AAR partners with PR industry leader Andrew Bloch to lead and expand PR pitch practice

Leading marketing consultancy AAR has partnered with PR industry leader Andrew Bloch to take the helm of their PR consultancy practice.

AAR has consulted on PR pitches for brands for more than three decades and recently handled briefs for EDF, Smart Energy, Homebase, Lidl, Subway and Talk Talk.  Beyond managing all future PR pitches at AAR, Andrew will also take on a wider remit, encompassing the development of new approaches to supporting both brands and PR consultancies. AAR is increasingly helping clients with adapting their marketing models to ensure that their marketing operations and ecosystems are future-proofed. Andrew will be a key member of the brains trust within AAR to help brands design the right solutions to deliver against evolving their marketing needs.

Andrew replaces Alex Young who will be leaving AAR in order to set up her own consultancy.

Andrew Bloch said:

“The PR landscape is evolving at a rapid pace and choosing the right agencies for the job in hand is tougher than ever. Having participated in hundreds of pitches over the years, I’m excited to put my experience to good use on the other side of the table. Pitching is the lifeblood of any agency, and when the process is managed effectively, is hugely rewarding. Equally, when a pitch process is run badly, it is frustrating and draining for all involved.  I have huge admiration and respect for AAR and can’t wait to add my perspective and get stuck in.”

Victoria Fox, CEO of AAR, said:

“Andrew has energy, passion, and a brilliant mind, and will bring a fresh perspective to pitching in the PR space.  As well as working together to develop new ways to support clients and agencies in this rapidly evolving landscape, Andrew’s breadth of experience and lateral thinking will also support us in the broader consultancy offerings we have been building across AAR over the last 14 months.  More than ever, clients need trusted neutral advice as they re-shape their marketing functions and partners.

I look forward to lots of lively debate and a thriving partnership.”

In May 2020, Bloch stepped down from his day-to-day role as managing partner of Frank, the PR agency he co-founded in 2000, to become a non-executive director. He is a board advisor to a number of high growth tech start-ups including PR software business, Propel, and recruitment and development platform, Phoenix51. He is an advisor to leading M&A company, PCB Partners, helping holding groups and management consultancies identify suitable acquisitions in the marketing services sector. He has acted as official spokesperson and PR advisor to Lord Sugar for over 20 years, and has handled the PR for all The Apprentice winners and their companies since the show started in 2005.

Bloch sits on the Business Launch Group panel for The Prince’s Trust, is a founding mentor of the School of Communications Arts, a council member of SuperBrands and a group advisor to Big Community Records, the label set up by Google COO, Craig Fenton to help give young black people from low socioeconomic backgrounds a platform to showcase their talents. He is listed in the ‘PR Week Power Book’​ – ‘The Definitive Guide To The Most Influential People in PR’ and is ranked as the most influential PR person on Twitter.

AAR has worked with marketing organisations and their external partners for more than four decades, witnessing first-hand how the landscape has evolved. The huge number of conversations they have with senior marketers, agency leaders, consultants, innovators and technology specialists gives them a rare perspective. They hear more and know more than any other advisor.  AAR has strong and well-informed views on what brands need to do to face down the challenges of the 2020’s, to better connect their businesses to their customers, and to drive growth. And they know how to turn these views into action: they have deep experience in helping organisations Design, Build and Drive adaptive marketing ecosystems.