By Arun Sudhaman

LONDON: UK telecoms company Colt has handed its six-figure pan-European PR business to Weber Shandwick, in a move that sees it part ways with four-year incumbent Grayling.

The decision follows a pitch that was revealed by the Holmes Report earlier this year. It is understood that Weber Shandwick lined up against UK independent Octopus in the final stages of the pitch.

One the region’s biggest providers of voice and data solutions, Colt has tasked Weber Shandwick with implementing a strategic comms programme that aims to raise the company’s profile among media and industry influencers. The initiative will roll out in Colt’s 13 European markets, managed by Weber Shandwick’s London office.

Earlier this year, Colt marketing communications director Paul Osgood told the Holmes Report that the review covered all aspects of Colt’s PR, including group comms, business units, local PR and thought leadership. The RFI also asked agencies to respond to different servicing scenarios, with Osgood noting that he would not be “prescriptive” about the eventual agency model.

The account will be led by Weber Shandwick head of mobile and telecoms Hugo Brailsford who said: “Colt is leading a revolution that’s seeing businesses big and small use technology and connectivity in new ways to become more agile, competitive and operate more efficiently.”

Colt Group handed its regional PR to Trimedia in 2006. The agency was merged with Grayling last year. The review cameafter former Brunswick executive Osgood joined Colt Group in January of this year.