A crisis PR campaign by a Mold-based agency has been named the best at a PR awards ceremony in Manchester.

Outwrite PR won gold in the best issues, crisis or reputational campaign category at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations’ (CIPR) PRide North West awards at the Principal Hotel, Manchester.

And the agency beat off top competition from large agencies based in Cardiff and the North West, which worked with big name brands including a leading travel company and a boutique hotel.

A panel of leading peers of the PR industry judged the awards, choosing Outwrite as the gold winner citing its clear ability to change the reputation of its client. They also commented that the crisis PR agency combined solid research plus multi-channel implementation and use of digital.

Digital director Anthony Bullick also presented the best healthcare campaign award at the ceremony in his role as CIPR North West treasurer.

Outwrite operates as a full-service PR agency, including reputational management, which is the practise of protecting and enhancing the overall image of a person, organisation or brand.

The award is Outwrite’s second gold prize from the CIPR, as it celebrates no less than nine award shortlistings in 2017.

Outwrite’s managing director Tracy North said: “Outwrite has always delivered excellent issues, crisis and reputational management services and this goes down to our team.”

“Because we are all trained journalists, we can understand how, when and why the media will break a negative story. This translates perfectly to how reputations are managed and protected online.

“This award goes to show our agency can compete with big city-centre based agencies as the number one crisis PR agency in the North West and Wales.”

Anthony Bullick said: “Winning a CIPR award is a major achievement for any PR agency, and Outwrite is no exception.

“We’re really proud to have both won and been shortlisted at such a prestigious event, and we’ll hope for similar fortune at the CIPR Wales Cymru PRide Awards later this month where we’re up for three awards.”

Outwrite’s clients include housing association Grŵp Cynefin, Wynne Construction, chemicals manufacturer Synthite, and engineering, planning and environmental specialists Caulmert.

The PR agency specialises in PR, social media and integrated PR and SEO (search engine optimisation).