Oliver appoints Rachel O’Rourke as head of PR and brand communications

 

O’Rourke moves from Wunderman Thompson, where she led the marketing and PR function for the UK business, rallying the agency’s external communications and helping clinch Campaign’s Agency of the Year in 2018.

The role will see O’Rourke grow Oliver’s reputation across the UK, and also into Europe where the business continues its rapid expansion. She will report into Lisa Bonney, Oliver’s chief marketing officer.

Bonney said: “As the world looks to us as a better, faster and cheaper alternative to the traditional agency model, it’s crucial that we uncover the unsung stories of our brilliantly creative in-house talent. Rachel joining the business is therefore an important milestone in Oliver’s global growth. Her skill-set means that our award-winning teams will get the exposure they deserve, all whilst building Oliver’s own brand voice.”

O’Rourke – formerly a reporter for Ticketmaster and copywriter for blue-chip brands including Barclays and Virgin Money – has worked for several independent agencies prior to joining Oliver, leading their content marketing functions and brand-led strategies for lead generation.

O’Rourke added: “Having watched Oliver’s continued growth and recent acquisitions, I’m incredibly proud to join the team at this exciting time.

“I look forward to supporting the agency’s strategic and creative brand development, as well as unifying the power of the group businesses in order to build awareness for Oliver’s truly unique offering.”

The appointment follows the acquisition of Oliver’s holding company Inside Ideas Group by brand tech firm You & Mr Jones Inc. in January. The firm, founded by former Havas SA chief executive David Jones, acquired a majority stake in Inside Ideas Group Ltd., to further help brands build their own internal marketing capabilities.