The agency was recognised for its passion and excitement which brought out a clear mission for the business, backed up by an impressive commercial reality, with the judges saying its "outstanding client wins and campaigns demonstrated the highest standards of excellence".

Unity beat off competition from Ketchum Pleon, Man Bites Dog, Nelson Bostock, Proof Communication and The Red Consultancy.

Liquid PR's Lisa Gutcher was named outstanding young communicator for her portfolio of skills, experience, and success in a range of sectors. The judges said she "is a consummate professional with a natural understanding of strategy and clear strengths in operational and tactical delivery".

She was up against Clearsilver Marketing's Phillipa Rogan, Davies Tanner's Phillipa Martin, Four Communications' Becki Willis, Shine's Kate McGregor and Slam PR's Helena Bloomer.

Shine Communications scooped the Best Consumer Relations award with cleaning equipment company Kärcher for its work on the Kärcher Cleans Britain campaign around the royal wedding last year.

The agency fended off competition from 3 Monkeys for its Savalon Adventure in Play campaign, Kaizo for The Truvia Voyage of Discovery (won best event award), Ketchum Pleon and Procter & Gamble, Olay Professional range for The Beauty of Proof campaign, McDonald's and Blue Rubicon for its Happy Meal Books and Umpf for The GE Royal campaign.

Slam PR walked away with the Global Public Relations award for its Sparking brand love for Zippo campaign. The judges said the agency "put PR at the heart of the client's business development" and helped it move the market of lighters to lifestyle products. Slam was up against Brands2Life, Edelman, Fever and Frank PR.

Umpf PR won the Best Use of Social media award for its Tweet Pie – The World's Shortest Recipe Book campaign. The campaign reached CNN Live and resulted in a relationship with the BBC Good Food Programme. The judges saw it as a "suburb example of creative execution and elegant delivery", with the agency seeing off competition from agencies including Hotwire and Frank PR.

Judge & Howard picked up Outstanding Small Consultancy for its consistent financial growth with 100% client retention since its launch three years ago, fending off CubanEight, Dynamo, Jargon PR, Reverberate PR and The View to win the award.

salt PR walked away with two gongs for its Lifebuoy: Global Handwashing Day campaign, winning the Healthcare and Corporate Responsibility awards, beating agencies including Fishburn Hedges, Blue Rubicon, Gabrielle Shaw and HB Communications.

The awards ceremony took place at the London Hilton on Park Lane last night and was attended by almost 800 PRs from across the profession.

A full list of winners can be viewed here.