NEW DELHI--The Holmes Report has joined forces with the Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI) to launch the SABRE Awards in India.

Now in their ninth year worldwide, the SABRE Awards have become a global benchmark for public relations work, attracting more than 2,500 entries across North America, EMEA and Asia-Pacific.

By bringing the Awards programme to India, the Holmes Report and PRCAI aim to evaluate, showcase and elevate the role of PR in the country.

"What has been missing here in India is a credible and internationally respected platform for PR professionals to showcase their work and get recognition for it," said PRCAI president Sharif Rangnekar. "Awards such as SABRE completes that for our industry but also helps in pushing the levels up and creating new benchmarks that makes our industry a lot more creative and relevant. We have been waiting for this and are delighted that we have SABRE with us."

The SABRE Awards India will be judged by a jury that comprises senior agency and in-house comms heads, which will be announced in due course. Entries will open in March, with the awards gala expected to take place in early July.

"We feel that the time is right to establish our first local market SABRE Awards and India is the ideal launchpad for this initiative," said Holmes Report managing editor Arun Sudhaman. "The Holmes Report has expanded its India coverage considerably in recent years, as evidenced by our roundtables and editorial, so we are looking forward to showcasing the best PR work that the engrossing Indian market has to offer."

Modelled on the UK's PRCA, India's PRCAI is a trade body that represents the country's PR agencies.