The annual PRCA DARE Awards identify achievements in regional PR and communications, championing agencies and collaborations which might not otherwise gain recognition at a national level.

The PRCA DARE Awards see five ceremonies in total taking place over a two-month period. The first in the programme was held in Bristol on 2 June, with the South West and Wales region establishing a high standard of PR innovation.

Trophies were awarded to Highlight PR, which won ‘Small consultancy of the year’, and BrandContent in collaboration with Fair FX. It received the ‘Campaign challenges award’, as well as ‘Low budget campaign award’.

The second ceremony was held on 7 June in Manchester. Communications agency Rule 5 came away with ‘Small consultancy of the year’ award, having been nominated for five awards across four categories. Its founding partner, and CIPR president, Rob Brown, was also awarded the coveted prize of ‘Industry leader of the year’.

Brown says, "When Julie Wilson and I set up Rule 5, one of the things we wanted to do most of all was deliver great work. To do that you need really good people and the thinking and planning needs to be really robust, you also need good clients.”

He continues, “Whilst we feel incredibly fortunate to be nominated across several categories it’s not a happy accident. Long term planning and hard work are essential.”

Winners of ‘New consultancy of the year’ and ‘Large consultancy of the year’ at the Manchester ceremony were announced as Petal & Co., and Finn, respectively.

Reputation and management consultancy, Lansons, is among the nominees shortlisted for the London awards ceremony, which will be held on 16 July.

Lisa Carr, director and president at Lansons, says “We are obviously really delighted to be nominated for a DARE Award in the ‘Campaign challenges’ category, and we are really proud of the work we did with Black Rock and British Assets for this campaign.”

Carr says, “The campaign itself has already scooped a PRCA City Award for the ‘Best change management campaign’. However, we know we are up against some really stiff competition, so we have everything crossed.”

The next two PRCA DARE Awards events will be held in Glasgow on 15 June and Birmingham on 6 July. The event series culminates in London.