GENEVA — Luxury goods giant Richemont has brought in new corporate PR support after ending its relationship with Bell Pottinger in controversial circumstances last year.

The Holmes Report has learned that Teneo Blue Rubicon is now handling Richemont's corporate and financial PR, following a competitive review to select a new agency.

Richemont cut ties with Bell Pottinger after chairman Johann Rupert claimed that its longstanding agency partner was behind a social media campaign that targeted him as an opponent of President Zuma.

Bell Pottinger has denied the allegation, which is linked to its work for Oakbay Investments, the company owned by the Guptas, who are closely linked to President Zuma. The firm has since resigned the Oakbay assignment following a sustained backlash against Bell Pottinger in South Africa. 

Swiss company Richemont was founded by South African businessman Rupert in 1988, by spinning off the international assets of Remgro. It owns numerous luxury brands including Cartier, Dunhill, Montblanc and Shanghai Tang.