The New Year has got off to a prosperous start for Cicada Communications.

The agency has recently been appointed by Cels (Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences), the organisation driving the growth of the healthcare and life science economies of North East England.

Cicada managed Cels’ annual ‘Business for Life Awards’ in Newcastle in December and will now be implementing a media relations and PR strategy for 2009.

Current client Diabetes UK Northern and Yorkshire has also renewed its contract for PR and media relations support as it enters its 75th year. And the Institute of Directors Yorkshire has appointed Cicada as the event management team for its annual Director of the Year awards ceremony in September for the fifth year running.

The company’s internal communications know-how is also being sought and it has recently started working on new projects with rail operator First Transpennine Express, nuclear decommissioning contractor Magnox South Ltd and the Government Office for the North East.

Cicada managing director Di Burton said:

“This is a great way for Cicada to start 2009. The demand for our internal communications expertise shows that employers are anticipating the effect that the recession could have on morale in their workforce.

“Effective employee engagement is essential during difficult times and it is encouraging that businesses are taking this seriously.”

Cicada continues to work with clients across a range of industries including commercial law firm Halliwells, Grant Thornton and estate agent Carter Jonas.