PRCA and Wilmington announce strategic partnership

London, 21 August 2008 - The PRCA has today announced a five-year partnership with Hollis PR, a division of Wilmington Group plc (“Wilmington”), the leading PR Industry information source and are a UK leader in professional business training.

The strategic link-up will see Wilmington working with the PRCA on a revamped PRCA Awards, the PRCA National Conference and to develop a new recruitment service. The partnership will also see the PRCA build on Wilmington's experience of e-learning and continuing professional development (CPD) to introduce its own e-learning programme and its own PR Diplomas.

The partnership covers the next five years, and will build on both organisations' growth.

Francis Ingham, PRCA Director General said:
‘With its pedigree in events management and CPD, Wilmington is a natural partner for the PRCA. We have already grown by 25% this year, in large part on the back of extending the range and quality of the services we provide. This strategic partnership will enable us to move to the next level, further improving our service offering and growing our membership. Wilmington's ownership of Press Gazette will also allow us to build even better links between the world of PR and the world of journalism - that can only be good for all of us.”

Les Kelly, MD of WBI Media and Entertainment said:
‘We're delighted to be entering into this partnership with the PRCA and believe that by linking the strong brands of PRCA, Hollis and Press Gazette we can produce some exciting and valuable events, training programmes and tools for the Industry.

- ENDS -

Notes to editors:
The PRCA-Wilmington partnership will run from 2008 to 2013, with the option to extend. It will cover the following areas:

  • Events
  • Awards
  • Training
  • Qualifications
  • Jobsites

About the PRCA

  • The Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) is the trade association for the UK PR consultancy industry.
  • The Association exists to raise standards in PR and to help members be better organisations.
  • It represents more than 150 members representing around 70% of the country's PR fee income.
  • Founded in 1969 the PRCA promotes all aspects of public relations consultancy.
  • PRCA members differentiate themselves from other PR consultancies by achieving the Consultancy Management Standard (CMS), a professional accreditation that has been adopted by PR agencies in more than 11 countries around the world.
  • All PRCA member organisations are bound by a Professional Charter and Codes of Conduct.

As part of its commitment to excellence in PR, the PRCA carries out a number of functions:

  • PR training and qualification: the PRCA organises a range of bespoke, inhouse & online courses as well as general training and qualifications. Course subjects range from: how to write a press release: to how to manage your agency.
  • Find a PR agency: this free service helps clients find a reputable PR consultancy for their brief.
  • Industry surveys: the PRCA undertakes a number of surveys every year including the most comprehensive benchmark of industry performance.
  • Networking and best practice groups: the PRCA organises a number of groups to help members stay ahead of industry trends and raise general industry issues.
  • Promotes the value of PR and the need for standards: the PRCA provides a strong voice on a range of issues relating to PR.
  • Lobbies government on key issues: the Association represents members interests in areas with Government and other relevant organisations such as the FSA .

For more information please contact:
Richard Ellis, PRCA communications manager
T: 020 7233 6026
E: richard.ellis

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