Matchmaker is a free, confidential and impartial service offered by the PRCA, specifically designed to assist businesses and brands in finding the right PR and communications partner. Our specialist agency search and selection service simplifies the PR and communications landscape, saving significant time and money.
The FREE Matchmaker service is specifically designed to help marketers, procurement professionals, business owners, and in-house communications teams. Looking for PR and communications support, reviewing your PR and communications agencies, tendering contracts, or seeking an agency for a project?
Matchmaker dovetails perfectly with any internal procurement processes such as formal expressions of interest and pre-qualification criteria. Each selection starts with your requirement brief to us highlighting factors such as sector experience, skillset, conflicting brands, location, size, your budget, and timing.
To be on Matchmaker, our agencies must be accredited with the Communications Management Standard (CMS), the ISO9001, and Investors in People equivalent for the global PR and communications industry.
Matchmaker uses clear, streamlined processes that are fair and efficient for both clients and agencies. Matchmaker is confidential, and follows industry best-practice.
How does Matchmaker work?
1) The client fills out the application form.
2) The application form is matched to an initial shortlist, both through a process of electronic matching of criteria as well as research by the Matchmaker administrator (typically 1-2 working days). During this process we may need to clarify one or two points with the client.
3) Around 6-7 agencies are sought to express interest (2 working days permitted), and then to produce tailored credentials (4 working days permitted).
4) The client will then review tailored credentials (preferably within 1 week).
5) The client will invite a selection of agencies to the next stage (this next stage is managed by the client directly, with best practice advice from the Matchmaker service):
a) If the brief is substantial in budget and scope, a traditional, full-pitch process will likely commence. 3 agencies maximum and 3 weeks permitted is recommended.
b) For smaller briefs, alternative routes are encouraged: e.g. phone conversations, face to face chemistry sessions, condensed written pitches.
We strive to ensure clear, streamlined processes that are fair and efficient for both clients and agencies. Our processes are informed by industry best practice guidelines.