London, 22 September 2011 – Today the PRCA released the 2011 PRCA-PR Week Census Midlands data.
The data reveals:
Over 5,000 people work in Midlands PR. Of those 5,000, 79% work in house, with the remaining 21% working for agencies or as freelancers.
At 79%, the Midlands has the greatest preponderance of in-house practitioners for any UK region.
56% of in-house practitioners work in the public or third sectors -the fourth highest figure for any UK region.
Average salaries are £39k, compared with a UK average of £48k.
Over the past two years, a net plus 3% of employers saw employment increase. Looking to the next two years, employers expect that figure to be a net plus of 13%.
The region reflects the national gender mix exactly, with 36% of practitioners being male, and the remaining 64% female.
Speaking to PRCA Midlands members, Chief Executive Francis Ingham said:
"The Midlands has a significantly higher percentage of people working in the automotive and industrial sectors, so the past couple of years have been necessarily challenging. Nonetheless, the region weathered the storm, and now expects employment to grow strongly. Even during a recession, Midlands PR prospered.
As with other regions of the UK, the fact that there is a large public sector presence will present particular challenges as the Government retrenches. Nonetheless, our Census revealed a strong sense of optimism in the Midlands, and a resilient base of talent and hard-work. Working an average of 45.5 hours a week, and commanding an average salary of £39k a year, Midlands PR practitioners work hard and are rewarded well.
The future's bright for Midlands PR"
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
The PR Census was produced in association with The Gorkana Group
For media enquiries please contact Aeneas Tole - aeneas.tole@prca.org.uk
About the PRCA
Who we are: Founded in 1969, the PRCA is the professional body that represents UK PR consultancies, in-house communications teams and PR freelancers. The PRCA promotes all aspects of public relations and internal communications work, helping teams and individuals maximise the value they deliver to clients and organisations.
What we do: The Association exists to raise standards in PR and communications, providing members with industry data, facilitating the sharing of communications best practice and creating networking opportunities.
How we do it and make a difference: All PRCA members are bound by a professional charter and codes of conduct, and benefit from exceptional training. The Association also works for the greater benefit of the industry, sharing best practice and lobbying on the industry's behalf e.g. fighting the NLA's digital licence.
Who we represent: The PRCA represents many of the major consultancies in the UK, and currently has more than 250 agency members from around the world including the majority of the top 100 UK consultancies. We also represent around 70 in-house communications teams from multinationals, UK charities and leading UK public sector organisations.

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