Pair of CIPR PRide awards for Viva

Viva took home two awards for Rossendale Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council at the CIPR PRide Awards North West.

The agency won the Gold Community Relations Campaign award for Rossendale Council, and received a Silver in the Public Sector Campaign category for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

Viva’s launch of Rossendale Forest for Rossendale Borough Council scooped the top award in the Community Relations Campaign category, while the agency’s work with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and the unveiling of the Barbara Castle commemorative statue earned a Silver in the Public Sector Campaign category.

Massive achievement on a small budget which required the support of multiple organisations and community groups within the borough, as well as engagement and support from national authorities and local businesses. An already impressive target was smashed and the wider issue of the importance of carbon reduction commanded the attention of local broadcasters, impressed upon the RBC’s CEO, and united local communities behind a common cause.

– CIPR Judges

Alyson Barnes, Leader of Rossendale Council, said:

“The impact achieved with this imaginative and creative campaign far outweighed our expectations, both in terms of numbers and the time frame. Winning a second campaign award in recognition of this is brilliant for us as a council – it tells us we’re getting our public relations right.

“To have nearly 300 volunteers turn up to help us at the planting sessions is testament to the power of a well-run, engaging campaign and what can be achieved when communities pull together.”

Andrea Sturgess, Head of Communications at BwD Council, said:

“Seeing our campaign to bring Barbara Castle ‘home’ to Blackburn recognised with a public sector PR award is testament to all the hard work we put in, together with the team at Viva, to make this so much more than a simple statue unveiling.

“The campaign will always make me proud – the way we engaged with the community changed the narrative, because instead of controversy about a new statue, it became a positive talking point about the role and impact of women in society and the town’s ‘anything is possible’ spirit. Getting recognition from industry leaders at the CIPR tops it all off.”

Tony Garner, Viva’s founder and MD, said:

“Team Viva has been delivering real impact for our clients, and being recognised with two PR campaign awards from the CIPR is testament to this.

“As an agency, we choose to focus on core sectors that align with our purpose, values, and mission – including public bodies that focus on healthcare, community, and the environment. If our hearts are in it, we will create better work.”