NEWS RELEASE FROM THE PRCA
Date:                8^th October 2002
Ref:                  PRCA/CMS-ICCO/01

CMS goes worldwide
In a major move to help the public relations world industry become a stronger force, the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) and the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) have signed an agreement that will allow ICCO members to adopt the PRCA's Consultancy Management Standard (CMS). The ICCO Board at its Board Meeting in Stockholm confirmed the agreement on 5^th October.

The PRCA leads the field globally with CMS.  Launched in 1997, it was the first initiative of its kind to be introduced.  CMS is an independently audited assessment, bringing together relevant elements of the BS Standard series (ISO) and Investors in People, which rigorously assesses public relations consultancies’ competency on six key business objectives including training and client satisfaction.  The PRCA is currently working on the next version of the standard for launch in early 2003.

Graham Lancaster, Chairman of PRCA, stated:

“The PRCA is a world leader in setting standards for effective consultancy management.  The adoption of CMS by ICCO consultancies across the globe is yet further evidence of the PRCA leading the way.”

David Drobis, President of ICCO, stated:

“It is quite obvious that adherence to quantifiable and clear standards is a pre-requisite for running a successful business.  This is particularly important in cross-border and international operations.  ICCO is delighted to adopt the UK’s PRCA’s well proven system.”

Some individual ICCO member countries have already adopted the standard; the Turkish PRCI audits all it members and the Czech Republic’s association, APRA, introduced it in 2001. In January 2002, PRCA Ireland made CMS mandatory to membership at its AGM.  However, because of this agreement, public relations hotspots including USA, Hong Kong, Germany, Australia and India will all soon be audited against CMS.

 

For further information, please contact:

Martin Cairns, Communications Director, PRCA

T: 020 7233 6026

M: 07768 867132

F: 020 7828 4797

E: pressoffice@prca.org.uk

 

Notes to Editors:

• The Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) has 128 member consultancies which represent 70% of the UK consultancy market. All members must pass the Consultancy Management Standard, a quality mark which is externally assessed.
   
• The International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) is the umbrella association for more than 850 consultancies through their trade associations in 24 countries.  ICCO was set up in 1986 as a forum for discussion of issues facing PR consultancies worldwide. It provides an opportunity for sharing experiences and best practice in the sector.
   
• DNV is one of the worlds leading certification bodies, operating from 300 offices in 100 countries. DNV provides a wide range of services including certification to national and international standards for quality, safety and environmental management systems as well as tailored audit protocols for specific clients or sectors.