Bell Yard Communications and Kysen PR today announce that we are combining forces to create a new legal PR powerhouse.
With long-standing track records in legal market and litigation PR, the two agencies are merging with immediate effect, trading as Bell Yard Kysen Communications.
Bell Yard Communications’ founder Melanie Riley is Managing Director, while Kysen PR’s Founder and Managing Director, Clare Rodway, is an External Adviser to the combined firm focusing on Client Relationships and Business Development. They are supported by eight other consultants from the legacy businesses. Long standing Bell Yard colleagues, Louise Beeson and Sarah Peters, join Melanie on the Management Board of the combined agency. Bell Yard Kysen – based in Bell Yard’s Fleet Street office – continue to offer media relations and social media advisory, litigation PR services, regulatory and sensitive situations communications handling, crisis management, campaigning support, and media training to legal sector clients. These include London-based and regional law firms and their partners, barristers’ chambers, legal NGOs, legal associations, legal recruiters, litigation funders, law tech firms, law schools and those party to a dispute.
Bell Yard Kysen Communications’ Managing Director, Melanie Riley, comments:
“Bell Yard has long admired Kysen’s strong reputation in the legal PR market and we are delighted to welcome its talented team and clients to the fold. I know Clare has been an inspirational leader and mentor, having developed the early careers of many who continue to work in this niche specialism. We have enjoyed collaborating with Kysen in recent years as our mutual respect for client delivery is second to none.
“I’m also pleased to welcome Louise and Sarah to Bell Yard Kysen’s management board and look forward to working with them to lead the newly-enlarged agency.
“We are all excited by the prospect of becoming even stronger together. By combining forces Bell Yard Kysen has a really strong platform for growth, with the potential to offer a wider group of clients best practice in legal and litigation communications.”
Bell Yard Kysen Communications’ Client Relationships adviser, Clare Rodway, says:
“I have known Mel for nearly 20 years, during which time we have regularly referred work to one another and occasionally collaborated on client projects. I have always respected the way she has built and led her agency, both professionally and culturally. There is no one I would trust more with the continued development of the business and our team.
“I am excited about this next chapter and my new role, focusing on marketing and business development in support of the combined agency. This move allows us to build on our shared strengths, bring renewed energy to the business, and to create fresh opportunities for our existing clients – as well as those we have yet to meet.
“It also allows me personally to focus on what I enjoy most – developing and nurturing relationships with clients, both long-standing and new.”
Bell Yard Kysen welcomes any opportunity to introduce ourselves to legal sector professionals outside of our existing networks, as well as prospective litigants, in light of this news – so do get in touch!