Former editor of The Independent Simon Kelner launches sister PR agency to BMB
Former editor of the Independent Simon Kelner has teamed with Beattie McGuinness Bungay to launch a sister PR agency with founding client Fortnum & Mason.
Kelner has launched Seven Dials which will offer reputation management, senior counsel and corporate and brand PR, and will see BMB founding partner Andrew McGuinness act as chairman.
Kelner said: “I spent more than a decade as the editor of a national newspaper, at the intersection of journalism and public relations. I understand what makes news, the arc of a story and how a reputation can be won or lost in an instant. It’s this knowledge that I am putting to the service of our clients. Today every company is a publisher. We have the knowledge and experience to help guide our clients, whether they are individuals or companies, through the rapidly-changing media landscape.”
The agency will offer clients, which also includes Aberdeen Asset Management and online drinks retailer 31Dover.com, access to its advisory board, including former press secretory to Buckingham Palace Simon Walker and former Mirror Group managing director Charlie Wilson.
Eleanor Conroy, former director of public relations at Intercontinental Hotels Group will act as business director while former deputy editor of The Observer, Jocelyn Targett, will be creative director and lead the agency’s content division with responsibility for producing bespoke publications for clients.