Public Relations Consultants Association

The Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) is the peak trade body for PR consultancies in the UK.

History
The organisation was formed in 1969 and, according to its website, has over 120 members representing "70 per cent of fee income for UK public relations consultancies". PRCA members, it states, "employ around 4,600 people and generate more than Â£400 million in each year in fees from clients." http://www.prca.org.uk/default.asp?pid=2

However, for all its claims to breadth of membership the organisation has serious internal divisions. In July 2004, PR Week reported that Weber Shandwick (WS) had decided to cease being a member and Edelman was thinking of following suit. 

According to PR Week, WS UK & Ireland chief executive Colin Byrne said: "I have written to the PRCA telling it that after 24 years, WS is not going to renew its membership. We are its biggest financial contributor. Large chunks of my business - financial PR and public affairs - see the PRCA as largely irrelevant, yet they contribute to the high cost of our membership, around Â£13,000 for 2004/2005."

Contact details
Willow House, Willow Place, London, SW1 1JH. Tel : 020 7233 6026 Fax : 020 7828 4797 Web: http://www.prca.org.uk

Other SourceWatch reources

 * Public relations associations