Award Winning Agency BakerBaird Does the Double

7Cs public relations agency BakerBaird Communications has won two Chartered Institute of Public Relations awards – the fourth year in succession that it’s been recognised by the industry body.

The company won Gold in the integrated campaign of the year category for its work on a remarkable medical device, the BabySaver, developed by the University of Liverpool’s Sanyu unit and colleagues in Uganda to reduce infant mortality in low resource countries.

BakerBaird’s work included an international media launch in Africa well as a partnership with the Department of International Trade and the World Health Organisation.

The campaign reached a global audience of 42million and ensured the device moved into clinical trials whilst at the same time attracting the attention of manufacturers as well as those keen to develop a European version.

If it passes into mass production, it is estimated that the device will help to reduce the amount of neonatal deaths in low-resource countries by more than 30% – in the region of 900,000 babies lives per year.

akerBaird also scooped a CIPR media relations award for its client the UK2070 Commission, an independent inquiry into the causes of the serious regional inequalities in the UK which is chaired by Lord Kerslake, the former head of the Civil Service.

The Commission’s research has led to a series of ground-breaking recommendations intended to rebalance the UK economy over the next 50 years, with BakerBaird securing coverage on Radio 4 Today and in the Financial Times, also prompting a campaign across regional media called ‘Power Up the North’.

Director Stuart Baird said: “We’ve won awards every year since we were launched and to now win two in one year is the icing on the cake. To be able to work on projects and with clients who are transformational and inspiring is a real privilege.”

Richard Baker, the former journalist who co-founded the business, added: “Both of these projects are changing the world around us for the better. Brilliant as it is to win these awards, the real pleasure comes from working alongside people who keep coming up with great research projects, technology innovations and policy ideas.”

BakerBaird offers a full suite of public relations services, including the development and delivery of communications strategies, stakeholder engagement, public affairs work and specialist media training.

Its clients include Turner & Townsend, the global built environment professional services business, technology venture builder Blenheim Chalcot, several NHS trusts, and a number of universities.