WPP AUNZ member-agency PPR has been officially combined with international communications agency Burson Cohn & Wolfe (BCW), another arm of the conglomerate.

The merger calls for BCW’s experience in the global market and associated systems to be integrated with PPR and help it attain a greater reach in the ANZ region. The news comes after PPR CEO Michael Pooley announced his departure to open a new consultancy.

Pamela Klioufis (pictured), managing director of BCW’s Australian division, has agreed to lead the new company. She has been at the post since October 2018, when she joined BCW after over five years as director and later managing director of Burston Marsteller Australia.  

“The global thinking, experience, tools and systems of BCW, combined with the unparalleled local ANZ reach of PPR, make for a perfect match. We look forward to our existing clients benefiting from this offer and to attracting new clients and people to BCW,” said WPP AUNZ

The Inside Out PR agency has earned the client account for The Embodied Present Process (TEPP). 

Mumbrella reported that the account will have Inside Out generate awareness of TEPP’s Australian platform launch through media exposure and digital channel.

Developed by embodiment expert Phillip Shepherd, TEPP comprises methods to help people destress their lives and rechannel positive energies into the whole body. TEPP training can be carried out in workshops lasting from two days to a week, or a whole year for prospective TEPP instructors. 

“The team at Inside Out PR has extensive health sector experience and relationships as well as strength in generating exposure for online platforms. Having experienced TEPP first-hand, we are excited to be bringing greater awareness to this ground-breaking practice and its body-mind approach,” said Inside Out PR director Nicole Greaney.

Michael Pooley has stepped down from the CEO post at WPP AUNZ agency PPR.

In a LinkedIn post, Pooley said he wrapped up his affairs at PPR to open his new communications consultancy, the MAP Collective. 

Pooley was with PPR since 2007, joining up as group director for corporate and public affairs. He later advanced to director for strategy and planning and executive director/COO before assuming the CEO post in 2017.

“As with all new ventures there is a feeling of nervous excitement about what’s ahead. But it’s the right time to take on a new challenge. So let's do this,” said Pooley.

Contact Pooley on LinkedIn for new projects.

Tech consultancy Bench PR has entered the spring season with three new clients, reported Mumbrella.

The deal includes PR services for Dynatrace, Carbon Black, and Elenium Automation.

Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA, Dynatrace offers SMEs cloud-based software intelligence solutions for a variety of IT operations.

Carbon Black is another Waltham-based company like Dynatrace. It develops cloud-based endpoint security software to shield IT systems from cyberattacks of existing and potential future forms.

Elenium Automation develops IoT- and machine-learning-based airport passenger solutions, covering all aspects from terminal counter check-ins to baggage transit. Based in India and Tullamarine, Victoria, the company’s noted carriers include QANTAS, Japan Airlines, and Air New Zealand. 

“We’re thrilled to be working with Carbon Black, Dynatrace and Elenium. All fast-growth companies offering their customers truly innovative technologies. Our experience and p

Thinkerbell has landed client service rights for cruise company Royal Caribbean Cruises.

Under the new deal, Thinkerbell is tasked with running PR duties for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises and Azamara. Celebrity Cruises and Azamara are two of the three component cruise lines under Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ownership. 

The third component arm, Royal Caribbean International, will have marketing strategy and creative assignments for Thinkerbell to tackle. 

“We are thrilled to be working with Royal Caribbean across strategy, creative and PR. We look forward to building on the momentum the brands already have in this market. It’s a great appointment for the Thinkerbell Sydney team, and we can’t wait to get cracking,” said Thinkerbell managing partner Margie Reid.

WPP AUNZ member-agency OPR has landed a two-year PR contract for Tourism Australia.

The deal calls for OPR to provide integrated support to Tourism Australia’s regional and international marketing campaigns, with the aim of promoting Australia as one of the best places in the world anybody would want to travel to. 

The contract can be extended for another year if the work generates positive results in terms of increased visitor numbers to Australia.

“As international travel has become more accessible, it has also become more competitive. Tourism boards globally are increasingly seeking out new and innovative approaches to achieve cut-through and resonate with potential travellers. We feel Tourism Australia is at the forefront of this movement, and we’re thrilled to be their PR partner of choice heading into 2020,” said OPR CEO Richard Brett.  

The We Are Different PR agency has landed a PR services deal with mental health organisation The Black Dog Institute.

The agreement will have We Are Different supporting The Black Dog Institute’s consumer-facing PR activities by educating the public about the organisation’s programs. 

Originally established in 1985 as the Mood Disorders Unit, The Black Dog Institute offers research projects on mental health issues and patient counselling through self-help tools and support groups. It also runs free training seminars on addressing mental health in the workplace.

“Our partnership with The Black Dog Institute cements our commitment to a mentally healthier world and mentally healthier workplace. We couldn’t be more excited by the opportunity to drive real impact for such a well-known and worthy brand,” said We Are Different founder Stuart Terry.