SUFFOLK-based public relations agency Project PR leads the shortlist for the 2010 Chartered Institute of Public Relations East Anglia PRide Awards, with a total of eight nominations.

Project, based near Ipswich, is one of three agencies shortlisted for the Outstanding Consultancy title, together with Mosaic Publicity of Colchester and Tribe PR from Norwich.

There are also nominations for Project in the categories for Corporate and Business Communications (for work undertaken for East of England International), Community Relations (East of England Regional Assembly), Consumer Relations (Ford Retail), Best Use of Media Relations (Ipswich Building Society), Integrated Communications (Christies Care) and Best Use of Digital PR (Ipswich Building Society).

In addition, Amy Bullard from Project, who manages PR for clients including Ipswich Building Society, Christies Care and Challs International, is one of two nominees in the Outstanding Young Communicator category, together with Lorna Gott of Essex County Council. Penny Arbuthnot, director at Project PR, said: “I’m incredibly proud of each of our team and we are all looking forward to the awards evening in November.”

Essex County Council has five other nominations, for Public Affairs, Best Use of Media Relations, Integrated Communications, Best Event and Best In-House Team.

And Mosaic Publicity is shortlisted in three other categories, including Community Relations (with DP World London Gateway), Best Use of Digital PR and Best Event.

There are two nominations each for Pier Marketing from Felixstowe, for Best Campaign under �10,000 and Outstanding Small Consultancy, and the University of Essex, for Best Publication and Best Event.

Other nominations in Suffolk and Essex for the awards, which cover the whole of East Anglia, include Colchester Borough Council for Best In-House Team, Essex Scouts for Best Newsletter and Shorthose Russell of Norwich, on behalf of the Brudenell Hotel, Aldeburgh, for Best Website or Microsite.

The awards, sponsored by media intelligence company Precise, will be announced during a presentation dinner at the De Vere Dunston Hall Hotel, near Norwich, on Wednesday, November 3.

Rachael Paddick, chairman of CIPR East Anglia, said: “Being shortlisted in the CIPR PRide Awards is a tremendous achievement. The judging process is rigorous with a national panel of industry experts assessing the entries.”

Jay O’Connor, CIPR president, added: “CIPR PRide Awards are a celebration of PR achievement and a showcase of campaigns implemented by the best of the best from across the UK.

“I offer my congratulations to all those who have reached this stage of the competition. Now more than ever, demonstrating the value of what we do, and the positive impact we have, is tremendously important. Thank you to all involved – the entrants, judges and teams.”?