Newcastle PR firm takes top honour at awards

Nov 10 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

FAST expanding public relations firm O Communications was named Outstanding PR Consultancy of the Year at the CIPR North East PRide Awards.

The four year old communications agency took away the top honour at the NewcastleGateshead Hilton, with judges praising its hard work in “talent development, their culture of innovation and enjoyment of work”.

Based in Ouseburn, Newcastle, the firm also came home with the Best Not-for-Profit title and a silver award for Best use of Photography and Design for Young Enterprise North East’s One Day campaign and silver for Best Use of Social Media.

The judges said: “Established in 2005, O Communications has grown rapidly, to become one of the region’s most highly respected and creative PR agencies. O’s client base is a representation of business throughout the North-East. They work hard at talent development, their culture of innovation and enjoyment of work.”

The CIPR PRide Awards are hotly contested and recognise creativity, planning and outstanding execution of PR campaigns. It is the only awards scheme which showcases the best PR work being carried out across the UK regions and nations.

O Communications is run by 36 year-old Kari Owers, and employs eight people at its converted pottery offices in the creative quarter of Ouseburn.

Ms Owers said: “To win this coveted award so early in our journey, and in a year of country-wide recession, proves that clients are seeking young, hungry and innovative PR agencies to deliver new ways of thinking and make their brands stand out. We are delighted to have been recognised by the CIPR for doing something different, and look forward to using the award as a basis to grow further in the next year.”