New Forest National Park Authority Gold Winner in 2012 Wessex CIPR PRide Awards

Oct. 2, 2012 - PRLog -- The National Park Authority was named gold winner in the Best External Publication category of the 2012 Wessex and Channel Islands Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Awards, announced at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton.

This year saw over 100 of the region’s leading public relations practitioners attend the annual awards ceremony, hosted by Capital FM South Coast's breakfast show presenter Zoe Hanson.

The National Park Authority worked with Newsquest to revamp the design of Park life and include it in the distribution of the New Forest Post newspaper which, with advertising, cut costs by almost 50%. It also distributes around 15,000 additional copies each year at events and community outlets around the Forest and is available online at www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/living-in/park-life.

New Forest National Park Authority Chief Executive Alison Barnes said: ‘Park life is packed full of news, events and information about how to get involved in caring for the National Park. It is an important way to talk to residents and visitors about the work we are doing to protect this spectacular landscape, help people to understand and enjoy the area, and to support its communities. We’re delighted that this has been recognised by the CIPR Pride Awards.’

The CIPR PRide Awards, sponsored nationally by Precise, PRWeek and RedBrand, received over 1,000 entries from freelancers, consultancies and in-house teams across 12 UK regions and nations. The judging process for the PRide Awards is rigorous with a national panel of industry experts assessing the shortlisted entries and choosing the winners. The 2012 Chairs of Judges, Gill Dandy FCIPR, Senior Consultant at The Centre for Strategy and Communication, and Chris Genasi FCIPR, Senior Consultant at APCO Worldwide, assisted in ensuring a fair and consistent judging process.

The award commendation read: ‘The campaign brief was clear and well thought out. They understood their target audience and used several tactics to get their message across. Innovative use of external advertising meant that they were able to reduce their overall costs. The achievement of nearly 50% in cost reduction is to be congratulated.’

CIPR CEO, Jane Wilson MCIPR, said: ‘The Wessex and Channel Islands CIPR PRide Awards celebrate the best PR and communications campaigns and teams from across the region. The sheer number of high quality entries received this year, especially when things are still pretty tough out there economically, is testament to a thriving regional industry. The CIPR PRide Awards represent the best, most creative and most effective public relations work across the UK and to win an award is a great achievement.’

The CIPR is the professional body for public relations and public affairs practitioners in the UK. With 9,000 members involved in all aspects of public relations, it is the largest body of its type in Europe.

The full list of the 2012 Wessex and Channel Islands PRide Awards winners can be accessed via the CIPR website.

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Photo Caption (left to right)

New Forest Post Senior Ad Manager Jo London; Newsquest Hampshire Regional Ad Manager Shelley Gorman; New Forest National Park Authority Communications Manager Hilary Makin; New Forest National Park Authority Chief Executive Alison Barnes; New Forest National Park Authority Communications Officer Karen Evans-McDaid gain gold at the CIPR Wessex Awards for Best External Publication Park life.

About the CIPR PRide AwardsThe CIPR PRide Awards is the only UK wide awards scheme that recognises excellence in public relations and communications work across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions. Now in its 9th year the CIPR PRide Awards grow year-on-year as consultancies and organisations increasingly recognise the benefits of industry awards, and past winners continue to reap the benefits of receiving one.

Alongside CIPR Scotland, CIPR Wales/Cymru and CIPR Northern Ireland, taking part in the 2012 CIPR PRide Awards are East Anglia; Home Counties South; Midlands; North East; North West; Thames and Chiltern; West of England; Wessex and Channel Islands: and Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

About the CIPRThe CIPR is the professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK. With 9,000 members involved in all aspects of public relations, it is the largest body of its type in Europe. The CIPR advances the public relations profession in the UK by making its members accountable through a code ofconduct, developing policies, representing its members and raising standards through education and training.

About the New Forest National Park Authority

Protect - Enjoy - Prosper

The New Forest National Park Authority’s statutory purposes are to:

§  Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park - Protect

§  Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities – Enjoy.

We also have a duty to:

§  Seek to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park – Prosper.

The New Forest National Park was designated in March 2005. Its unique landscape has been shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle and pigs which roam free. Majestic woodlands, rare heathland and a spectacular coastline provide fabulous opportunities for quiet recreation, enjoyment and discovery.

Visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk to find out more.

National Park Media Contacts
Karen Evans-McDaid, Communications Officer, New Forest National Park Authority
Tel: 01590 646650
Email: karen.evans-mcdaid@newforestnpa.gov.uk