Biggest PR pitches, mergers and acquisitions in December 2025, with Andrew Bloch

Welcome to our review of PR pitches and mergers and acquisitions in the UK PR scene with Andrew Bloch. Here we discuss the biggest pitch wins, mergers and acquisitions that the PR sector has seen in November 2025.

Andrew is the lead consultant PR, social, content and influencer at the new business consultancy firm AAR and a partner at PCB Partners, where he advises on buying and selling marketing services agencies.

Andrew also runs the advisory firm Andrew Bloch & Associates.

Don't forget The PRmoment Award's early bird entry deadline, on 19 December 

Market Overview

November has been a very buoyant month.

The market has seen great wins and has been extremely busy on the M&A front, which is probably expected since people were trying to complete deals before the budget announcement.

It is an important time of year for pitches, as agencies line up new business for the following year and clients aim to get everything in place for 2026.

PITCHES

Warburtons appoints Burson The UK’s biggest bakery appoints Burson to handle its brand and consumer communications, focusing on building its heritage and innovation narratives ahead of the company's 150th anniversary. Burson will also manage the corporate news agenda.

BAKERY79 appoints Stakked The modern food-to-go concept, established by Park Garage Group, has hired Stakked for PR support. The campaign will focus on building consumer awareness and driving uptake as Bakery79 rapidly converts forecourt concessions as part of its acceleration into the UK food-to-go market.

Astrid & Miyu appoints Aisle 8 The jewellery brand, which operates 20 UK stores alongside sites in New York and LA, selects Aisle 8 (a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle specialist) to elevate its brand image and media profile.

Bodyform appoints Earnies The menstrual care brand, part of the Essity portfolio, has appointed Earnies to deliver a major awareness campaign highlighting the impact and challenges associated with heavy periods.

Tonys Chocolonely appoints Shook and Here Be Dragons Tony's has appointed Shook and Here Be Dragons for a creative project celebrating the chunky nature of its chocolate bars. The campaign involves using high-profile talent, like 'The World’s Strongest Footballer', as well as a PR stunt marking the standardization of the brand’s signature red colour.

WaterAid appoints Mischief The global water charity has selected Mischief to deliver its festive campaign and winter appeal. The project focuses on raising awareness and funds to support WaterAid’s mission to help communities access clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene.

Baller League appoints SoapBox The 6-a-side football league has hired SoapBox, a sport communications specialist, to handle its PR, event management, and press office function.

Meta appoints John Doe Meta has expanded John Doe’s brief to include creative communications for its wearables products, covering AI glasses, VR headsets, and other emerging technology from the Meta Wearables portfolio.

The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism appoints W The Department of Tourism has awarded W a five-year contract for UK and European PR and communications. The agency will execute a strategic program covering media relations, influencer partnerships, and event activations to position the destination as a leading Caribbean holiday choice.

Samsung appoints Ogilvy Samsung has expanded Ogilvy’s remit to handle the brand’s UK social and influencer work. This appointment builds on Ogilvy’s existing relationship with Samsung, which includes B2B responsibilities across Europe.

BMW Group appoints Kindred Kindred has been appointed to develop the creative communications strategy for both the BMW and Mini brands. The brief focuses on amplifying "innovation" and sustainability stories across consumer, business, and lifestyle media, building on Kindred's growing portfolio of clients in this space.

Benson for Beds appoints Pretty Green and WellSpring PR The bedding retailer has appointed Pretty Green for consumer and influencer communications, while WellSpring PR will handle its financial and corporate mandate under a new two-year contract.

Primark appoints The Romans The fashion, home, and beauty retailer has appointed The Romans for consumer communications. The agency's remit includes running the product press office and launching "culturally resonant" creative brand campaigns targeting Gen Z and millennials.

Great Western Railway appoints Good Relations and Headland Following a competitive tender, GWR has appointed Good Relations to handle its consumer campaigns and influencer relations, supporting the 'Adventure Starts Here' brand campaign. Headland will manage the corporate communications brief, focusing on building audience trust through proactive, integrated messaging.

M&A

Omnicom closes Interpublic acquisition Omnicom has completed its $9 billion acquisition of Interpublic (IPG), a deal that makes the combined entity the world's largest holding company by revenue. The transaction was finalised after receiving the final EU regulatory approval. The merged group brings together major UK PR brands, including Omnicom's FleishmanHillard and Ketchum, with IPG's The Weber Shandwick Collective and Golin.

VCCP merges Good Relations, Harvard and TeamSpirit VCCP has merged three of its agencies—Good Relations (generalist), Harvard (tech), and TeamSpirit (financial services)—to create VCCP Roar. The new integrated communications agency is led by CEO Stephanie Brimacombe and has a staff of 150 FTEs, combining cross-sector expertise to unlock commercial value for clients.

Havas acquires Gauly Advisors Havas has acquired Gauly Advisors, a leading German corporate and financial communications agency. Gauly will now operate as H/Advisors, joining the global H/Advisors network. The acquisition significantly expands Havas's capabilities in high-level financial and corporate comms, as well as crisis and public affairs across key European cities.

Paritee acquires RPP Group Scandinavian holding company Paritee, which owns B2L, has acquired RPP Group, a Brussels-based public affairs consultancy. The acquisition continues Paritee's European expansion, adding RPP Group's deep expertise in European public affairs, particularly within the highly regulated healthcare and life sciences sectors.

Insignia sells to EOT Specialist crisis communications consultancy Insignia has completed a sale to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The deal, which involves 10 FTEs and four shareholders, follows a trend of EOT formations in the agency sector. The sale is timed before a reduction in Capital Gains Tax relief on EOT disposals is implemented by the UK government.

Media Zoo acquires Uncertainty Experts Creative, learning, and communications agency Media Zoo has acquired behaviour change specialist Uncertainty Experts. The acquisition creates a unified Learning and Development (L&D) and communications offering that combines deep behavioural insight with transformational learning strategies, aimed at helping clients build confidence and adaptability.

Markettiers MBO Broadcast specialist Markettiers has completed a Management Buyout (MBO) led by Managing Director Dan Stainsby. The MBO ensures long-term stability and continuity for the 30-year-old business, with Stainsby continuing to shape the company’s strategic direction.

Here's PRmoment's interview with James Wright, Havas PR's Global Chairman on the PRmoment Podcast which was mentioned on the show.