Leading public affairs and digital agency PLMR was awarded the “Best Use of a Communication Tool in a Campaign” award at the 2021 PRCA Digital Awards last night, celebrating their work supporting Marcus Rashford and the Food Foundation’s fight against child food poverty.

Inspired by Marcus Rashford’s campaign to extend free schools meals into the half term holidays, the PLMR Digital team worked with the Food Foundation to produce a fully interactive map of businesses, charities and local councils who were offering support to families in need via social media. The #KidsMealsMap managed to reach over 50,000 users in only a few days, with thousands of organisations from all across the country submitting their details to be added to the map.

As the leading industry awards for digital campaigning and public affairs, the PRCA Digital Awards celebrate the very best work happening across the UK in the innovative fields of online communications. PRCA Judge Alex Clough, Creative Strategy Director at Splendid Comms, described the win as “well deserved, vital, rapid and an inspiration to judge”.

Jo Ralling, Head of Communications at the The Food Foundation said

“The #endchildfoodpoverty campaign has been an extraordinary journey for everyone who has worked on it. The Kids Meal Map proved to be a vital tool which not only helped vulnerable families across the country find help in their local area but also increased awareness of the campaign. Working on PLMR on this was a total pleasure from beginning to end. Their dedication, good humour and tenacity was next to none and millions of children living in poverty and facing food insecurity have benefited as a result”

PLMR’s Head of Digital and creator of the #KidsMealsMap Alex Hackett said:

“I’m absolutely delighted with this result. Taking a 1am idea to an award-winning project is beyond my wildest dreams. I’m so grateful for all the hard work of PLMR colleagues from across the business who helped turn this project around with me in less than 24 hours, but most importantly I’m incredibly proud to have been able to support Marcus Rashford and the Food Foundation’s vital work in this rewarding way.

 “Thank you so much to the PRCA for recognising all of our efforts with this fantastic award.”

PLMR Managing Director and co-creator of the map, Tim Knight, said:

“PLMR has always sought to support life-changing worthy causes, including donating 5% of net profits to charity ever since our foundation.

 “The work that the Food Foundation does is absolutely key to tackling child food poverty in the UK, and we are so proud to have contributed to that, and helped families around the country to access the food they need.”  

PLMR has previously been nominated for several PRCA Digital Awards, including Consultancy of the Year in 2019. PLMR Head of Digital Alex Hackett was also awarded Digital Professional of the Year in 2019 and PLMR Digital Marketing Manager Lucy Somers was nominated for the same award in 2020.