PA Media Group appoints Chris Pharo to lead its PR & Marketing Services division

PA Media Group today (1 May 2026) announces the appointment of former 72Point Managing Director Chris Pharo to lead its growing PR & Marketing Services division. 

The appointment marks a significant step forward in the development of PA’s communications arm, which brings together a complementary set of services, including video and photography assignments, the news monitoring platform PA Mediapoint and the social agency Hydrogen. 

Chris’s career spans more than three decades in media including senior editorial positions at The Sun, where he served as Head of News and subsequently Associate Editor. More recently, Chris spent over a decade at 72Point where he played a pivotal role in establishing the agency as a major player in earned media and creative content, joining as managing director and later becoming CEO.

Ranj Begley, Chief Revenue Officer & Managing Director, PA Media Group says:

“Chris brings a combination of editorial authority and commercial experience that is well suited to leading the division. This blend of skills will strengthen our ability to deliver more integrated, high-impact communications for our customers.

“His experience will support us to better connect editorial expertise with creative and commercial opportunities for our clients. I’m excited to see what we can deliver under his leadership.”

Chris Pharo, Managing Director, PR & Marketing Services, PA Media Group says:

“I’ve worked with PA throughout my career, both as a journalist and a competitor in the PR market and have always had huge respect for the talent, values and qualities that it possesses.

“PA Media has built something unique: a trusted name with real reach, strong client relationships and a suite of services with serious potential. Bringing the wider PR elements of the business together to create a proposition that the market needs is a truly exciting opportunity and I’m honoured to help build something special.”

Chris Pharo joins PA Media Group on 18 May 2026. 

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About PA Media Group

PA Media Group comprises a diverse portfolio of specialist media companies, spanning news and information, data, technology and communications services. Its flagship brand, PA Media, is the UK and Ireland’s leading news agency, and also includes PA Media Academy and PA TV Metadata. 

Alongside PA Media, the Group is the parent company of content library, Alamy; global sports data provider; Podium; video streaming business StreamAMG, and its PR & Marketing Services division formed of video and photography assignments, the news monitoring platform, PA Mediapoint, and the social agency, Hydrogen.