PR industry standard for Clear

The Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) has awarded Clear its Consultancy Management Standard – the gold standard of service for the PR industry.

The internationally recognised Consultancy Management Standard (CMS) is the industry’s quality certification system for public relations firms, and only about 140 of the UK’s 2,000+ PR consultancies have passed the rigorous independent audit required. The Standard is an assurance to clients that Clear adheres to strict quality standards in management, communication and service delivery.

“Selecting & working with an agency is a time consuming process for clients. They need to be reassured that as well as choosing a team they feel they can work with that it’s backed up by the right systems & processes to ensure delivery. The CMS is an independent stamp of authority which enables our clients and prospective clients to rest assured that Clear operates to the highest standards throughout its entire operation,” commented Julie Clare, Managing Director at Clear.

The CMS is an independently-audited set of eight tests which a consultancy must pass as a member of the Public Relations Consultants Association. It combines elements of ISO 9000 and Investors in People with criteria specific to the public relations industry.

Francis Ingham, director-general PRCA says: “Well run businesses consistently deliver the results clients are looking for. The Consultancy Management Standard was developed specifically to ensure that PRCA members have the systems and structures in place to meet and exceed clients’ expectations. The Standard has been so successful that it has now been adopted in 11 countries around the world.”

Clear is one of over 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 £400 million in each year in fees from clients.