Biggest PR pitches, mergers and acquisitions in October 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 October 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.

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Here is a rundown of what Andrew and PRmoment founder Ben Smith discussed:

Pitches
 
National Express - Block Report - Block Report launched earlier this year Founded by Chris Grimwood of Iris and Social Chain and Jack Colchester of Wonderhood.

Singapore Tourist Board - Splendid - UK integrated marketing agency. This win follows an open RFI. Splendid won Heathrow Express in April.
 
Belfast City Council -  Cavendish Consulting, Lanyon Communications (part of Consello) and Open Strategic Communications

PPHE Hotel Group (formerly Park Plaza Hotels Europe) - Launch PR. Retained consumer and corporate brief. 51 properties across eight countries.
 
Rangemaster - Stakked - Iconic cooker brand with global recognition and deep British roots. Previously in-house.

BFI London Film Festival - Vamp - 69th film festival. Vamp has worked with clients inc. Disney, paramount, Netflix, Prime, C4 Apple TV etc

Aardman Animation - Wonderland. New Ewe Knit it campaign invites fans to create knitted items that can be turned into blankets for the homeless in London.
 
Toy Retailers Association - WPR. To promote the dream toys list of the hottest toys for Christmas 2025.
 
Butlins - Popcorn. Positioning the holiday resort as the Home of Entertainment. Popcorn is strong in consumer and lifestyle - clients include Thorpe Park, Panasonic and London Designer Outlet.
 
Hey Dude - Words+Pixels.  Launch of new campaign with Lewis Capaldi.

Acai Berry Foods - Neon Brand Communications - Neon are specialists in health, wellness and beauty and lifestyle brands (hotpot yoga, coconut collab etc.)

For Goodness Shakes - Frank. Launch protein and collagen drink, Glow.

Lipton Teas and Infusions - Clarion. Retained consumer pr for sub brands PG Tips and Pukka.

Youngs Seafoods - Brazen. Consumer pr, social media, influencer. Frozen fish brand - supplies approx. 40% of all the fish eaten in the UK every year, apparently!
 
Omi/Shakers/Dints - Ballou. Trio of new clients for Ballou UK.
 
Nationwide Building Society - Popeyes, Ogi and DEBRA - Folk  
Border to Coast Pensions Partnership - Apella Advisors. Appella was founded in 2019 by ex APCO UK boss James Acheson Gray - works with Aviva, KPMG and Nationwide Building society
Royal Mint - Third City. The Royal Mint is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Monopoly Board game.
Vinted – Smarts. Pan European pr, social and creator for online marketplace for selling, buying and exchanging new/second hand items.
POD - Tin Man. EV electric charging provider, joins Tin Man’s existing energy division - EDF, Electrify Britain, Energy GB.
Changan - Woosah - Chinese auto firm launching into UK market with all electric Deepal SUV model.
Paddy Power - Pitch - Addition to roster alongside Ready10.
 
M&A

Team Lewis acquire Instinctif Partners. This deal will double the size of Team Lewis’ UK ope