Serious PR ‘raising the bar’ in Northern Ireland

A Moira-based public relations’ consultancy has been commended by one of the UK’s top industry figures for ‘raising the bar’ of PR in Northern Ireland.

Francis Ingham, Director General of the Public Relations Consultants’ Association (PRCA), was commenting following confirmation that Serious PR formed two years ago, had become the first company in the province to be awarded the Consultancy Management Standard – a globally recognised quality marque – by the PRCA in the UK.

The achievement places Serious PR within a group of just 5% of the UK’s 2000+ consultancies who hold the prestigious accreditation by the PRCA UK.

The CMS is an independently-audited set of eight tests, combining elements of ISO 9000 and Investors in People with criteria specific to the public relations industry.

Francis Ingham, director general of the PRCA said “Serious PR’s commitment to standards will raise the bar of public relations consultancy in Northern Ireland and we are delighted that such a young and vibrant agency is leading the way by becoming the first of our members in Northern Ireland to achieve this gold standard.  It is no surprise that the Consultancy Management Standard has now been adopted as the PR industry standard in 11 countries around the world. Surveys show CMS improves the way PR agencies operate and the service they provide clients.”

SERIOUS PR, founded by David McCavery in 2007, is a boutique Corporate and B2B Public Relations consultancy working on an all-island basis utilising both traditional media and digital channels to grow corporate reputations. SERIOUS PR’s services include Strategic communications’ planning and implementation; Media Relations; Public Affairs; Lobbying; Crisis Management and Digital Marketing.  The company employs 9 people and specialises in food, ICT, construction, professional services, property and tourism PR.  Its client base is drawn largely from the private sector and includes some of the leading names in NI business.

Managing Director David McCavery says: “To be a part of the 5% of UK PR firms that have achieved the Standard is excellent. As a team, we are delighted that our hard work has been rewarded by achieving this hallmark of PR excellence  The Irish PR marketplace is more competitive than ever and this award will help further differentiate us.  We believe it also has merit as it guarantees we operate to the most stringent professional levels and have a consistent client focus.”

The Consultancy Management Standard (CMS) was introduced by the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) in 1998 as the industry’s quality certification system for public relations firms.

The Standard is an assurance to clients that CMS holders adhere to strict quality standards in management, communication and service delivery.

SERIOUS PR is one of more than 160 PRCA members based throughout the UK. These consultancies are of all sizes, working for clients in all business sectors. Together they employ around 5,000 people and generate more than £400m in each year in fees from clients.