The Bookseller – News – Emma Knight founds new book communications agency Studio 49

Book PR agent Emma Knight has launched Studio 49, a new communications agency with the aim of providing a “creative and comprehensive approach” to book promotion for authors, publishers and agents “looking for a premium service”.

Knight left her job as deputy director of communications at Hodder & Stoughton in May, after working there for over two decades, to set up Studio 49. She has been shortlisted four times and twice won the overall prize for Publicity Campaign of the Year at the British Book Awards. She has worked on all of David Nicholl’s books to date, as well as with authors including Graham Norton, Sara Cox and Jasper Fforde.

Knight said: “I’m really excited about launching Studio 49. We want to take on a small number of projects that get our full attention. Some authors need – and deserve – more time and energy for their campaigns. And that’s exactly what I want to offer them.”

Studio 49 will be formed alongside a sister company, Milk Publicity, a specialist in film and television PR. Together they will “cross-pollinate ideas from the television, film and publishing sectors” to “offer a wide range of services and highly creative campaigns”. Milk handles corporate PR for a number of global entertainment brands and companies, including International Literary Properties.

Knight added: “I am delighted to be working with Vic and her inspiring team at Milk Publicity. They are dynamic and talented PR professionals. I am sure that together we will bring new ideas and depth to campaigns. Our agreement reflects the reality of our clients’ careers: their work is not limited to one medium.”

Jonny Geller, CEO of The Curtis Brown Group, said: “As a literary agent, you look for three main skills in a PR agent: vision, execution and problem-solving. Emma has all of these qualities and more. Her charm, expertise, connections and understanding of what not to do as well as what to do make her one of the best PR professionals in our industry.”

Lucy Hale, managing director of Pan, said: “Emma is one of the best PR agents I have ever worked with. She sees opportunities where others see barriers and delivers outstanding campaigns. I have seen her continually transform authors’ careers and create huge bestsellers.”

David Nicholls said: “I honestly can’t think of a better publicist than Emma. She has been instrumental in the success of all my books. She has wonderful judgement and imagination and an endlessly positive attitude. Any author would be delighted to have Emma working for them.”

Knight can be contacted at [email protected].