London, UK – 22nd September 2025; Launch PR, today announces the appointment of Gary Wheeldon-Doyle as its new CEO.  His return, having first worked in the agency 23 years ago, marks a personal and professional homecoming, reconnecting him with Launch founder, Johnny Pitt, on the cusp of the agency’s 25th anniversary.

Wheeldon-Doyle brings a wealth of industry experience, having served as a Director at Freuds and Global Managing Director at M&C Saatchi PR, before co-founding award-winning agency Talker Tailor Trouble Maker, in 2017.

As CEO, Wheeldon-Doyle will drive strategic growth, with the aim of doubling fee income by 2030, deepening client relationships, and championing the creative powers that have defined Launch PR for over two decades – as well as strengthening the agency’s digital and AI capabilities.

Comments Pitt; “With this role, the personal was equally as important as the professional. And Launch, creativity aside, has always been a people-first business. Gary was the third Launcher to join the agency over two decades ago, so the trust, mutual respect, his knowledge and wider industry reputation, made him a real coup of a ‘return hire’.  It’s a joy to have Gary back – for me personally, and the agency as a whole.”

“In a comeback inspired by the greats: Cher, Madonna … Hilary Duff … I’m returning to my roots, for my own full circle moment,” joked Wheeldon-Doyle. “But in all seriousness, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity: a return to where it all started for me. Launch PR led from the start, changing the stuffy agency format and the industry from the get-go. Whilst a lot has changed over those 24 years, the drive for creative excellence and results has remained. Innovation is at the heart of the business and it’s my mission to continue that into the agency’s next phase”.

Launch PR recently won the ‘Long Term Client Care’ award at the CIPR 2025 Excellence Awards, reflecting the agency’s long-standing relationship with clients such as eBay, Hyundai, OpenTable, Electrolux and BP.

It is understood the hire will also allow Pitt more time to continue developing other new business formats, alongside his strategic and creative role in the agency. Separate to Launch, he is also the founder of the done-in-a-day creative awards, The Creative Shootout. And in 2018 launched a first of its kind charity giving app, Thinking of You – reflecting his wider passion for new formats and creativity for good.