According to a recent analysis for the DTI by BDO Stoy Hayward, public relations consultancies were estimated to turn over £300 million per annum and to employ around 7,500 people. In addition, the UK public relations sector is the most highly developed in Europe. The Public Relations Consultants Association was formed in 1969 to encourage and promote the advancement of companies and firms engaged in public relations consultancy. They publish this yearbook of their members which is a recognized reference source for public relations consultancies and their services.
The yearbook begins with a series of articles explaining the background to the development of the new PRCA Quality Standard by which consultancy services can be measured. Then there is a section outlining the objectives of the PRCA, the PRCA Professional Charter and various other codes of practice. The main part of this volume is the directory of PRCA member companies, of which there are approximately 140. Each consultancy has an entry of at least one page, providing full contract details including fax and e‐mail addresses; number of employees; quality assessment achieved; date of establishment; the range of services offered; a list of current clients and those served on an ad hoc basis during 1996. The band of annual fee income is given as is the name of any parent, subsidiary or associate companies. Finally a list is given of the directors and/or partners with any who hold public office being indicated.
The latter part of the yearbook includes a list of worldwide useful addresses and a who’s who in public relations. This concentrates on providing brief career details of the consultants. Four indexes allow for easy identification of clients, partners and directors, holders of public office and advertisers. This continues to be a useful volume for everyone in the public relations field or for anyone wishing to employ a PR consultant.
