Fuzion Communications Win at the "Oscars" of the PR Industry

25 June 2010

Fuzion Communications flew the flag for Cork as they were awarded a coveted Award for Excellence in Public Relations at a gala awards ceremony in Dublin yesterday.

The Award for Excellence in Public Relations, organised by the PRII, PRCA, and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (Northern Ireland) industry bodies is considered the "Oscars" of the PR industry. The standard of entries in the annual Irish PR industry awards is extremely high and only the best campaigns are recognised, and as Fuzion was the only PR firm with a Head Office outside of Dublin to have been shortlisted, the win was even more special. 

The leading agency beat tough competition to win the category of Best Public Affairs Campaign for its work with the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI) in its campaign for dedicated CF facilities at St Vincent's Hospital. 

In 2008 the HSE announced plans to build a new 34 bed in-patient unit and adjoining day care facility at St. Vincent's, to be completed by 2010, with an immediate interim measure of 14 temporary en-suite rooms.  However, in March 2009 it was reported in the media that the HSE was withdrawing its promise to provide the new unit.

An intense PR campaign devised by Fuzion working with the CFAI, was designed to put pressure on the Department of Health and the HSE, and generate an immediate awareness campaign on the issues around CF and why the facilities were so vitally needed.  Along with the huge level of public support, the PR campaign contributed to the HSE reversing its decision.  The CF Unit at St. Vincent's Hospital is on-track for completion.

The judging panel, comprising industry experts and journalists, commended Fuzion on their successful campaign which ran on a very tight budget, with an extremely short time frame. By receiving the Award for Excellence in Public Relations, Fuzion has now cemented its position as one of the best PR firms in the country.

Commenting on the win, Deirdre Waldron of Fuzion said: ""We are delighted to have won this prestigious award for our work on such a rewarding campaign for the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland. The success of the campaign was as a result of following through on a clear and integrated communications plan, a huge team effort between the whole crew at Fuzion, the CFAI and Orla Tinsley and being flexible enough to react quickly to a dynamic situation."

Deirdre added: "Our approach to PR is very 24/7, practical and holistic and this campaign brought out the best of what we can offer clients. It is very satisfying that our industry can make a difference in such a real way to people's lives and that Fuzion played a special part in this for people with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland "

While Fuzion was the only Cork company to win a coveted award, the Rebel county was well represented at the awards ceremony, with Ann-Marie O'Sullivan, Chairperson of the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) and a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII), and Minister Micheál Martin presenting the awards.