Life-time achievement award in YPW centenary

At the Yorkshire Publicity Association (YPA) Centenary Ball current chair Shirley Cummings was presented with a unique Life-Time Achievement Award.

The Ball held at Rudding Park was attended by a ‘Who’s Who’ of nearly 250 executives from the media world from TV, Radio, Press and agencies across the region with a strong showing from London and Manchester.

The award recognised the exceptional dedication that Shirley has given to the YPA, in recent years she has ensured the continuity of the Association, its amazing events and fundraising for charity. Following the recent donation of over £5000 to the National Advertising Benevolent Fund the Ball will benefit: Circus Starr, Caring for Life, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Woodland Trust and Cancer Research UK.

The Ball also saw a gathering of past Chairs from the last 25 years. Richard Tamlyn 2003-5, Chris MacKenzie 1994-6, Shirley Cummings 2017-23, Robert McClements 1990-2, Anne Crowther 1988-9 and Chris Pickles, Past Treasurer.

Image: Past Chair, Rob McClements presents the Award to current Chair, Shirley Cummings.

About the society
The Yorkshire Publicity Association (YPA) a centenary, marking a hundred years of dedicated efforts in promoting the creative industries of Yorkshire. Established in 1923 as The Publicity Club of Leeds, under the guidance of Stuart Hirst, it was one of the founders of the Advertising Association.

In later years Honorary Presidents included Advertising Association’s grandees of the industry, David Bernstein and Winston Fletcher as well as Lord Mayors of Leeds and The Earl of Harewood as Patron.

Over time the club became the Publicity Association of West Yorkshire (PAWY) and incorporated the Bradford and Sheffield Associations, to become the Yorkshire Publicity Association, fondly known as ‘The Pub Club’. The YPA played a pivotal role in recognizing and celebrating outstanding creativity in advertising and design. The famous Drum Roses Awards began life as the White Rose Awards in Leeds. In 1992 their replacement the prestigious YPAwards attracted, as chair of judges, Sir John Hegarty, of Bartle, Bogle, Hegarty, famous for the iconic Levi's 501 'Launderette' commercial.