Former conservative and Downing Street Dir of Communication and ex-News of the World Editor Andy Coulson is "making a return to PR" by launching a corporate communication consultancy with Pitch founder and CEO Henry Chappell, according to John Harrington of PR WEEK. The new agency, Coulson Chappell, is billed as offering "discreet, strategic communication and corporate advice, from a unique perspective, to leaders, companies and organizations in sport and other industries." In a statement the agency said that it will "also provide communication services including speech writing and media training." Coulson left Downing Street five years ago "following the backlash over the News of the World phone-hacking scandal." He was editor of the newspaper between '03 and '07. Chappell "has worked in the sports industry for 20 years." He is the founder and CEO of Pitch, "the U.K.-based sports PR and marketing company." Coulson Chappell will operate separately to Pitch, "although synergies between the two companies will be sought," the agency said (PR WEEK, 1/21).
