Complete with Jeremy Vine as MC and a vintage funfair, the CIPR Excellence Awards excelled at hosting the best in PR and communications.

The winners represented the wide variety of PR and reputation management work being carried out from across the country. In the ‘Issues, crisis or reputation management’ category, for one, Durham University won for its work in reburying Scottish soldiers discovered on its campus and managing the delicate issues therein with ease. On the other side of the spectrum, Greggs took home a prize in the ‘Consumer relations campaign’ category for its undercover test of Greggs service.

Common themes among the winners, though, revolved around companies approaching complex and challenging issues with consideration, care and careful strategic communications. That theme carried through from the sector categories to examinations of public sector PR and internal comms. A representative example is Pegasus’ work with Network Rail, the British Transport Police and the rail industry on the ‘You vs train’ campaign. The project raised awareness of the dangers of playing on railroad tracks, highlighting the shocking rise in injuries related to taking risks on the tracks. Carefully addressing a challenging topic, the project – and other winners – were able to craft elegant solutions.

CIPR president Emma Leech says, “Our profession is making its mark on business and society. It’s heartening to see PR professionals spearhead organisational efforts to engage on key societal issues; from malnutrition to children’s literacy and gender inequality. Our work makes a genuine impact on society, just as it does on business. The next time you hear the value of PR questioned, point to these winners as an example of the exceptional contribution our industry delivers for its clients and organisations. Congratulations to each and every one of our winners and shortlisted entrants.”

In the consultancy and team awards, Taylor Herring – which won three awards on the night – took home the prize in the renowned ‘Outstanding PR consultancy’ category. Tyto nabbed the prize for ‘Outstanding new PR consultancy,’ and Claire Jarrett from Direct Line Group was named ‘Outstanding young communicator.’ Some entrants were given a 'mark of excellence' recognising their work, despite not being named the category winner.

The full list of winners is as follows:

Corporate and Business Communications Campaign
Gerard Kelly & Partners – GL Assessment: A Dangerous Diet

Internal Communications Campaign
blue goose and Financial Conduct Authority – The Future is Here

Consumer Relations Campaign
Taylor Herring and Greggs – Gregory & Gregory: Undercover Greggs

Public Sector Campaign
Pegasus, Network Rail, British Transport Police and the wider rail industry – You vs. Train

Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign
Talker Tailor Trouble Maker – Deliveroo and Missing People UK #Ride2find

Public Affairs Campaign
Interel Consulting UK – Cut the Stake Now

Not-for-Profit Campaign
Pegasus, Samaritans, Network Rail, British Transport Police and the wider rail industry – Small Talk Saves Lives 2

Healthcare Campaign
M&F Health and BAPEN – UK Malnutrition Awareness Week 2018

Integrated Campaign
SLB PR, Umpf and Leeds BID – Made Up Leeds

International Campaign
Man Bites Dog and Korn Ferry – The Global Talent Crunch

Transport or Automotive Campaign
One Green Bean London – The Pride Flight

Low Budget Campaign
McCann Manchester – Sipping on Top of the World

STEM Campaign
Tin Man and the Institution of Engineering and Technology – The Sound of Engineering

Arts, Culture or Sport Campaign
PR Agency One and Decathlon – Climbing the Summit

Travel, Leisure or Tourism Campaign
Taylor Herring – easyJet tackle gender bias in pilot recruitment

Education Campaign
Oxford University Press – Why closing the word gap matters

Best Use of Media Relations
Spink and United European Gastroenterology (UEG) – Establishing political influence: UEG Week

Best Use of Digital
Vodafone Group – What Will You Be? Digital Skills and Jobs

Best Use of Social Media 
Mischief PR and Huawei – Waistcoat’s Coming Home

Best Use of Content
McDonald's UK – Big Mac with Bacon – the Redknapps

Best Use of Influencer Relations
Chandler Chicco Agency and Ferring Pharmaceuticals – Reaching the IVF community via its superheroes: bloggers

Best Event 
Huawei and Red Consultancy – Huawei Unfinished Symphony

Issues, Crisis or Reputation Management 
Durham University – Reburying the Scottish soldiers – an ethical challenge

Best Publication
Network Rail and beetroot – Network magazine

Outstanding Young Communicator 
Claire Jarrett, Direct Line Group

Outstanding Independent Practitioner 
Rachel Picken, Agile PR & Communications

Outstanding In-House Public Relations Team 
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Outstanding Specialist Public Relations Consultancy
Indigo Pearl

Outstanding New Public Relations Consultancy
Tyto

Outstanding Small Public Relations Consultancy 
Ready10

Outstanding Public Relations Consultancy 
Taylor Herring

Mark of Excellence

Internal Communications Campaign 
Openreach – #WeAreOpenreach

Public Sector Campaign
MHP Communications – RAF100: Inspiring the next generation

Low Budget Campaign 
Museum of London – Fatberg!

STEM Campaign
Stein IAS and Trelleborg Marine & Infrastructure – Perfect PR and Marketing Partnership

Best Use of Content 
Man Bites Dog and Korn Ferry – The Global Talent Crunch

Best Use of Influencer Relations 
MSL and Renault – #BehindCarDoors

Issues, Crisis or Reputation Management 
Transport Scotland, Traffic Scotland and associated Operating Companies – Battling the Beast from the East

Outstanding Young Communicator 
Fiona Yeadon, First Bus

Outstanding Independent Practitioner
Jessica Gillingham, Abode PR

Outstanding In-House Public Relations Team
NFU Mutual

Outstanding Public Relations Consultancy
FleishmanHillard Fishburn