Brazil (public relations agency)
Brazil 1 is an award winning UK-based public relations agency with offices in London and Oxford. Established in 2003 by Joshua Van Raalte, a former journalist, and Richard Leonard, the agency services businesses operating in the following sectors: corporate, financial services, health, e-commerce, retail, food & drink, technology (consumer & B2B), telecommunications, manufacturing, automotive, professional services and consumer goods.
Its clients include Honda, DSG International (Dixons, PC World)2, 118 118, AXA Insurance (swiftcover.com)3, The Gillette Company, Pinsent Masons, Penderyn Whisky, Principality Building Society, Doctors.net.uk and GfK NOP. It has also handled public relations programmes for many successful dot com and e-commerce businesses, including AOL, CDnow and OUT-LAW.com4. It formaly worked with Woolworths Group.
The agency, which launched directory enquiry company 118 118 in 2003, fuelled a nationwide media debate, and was involved in a controversy with 70's long-distant runner David Bedford (athlete) over the use of his personal image.5 For the 118 118 campaign, Brazil was commended by the Financial Times as the launch campaign of the year.6 The agency has also implements online and social media PR campaigns for its clients.
In July 2008, it was involved with the launch of healthcare website iWantGreatCare 7, the first website in the UK to allow patients to rate NHS doctors. The company's launch was met with great resistance from the UK medical community. 8
The agency's services include: media relations, online PR and communications, social media communications, crisis management, media training and internal communications.
In 2009, the company launched a social media website, the first of its kind in the UK.