Cost, purchase and supplier management franchise, Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA), has been shortlisted for the CIM Marketing Excellence Awards 2011 in recognition for its excellent marketing programme that has been available for all franchise owners.

ERA is the first cost, purchase and supplier management consultancy to be recognised for these awards. Chris Aston, Marketing Director for ERA, said: "Being shortlisted for the Professional Services, Marketing Excellent Award by the Chartered Institute of Marketing is a terrific achievement and testament of the hard work and effort that the group has invested in our marketing programmes.

"To be recognised as one of the best in the UK for our marketing efforts alongside household names such as Barclaycard, Microsoft and Rolls Royce is something that every professional marketer aspires to, and everyone within Expense Reduction Analysts is delighted for the appreciation."

The awards aim to recognise excellence across the public and private sector and are decided by a panel of judges who themselves are experts within the industry.

The winner of the award will be announced this Friday.