DCU graduates dominate Public Relations Awards

Public Relations Awards 2016

DCU MA Journalism graduate, Mark O’Toole, has been awarded the Young Communications Professional of the Year at the 2016 PRII awards. Mark, who is Chief Strategy Officer at Beachhut PR, graduated from DCU in 2009, before developing a career in Journalism and Public Relations across print, radio and television.

The award was made as part of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) 2016 “awards for excellence in Public Relations” at an awards ceremony at the Shelbourne Hotel on Friday, 17th June. The PRII award recognises outstanding performance by a young (28 or under) communications professional who played a key role in delivering results for on behalf of their employer or client.

DCU’s impact on the Irish Public Relations sector is evident in the selection of four DCU graduates out of the five young professionals shortlisted for this award. In addition to Mark O’Toole achieving the overall award, three others shortlisted are DCU graduates: Catherine Dennehy, Communications Lead at Three Ireland, (MA Journalism, 2012); Seán Earley, Creative Director at New/Slang (BSc Multimedia, 2009); Fiona McNicholas, Account Manager at Heneghan PR (BA Journalism, 2011).

The continuing prominence of DCU Communications, Journalism and Multimedia graduates within the Irish Public Relations profession has prompted a new specialist postgraduate programme at the university. The MSc in Public Relations & Strategic Communications will welcome its first students in September 2016 and has attracted graduates from a variety of colleges, including DCU, DIT, NUI Maynooth, TCD, UCD, UL, Florida University, Baruch City University (New York), Université Catholique de Lille (France), Towson University in Maryland and University of Indianapolis.

Applications for the MSc in Public Relations & Strategic Communications remain open until 31st July 2016. Further information is available from: https://www.dcu.ie/prospective/deginfo.php?classname=MSCPR