3×1 the magic numbers in Scots PR prize list

GLASGOW-headquartered 3×1 Public Relations has been chosen this year’s top PR consultancy at an awards ceremony celebrating the best of the industry in Scotland.

At Prestonfield House, Edinburgh, last night, the agency pipped local outfit, Stripe Communications – winner of the title last year – to the top prize, with the plaudits also going to Edinburgh Napier University (chosen as Outstanding In-house PR Team) and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (chosen as top public sector PR team in Scotland).

For a fourth year in succession, Wave PR took the prize as ‘Outstanding Small Consultancy’.

The CIPR boasts some 9,500 members, UK-wide, and just over 700 in Scotland. In attendance was the newly-appointed chief executive of CIPR – Scot, Jane Wilson. Some 300 people attended the awards ceremony and dinner, with STV’s Stephen Jardine as MC.

In a statement issued by the CIPR Scotland, chair, Emma Diamond, said: “Despite the difficulties and uncertainty facing the public sector, it’s clear that their PR teams are still producing outstanding work and results.

“I hope that this recognition for the value they can add goes some way to ensuring PR remains an integral part of how these organisations work.”

There were more than 150 entries to the awards, with 24 categories providing an opportunity to showcase work from digital PR to newsletters.

The occasion also saw Lynne Crossan – who runs Edinburgh-based Crossan Communications – awarded a CIPR Fellowship.

This is the fourth time 3×1 has taken the ‘Outstanding Consultancy’ award since it was founded nine years ago. It is one of only three Scotland agencies to be ranked in PR Week’s Top 150 league table and Top 40 outside London. The consultancy has offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and specialises in public relations, reputation management and strategic marketing.

In a statement, director and co-founder of 3×1, Cameron Grant, is quoted, as saying: “We never get blasé about winning awards; they’re recognition of the planning that goes in to what we do and the team’s hard work. As 3×1 prepares to enter its tenth year it is heartening to know that creativity and forward-thinking is still valued in an increasingly competitive industry.”

The winners’ and runners-up list reads as follows:

Corporate and Business Communications

GOLD: Bread PR – Riding the Rapids

SILVER: Grayling – Reviving Lloyds Banking Group’s Corporate Reputation

Not-for-Profit

GOLD: Stripe Communications – Putting the Stigma of Mental ill-health Back on the Agenda

SILVER: Pagoda Public Relations – Edinburgh Mela Festival: Scotland’s Gathering of Cultures

Internal Communications

GOLD: South Lanarkshire Council – Smarter Choices

SILVER: NHSGGC (Greater Glasgow and Clyde) – Trusted to tell it like it is

Crisis Communications

GOLD: Moray Council Communications Team – Never waste a good crisis – securing a Ministerial promise

SILVER: Falkirk Council – It’s Snow Every Day this Happens

Community Relations

GOLD: The Big Partnership & Scottish Government Communications Directorate – Know the Score (KtS)

SILVER: Stripe Communications & The Scottish Government – No Knives, Better Lives

Public Affairs

GOLD: BMA Scotland – Promoting NHS General Practice in Scotland

SILVER: Pagoda Public Relations – Roman Wall No Barrier to Distillery

Public Sector

GOLD: Real PR Ltd – “You only have to ask” – Five Years of Freedom of Information in Scotland

SILVER: Consolidated PR – Organ Donation – The Gift of Life

Best Campaign £10K and Under

GOLD: Pagoda Public Relations Ltd – Roman Wall No Barrier to Distillery

SILVER: Global Energy Group/Ross County FC – We’re on Our Way….

Consumer Relations

GOLD: Weber Shandwick Ltd – Siriusly Exclusive

SILVER: Beattie Communications – Scottish Campaign for Warburtons ‘National Bread Week’ 2010

Best Use of Media Relations

GOLD: The BIG Partnership -The Kwik Fit Insurance Lollipop Person of the Year Competition

SILVER: Real PR Ltd – “You only have to ask” – Five Years of Freedom of Information in Scotland

Integrated Communications

GOLD: Matthews Marketing – Mackintosh 100

SILVER: Hartmann Media – Scottish Fashion Awards – Fifth Anniversary

Best Use of Digital PR

GOLD: Weber Shandwick Ltd – The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Twitter Tasting

Best Use of Photography or Design

GOLD: Falkirk Council – ‘Shameful, Filthy, Selfish’

SILVER: Tricker PR – Knitting the Boat Festival

Best Newspaper

GOLD: NHSGGC Communications – Health News

SILVER: Midlothian Council – Midlothian News

Best Publication

GOLD: RR Donnelley – Government Legal Services Scotland Brochure

SILVER: South Lanarkshire Council – Tinderbox Heroes

Best Magazine

GOLD: Learning and Teaching Scotland – Connected: Moving Education Forward

SILVER: NHSGGC Communications – Staff newsletter online and in print

Best Newsletter

GOLD: South Lanarkshire Council – South Lanarkshire View – East Kilbride

SILVER: Magnox North Hunterston ‘A’ Site – Hunterston Outlook

Best Website or Microsite

GOLD: Glasgow Caledonian University Marketing and Communications Department – Glasgow Caledonian University Website

SILVER: NHS Education for Scotland – Rebrand and Launch of Scottish Medical Training Website

Best Event

GOLD: VisitScotland – The Launch of the Edinburgh Festivals’ Summer Season

SILVER: Hartmann Media – Scottish Fashion Awards – Fifth Anniversary

Hamp Hamilton Young Communicator of the Year

Diane Primrose of Consolidated PR

Outstanding Small Consultancy

Wave PR – ‘On Your Wavelength’

SILVER: Axis Media Group

Outstanding In-House Public Relations Team

Edinburgh Napier University – Becoming ‘Edinburgh’ Napier University – Sucessfully Delivering and Capitalising On a Change of Name

SILVER: Centrica PLC – Centrica Regional Corporate Affairs Team – Rising to the Challenge

Outstanding Public Relations Consultancy

GOLD: 3×1 Public Relations – 3×1 @ Ten

SILVER: Stripe Communications

Scottish Public Sector Team of the Year

GOLD: NHSGGC Communications – NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

SILVER: South Lanarkshire Council Corporate Communications Team – South Lanarkshire Council Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Team