Scientology set for comms hike

PR Week UK 29-Nov-06, 19:00

The Church of Scientology is planning to treble the size of its UK PR team as it seeks to capitalise on soaring media interest.

Thrust into the limelight by members such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta, the controversial religion is keen to attract more UK followers.

CEO of external affairs Janet Kenyon-Laveau wants to expand its PR team from four to 12, and wants the recruits to be Scientologists.

‘We plan to grow our internal [PR] capacity from our existing 123,000 UK member base. It is easier to have people who fully understand what the religion is,' Kenyon-Laveau told PRWeek.

She added: ‘People are becoming more familiar with Scientology not just because of celebrity involvement but because they are realising how successful our community courses are.'