MSQ Partners gobbles up Food Standards Agency brief

MSQ Partners’ surge of new business is continuing unabated after the group which owns Stack and The Gate has been appointed to lead the communications for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) following a competitive pitch process.
Smarts Communicate, MSQ Partners’ content and PR agency, will act as the lead in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, supported by other disciplines from across the group as requirements dictate.
It has been appointed for an initial period of two years, with an option to extend for a further two, and its remit will include delivering integrated communications for the FSA’s food safety and nutrition remit in Northern Ireland.
The FSA is a non-ministerial government department with responsibility for all aspects of food safety in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its primary role is to use its expertise and influence to ensure that people can trust that the food they buy and eat is safe and honest.
MSQ claims to have the widest representation of any agency group on the main Government comms rosters and the FSA appointment follows recent multi-year appointments by the Electoral Commission and Competition & Markets Authority.
FSA head of marketing Catherine Clarke said: “In a very competitive pitch process, the quality and breadth of MSQ’s proposition stood out. We are all looking forward to working together to deliver effective communications in support of the FSA’s ambitious agenda.”
MSQ Partners chief executive Peter Reid added: “The FSA plays a critical role in society and for all of us as consumers. Communications are at the heart of its mission and we are delighted that the FSA team recognises the potential that the MSQ model has to further strengthen its communications approach and to ensure that its messages reach the widest possible UK audience.”