

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

New Network Offers Both Global Scale And Specialized Services To Clients

To best serve its clients, Publicis Groupe today announced the launch of MS&L Group, a strategic initiative designed to strengthen the Groupe’s PR and events offer.

In today’s world, clients need more holistic and more effective communication with global reach and access to digital and social media capabilities. Clients value a greater consistency and integration of all forms of communications to enhance their brand’s awareness and attractiveness. The new organization is designed to meet these expectations.

MS&L Group leverages the collective scale and expertise of MS&L Worldwide, Publicis Consultants Worldwide, JKL, Winner & Associates, TMG Strategies, PBJS, Relay, Capital MS&L, Hanmer MS&L, Carré Noir, SAS, Masius, and Publicis Events. From now on clients will benefit from a full and enhanced suite of PR capabilities and events experience able to resolve any communication issue in any part of the world. Key other assets of Publicis Groupe can be leveraged as needed and particularly PublicisLive, Publicis Meetings, Emotion, Freud, as well as Kekst and Company.

MS&L Group employs more than 2,500 people operating in 50 countries and offers best-in-class Public Relations, Corporate and Financial Communications, Reputation Management, Public Affairs, Social Media, Digital and Live Events management.
This global entity will be run by Olivier Fleurot, CEO of MS&L Group. Olivier reports to Maurice Lévy, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe and is a member of the P12, the executive committee of Publicis Groupe. In that capacity, he champions the development of all PR and Events activities.

"The objective of the new MS&L Group is to offer best of breed in PR, corporate or events communications to our clients. Our goal is to take maximum advantage of the great individual assets we have and to build a premier network in this field. Olivier has already done a tremendous job at putting the organization together and enhancing collaboration. I have full confidence that MS&L Group will greatly contribute to the growth of Publicis Groupe.” said Maurice Lévy, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe.

“By sharing best practices and knowledge across regions, we provide clients with a seamless and consistent approach and help them to manage their most pressing business and communications needs. In a fast-changing world undergoing unprecedented transformation, our clients are looking for an organization that provides both global scale and specialized services. Our network, under one brand, one leadership team, and a common purpose, will be able to meet the challenge." declared Olivier Fleurot, CEO of MS&L Group.

Members of Olivier Fleurot’s management team are:

- Pascal Beucler, SVP, Chief Strategy Officer, MS&L Group
- Isabelle Chouvet, CEO, Emotion
- Fabrice Fries, President of France, MS&L Group
- Trudi Harris, Communication Director, MS&L Group
- Anders Kempe, President of Europe, MS&L Group
- Sophie Martin-Chantepie, HR Director, MS&L Group
- Peter Miller, CFO, MS&L Group
- Glenn Osaki, President of Asia, MS&L Group
- John Rossant, Executive Chairman, PublicisLive
- Jim Tsokanos, President of the Americas, MS&L Group

MS&L London nominated for a European Excellence Award

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

MS&L London has been nominated for a European Excellence Award 2009 in the Health category for its work on the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) ‘Asbestos - The Hidden Killer campaign’.
It’s the third time MS&L and the HSE have been shortlisted for this impactful campaign which recently won a prestigious Highly Commended at the PR Week Awards.

The objective of the campaign was to raise awareness amongst a particularly hard to reach audience - young workmen - of the dangers of exposure to asbestos.
20 workmen a week die in the UK from asbestos-related diseases. MS&L was asked to help the HSE stop another generation of workmen having their lives cut short. By the end of our campaign the HSE saw a 1000% increase in enquiries to the infoline and a six fold increase in page requests on the website.

The team in London is: Director: Sarah Winterbottom, Director: Dominic Payling, Account Director: Benedict Heath, Account Manager: Susie Chadbourne.

The winners will be announced on the 10th of December at a gala dinner in Vienna.

The European Excellence Awards honour outstanding achievement in the profession on an international scale. Bringing together the finest work in the field of communications for a memorable evening, the European Excellence Awards spotlight the importance of the entire profession. The awards take a comprehensive look at the full spectrum of communications disciplines throughout Europe and are presented for only the most outstanding accomplishments within this arena.

MS&L LAUNCHES NEW APPROACH TO COMMUNICATIONS TO HELP HEALTHCARE CLIENTS MEET TOUGHEST CHALLENGES

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

New tools and team bring innovation to communications

Recognising the unique challenges faced by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, MS&L, one of the world’s leading communications firms, has launched a new approach for its healthcare clients –Transcending Boundaries: Succeeding in the New Health Dynamic.

Building on Health 2.0, MS&L’s pioneering work on social media’s role in healthcare communication, this new launch brings together the agency’s proprietary healthcare consulting approach with an integrated European team of communication experts. MS&L’s leading specialists in advocacy, policy and access, corporate health, cause marketing, social media, mobile communications, marketing and research have worked together to deliver a new, interconnected approach that meets the demands of the new health dynamic.

“Healthcare and pharmaceutical companies are experiencing enormous challenges as a result of the transformation of the healthcare and communications industries,” said Clare Lucker, Director, Head of Healthcare. “At least one in seven patients now surfs the web for information on illnesses and ailments before they go to see a doctor. This trend is only going to increase.

“In this new landscape, many organisations are unsure how to push ‘innovation with regulation’ for success. MS&L’s launch is a strategic, cross-border communications approach that helps uncover answers and solve our clients’ biggest communication issues.”

Fundamental to our new approach is ensuring we are addressing the key issues through an initial filter process. We have created an online tool which poses five critical questions to trigger the process, enabling clients to audit and isolate potential business challenges and thus facilitating the development of solutions. The tool can be accessed at: www.mslworldwide.co.uk

The MS&L web page highlights these questions and invites interested companies to have further discussions and workshops around today’s most challenging concerns in the areas of advocacy, biotech, consumer health & wellness, digital health, access, health policy and regulatory issues, hospitals and providers and medical technology. MS&L’s workshop series offers insight into how companies can achieve business success in each of these areas.

MS&L integrated team experts
MS&L’s team of cross-border experts includes European advisors from a range of backgrounds and disciplines. The team includes: Judith Cranford, MD, Health and Advocacy; Dominic Payling, Head of Planning and Insight; Vicki Newbold, Head of Corporate; Gareth Davies, Head of Digital; Peter Steere, Head of Public Affairs Europe.

New Health Dynamic workshops
MS&L’s workshop series explores how the new healthcare dynamic is affecting their business and ways to meet these new challenges. Each workshop is tailored to the company’s specific business needs and offers communications solutions to meet real business needs.

For additional information about MS&L’s new approach and proprietary tools, email newhealthdynamic@mslworldwide.com .

MS&L London and P&G Win PRCA Award for Internal Communication

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

MS&L London and P&G last night received the PRCA (Public Relations Consultants Association) Award for Internal Communications, for the campaign ‘P&G Shines Light on Employees’.

P&G Salon Professional’s senior management identified the need for a formal internal communications strategy to support the final integration of Wella employees into P&G and tasked MS&L with developing this.

MS&L recommended a global employee magazine as a visible sign of support for the integration of the business; to celebrate the “best of both worlds” and provide channel for regular communication of business strategies and priorities. In order to achieve these objectives and engage meaningfully with employees, the magazine was developed to have a ‘beauty look and feel’ that would reflect the nature of the organization, with significant space dedicated to celebrating individual and team successes from around the globe and sharing important company and industry news.

The result was SHINE, a 24 page colour magazine distributed to all Salon Professional sites globally and posted online. SHINE is now recognised by the client as a key tool for Salon Professional to communicate vital strategic and motivational messages to their global team.

The MS&L team in London is: Director, Head of Corporate Vicki Newbold; Associate Director Ella Mayhew; Account Director Ben Mascall and Senior Account Manager Kate Forrester.

MS&L was also shortlisted for two further awards:

The B2B Award for ‘Generating More Than Coverage’ - a campaign on behalf of insurance company MORE TH>N BUSINESS, in conjunction with the Warwick Business School, which successfully targeted small and medium enterprises.

The Public Sector Campaign Award for ‘Asbestos – The Hidden Killer’, a campaign for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), warning young workmen of the dangers of asbestos and one of the most impactful campaigns the HSE has undertaken.

The PRCA Awards provide a showcase for the best that the UK's PR industry has to offer. Being shortlisted for a PRCA Award is a fantastic achievement and proof that the campaign not only worked but had an outstanding impact that other campaigns can learn from.