With over nine yearsí consumer PR experience, Rachel comes directly from Ketchum, which she joined in 2000 to work on a range of high-profile clients and brands. As an Account Director within the Lifestyle team, she handled accounts as diverse as Pedigree, Whiskas, Cesar and Sheba for Masterfoods; Tia Maria and Tia Lusso for Alllied Domecq; Max Factor make-up and the Gillette Venus shaving range for women; and top-selling girlsí dolls, Baby Annabel and Baby Born for Zapf Creation.
Rachel started her career at The Public Relations Business (now Starfish Communications), working primarily on consumer and trade campaigns for food and drink brands such as PG Tips, Patak Foods, Marqus de Cceres wines and Jim Beam bourbon. She then moved to Revolver Communications, where her accounts included Whitbread Beer Companyís flagship ale brand, Wadworth 6X, Jamaican lager Red Stripe, and Ben and Jerryís ice cream.
Rachelís brief at VMA Group is to work alongside Consultant Melissa Hosken to expand the in-house and agency consumer PR business. Vicky Mann, VMA Groupís Managing Director, said: ìWeíre delighted to have Rachel on the team, as her inside knowledge and understanding of the consumer PR market will further reinforce our position in this dynamic sector.î
Rachelís appointment marks the third consultant to join VMA Group this year. Claire Tuffin, formerly of Price Trace Hawes and Brunswick Public Relations, joined to head up the Corporate and Financial practice in January, followed by Oskar Yasar, who joined from Citigate Dewe Rogerson to lead the IR and Search practices.
VMA Group offers search and selection, permanent and interim recruitment services for the public relations, corporate communications and investor relations industries. As specialists, VMA Group has an in-depth knowledge of its niche market, with consultants having a combination of PR, IR and PR recruitment experience. VMA Group understands the needs of the marketplace and strives to develop long-term relationships with clients and candidates alike.
VMA Group grows consumer offering
<br>Consumer PR recruitment at VMA Group has been strengthened with the appointment of new consultant specialising in this field, Rachel Smith.
