Sham consultation not convincing PR leaders to support NLA proposals

London, 3 August 2009 - The PRCA PR Leaders' Panel is united in its condemnation of the NLA's proposal to charge organisations for forwarding on and receiving URLs. Not one respondent supported the proposals and almost three quarters consider the consultation process to be a sham.

Richard Ellis, communications director at the PRCA, the trade association that has been representing the interests of PR agencies and the wider industry to the NLA, commented: “The PRCA has proactively communicated the NLA's proposals to agencies and the disbelief and anger they have generated extends far beyond our membership. While the NLA has accepted our offer to help them consult with the industry, they need to show this is a genuine consultation by changing their proposals and being transparent about their future pricing plans. On current evidence it is not surprising that 73% of respondents called the NLA's consultation process a ‘sham'.”

- ENDS -

Press enquiries

Richard Ellis - richard.ellis@prca.org.uk or 020 7233 6026

Survey results

1. DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE NLA PROPOSALS THAT WILL COME INTO EFFECT AT THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY 2010?

  • No - 6%
  • To some extent - 44%
  • Yes - 50%
               

2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE NLA'S CONSULTATION PROCESS:

  • A genuine attempt to gather industry feedback - 0%
  • A sham - 71%
  • I don't know - 29% 

3. WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TO THE NLA'S PROPOSALS:

  • I support them - 0%
  • I'm indifferent - 0%
  • I don't understand them enough to have an opinion - 6%
  • I oppose them - 94%

About the PRCA

The Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) exists to raise standards in PR and to help members be better organisations. 

  • The Association grew by over 33% during 2008.
  • 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.
  • In 2009 the PRCA opened Associate Membership to leading in-house communications teams.

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, in-house & 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 and NLA.
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