London,
01
October
2016
|
07:48
Europe/London

Midlands PRide Awards celebrate outstanding PR practice

More than 250 public relations professionals packed out the University of Birmingham’s Great Hall on Friday night for the region’s annual celebration of exceptional public relations practice, sponsored by OGL Computer.

For the second year running, spottydog communications claimed the biggest haul, scooping four Gold Awards, including the coveted Outstanding Small Public Relations Consultancy title. The Birmingham and Leicester-based consultancy was credited by judges for “placing investment in people and identifying new talent at the heart of their business”.

NASUWT - The Teachers' Union, Willoughby Public Relations, University of Derby and NC Creative Group were all double-Gold Winners, with the latter earning Low Budget Campaign and Community Relations Campaign awards for “Save the Secret Garden” - an emotive campaign to protect one of Solihull’s oldest gardens.

Other notable successes included an inspiring campaign from Midlands and Lancashire CSU and George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust. The Trusts’ communications team harnessed the stories of employees to drive recruitment for permanent nurses on social media. The campaign clinched Gold in the Healthcare Campaign category with the judges impressed by the budgeting efforts of the internal communications team.

Prestigious Outstanding Public Relations In-House and Consultancy accolades were awarded to the University of Derby and Fresh PR, respectively.

Bron Eames FCIPR, Chair of CIPR Midlands
The Midlands PRide Awards is a true celebration of talent, best practice and endeavour. There is real pride in being part of our dynamic, thriving Midlands PR community. The mix of channels that we all use might be evolving, but the importance of strong strategic thinking, intelligent creativity and a demonstration of return on investment remains constant. The winners below show this, and myself and the committee want to congratulate them on their success. Well done!
Bron Eames FCIPR, Chair of CIPR Midlands

Full Gold Award winners from the 2016 CIPR Midlands PRide Awards:

  • Corporate and Business Communications Campaign - Western Power Distribution, WPD Apprenticeships - A Bright Career Choice
  • Internal Communications Campaign - Melton Foods, Cultivate - Sustainable Growth
  • Consumer Relations Campaign - Willoughby Public Relations, Bringing Back Fun House
  • Community Relations Campaign - NC Creative Group, Save the Secret Garden
  • Not-for-Profit Campaign – NASUWT - The Teachers' Union, Educating the UK
  • Healthcare Campaign - Midlands and Lancashire CSU and George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, #jointeameliot Nurse Recruitment
  • Integrated Campaign - Whistle PR, Bradstone - 60 Years of Garden Design
  • Low Budget Campaign - NC Creative Group, Save the Secret Garden
  • STEM Campaign - spottydog communications, The PitPat of a p-awesome new pet product
  • Arts, Culture or Sport Campaign - Syndicate Communications, Giving a voice to Shakespeare's Celebrations
  • Education Communications Campaign - University of Derby, Guide to Expertise: connecting the media with academic expertise
  • Best Use of Media Relations - NASUWT - The Teachers' Union, Educating the UK
  • Best Use of Digital - Baddeley Brothers and spottydog communications, This is a tale of many Baddeleys
  • Best Use of Social Media - The Camping and Caravanning Club, National Camping and Caravanning Week 2016
  • Best Use of Photography or Design - spottydog communications, Serving up Cocktail Couture at All Bar One
  • Best Publication - Willoughby Public Relations, Installer's Choice
  • Best Event - Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity, Birmingham's Big Hoot 2015
  • Issues or Crisis Management - Stafford College, Post-Ofsted Communications Plan
  • Outstanding Young Communicator - Oana Stroe MCIPR, Stone Junction
  • Outstanding Independent Practitioner - Stuart Baird MCIPR, BakerBaird Communications
  • Outstanding In-House Public Relations Team - University of Derby
  • Outstanding Small Public Relations Consultancy - spottydog communications
  • Outstanding Public Relations Consultancy - Fresh PR
 
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).