News
Open Road lands ‘carbon neutral’ Silverjet account
May 30th 2007
Open Road will lobby MPs on behalf of the world’s first ‘carbon neutral’ airline.
The recently-formed agency has been briefed by Silverjet to develop and lead its public affairs activity in London, Brussels and Washington.
The airline, which launched earlier this year, is the only British business class carrier. But what really sets Silverjet apart is its claim to be the world’s first carbon neutral airline.
Included in the ticket price is a mandatory carbon offset contribution giving passengers the opportunity to reinvest the ‘carbon points’ earned in climate-friendly projects.
Open Road’s lobbying will focus on the burgeoning regulatory environment airlines operate in – including increases in Air Passenger Duty, airport charging and enhanced security measures.
Open Road chairman Nick DeLuca will lead the account.
Lawrence Hunt, chief executive of Silverjet, said the agency had been brought in ‘to help
ensure that ministers, officials and regulators alike understand our business’.
Rainey hires agencies for web launch
May 9th 2007
A new social networking site run by advertising guru MT Rainey has appointed two agencies ahead of its launch this summer.
The site – http://www.horsesmouth.co.uk – has turned to Shine Communications and recently formed Open Road. The agencies beat off stiff competition in competitive pitches.
The site is billing itself as ‘the first social network with a social purpose’. It allows users to ask each other questions about issues such as health, careers and education.
Rainey, former CEO of Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe Y&R, said: ‘We all have wisdom from our experiences in life, and sharing that wisdom unlocks the human capital and allows users to inspire and support one another.’
The site, which is currently running in test stage, features three broad categories: life, work and learning. It relies on volunteers sharing information and advice, and part of the PR challenge will be to encourage groups such as the British Chambers of Commerce or the National Union of Students to get involved and share their knowledge.
Although the site was initially conceived for young people, it is open to anyone and is expected to attract a response from many different groups – from silver surfers to mums.
Shine has been hired to offer consumer PR support while Open Road will be focusing on issues such as stakeholder relations and corporate PR. It is understood that six agencies pitched for each account. Fees are undisclosed.
Open Road was set up earlier this by several well-known figures in public affairs and corporate comms consultancy (PRWeek, 12 January). Its chief executive is Graham McMillan, former head of public affairs at Fishburn Hedges. The Horsesmouth account is being led by Open Road director Victoria Tate, former head of public affairs at the Spirit Group.
Horsesmouth is being funded by the Edge Foundation – a Department for Education and Skills-backed organisation that aims to help young people develop skills.
Hannah Marriott
Decision pending on probe into lobbying practice
May 2nd 2007
The chairman of the Public Administration Committee will decide over the next few weeks whether there will be a parliamentary investigation into lobbying practices before the end of 2007.
‘It’s certainly one of the things we’re considering and if we were to decide to do it, it would be later this year,’ said Tony Wright, Labour MP for Cannock Chase.
He added: ‘It is something that, in principle, we would like to do. It’s just a question of finding a moment in the programme to do it.’
Wright’s comments build on those reported in The Times on 31 March this year, in which he said there was ‘a case for having a thorough look at the whole lobbying issue, to review whether we’ve got the system right and there is enough transparency in the system’.
If the committee decides to have an inquiry, it will be the first detailed parliamentary examination since 1991 of the practice of lobbying.
The renewed focus on the activity has been triggered by Labour backbencher John Grogan, whose concerns about the transparency of the public affairs industry were first revealed in PRWeek earlier this year (23 February).
Lobbyists claim not to be opposed to such an investigation.
Graham McMillan, CEO of Open Road, said: ‘It would mean a level of public scrutiny that will be very welcome both for the industry and our clients.’
Chris Whitehouse, MD of the Whitehouse Consultancy, said it would help to ensure ‘higher standards of probity’.
Meanwhile, Grogan, former comms co-ordinator at Leeds Council and MP for Selby, is meeting with the Association of Professional Political Consultants on 14 May to discuss his next move (PRWeek, 27 April).