Former South East Technological University (SETU) Graduate, Aislinn Burke from Thurles, Co. Tipperary has been recognised as Ireland's Rising Star at the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) Spotlight Awards.
The Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) Spotlight Awards are one of the country's leading awards celebrating excellence in public relations and communications. The ceremony also saw Rhona Blake inducted into the PRCA Hall of Fame in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the communications industry.
The Rising Star Award recognises emerging talent within Ireland's public relations industry, celebrating outstanding achievement, leadership and impact. Aislinn was one of seven professionals shortlisted from across the country before being announced as this year's winner at the awards ceremony, held in The Shelbourne, Dublin, on Thursday, 25 June. Aislinn was chosen for the quality of her work across a range of public sector and social impact clients, including organisations operating in complex environments, on the night adding that they were "particularly impressed by her ability to deliver results for clients that do not naturally attract public attention".
Alongside the individual honour, Aislinn celebrated further success with her colleagues at We the People, who received four awards and three Highly Commended recognitions on the night. Among the award-winning campaigns was Let's Make it Work, which received Best Public Sector Campaign for work delivered in partnership with the European Commission and ICF Next, highlighting workers' social rights across Europe.
Aislinn is a graduate of SETU where she studied Media and Public Relations. In 2018, she received the Nationalist Newspaper Excellence in Media Practice Prize in recognition of the consistently high standard of articles, videos and media materials produced during her final year.
Receiving the PRCA Rising Star Award is an incredible honour and one I’m immensely proud of. Looking back, my time studying Media and Public Relations at SETU's campus in Carlow gave me the foundations and confidence to pursue a career in communications, while also encouraging me to think creatively, embrace opportunities and challenge myself.
Aislinn Burke on receiving her award
Speaking following the awards, Aislinn Burke said, "It’s incredibly rewarding to see that journey recognised at a national level, and I’m very grateful to the lecturers, classmates, colleagues and mentors who have supported me along the way. I hope this achievement encourages current and future students to back themselves and make the most of every opportunity that comes their way.”
The full list of winners is available from the Public Relations Consultants Associations awards at www.prca.ie
