By Greg Hazley
Lewis PR chief operating officer Paul Charles has led a management buy-out of the firm’s travel division as the agency said it will focus on its core technology and consumer clients.1
Charles, Perowne |
Charles is teaming with Lewis director Julia Perowne, a former hotel PR pro, to launch Perowne Charles Communications with about 10 total staffers. Lewis had teamed the two together in 2009 to build its travel and consumer business.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Lewis CEO Chris Lewis said the firm’s strategic consumer plan does not include a niche focus on travel, although he said the business exceeded expectations. He said proceeds from the sale will be invested back into its consumer operation with another announcement to come shortly.
Lewis brought in Charles from Virgin Atlantic in 2009 in the COO post. He was director of communications for the airline and had been a Lewis director since 2005.
Perowne oversaw all travel accounts at Lewis. She was previously at The Massey Partnership, a U.K. travel PR shop.
Lewis, based in London and San Francisco, has handled clients like COMO Hotels and Resorts, Seasons and Maharajas’ Express.
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