New CIPR-supported awards programme showcases independent PR practitioners’ impact
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is supporting a new award programme which celebrates the work of the PR industry’s most influential and impactful independent practitioners.
The Independent Impact 50 - founded by independent practitioner, Rod Cartwright and Nigel Sarbutts, founder of the freelance PR matchmaking platform The PR Cavalry - will judge PR professionals’ campaign work and showcase independent practitioners that have displayed a significant client impact, industry contribution and commitment to raising professional standards.
The awards shine a spotlight on freelancers committed to making a real contribution to the evolution of the industry by uplifting others, guiding clients and industry colleagues on emerging best practice and supporting their professional development.
Selection for inclusion in the inaugural Independent Impact 50 will be conducted by a panel of judges drawn from major brands, professional bodies, independent practice and other industry players.
The CIPR is proud to support this initiative to celebrate the incredible network of independent practitioners across the PR profession. Independent practitioners provide a vital service that goes beyond supporting organisations with immediate PR needs and will often be the catalyst for establishing future ways of working and even working with organisations to invest in their own PR teams. They're a crucial part of the PR economy and the advice and expertise they offer can often go under the radar. This is why this initiative is so welcome and deserves industry-wide support.
Some independents are the most influential people in the industry because their impact is down to them alone – not the fame of their employer – but other awards and lists overlook them. There is a clear gap to fill and we are delighted to do so.
For far too long, we have failed to cast a spotlight on the countless individual practitioners who have changed how the industry thinks about major issues like diversity and inclusion or who raise others up and drive our profession forward. The Independent Impact 50 will be the benchmark for how one person can effect real change.
- Enter the awards now for free at theimpact50.com. Submission deadline is 10 January 2025.
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners with over 11,000 members.
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).