The Claire Mascall PR Prize, which has been established in memory of one of the PR industry’s most respected practitioners, is open to all third-year public relations degree students at Leeds Metropolitan University. In addition to the main prize, two runners-up will each receive £500 and work placement with leading PR consultancies.

Launched last year by her family in memory of Claire Mascall, who had a 35-year career in corporate relations, latterly as Head of Corporate Affairs for the London Stock Exchange, the Claire Mascall PR Prize aims to be an annual award for the University.

For the 2010 award is due to be launched in September when the judges will annouce the challenge for students to complete. 

The prize winner will receive a two week placement with the London Stock Exchange and support the communications team during their first quarter result announcement and the Annual General Meeting.  

John Wallace, Director of Corporate Communications at the London Stock Exchange said “We are pleased to be contributing towards this special award in memory of Claire.  The London Stock Exchange Group is committed to community outreach, particularly engaging with higher education establishments and promoting good communication. We look forward to providing useful experience for the competition winner.”

Claire’s eldest daughter, Charlie Canniff, comments: “My mother would have been delighted with the entries to the first awards last year and with a chance to work with the top PR team at the Stock Exchange up for grabs, we’re hoping for even hotter competition this year. The Claire Mascall PR Prize is all about well-researched and clearly targeted communications. We’re looking for substance and a clear demonstration of the power of PR to achieve measurable results.”

Professor Anne Gregory, Director of the Centre for PR Studies said: “The standard of entries for the inaugural Claire Mascall PR Prize last year was extremely high and we’re expecting even better this year. Work placement with the Corporate Communications team at the London Stock Exchange is an incredible opportunity and the prize money can make a substantial contribution to the winning student’s study programme.”

Last year’s Claire Mascall PR Prize winner was Katie Brown for her essay on the use of social media for not-for-profit organisations. In addition to the £1,000 prize money she was awarded work placement with the UK Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments. Runner up Sadie Edwards won £500 and placement with MCG PR and Julia Lumley won £500 and work experience with the Centre for Public Relations Studies at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Judges for the 2010 prize are Professor Anne Gregory, Carol Arthur, Chair of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire CIPR and Director of Northern Lights PR and Christine Mortimer, Director of MCG PR.

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Leeds PR students will be invited to compete for a coveted work placement at the London Stock Exchange and £1,000 prize money. In addition to the main prize, two runners-up will each receive £500 and work placement with leading PR consultancies.

Claire Mascall had a career spanning more than 35 years in some of the toughest and most male dominated industries. With her strong work ethic and fiery nature she couldn’t fail to make a mark. Now she will also leave a legacy of good practice, with some fireworks thrown in…

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Claire Mascall PR Prize Winner Katie Brown (2nd front row) with (l-r) Charlie Canniff, Sadie Edwards, Carol Arthur, Christine Mortimer, Julia Lumley and Anne Gregory

PR students, lecturers and business leaders gathered in Leeds at the end of last year to award an inaugural prize in memory of one of the PR industry’s most respected practitioners.

The Claire Mascall PR Prize was awarded to Katie Brown, with runners-up prizes for Sadie Edwards and Julia Lumley, all third-year public relations degree students at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Established by her family in memory of Claire Mascall, who had a 35-year career in corporate relations, latterly as Head of Corporate Affairs for the London Stock Exchange, the Claire Mascall PR Prize aims to be an annual award for the University, extending to a bursary if sufficient funds are raised.

Katie wins £1,000 and a two-week work placement with the UK Securities and Investments Board; Sadie wins £500 and work experience with award-winning PR consultancy MCG and Julia wins £500 and a work placement with the Leeds Metropolitan University Business School.

Claire’s eldest daughter Charlie Canniff comments; “My mother was passionate about the power of well-researched and clearly targeted communications. She would have taken a great personal interest in the award entries and it is my fervent hope that this award will become an annual celebration of the best future PR practitioners from this excellent university.”

The inaugural Claire Mascall PR Award asked PR students to examine the use and value of social media in the not-for-profit sector. Winner Katie Brown chose to focus on national charity Oxfam and the judging panel said her work was a cogent and strong examination of social media, which would be beneficial to other not-for-profit organisations. She comments:

“I’m absolutely delighted. I really enjoyed working on this project and firmly believe that the social media presents a major opportunity for charities and other not-for-profit organisations as it is all about developing relationships and two way communications. Focusing on Oxfam’s use of social networks as part of an integrated PR campaign confirmed that view and demonstrated the growing importance of social media to the third sector.@

Katie is considering undertaking a post-graduate course and said the prize money would be an invaluable help for her continued studies.

Professor Anne Gregory, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Metropolitan University said: “The standard of entries for this inaugural Claire Mascall PR Prize was extremely high, with outstanding levels of research and strategic argument about the pros and cons of social media channels for non-profit organisations. It is a fabulous accolade for our PR degree students.”

Professor Gregory was joined on the judging panel by Claire Mascall’s daughter Charlie Canniff; Carol Arthur, Chair of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire CIPR and Director of Northern Lights PR and Christine Mortimer, Director of MCG PR.

Christine comments; “I was privileged to work with Claire during her time at the London Stock Exchange and she was an inspirational practitioner. Her career spanned corporate communications across the energy, housing, construction and banking industries, but she never sought the limelight, sticking firmly to the philosophy that her employers were the story. She commanded enormous respect, from both businesses and journalists and this award is a superb testimony to her commitment to our industry.”

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In no particular order, the list is -

• Emma Long;
• Jessica Briar;
• Katie Brown;
• Sadie Edwards;
• Julia Lumley;
• Frankie McCamley; and
• Jack Adlam.

The winning entries will be announced on Monday 7^th December 2009 at a prize giving immediately after a CIPR guest lecture

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Redmayne’s head of investment services will be speaking on  Monday 7 December at a lecture taking place at the Rosebowl, Leeds Metropolitan.

Georgina graduated from University College London with a BSc in Economics and joined the  firm’s investment management team at its head office  in June 1999.

Since  2005 Georgina has managed the investment management team and also has a planning role for the future direction of the firm, which has more than 30 branches throughout the UK and in Ireland.

Georgina has also provided regular comment for BBC News 24, Sky, Bloomberg, Channel 4, the BBC World Service and Radio 5 Live.

Punching Above Our Weight

A look at how a regional stockbroker took media noices and with a bit of training and savvy PR worked its way into the City’s media heartland with commentary taken by BBC, Bloomberg, Radio 5 Live, Sunday Times. This lecture will look at how the firm used its regional base and national network as a strength, how reputation can spread in media circles and the lessons learned about knowing your audience. We will also look at how, along the way, a large pool of media novices was whittled down to a small pool of regular spokespeople and authors and what they learned about the impact of their contributions.

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“I was employed by Claire during the very early part of my career … she offered me a great opportunity for which I will be eternally grateful.  Claire was a very demanding boss, which made sure I learned a lot, yet there was always an air of laughter in the office to make all the hard work fun.  I will carry many memories and lessons learned from that time through the rest of my career.” Adrian Simpson – colleague

“Claire Mascall was a good client who became a great friend.

As a client she was a great professional who rarely got ruffled by anything
and put much emphasis on loyalty.

I was fortunate enough to benefit from that loyalty and, after first meeting
her during her time at Barclays, had the opportunity to work with her on
further projects at Anglian Water, the London Stock Exchange and Barings.

Together we produced many award-winning publications and it was a thoroughly
rewarding partnership on many levels.

Claire and I worked together over several years and our friendship
developed. I vividly remember joining her and husband Graham (another client
in his Legal & General days) for a meal in a Covent Garden restaurant where
opera singers provide entertainment for diners. A super evening that will
stay in my memory.

I was very saddened to hear of Claire’s passing. It was a privilege to know
her.” Dave Buckley, Former MD Chandler Gooding

“She was one of the most up-beat people I have ever met and her joyful and positive way of living will have touched and helped many.” Peter Greet – friend

“My memories of her will always be of a warm and lovely person, a thorough professional who could be tough if needed but a wonderful human being, generous and open and a pleasure to meet.  Many a smile and a laugh we had in the good old days.” Brian O’Connor- Daily Mail

“Claire did so much for so many people at Redmayne-Bentley.  She got us out of the rut … and developed a number of shy young ladies into confident TV personalities.  She was a breath of fresh air and an inspiration to us all …” Keith Loudon – Redmayne-Bentley

“I will miss her ideas and strengths … she was a good friend, she listened well and gave good advice.” Fiona Lumb – Redmayne-Bentley

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