New Head of PR

We are excited to announce the appointment of Kate Matthews to the position of Head of PR. This is a new role, with Kate reporting into Sarah Reakes, Managing Director.

Kate has held several senior positions including Head of PR at Ware Anthony Rust in Cambridge, Board Director at Thirteen Communications and Associate Director at The Red Consultancy, both in London. She brings a wealth of management expertise and over 14 years’ experience in creating and leading integrated PR campaigns for B2B and B2C organisations. Kate’s client experience includes: Microscoft, Adobe, eBay, Flybe, Department for Education, ebookers, and learndirect.

Kate said: “The KISS promise to ‘clarify the complex’ really stood out to me – as more and more brands compete for space, the ability to create simple but impactful ideas that cut through the noise is a real must for any successful agency. I have been impressed with the team’s energy and enthusiasm for delivering fantastic work and thought-provoking ideas. I am very excited about the opportunity to build on Justine’s great work, to grow, evolve and further integrate the agency’s PR offering.”

Our Managing Director, PR, Justine Smith will be stepping down and exiting KISS at the end of December 2016. Justine has been part of the senior management team and a shareholder in the business for the last seven years, driving organic new business growth and managing the agency’s PR team.

She said: “Kate will be a real asset to the agency, bringing tremendous energy, passion and strategic nous to KISS. Her experience in working with blue-chip, public sector and SMEs across technology and education will be invaluable as KISS deepens its expertise and sector focus in these areas.

“Along with Simon Fryer, Richard Bland and Sarah Reakes, we’ve developed and grown KISS into the agency that it is today, and being part of that journey has been immensely rewarding and exciting. I will continue to take great interest in the future success of KISS and wish Kate and the rest of the team the very best of luck.”

CEO Simon Fryer added, “Justine has played a pivotal role within the agency and it is with great sadness that we see her leave, and we wish her the very best. Justine has been responsible for helping many people onto the start of their careers and supporting them to grow into the stars of tomorrow.”