Willoughby Public Relations joins the PRCA

London, 14 December 2012 – Leading Birmingham PR consultancy Willoughby Public Relations has signed up to the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA), in the year that the firm celebrates its twentieth anniversary.

The Edgbaston-based agency provides PR, digital and creative services, and was this year named by industry magazine The Drum as Midlands PR Agency of the Year for the second time. The 30-strong agency counts clients including Travis Perkins, Pyrex, Triton Showers and Regis Salons.

Willoughby Public Relations Managing Director Jane Ainsworth said: “Having recently celebrated our twentieth anniversary, we felt it was time to join a body that stridently represents the industry in improving standards and professionalism.

“The PRCA also seems to be very in touch with the commercial aspects of running an agency, and has really focused on adding value to consultancies and in-house teams alike.”

As a new member, Willoughby PR will be able to take advantage of a range of PRCA services, including access to benchmarking surveys and membership to the Midlands PR networking group, as well as benefitting from PRCA Training at discounted rates.

Willoughby PR will also be expected to undergo the Communications Management Standard (CMS) audit, to achieve the internationally-recognised accreditation for consultancies, seen as the benchmark of PR excellence. Upon completing CMS, they will be able to join the PRCA’s Find a PR Agency (FAPRA) service, matching consultancies with clients across the country.

PRCA Director General Francis Ingham said: “We’re very pleased to be welcoming such as well-known player in the Midlands PR industry, and I think that the PRCA will be able to take Willoughby to even greater levels of success.”

- ENDS -


Notes to Editors

About the PRCA

Who we are: Founded in 1969, the PRCA is the professional body that represents UK PR consultancies, in-house communications teams, PR freelancers and individuals. 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 over 70 in-house communications teams from multinationals, UK charities and leading UK public sector organisations.

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