Brilliant Relations, a new public relations consultancy specialising in strategic communications and media relations for growing businesses and social causes, has been launched by 29-year-old former Guardian news journalist and the PHA Group consultant James Brilliant.

The consultancy has launched with a diverse range of international clients, including global luxury real estate firm Montague Real Estate, Spanish pilot school FlyBy Academy, marketing agency Etch’d, bridging finance firm Kenton Finance and inter-faith social activist Laura Marks, among others.

Brilliant Relations was established to serve scale-up businesses and causes at a more accessible price point than offered by the leading West End PR firms; the consultancy’s strategy will be to provide the same level of service at lower retained rates, being able to do so thanks to the reduced overheads of a remote, freelance-based business model.

Headquartered in Farringdon, Brilliant will initially oversee a small team of specialist freelance media relations consultants, who will primarily be working on a remote and flexible basis.

Brilliant started his media career on the news desk of the Guardian before joining campaigns consultancy Seven Hills. In 2015 he joined the PHA Group, established by former News of the World editor Phil Hall.

At the PHA Group, Brilliant worked under Tim Jotischky, former business editor of the Telegraph and deputy editor of the Sunday Telegraph, where he specialised in corporate profile raising and reputation management.

His former clients include Crystal Palace FC, Philip Morris International, Wren Kitchens, Value Retail, JNF UK and C&C Alpha Grou.

Brilliant says, “Every scale-up deserves a voice, yet many see quality PR as an unaffordable luxury given the often-astronomical fees of the established agencies. Our mission statement is therefore clear: to deliver the highest quality communications services at the most competitive price point possible, enabling businesses and social initiatives of all shape and size to engage with new stakeholders and audiences.

We do not believe in PR for PR’s sake. Increased awareness of who our clients are and what they do plays a critical role in their growth, and an absolute commitment to the best possible return on investment is at the heart of everything we do.”