86% of PRs are optimistic about 2014

86% of the leading UK PR consultancies believe 2014 is going to be a better year for them than 2013, according to the results from an online survey by Question & Retain Ltd (Q&R) in conjunction with Amber Group, a training, coaching and HR consultancy.

Annabel Dunstan, co-founder at Q&R said: ‘Confidence for 2014 appears to be strong with a number of agencies citing an increase in leads in Q4 following a slow or flat first part of the year. Let’s hope this positive sentiment is matched by actual new business won in the New Year.’

Ken Deeks, director at the Amber Group, added: ‘This is really good news for the industry. We’ve seen some very positive steps this year and this looks set to continue over the next 12 months. This does however mean that the market will be as competitive as ever and so it’s now critical that agencies do all the right things to keep both their clients and their people.’

However, of the over 560 consultancies that took part in the survey, a small proportion (6%) claimed that the year ahead was likely to be worse, and a similar number felt things would be no different next year.

The results of the survey can be backed by the overall optimistic representation of the PR sector in the PR Census 2013 revealed on Tuesday. Pegged at £9.62 billion for 2013, the PR industry is expected to have a stronger year in terms of rewards, recruitment and revenues.