Delivering outstanding work in PR and championing best practice

This accreditation, established by the PRCA, holds great significance in the field of communication. It demonstrates C8’s strong commitment to delivering outstanding work in public relations. Earning this accreditation is no small feat – the assessment covers nine key business areas and truly reflects the high standards expected by the PRCA. It’s a significant accomplishment and a strong endorsement of C8’s dedication to excellence.

The History of CMS

Back in 1997, the PRCA introduced the CMS accreditation, which has gained widespread recognition within the industry. The accreditation is built upon frameworks of excellence and the Investors in People standard. It is customised to cater to the specific requirements of public relations consultancies. Widely acknowledged as a symbol of excellence and professionalism in the field of PR, the CMS accreditation has been embraced by 15 international professional bodies.

The PRCA CMS accreditation is designed to enhance the efficiency and profitability of PR consultancies while championing best practices. It involves a rigorous assessment process spanning nine business areas, including;

• Leadership & Communication
• Business Planning
• Business Improvement
• Financial Management & Systems
• Campaign Management
• Client Satisfaction
• New Business
• People Management
• Diversity

This accomplishment highlights the elevated benchmarks upheld by PRCA membership organisations.

The Assessment Process

C8 submitted evidence reflecting its adherence to the standards and best practices upheld by the PRCA. The standard also requires applying organisations to take part in an assessment of three subsections to ensure the organisation has an effective business plan, a robust client satisfaction measurement process, and effective client billing and credit control systems in place. Following preparation to ensure all business areas have been considered and the relevant content and collateral is in place, a timed assessment process takes place that is moderated by the PRCA.

For C8, the assessment was conducted by CMS Assessor Carol Magill, who commended C8 for its strong business development evidence and solid leadership and communication, as well as its exemplary financial management practices. Magill remarked, “It is no easy task for an agency to achieve CMS. Well done to C8 for their persistence in reaching the standards.”

What the accreditation means to C8

Paula Elliott, Managing Director at C8, expressed her pride in the agency’s accomplishment, stating, “I am so proud of C8 for receiving this CMS accreditation, a global standard in the communications industry. For over 20 years, we have delivered excellent results for our clients while creating a culture that nurtures and grows our employees as communications professionals to meet our customers’ needs. We will continue to push the boundaries and strive to achieve excellence in public relations in the tech space.”

This significant announcement comes on the heels of C8’s recent launch of its Research Bureau and Design Studio. The Research Bureau aims to provide strategic insight to help clients stand out, while the Design Studio creates compelling visual collateral to support clients’ PR and marketing campaigns.

C8 Consulting’s achievement of the CMS accreditation highlights its dedication to upholding the highest standards in communications and marks a significant milestone in its commitment to delivering exceptional results for its clients. This recognition positions C8 as a leader in the tech PR industry and underscores its relentless pursuit of excellence.

Speak with the communications specialists

With 20 successful years in business, the team at C8 Consulting is perfectly placed to help you address your PR and communications challenges. Whether you’re looking to grow internationally, beach head and rollout across new markets, or seek to champion your next growth stage, C8 Consulting is here to help you. Do get in touch.