Type | Non-profit |
---|---|
Industry | Public relations |
Founded | 1948 |
Headquarters | London |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Paul Mylrea |
Website | cipr.co.uk |
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is a professional body for PR practitioners in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1948 and has since grown into one of the largest trade associations for public relations practitioners. CIPR is recognized as a chartered organization by the British government, which creates governmental oversight and suggests the organization has been found to serve the public good. CIPR hosts training and education, a code of conduct, awards and other membership programs. It also advocates for the ethics in public relations and campaigns for a better image of the PR profession.
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History
CIPR was founded in February 1948 as the Institute of Public Relations (IPR). IPR started hosting training programs in 1980. By 1998 it had provided 5,000 certificates and 3,000 diplomas.[1] In 1998, 80 percent of 8,000 IPR members were outside of the United Kingdom.[2][3] From 1991 to 2001, membership of IPR doubled.[4]
During its 60th anniversary year, its President was Elisabeth Lewis-Jones.
Organization
CIPR supports six different membership grades: affiliate, associate, member, fellow, student and global affiliate. The Institute operates 15 regional groups and a number of sectoral groups in areas like construction, healthcare and internal communications.[5] The President of CIPR is elected every few years. The organization has an annual general meeting (AGM), where decisions are made. The organization claims to be the largest organization in the United Kingdom for PR professionals.[6]
CIPR is a chartered organization, which means it's recognized and governed by the Privy Council of the UK. As a recipient of a royal charter, amendments to CIPR's charter requires government approval. There are approximately 900 chartered bodies in the UK[7] and becoming chartered is a multi-year process.[8]
The Institute for Public Relations first examined the idea of obtaining chartered status in the 1950s[6] and began pursuing it in 1995. When IPR's governing body first gave approval for a formal application, informal talks with the Privy Council indicated IPR needed to do more for the public good and professional development to qualify. IPR continued talking with government officials up to 2004 without a formal application.[8] In 2005 IPR's application was accepted by the Privy Council and it was renamed CIPR.[9]
CIPR's members agree to abide and uphold CIPR's code of conduct. Being chartered gives CIPR a degree of prestige in the United Kingdom and influences membership, but outside the UK, some say few understand its significance.[8]
Services
The CIPR provides a number of educational programs and certifications for PR professionals, up to the level of the CIPR Diploma, a Master's level postgraduate qualification.[10]
CIPR hosts an extensive code of conduct that covers how members should treat each other and their clients, as well as the public. It encourages members to "deal honestly and fairly in business with employers, employees, clients, fellow professionals, other professions and the public." The code of conducts suggests members not misrepresent themselves to the client, over-promise or be misleading in ways that don't support the public interest.[2]
CIPR also hosts several awards, such as the Sword of Excellence awards.[11]
Advocacy
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations has been an advocate for ethics and professionalism in public relations since it was founded, fighting against unfavorable portrayals of the PR practice as sinister or unintelligent.[12] CIPR spent decades campaigning for the regulation of political lobbyists in partnership with the Public Relations Consultancy Association (PRCA).[12] IPR and PRCA also worked together on an initiative to increase the use of PRE (planning, research and evaluation).[13]
In early 2012, CIPR announced it would work with Wikipedia to provide guidance to public relations professionals on how to interact with the Wikipedia community.[14] According to CIPR CEO Jane Wilson, the "dark arts" scandal around Bell Pottinger's Wikipedia editing created an opportunity for the public relations and Wikipedia communities to gain a mutual understanding.[15]On 27 June 2012, CIPR released the first version of its guidance for public relations professionals. The main theme of the document was not to directly edit Wikipedia articles you have an affiliation with, but instead collaborate with the Wikipedia community.[16][17]
Leadership
CIPR elects a new President every few years.
- 2000: Alison Clarke,[1] the former managing director of Shirley, Solihullbased McCann Erickson Public Relations was elected. The ceremony took place at the National Motorcycle Museum.[18]
- 2004: Anne Gregory[8]
External links
References
- ^ a b Ng, Stephen (28 September 1998). "In recognition of fine public relations". New Straits Times (Malaysia).
- ^ a b Parris, Matthew (19 February 2005). "The spinners tell me all is fair in the battle between Good and Evil". The Times (London).
- ^ Gray, Robert (13 November 1998). "Profile: Alison Clarke Institute of Public Relations: Transforming the IPR image. Alison Clarke waits in the wings, ready to take centre stage at the IPR in 2000". PRWeek.
- ^ "Introduction – A Thriving Sector. PR is Booming...". PRWeek: pp. Pg. 3. 11 May 2001.
- ^ List of Sectoral Groups on CIPR website
- ^ a b Dixon, Guy (4 July 2004). "Image-Conscious PRs Seek to Bury Bad Image with Queen's Stamp of Approval". Scotland: pp. Page 9.
- ^ "Chartered Bodies". Privy Council. http://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/royal-charters/chartered-bodies/. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ a b c d Lepper, Joe (16 January 2004). "IPR SEEKS MORE CLOUT WITH ROYAL TAG". PRWeek.
- ^ Patterson, Tom (25 February 2005). "NORTH EAST". PR Week.
- ^ PR Academy website
- ^ Clifford, Max (13 May 1996). "Media Guardian: Friend or Foe?". The Guardian (London): pp. T10.
- ^ a b "Lobbying rules". The Times (London). 21 July 1998.
- ^ Kolah, Ardi (16 August 2001). "Marketing Society – Help is on Hand for Professional Practices in PR". Marketing: pp. Page 18.
- ^ Allen, Kevin (9 January 2012). "PR institute drafting Wikipedia guidelines for public relations pros". Ragans. http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/PR_institute_drafting_Wikipedia_guidelines_for_pub_10504.aspx. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ Wilson, Jane (15 May 2012). "PR: If You Want to Understand Wikipedia, Become a Wikipedian". The Huffington Post.
- ^ Robinson, Catherine (27 June 2012). "CIPR hails new guidance for Wikipedia use". Corp Comms Magazine. http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/news/2538-cipr-hails-new-guidance-for-wikipedia-use. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
- ^ Luker, Sara (27 June 2012). "CIPR tells members not to edit clients' Wikipedia pages". PRWeek. http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/1138291/cipr-tells-members-not-edit-clients-wikipedia-pages/. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
- ^ Sidwell, Graham (7 February 2005). "Media and Marketing: Claire in the IPR Hot Seat". Birmingham Post: pp. Page 29.