New Delhi, August 17, 2006

Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI), the apex industry body representing public relations consultants in India, and a member of The International Communications Consultancy Organization (ICCO), today announced a special 'Matchmaking Program', targeted to bring Indian and Global public relations consultancies together. Part of the ICCO Global Summit 2006, being held from 4 to 6 October, 2006 in New Delhi, India, this Matchmaking Program is the first organized attempt to facilitate partnerships between Indian and Global public relations consultancies.

Introducing the concept, Ms. Nandita Lakshmanan, President, PRCAI said, "There is a growing need for PR firms overseas to engage with their Indian counterparts. Indian firms are also seeking alliances to expand business and gain exposure to international best practices. PRCAI, as the apex body for the Industry is creating a platform for such firms to meet, understand each other's credentials and offerings, and collaborate for business growth.

"This program is open to both PRCAI members, as well as delegates (non-member firms) of the ICCO Global Summit being held in New Delhi, India from October 4-6, 2006.", she added

Under the theme, 'Forget Best Practices, Think Next Practices', the ICCO Summit will explore what new skills and resources PR agencies will require in the future, if they are to take advantage of the new opportunities being created by the shift in influence from West to East, and, more importantly, if they are to remain relevant to their clients.

Interested agencies can register for the ICCO summit, and furnish information in a prescribed format for Indian (MS Word, 59KB) and Global (MS Word, 55KB) PR agencies. A PRCAI panel will then draw up a shortlist of Indian and global agencies who take forward their discussions. Each registered participant for the Matchmaking Program is entitled to explore possibilities of alliances with upto two companies.

To enter the program, interested Indian agencies would need to pay Rs. 15,000/-, while the fee for global agencies is US$ 500.

Payment details are available on the ICCO Summit registration site.

About ICCO
The International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) is the voice of public relations consultancies across the world. The ICCO membership comprises national trade associations representing independent public relations consultancies operating in twenty nine countries around the world, from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and America. These affiliated trade associations collectively have 850 PR consultancies as their members who between them employ over 25,000 staff.
ICCO's membership comprises 26 Full Members (countries which have a formal trade association of PR consultancies) and three Observer Members.

About PRCAI
Public Relations Consultants Association of India is a trade association set up in 2001 that represents India's public relations consultancy sector while providing a forum for Government, public bodies, industry associations, trade and others to confer with public relations consultants as a body. It seeks to establish benchmarks in Standards, Knowledge, Ethics and Expertise and encourages and promotes the progression of Public Relations Industry in India. To widen representation and participation from our members, 4 Regional Chapters have been created. PRCAI has 3 Key Committees which are Professional Practices Committee, Standards Committee and Marketing Committee. Fifteen leading PR consultancies are PRCAI members.

In addition, PRCAI offers its members services in the areas spanning Professional Codes, Consultancy Management Standards, Regional Networks, International Information and knowledge sharing with links, Referrals, Industry placements, Guidance papers, business support, Seminars and Conferences, Education & training and Research and surveys. Two PR Summits are held every year. Panel discussions and knowledge series lectures are held in regional chapters too.

For further information please contact: