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News & Opinions

  • What does authenticity even mean (and why does it matter?)

    August 8, 2022

    It’s one of those words – like ‘insights’ – that’s often used and even more frequently claimed. It’s as if everyone knows that businesses and brands have to look and sound authentic to succeed, but nobody remembers quite what you have to do to actually be authentic. Politicians, influencers, business leaders all appear to know that ‘the public’ respond better, buy more, and vote for people or brands who’re authentic. But often as not, they...

  • FleishmanHillard UK announces Vijaya Varilly as new head of youth and partnerships

    August 4, 2022

    FleishmanHillard UK continues to expand its senior team with the hire of Vijaya Varilly as its new head of youth and partnerships working as a senior cultural strategist across global activations within the Global Culture Unit. Vijaya’s role will also see her offering cultural strategic insights across the agency’s existing client portfolio, working closely with client leads. The Global Culture Unit works across FleishmanHillard’s top 200 clients offering below-the-line cultural insights that lead to braver...

  • No place to hide for financial services firms as the FCA’s Consumer Duty shines a spotlight on authenticity

    July 28, 2022

    The FCA’s Consumer Duty will help ensure that retail financial services firms’ promises match their actions. Firms that don’t behave and communicate authentically will face ever-increasing reputational challenges. Financial services firms’ marketing is full of phrases like ‘great customer service’ and ‘competitive interest rates’. But when I phone my car insurer the call wait time is more than 10 minutes. When I do finally speak to them, they promise to call me back but never...

  • FleishmanHillard UK wins at the IPRA Golden World Awards

    July 28, 2022

    FleishmanHillard UK has won gold in the Public Affairs - Agency category of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Golden World Awards! Our campaign alongside Fleet Street Communications for UKHospitality to save the hospitality sector during the pandemic has been recognised as a world-class PR programme of excellence. Congratulations to the whole team involved in this outstanding campaign. A list of this year's winners is available on the IPRA website. Contact us...

  • FleishmanHillard announced as a finalist in the PRWeek UK Awards 2022

    July 27, 2022

    We're thrilled to be shortlisted in the Marketing Communications: Culture, Media and Sport category at this year's PRWeek UK Awards for our work in partnership with adam&eveDDB, Porter Novelli and Portland to launch WeThe15 with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Winners are announced during an awards ceremony on 13th October at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London. Contact us...

  • What does authentic communication feel like in practice?

    July 27, 2022

    What does it take to bring an authentic voice to one of the UK economy’s most important sectors and how does it affect one of the leading voices in the national debate? Kate Nicholls OBE, CEO of UKHospitality talks about her experience as one of the most vocal communicators for the hospitality sector at the height of the pandemic. In conversation with Liam McCloy, Partner & EMEA Lead for Food, Agribusiness and Beverage at FleishmanHillard...

  • How can banks communicate authentically through the cost-of-living crisis?

    July 25, 2022

    Emily Rushgrove, Associate Director Good communication is vital – but in times of crisis, its importance rises still further. That’s true now amid the cost-of-living crisis and many banks have already begun announcing measures to help their customers, be they retail or commercial. Banks must make sure that they communicate with authenticity and demonstrate to consumers that they’re ready to help. Their words must map to their actions. Saying one thing but failing to act...

  • Authentic Magic: Gaining notoriety

    July 20, 2022

    Samuel Hogarth is a street magician based in London. He is originally from Chorley in Lancashire, England. Samuel uses authenticity during his street shows, which he believes helps him to connect with crowds and makes his show stand out from the rest. Samuel credits authenticity as helping him garner more notoriety as a successful magician. Creating magic I always knew I wanted to be a magician when I was young, however I only decided I...

  • No time to lie: Gen-Z’s perspective on corporate greenwashing

    July 15, 2022

    TJ Jordan, Creative and Caitlin Whyte, Account Manager Authentic Action With the increase in demand for global brands to be more sustainable, how many brands are actually living up to their claims of committing to green practice? In recent times, the term ‘greenwashing’ has been used to describe companies that purport to be environmentally conscious for marketing or reputational purposes, but their action does not reflect the message they are communicating. Research shows that Gen-Z...

  • Forget taxes, the Tories need to tell us their plans on international trade

    July 14, 2022

    Tim Harding, Associate Director, International Affairs As the Conservative leadership election heats up, candidates are vying for pole position on who can lower taxes the most. But amidst a steep drop in UK exports, continued uncertainty over the trade relationship with the EU, and global supply chain difficulties, we need to hear much more from the candidates to be the next Prime Minister about their approach to international trade. That is what will shape the...