[Leicestershire, 24-04-26] East Midlands Chamber’s first major AI project has won a regional PR technology award.
George Oliver, Managing Director of 1284 Communications, is a Chamber Board member and was asked last year to look at ways to streamline media response times.
That led to the design and development of AI News Editor, which has now scooped gold in the Best Use of AI category of the CIPR Midlands PR Awards 2026.
AI News Editor was ideated by 1284 and then developed by Chamber strategic partner Digital Planning. Loughborough-based 1284 also won Small Agency of the Year and Rising Star in the CIPR Midlands PR Awards.
Judges said: “The AI News Editor transformed editorial processes and freed up time for proactive communications, standing out for its strong collaboration both internally and with the news industry.”
The Awards recognise outstanding creativity, strategic thinking and impact of PR and communications professionals working in-house, independently, or in agencies across the East and West Midlands.
The Chamber embarked on its new AI Strategy in 2025, with the AI News Editor becoming the first project to roll off the production line. The custom-built platform enables Chamber policy and comms officers to radically accelerate their responses to Government announcements, without sacrificing human editorial control. Product testing indicated time savings of up to 58%.
CIPR Awards organisers described entries for the 2026 Awards as being “incredibly competitive”- adding that each submission was read at least four times by a panel of 18 experienced PR practitioners drawn from across CIPR Scotland.
The Best Use of AI category recognises how agencies are deploying artificial intelligence to enhance PR activity
East Midlands Chamber Director of Continuous Improvement, Alison Griffiths, said: “The AI News Editor project has enabled the Chamber to introduce AI technology in an effective and measured manner, ensuring it truly complements our communications strategy.
“This bespoke solution, designed specifically for the Chamber by 1284 and developed in partnership with Digital Planning, reflects a deep understanding of our business needs.
“The platform brings tangible benefits by significantly speeding up our media responses while preserving editorial control, allowing us to make a real productivity gain without compromising quality.”
James Ferraby, director of Loughborough-based Digital Planning, said: “We loved building the AI News Editor for East Midlands Chamber and it’s great to see it being recognised within its industry.”
CIPR Midlands Awards winners were announced during a ceremony on 23 April at the Book Rotunda, in Birmingham which was hosted by BBC presenter Richie Anderson.
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) was established in 1948 and is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners. With more than 11,000 members, it sets industry standards, provides training, and enforces an ethical code of conduct for PR professionals
1284 Communications is an award-winning PR consultancy, founded in 2020 to tell the story of East Midlands innovation and economic growth. It specialises in building the profile of manufacturing and tech SMEs, research spinouts, and local authorities. 1284 brings decades of senior newsroom experience and Business School theory. A Chartered PR Practitioner, it is Good Business Charter accredited and a registered Crown Commercial Supplier. 1284’s work has been nationally recognised by both CIPR and PRCA, including being named CIPR Midlands Small PR Agency of the Year 2026.
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