PRCA to launch best practice tools for PR and Communications teams

London, 28 March - The PRCA this week issued a consultation to in-house members requesting feedback on two tools that will share best practice and improve the efficiency of in-house PR and communications teams. The In-house Communications Management Standard (ICMS) is an independent audit of structures and systems within in-house PR & communications teams and the In-house Benchmarking Survey will provide Heads of PR and Communications with the KPIs that they need to run their organisations more efficiently. Participation in both the ICMS and the benchmarking will be voluntary for PRCA members. 

Richard Ellis, PRCA communications director said about the tools “This is another leap forward in our offering to in-house PR and communications teams. The consultancy equivalents of these tools form, along with our networking programme, training and qualifications and insight programme, the core of our offering. These tools will help those committed to best practice to further raise their game.“

About the tools

The In-house Communications Management Standard is an independent audit designed to help in-house PR and communications teams to ensure the structures and systems that they have in place are industry best practice. Based around quality standards including ISO9001, Investors in People and the consultancy Consultancy Management Standard, the ICMS  provides reassurance about internal processes. Members will choose whether or not to undertake the audits, which will be conducted by the independent auditors QMS.

The PRCA In-house Benchmarking survey will be completed by a senior member of the PR & Communications team. It is general enough for elements of the survey to be of interest to organisations of all sizes and sectors, as well as reflecting the range of activities PR and comms teams can be responsible for. Each year the results and feedback will be used to review the questions and ensure that the survey becomes ever more useful.

The consultation will close on 10 April 2011. 

For further information please contact:

- ENDS -

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 230 agency members from around the world including the majority of the top 100 UK consultancies. We also represent around 60 in-house communications teams from multinationals, UK charities and leading UK public sector organisations.

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