London,
27
January
2014
|
13:19
Europe/London

CIPR International launches £1,000 competition for PR students

An annual competition has been launched to find the CIPR's most talented PR students with a £1,000 prize fund for the winning entry. Entitled the 'Douglas Smith Award,' this competition celebrates the memory of Douglas Smith, a founder and patron of the CIPR international group. Smith was a great supporter of young talent in PR and this award aims to help extend his legacy by encouraging the next generation to think internationally and ethically.

A judging panel of top PR practitioners including Prof. Anne Gregory, chair of the Global Alliance and Stephen Waddington, President of the CIPR, will choose the winner from six shortlisted entries.

Individual students and student teams can enter by arguing how they would run a campaign to support or oppose the introduction of genetically modified rice to countries with low rainfall. The deadline for entries is April 14 2014 and the winning entry will be announced at the CIPR AGM on June 12 2014.

Pamela Mounter FCIPR
The prize fund can be spent on whatever the winner wants. Of course it would be wonderful if they used it to travel and learn about a different culture – but our main hope is to get young people thinking and talking about international PR work, because that’s the future of our industry. Anyone who works with PR students can help support this campaign by raising awareness.
Pamela Mounter FCIPR
Stephen Waddington MCIPR, CIPR President and ‎European Digital and Social Media Director, Ketchum PR
Douglas Smith was a founding member of the CIPR’s International group, a former CIPR President, and a man who took mentoring young talent seriously. We all have a responsibility to help young people break into PR so I’m delighted to support this award. I hope it goes some way to helping a new generation showcase their talent and demonstrate they’re willing to go the extra mile.
Stephen Waddington MCIPR, CIPR President and ‎European Digital and Social Media Director, Ketchum PR

Entry information can be found by following @CIPR_Int on Twitter or visiting CIPR International on LinkedIn.

Notes to editors

Notes to editors

About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.

The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).