PRCA launches designatory letters

London, 3 November 2010 - The PRCA today announced the introduction of designatory letters to enable professionals who are bound by the body's Professional Charter and Codes of Conduct to differentiate themselves from those who choose not to commit to industry standards.

The new designatory letters and their standard requirements are:

MPRCA - Applies to all PRCA UK member employees.
AMPRCA - Applies to all PRCA Endorsed Suppliers and Official Partner employees working in a PR client-facing role
IMPRCA - Applies to PRCA international member employees

Additionally, individuals who successfully complete PRCA qualifications and do not break the PRCA Professional Charter or Codes of Conduct will be able permanently to term themselves:

DipPRCA - Applies to individuals who have completed successfully the PRCA Diploma
Ad CertPRCA - Applies to individuals who have completed successfully the PRCA Advanced Certificate
F CertPRCA - Applies to individuals who have completed successfully the PRCA Foundation Certificate

Francis Ingham, PRCA Chief Executive commented “This is another important step in ensuring that practitioners who commit to professional standards stand out from those who do not. It's a broadside across the bows of the cowboys and the incompetents -it will make it so much harder for them to find a hiding place. In a market with such low barriers to entry, proving professionalism and ethics is vital."

For the avoidance of doubt, those wishing to use the designatory letters should complete this form. Before using such letters, you must receive approval from the PRCA.
 
- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:
Where an individual is entitled to use more than one designatory letter, they would be expected to use the most senior. In ascending order, the hierarchy of designatory letters is AMPRCA, MPRCA, CMPRCA, FPRCA. By definition, IMPRCA individuals could not be eligible for any alternative designation other than FPRCA, which would take precedence.

Where an organisation ceases to be affiliated with the PRCA, then their employees cease automatically to be able to use the designatory letters. The exception will be those who have completed a PRCA qualification - these individuals will be able to use the appropriate letters irrespective of employer.

The new designatory letters complement the existing designations of:
• FPRCA -Fellow of the PRCA. Fellows are elected by the PRCA Board of Management. The inaugural list of Fellows was announced in January 2010.
• CMPRCA -Member of the PR Council. Only current members of the PR Council are able to use these letters.


For further information please contact Richard Ellis, PRCA Communications Director
E: Richard.ellis@prca.org.uk
T: 020 7233 6026


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 maximize 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 over 200 agency members from around the world including the majority of the top 100 UK consultancies. Having launched in-house membership last year, it also represents around 50 in-house departments, including many of Europe's leading corporations and UK public sector organisations.

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