WORCESTERSHIRE public relations specialist betterpr has been shortlisted as an “outstanding small consultancy”

in both the UK and now in the Midlands.

Already this year the consultancy has reached the national finals of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Excellence Awards 2008, considered the most prestigious in the industry.

Now, for the second year running, it is also a finalist in the CIPR’s PRide Awards 2008 as an “outstanding small consultancy”, having won the silver award in the same category last year.

The consultancy has also reached the finals in the “low budget” category for its campaign to launch Quick- Base, which is a revolutionary new foundation system for conservatories.

Nationally, Bromsgrove-based betterpr faced competition from a record 850 entrants across 28 categories in the excellence awards, which are designed to recognise and reward best practice in public relations and to acknowledge achievement at the highest professional level.

Only an elite few from the Midlands have been shortlisted with, so far, no winners from the region.

At its first attempt last year, the consultancy was chosen as one of six finalists competing for the national award.

This year the company faces competition from agencies in Essex, Derbyshire and Edinburgh.

Head of betterpr Juliet Betterton said: “There are about 1,500 small businesses practising PR in the UK and it is a major coup to be ranked among the best not once, but for two years in a row.

“We’ve built the business over the last 12 years by delivering measurable results, which are designed to increase profitability.”

The winners will be announced at the Excellence Awards Diamond Dinner, which will be held on September 15 at The London Hilton, Park Lane, and at the Midlands PRide awards dinner, which will be held on October 23 at the Great Hall, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston