Public relations agency wins double gold at industry awards

Public relations agency Barefoot Media led the Cornish charge with a double win at a respected industry awards ceremony on Friday 21st October.

The St. Wenn-based company scooped two gold awards at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Awards for the West of England region.

At the ceremony in Bristol, the company was awarded top honours in the categories 'Best Website or Microsite' and 'Best Use of Photography or Design'. Account executive Sam Lynas was shortlisted in the Outstanding Young Communicator category.

Receiving the trophies at the black tie awards, Jim Michell, managing partner of Barefoot Media, said: "We put great content at the heart of all our PR campaigns, and photography is a key element in getting journalists and customers interested in clients' news and activities.

"It's something that we have found adds a really powerful dimension to PR campaigns and it's great to see that our work on Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach has been recognised by the judges."

The agency, which specialises in content-led PR and digital marketing, has handled the media relations and press promotion for the award-winning Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach for the past five years as part of their ongoing work with The Hotel & Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay. It is their second award for the event, which won the category of 'Best Campaign £10k and Under' at last year's awards.

Of the use of photography, the CIPR judges said: "This entry demonstrated excellent use of stunning photography – which depicted the meaning and essence of polo on the beach. Of the 53 pieces of local and national print media coverage (which included Metro, The Guardian and the Sunday Mirror), 79% of coverage (42 pieces) included photography.

"The event attracted a record 3,500 spectators. Judges were impressed with the campaign execution and it lived up to 'a picture speaks a 1,000 words'."

Their own website – www.barefootmedia.co.uk – which won the Best Website Award, was designed by Liminal Design of Redruth, Cornwall and developed by Redfuse Internet of Pool.

The CIPR judges said: "Barefoot Media commissioned a new brand identity and website which would accurately reflect the range of services that they offer and provided tangible benefits to journalists and clients.

"The website is fresh and looks professional. The judges were particularly impressed with the Press Centre, and all the case studies and releases were topical, interesting and current."

Judged by leading figures from within the industry, the PRide awards recognise the best PR work carried out across the UK's regions and nations over the past year.

For more information, visit www.barefootmedia.co.uk.