Five CIPR PRide award shortlists for Viva

Viva has been shortlisted for five awards, including Public Relations Consultancy of the Year, at the upcoming CIPR PRide Awards North West.

The agency is aiming for a fourth round of team honours in six years, after winning the small agency award in 2016, 2019 and 2021. Following a period of rapid growth for Viva, it is now shortlisted alongside larger agencies in the PR agency category.

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

The final campaign shortlist for Viva is in Best Use of Media Relations, where the launch of the South Pennines Park has been named as a finalist. 

The measures put in place over the past two years to care for employee wellbeing has also seen Viva shortlisted for Best Staff Wellbeing Initiative at the awards, which take place in October.   

Tony Garner, Viva’s founder and MD, said: “We’ve gone from strength to strength since the beginning of the pandemic – we were determined not to let Covid derail our five-year plan to grow as an agency, and we’ve had another record year in terms of turnover and client wins.

“Being shortlisted for five awards is a huge deal for us, especially seeing us move up to the PR Consultancy of the Year category from being shortlisted in the Small Agency in recent years. That confirms to me we’re well on track with our plans to grow.  

“Team Viva has been delivering real impact for our clients, which is further emphasised by three campaign nominations. 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.

“I’m also incredibly proud to be shortlisted for the Staff Wellbeing Initiative – we’ve put a number of measures in place to care for our people and it means a lot to have this recognised by industry leaders.”

Helen Noble, chief executive of South Pennines Park, said: “The impact of Viva and its reach placed the South Pennines Park in a different stratosphere from where it was originally.

“The impact of the launch was far reaching, not only regionally but made its mark nationally in the press. It also raised our profile with our stakeholders and partners.

“The professionalism, calmness and dedication of the Viva team all led to the South Pennines Park maturing into a professional and confident organisation to deliver England’s first renewable designated national landscape.”

The winners will be announced in October at a virtual ceremony and the full shortlist is available online.