Communications group McCann is strengthening its PR and social operation in its Bristol office with the appointment of Laura Lear and Melody Meacher-Jones.
The agency said the arrival of Laura, pictured above, left, as Bristol PR and social managing partner, and Melody, right, as head of social followed a successful year for the Bristol base, which is part of the global operation’s Central group of offices.
Laura joins from Speed Communications, which also has an office in the Bristol, where she headed its business and corporate team, working with blue-chip clients across multiple sectors, including professional services, transport and logistics, health and technology.
Prior to that, she worked in roles at agencies in Sydney, Dubai and London. 
As well as heading the existing PR team and client portfolio at McCann Bristol, Laura will work with fellow new arrival Melody to expand the agency’s social offering, McCann LIVE, which has experienced significant growth in the past year.
Melody joins from Lidl where, as social media lead, she was responsible for the brand’s consumer social media and influencer strategies, including campaigns.
She has also worked at BT and Nestle, bringing with her significant client-side understanding.
McCann Bristol managing director Andy Reid said PR and social continued to go from strength to strength across all its Central McCann offices.
“Here in Bristol, Laura and Melody’s appointments come off the back of a great year, which has seen us winning new clients, delivering internationally award-winning work and growing our team.
“Laura and Melody’s blue-chip experience is impressive and we’re very pleased to be welcoming them aboard as we plan for continued growth in 2022.”
Laura added: “I’m really thrilled to have joined the team here at McCann, and hugely excited to be working on multi-channel creative campaigns that help clients earn a meaningful role and strengthen their brand position.
“With the weight of expertise that exists within the business I am excited about the opportunity ahead for PR & Social.”
Last summer McCann Bristol won four highly coveted Lion awards – a Silver and three Bronzes – at the advertising industry’s most prestigious global event, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for its GoAbility campaign with Motability Operations, which operates the Motability scheme for people with disabilities, their families and carers.
The office has also produced TV advertising for family-owned cider firm Thatchers and Yeo Valley, Britain’s largest organic dairy brand Yeo Valley.
McCann Bristol and McCann’s Central group are part of McCann Worldgroup, which in turn is a division of the Interpublic Group, a leading global marketing network with interests across 100-plus countries.
