Riot Communications, the leading PR agency specialising in arts, culture and entertainment, has retained full Blueprint status in the latest round of reapplications.
The Blueprint diversity mark aims to promote racial diversity in PR and communications. Awarded agencies sign up to a series of commitments aimed at encouraging diversity from entry level to boardroom, from staff culture to recruitment and retention. They must reapply every two years, to ensure continued best practice and commitment.
Riot first secured full Blueprint status in January 2022, only the sixth PR agency in the UK to do so, as well as being the smallest and the only one specialising in arts, culture and entertainment.
The announcement today comes following a rigorous reapplication process in December 2023, which detailed how Riot had fulfilled the Blueprint commitments over the previous two years. Following assessment from an independent panel of judges, the agency has been re-awarded the full mark for its continued commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, and for providing solid examples of meeting and going beyond the Blueprint commitments. Furthermore, the agency impressed the judges with the level of detail and transparency in supporting documents that proved DEI remains at the heart of the agency.
Elizabeth Bananuka, Founder, BME PR Pros; Founder/CEO Blueprinted, said: “In the midst of so many negative reports about DEI initiatives, it is incredibly warming to reward Riot Communications full Blueprint status. The agency’s reapplication form accompanied by an extensive number of supporting materials highlighted leaders Caitlin Allen and Katy MacMillan-Scott’s strong commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion, and to maintaining the unique, inclusive culture the agency is famed for. Despite being one of the smallest agencies to secure full Blueprint status, the tiny agency has continued to make big DEI moves even in the midst of significant business changes. When Riot Communications first applied in 2022 they set the benchmark for small agencies. In 2024 they set the benchmark for a leadership truly committed to DEI. The Blueprint judges and I congratulate Riot Communications for retaining full Blueprint status and for their unwavering and admirable commitment to The Blueprint.”
Caitlin Allen, MD, Riot Communications, said: “In the two years since we first became Blueprinted, we have gained so much from the ongoing learning opportunities, the tailored action plans, and the community of like-minded agencies that Elizabeth has created. Being worthy of retaining this high benchmark has stretched us as an agency and challenged us as a leadership team, in the best possible way. It holds us accountable, daily, to be the very best we can be. We are incredibly grateful to Elizabeth, the wider Blueprint team, and our fellow Blueprinted agencies, who have shown us such generosity and support along the way. It is an exceptional group to be a part of.”
