PRCA Awards for Excellence in Public Relations 2017.
Photo Chris Bellew /Fennell Photography Copyright 2017

The Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) is delighted to announce the winners of 2017 Awards for Excellence in PR. The Awards were presented today (Friday) at a gala luncheon at the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.

Speaking at the Awards, PRCA Chairman, Rhona Blake, said: “Irish public relations is entering an exciting age. The opportunity for us all in this business is to continue transforming and evolving as the communications revolution continues apace. There has never been a more exciting time to work in communications but we must continue to embrace the changes in how we work and this is fundamental to future-proofing our industry.”

Rhona Blake also welcomed the recent expansion of the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) with the admission of two further agencies bringing the industry body to 29 constituent members. “The recent addition of Hume Brophy and Hanover Communications to the PRCA is a sign of the continued growth and diversity of the PR industry in Ireland, as organisations appreciate the contribution that quality communications advice makes to their strategic success.”

Twenty one Awards for Excellence were presented across a wide range of categories recognising the variety of public relations activity. Among the Award winners was Cormac Coughlan from Teneo PSG who won this year’s Young Communications Professional of the Year.

The Award is open to public relations and communications professionals who are 28 years old or younger on the 1st of January 2016.

In announcing the winner judges said Cormac Coughlan Teneo PSG displayed a maturity in outlook and delivery, was impressive in terms of his leadership and strategic advisory experience and could articulate a strong strategic vision for the role of public relations as an increasingly relevant profession.   He displayed a highly engaging presence and will be an exemplary ambassador for the public relations profession.

 

Awards in 20 other categories were presented at Friday’s industry event as follows:

  • BEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS Campaign

Delivering Transatlantic Connectivity from Cork to Boston –  campaign – entered by Cork Chamber.

  • CONSUMER PUBLIC RELATIONS Campaign with a BUDGET LESS THAN €20,000

The Young Offenders, from Limelight Communications (and Wildcard Distribution)

  • CONSUMER PUBLIC RELATIONS awards is for a campaign where the BUDGET WAS between €20,000 and €50,000.

Bord Bia Eggs: Fuel for a Busy Life from Wilson Hartnell (and Bord Bia)

  • CONSUMER PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN WHERE THE BUDGET EXCEEDED €50,000.

Open Gate Brewery from Wilson Hartnell and Diageo Ireland

  • THE BEST USE OF MEDIA RELATIONS

Monaghans  Cashmere Looks to the Next Generation from FleishmanHillard (and Monaghan’s
Cashmere)

  • BEST SPORTS CAMPAIGN

AIB Backing Club & County #TheToughest – from Wilson Hartnell on behalf of AIB

  • BEST USE OF DIGITAL PR INCLUDING CONTENT CREATION

Meteor Merry Hintmas Campaign  – from TRA Brands| The Reputations Agency (and Meteor)

  • BEST PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week from Murray and Gas Networks Ireland

  • BEST PUBLIC SECTOR CAMPAIGN

#MindYourSelfie  entered by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services

  • BEST INTERNAL COMMUNICATION

Heineken Ireland “Heineken Connects” programme

  • BEST COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN BY A CHARITY OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANISATION

ALONE Christmas Campaign – Show an Older Person Your Care this Christmas – Limelight
Communications and ALONE

  • BEST CORPORATE COMMUNICATION – IN SUPPORT OF ORGANISATIONAL VALUES

Investec Women In Leadership, The Reputations Agency and Investec

  • BEST CORPORATE CAMPAIGN

Building Lidl’s corporate reputation in Ireland  – The Reputations Agency and Lidl Ireland

  • BEST B2B CAMPAIGN

BHSL – Poultry in Motion, Murray and BHSL

  • BEST FINANCIAL/INVESTOR RELATIONS CAMPAIGN

NewsWhip Fundraising Announcement, Beachhut PR and NewsWhip

  • BEST HEALTHCARE CAMPAIGN

#BeVConfident – Bayer Consumer Health, Notorious and Bayer Consumer Health

  • BEST USE OF SPONSORSHIP – less than €50,000

Volkswagen’s Sponsorship of the GAA Sevens, Legacy Consultants and Volkswagen

  • BEST USE OF SPONSORSHIP awards today is for  a SPONSORSHIP  WHERE THE BUDGET EXCEEDED  €50,000.

Electric Ireland’s sponsorship of Team Ireland for the Rio Olympics #ThePowerWithin – from Wilson Hartnell and Electric Ireland

  • BEST EVENT

The Start Up Wake – BeachHut PR and The Ryan Academy

  • BEST PR FOR AN EVENT

The Big Slide Home, FleishmanHillard and 98FM

  • Young Communications Professional of the Year 2017

Cormac Coughlan     Teneo PSG