Lancashire PR agency Viva has been shortlisted in four different categories at the upcoming PRmoment Awards North.
The agency’s work with Blackburn with Darwen Council – which saw legendary MP Barbara Castle’s ‘homecoming’ to the town in the form of a bronze statue – is shortlisted in three categories: Public Sector Campaign of the Year, Low Budget Campaign of the Year and Best Measurement Campaign and Evaluation.
Councillor Phil Riley, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:
“I’m really pleased that the communications campaign has been recognised regionally. The statue project was about celebrating and promoting our town’s history and heritage. It’s giving people a lot of pleasure, and we see so many people taking photographs.
“It’s already an iconic feature in the town, highlighting important messages about our well-documented grit and determination. We’re also helping restore equality because there aren’t enough statues of inspirational women in this country.”
Viva is also shortlisted in the Boutique Agency of the Year category, and it’s hoped that it’ll be third time lucky after the agency was shortlisted for the same accolade in 2021 and 2020.
Tony Garner, Viva’s founder and MD, said:
“Being shortlisted by PRmoment means a lot to us as an agency, as these awards cover the whole of the North. It continues to make me proud that following a two-year period like no other, we’ve been recognised for all our great work, both behind the scenes and out there in the big, wide world.
“The campaign to bring Barbara Castle ‘home’ was the culmination of a few years’ work for Viva and the council. Initial plans to fund the statue were drawn up in 2018 and we’ve been keeping tabs on progress ever since. To finally see all the planning come to fruition with a fantastic public launch was an undoubted highlight for the agency last year.
“We’re looking forward to going to an actual awards ceremony with people after so many virtual ceremonies on Zoom – it’s never quite the same!”
The winners will be revealed at a live ceremony at Manchester Hall on Thursday 12th May.
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