Frank Cullen receives ‘Outstanding Service to the Industry’ award

Frank Cullen, founder of Cullen Communications, has received the ‘Outstanding Service to the Industry’ award, which was presented at last week’s 2026 Irish Car of the Year in association with Continental Tyres.

The Outstanding Service to the Industry award is presented by the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI) at the annual Irish Car of the Year/Irish Van of the Year awards.

The aim of this award is to recognise the exceptional contribution of individuals working in the Irish motor industry.

Founded in 1985, Cullen Communications is a leading full-service PR and marketing agency based in Dublin with a portfolio of blue-chip national and international clients, including Continental Tyres.

The company was also the proud designated PR agency for Ford in Ireland for almost 40 years.

Cullen Communications has been managing the Irish Car of the Year awards programme for over 25 years: liaising with the judging panel which assesses the eligible cars and vans; managing the awards event; and spearheading the PR and communications strategy.

The family-owned business is headed up by Frank’s son, Owen Cullen who oversees the day-to-day running of the agency as managing director, while the chairman of the agency is his other son, Leo Cullen (and current head coach of Leinster Rugby). Frank Cullen still remains involved with Cullen Communications in a consultancy capacity.

Past recipients of the Outstanding Service to the Industry award include Frank Keane of the Frank Keane Group (2025); Denise Harris of the Harris Group (2024); Aidan Doyle of Kia Ireland (2023); Don Hall of Hall PR / Mercedes-Benz (2022); and Anne O’Leary of Ford (2020).