ANALYSIS: BIG QUESTION; Who would you nominate as the face of the PR industry for 1997?

Last week the IPR awarded its President’s medal to the BBC TV journalist

Martin Bell

Gary Double

Gary Double PR

‘Nick Hancock, the host of BBC 1’s show They Think It’s All Over is a

top player whose stock is set to rise even higher in 1997. He has more

natural talent than his TV colleague Gary Lineker and appeals to as wide

an audience. Put his image - bright, witty, direct and personable - to

the right product or campaign and you’re onto a winner. Also, anyone who

can take the ‘michael’ out of a national icon (the aforementioned

Lineker) and get away with it, is good enough for me. The only negative

is his unadulterated passion for Stoke City Football Club.’

Chris Casburn

Bulletin International

‘Lily Savage because public relations is all about effecting change and

she is the doyenne of this art. She delivers hard hitting messages,

delivers what her audience wants and gives them great value for money.’

Paul Carroll

Communique PR

‘Dani Behr, Ruud Gullit or Jeremy Paxman could all be the PR face of

1997 for me: intelligent, credible, attractive - they all have presence.

But after further thought my nomination goes to someone who is normally

noted for his absence - Salman Rushdie. With a reversal of his current

policy, just think of the media interest, and the attention of friends

and enemies alike, Salman could command by doing a Richard Branson in

1997.’

Esther Kaposi

Mercury Communications

‘I think that I would choose Jonathan Porritt because he is an

incredibly good communicator. He espouses a particular cause in a

sensible, positive way that everyone can understand. He doesn’t whinge

on about people behaving badly but tries to encourage best practice and

explain the benefits of looking after the environment.’

Julia Simpson

Camden Council

‘Clare Short, for bringing humanity back to politics with the story of

how she lost and found her adopted son. It was a moral fairy tale of our

era. It was beautifully handled and dealt with the real sacrifices that

women are still making today to achieve a level playing field in the

world of work. It must have broken a painful silence for many women.

Clare has got guts and she’s honest - which are still the best PR

assets.’