News archives December 2002 Hallmark PR is among first to get new quality mark Hallmark PR in Winchester is one of the three first public relations consultancies in the UK to pass the updated, more stringent Consultancy Management Standard (CMS). Every two years, all 128 members of the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) must pass the externally assessed CMS to retain membership. PRCA represents over 70% of the UK consultancy market. Hallmark PR was chosen to be a test bed for the new version of CMS, which was introduced in 1997. It passed with flying colours and a report from the auditor that it "has a very high degree of compliance to the Standard and a clear evidence of best practice". Managing director Dr Tom Watson explains the benefits of the new quality mark: "CMS covers all areas of consultancy operations including campaign planning, business improvement, client satisfaction, business planning and personnel management. All together, these help the consultancy put a major effort into achieving our clients' objectives. "CMS was set up to raise standards within the PR industry. This new level goes a big step further with an even more thorough assessment that focuses on additional areas, especially in leadership and business improvement." When businesses are looking for a high quality PR advisers, they should look to see whether the consultancy has achieved CMS, said Tom Watson. CMS has now been adopted as a worldwide standard and is being introduced into 22 other countries. A UK Top 150 consultancy, Hallmark PR, offers a full range of services to create and run successful communications programmes, such as the skills and contacts for effective media relations, business-to-business communications, community relations and issues management. Current clients include: B&Q, Baker Tilly, Bowman Power, Foresters Friendly Society, Gunwharf Quays, The Siemon Company and Vail Williams. For further information contact Steve Wilson