Clarion, a WPP agency, has been awarded the B2B brief for Danone without a competitive pitch. The agency will work across Danone's portfolio of dairy and plant-based products, waters and nutrition, including brands like Evian, Volvic, Activia, Actimel, Alpro and Cow & Gate.Clarion's success is attributed to its prior B2B PR and marketing experience with brands like Diageo, Unilever, Jacobs Douwe Egberts and Soreen.The agency's objective is to strengthen Danone's presence in trade media, elevate brand awareness, and engage with retailers and decision-makers across grocery, impulse and foodservice sectors. They will achieve this through thought leadership initiatives, brand support, and retailer engagement campaigns.Danone UK & Ireland will maintain its relationship with Ketchum, responsible for consumer and corporate communications for its dairy, plant-based and baby-feeding brands. Additionally, Freuds holds a global retainer for the Evian and Volvic brands.Louise Robinson, Customer Category Director for Danone UK & Ireland, expressed her satisfaction with Clarion's proven track record, industry expertise, and trade communication skills. She emphasized their positive initial interaction and is excited about the collaboration.Rebecca Wainwright, Clarion's managing partner and head of the B2B division, (pictured), considers Danone a dream client. She acknowledges the company's strong mission and Clarion's role in enhancing their trade communication to drive engagement.

Global brand communications agency Manifest strengthens its UK leadership with Vithlani at the helm.Seasoned industry leader Rowena Vithlani joins Manifest as UK managing director, bolstering the agency's growth ambitions. Vithlani brings a wealth of experience from top ad agencies like BBH, AKQA, and most recently, Uncommon.Her appointment reflects Manifest's commitment to expanding its creative offerings in branding, advertising, and digital marketing. Vithlani will lead the UK team and collaborate with regional leadership across the US, Nordics, and Australia.Ali Maynard James, former UK managing partner, transitions to a new growth-focused role, overseeing multi-brand clients, partnerships, and ventures. The new UK executive committee also includes creative director Daisy Shepherd and associate director Emma Seddon.Vithlani is impressed by Manifest's innovative and client-centric approach. "Manifest is a game-changer, creating groundbreaking work and reinventing the agency model. From tech to social responsibility, they represent the future," she says. "Leading the UK charge is a tremendous opportunity."Founded in London (Vithlani's base), Manifest has a second UK studio in Manchester and a global network spanning New York, Los Angeles, Stockholm, and Melbourne. This "24-hour creative cycle" fuels work for clients like Diageo, WWF, and Reckitt.Global CEO Alex Myers outlines ambitious plans for the UK business to reach ?ú10 million in annual revenue by 2030, significantly up from 2023's ?ú3.1 million."Manifest turns 15 this year," says Myers. "We've grown from a startup to a global force. Now, we aim for continued creative and commercial success. Rowena's appointment is key to our UK evolution."Myers highlights a shift in the marketing landscape. "Today, brands need to stand for something, not just sell something. That's how to make a cultural impact. After Covid, established brands are increasingly seeking this connection. This fuels our UK growth, as disrupted brands adapt quickly."Founded in 2009, Manifest boasts award-winning work for clients like BrewDog, Samsung, and WWF. They achieved B-Corp certification in 2023 and hold the Blueprint diversity mark since 2020. This commitment to social responsibility aligns with their focus on meaningful brand impact.