Connect
In October 2011 the PRCA launched a campaign with PR Week to end the practice of unpaid internships. This is part of the association’s commitment to raising standards in all aspects of the PR industry.
Deputy Prime Minister supports PRCA - PR Week Campaign to end unpaid internships
Unpaid internships do the industry a disservice. In the long term it results in organisations recruiting from a self-selecting pool of talent, not only reducing diversity within an industry that relies on creativity and understanding diverse stakeholders, but also excluding many outstanding candidates. The short term benefits of free labour are greatly outweighed by the way that this practice devalues our expertise. It is unfair to ask young people to work for free so that in the short term organisations can benefit financially. PRs provide valuable counsel and should be prepared to pay those who contribute accordingly.
Agencies that pay interns at least the National Minimum Wage
The following PR agencies commit to paying their interns at least the National Minimum Wage:
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Agency |
Website |
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4CM Ltd |
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Aspectus PR |
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AxiCom |
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Beige London |
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Bite Communications |
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Bottle PR |
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Burson-Marsteller |
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Champion Communications Ltd. |
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Champollion |
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Clive Reeves Public Relations Ltd. |
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CM Porter Novelli |
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Cohn and Wolfe |
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Curtin & Co |
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Edelman |
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EML Wildfire |
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ENS Ltd. |
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Fourth Day Public Relations |
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Frank PR |
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Freshwater UK |
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Golin Harris |
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Grayling |
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Incorporated PR |
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INGMedia |
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Insight Public Affairs |
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Journalista |
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Kaizo |
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KAM Communications/medeuronet UK Ltd. |
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Kinross & Render Ltd. |
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Latienne |
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London Communications Agency |
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MHP Communications |
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Napier Partnership |
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NC Creative Group |
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Nelson Bostock Group |
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onechocolate communications |
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Orchid Communications |
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Platform PR |
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PLMR Ltd |
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Porter Novelli |
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Portfolio Communications |
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Portland Communications |
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Recognition PR |
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Red Consultancy |
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Red Lorry Yellow Lorry |
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Six Degrees Limited |
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Speed Communications |
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Talk PR |
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Tangerine PR |
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Topline PR |
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Tribe PR |
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Unity |
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Watershed PR |
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Weber Shandwick |
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Wolfstar PR |
Members who pay interns at least the National Minimum Wage and are not currently on the list, should contact tom.hawkins@prca.org.uk
Members who change their policy on interns are responsible for informing the PRCA of any change.
Social Mobility Compact
Press Release
The PRCA has signed up to the Social mobility business compact, which is the government’s campaign against the practice of unpaid work. The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said:
“I am delighted that many of the country’s biggest organisations and employers have already signed up – including the PRCA and PR Week. I want to encourage every company across the PR industry to join too.” (To see his full column in PR Week click here)
To sign up to the compact click here
PRCA Intern Training Scheme
The PRCA is committed to helping organisations develop the next generation of PR professionals through a heavily discounted paid intern course with structured training programmes.
To find out more please click here
Access Commission
Press Release
In February 2011, the PRCA established an Access Commission to review the current state of social mobility in the PR industry. The commission was set up in response to growing concerns about social mobility, internships, diversity and flexible working. In January 2012 the Commission reported back to the PRCA with its recommendations.
You can read the whole report here.
Taylor Bennett Foundation
Press Release
Since the beginning of 2011 the PRCA has strengthened its commitment to increasing diversity in the PR industry by donating around £10,000 worth of PR Training to the Taylor Bennett Internship scheme.
PRCA blog
PRCA members are welcome to write a piece on their experiences with internships on our blog:
Heather Baker: You get what you pay for – why unpaid internships fail
Tom Curtin: Are internship a form of slavery?
Leanne Tritton: I’m ashamed we ever used unpaid interns
Kourtney and Leo: http://www.prcainterns.blogspot.com/
