WPR scoops region’s top public relations award
BIRMINGHAM PR agency WPR has been named the region’s top consultancy at an industry awards.
The Edgbaston-based firm took home the top prize at the 2017 Midlands PRide Awards which are run by trade body the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
WPR was named the gold winner in the outstanding PR consultancy category at the awards which celebrated the best public relations agencies, individuals and in-house teams across the Midlands.
The agency was also named gold winner in the best use of media relations and healthcare categories and ‘silver’ winner in consumer relations and science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) categories.
The company was commended for its business strategy after adding more than £1 million to its fee income and growing by 46 per cent in three years.
WPR managing director Jane Ainsworth said: “We’re extremely proud to have been named outstanding public relations consultancy. This year’s awards were closely fought which is a testament to the quality of talent we have in the region.
“In an industry that is often perceived as London-centric, it’s heartening to see that Midlands and Birmingham PR firms are consistently delivering high-impact campaigns for some of Britain’s best-known brands.
“With major organisations relo- cating to Birmingham, I can only see this trend continuing.”
Other Birmingham-based winners at the event included city centre agency Story Comms, which was named the region’s outstanding small consultancy, and Digbeth-based One Black Bear for consumer relations and best use of digital.
Amanda Lowe, founder and managing director of Story Comms, said: “To be given the cream of the crop award so early in our quest to prove the very best communications talent and client impact doesn’t have to be based inside the M25 is incredible.
“Story Comms was founded on the belief the Midlands and its businesses rock and they deserve to be shouted about by the smartest communication professionals around. This recognition only adds more fire to our passion to do more.
“With our third birthday just around the corner, we have some big news and exciting plans in the pipeline.”