Finn takes top honour as region celebrates PR successes

FINN was named the region’s outstanding PR consultancy at the CIPR Awards in Leeds last night.

The Holbeck agency also won the Consumer Relations Campaign award, while Acceleris and Umpf also collected two gold awards each.

The event, attended by more than 250 people, highlighted the work of PR teams and individuals across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Gary Taylor MCIPR, Chair of CIPR Yorkshire & Lincolnshire, said: “The PRide Awards continue to highlight the best work of the region’s talented individuals and agencies. Everyone nominated for an award should be proud of their work and the contribution they have made to the region’s success. 

“My congratulations go to our Gold winners this evening, all of whom have demonstrated the highest professional standards of public relations practice.”

Acceleris’ Ellie Smith was awarded the title of Outstanding Young Communicator, with judges giving special mention to Ellie’s ability to “demonstrate a clear understanding of the wider remit of public relations – going beyond the tactics (of traditional and social) to provide effective counsel for clients and stakeholders.”

Regional Campaign of the Year was awarded to Approach PR for their work in reinvigorating Ilkley Carnival. Judges commended Approach PR for “stepping in on a voluntary basis to increase ticket sales, footfall, number of exhibitors and volunteers supporting the event” and for their “strategic, high profile, and creative PR and social media campaigns that were instrumental in the rebirth of the community event”.

Full Gold Award winners from the 2014 CIPR Yorkshire & Lincolnshire PRide Awards:

• Corporate and Business Communications Campaign: GDHA: From Prescot to Poland, The Right Agency

• Not-for-Profit Campaign: Harrogate Homeless Project – No Second Night Out, Amplify Communications 

• Internal Communications Campaign: Arco Conversation Cascade, H&H / Arco

• Community Relations Campaign: Plan A – because there is no Plan B, Grayling

• Public Sector Campaign: Hull – UK City of Culture 2017, Hull City Council

• Low Budget Campaign: Going for Gold, HR Media

• Consumer Relations Campaign: Launching Fab Minis, Finn

• Best Use of Media Relations: Winter Wellness, Umpf for Bupa Care Services

• Integrated Campaign: Women of Steel Appeal, John Palmer

• Best Use of Social Media: Helping Belling Bring a Festive Buzz to BBC Good Food Show, Umpf for Belling

• Best Publication: Purple, Anchor with scarlettabbott

• Best Use of Digital: Laying the digital foundations for winning new business, Engage Comms

• Best Event: All Aboard: East Coast Trains Celebration Event, East Coast

• Issues or Crisis Management: Championing Sustainable Fishing, Acceleris

• Regional Campaign of the Year: Ilkley Carnival takes on the Yorkshire Tour, Approach PR

• Outstanding Freelance Practitioner: Matthew Ridsdale MCIPR, Cannon PR

• Outstanding Young Communicator: Ellie Smith, Acceleris

• Outstanding Small Consultancy: Quest PR

• Outstanding In-House Public Relations Team: Welcome to Yorkshire

• Outstanding Public Relations Consultancy: Finn