About
Johnston Associates is the UK’s leading specialist aviation PR company. Since 1998, we have provided strategic advice, top level media engagement and crisis support to help build and protect the reputations of our clients in the UK and worldwide. Our services include:
Strategic Advice & Training
Today’s aviation sector is highly competitive. Companies must actively and regularly communicate their products and services, across the entire media spectrum, including online and social. At Johnston Associates, we provide advice specific to clients' needs and devise bespoke training as required.
Reputation Management
In today's competitive aviation sector it is essential companies take reputation management seriously. We have extensive experience of managing a wide range of situations, ensuring that our clients’ messages are communicated in a timely and appropriate way.
Media Relations
Dealing with the media is a daily routine for companies in the aviation sector. We have the necessary experience of dealing with the full range of media, including the specialist aviation press, so we are able to effectively communicate your message.
Consumer PR
Today’s consumers are more informed, more demanding and more aware of alternatives in the aviation market. Companies must actively and regularly communicate their products and services. At Johnston Associates, we put communicating with customers at the heart of our service for clients.
The Team
Kevin Johnston,
Managing Director
Kevin is responsible for the overall strategic direction of Johnston Associates and is a leading authority on crisis communications and media management. He oversees the press offices for United Airlines and Air Canada, in addition to working with organisations worldwide, as a speaker, advisor and trainer. He founded the company in 1998, after running BAA’s Heathrow Terminal 5 (T5) press office during its five year public inquiry. Kevin has a background in the charity sector and the political world, having started his career in public affairs.
Donald Steel,
Associate Director
Donald is responsible for crisis communications strategy and business development at Johnston Associates. For 11 years, he was the BBC’s chief media spokesman and handled some of the most challenging media stories of the last decade. Donald’s expertise in reputation and crisis management is globally respected, working as a speaker, advisor and trainer to organisations worldwide. He also provides strategic guidance on the changing media landscape and the evolving role of social media. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2009 and became the BBC Academy’s first associate fellow in 2011.
Gudrun Gorner,
PR Manager
Gudrun supports the management of Johnston Associates' airline and airport clients. She has over 25 years’ aviation PR experience and began her career with Lufthansa where she worked within the Corporate Communications division and was responsible for the airline’s press and PR activities in a number of key European markets including the UK. She additionally held the position of General Director of the Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music, held annually in London. Gudrun has also managed communications at Qatar Airways with responsibility for the airline’s PR across Europe. Gudrun holds a MA Hons degree in German and Medieval History from the University of St. Andrews and is fluent in German.
Samir Nadori,
PR Executive
Samir provides support for Johnston Associates’ airline clients. He began his career working across a variety of PR sectors, including financial, hospitality and aviation. He brings expertise in editorial management across multiple platforms, innovative content creation and digital PR strategy. Samir holds a MSc (distinction) in Social and Public Communication from The London School of Economics and Political Science, in addition to a (first-class) BA Hons in Business and Management from the University of The West of England.
Associates
Our associate network enables us to offer leading expertise, skills and insight to suit any need at any time. We can bring in our associates to meet clients’ changing requirements and effectively handle any eventuality, such as in a crisis or a large scale media campaign. We will always recommend the associate most appropriate to each client’s situation and, of course, ensure they are well-briefed.
Sabrina Weiss
With PR and digital media experience in the environment, aviation and technology sectors, Sabrina supports the team on select clients and projects. Sabrina holds a MSc in Communication Psychology from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and is fluent in English, German, French and Spanish.
Caroline Corfield-Rose
Caroline supports the team strategically on selected clients and projects. She worked at BAA for eight years, first launching the Heathrow Express, then as head of media relations. Caroline was instrumental in BAA’s campaign for airport expansion in the South East and managed the media response to a number of front page crises. She has over 20 years' experience in the travel, professional services, education and environmental sectors.
John Cotton
John supports the team strategically on selected clients and projects. He has over 20 years' experience in PR/communications, brand development and partnerships in a variety of sectors including transport, tourism, retail, F&B and environmental. John was PR Manager for Singapore Airlines for nine years. He has also dealt with numerous crisis situations over the years, including media relations for Singapore Airlines during the time of the Bali bombings and SARS.
Mike Pearse
Mike, former Broadcast Journalist of the Year, provides strategic media relations guidance at Johnston Associates. With a special interest in aviation and travel, he has for thirty years been a leading transport correspondent with ITV News, covering major stories from Coronavirus to 9/11, as well as producing landmark documentaries and live programmes. Alongside his work for ITV News, Mike’s company, Mike Pearse Media, is a leading UK media training and video production organisation.
Network
Johnston Associates works closely with an expanding network of specialist agencies in other countries, reflecting our clients and their global activities. This enables us to support our clients wherever they operate, not only in the UK.
Germany – Claasen Communication
Spain – Bridge PR
South Africa – Plane Talking
Israel – Parsi-Zadok, Kucik, Triwaks
France – Hereban Communication
India – H+K Strategies
Italy – Aviareps
Netherlands – USP Marketing and PR
Worldwide – Kenyon International
Contact us
Johnston Associates
World Business Centre 1
Newall Road
London Heathrow Airport
Middlesex, TW6 2FA
T: +44 (0)208 276 6303
E: info@johnstonassociates.org