U.K. Publicist Claire Horton Receives 2020 CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award

Horton Presented with Award via Video Message from Country Artist Ashley McBryde During CMA U.K. Task Force Meeting

CMA awarded U.K. publicist Claire Horton with the 2020 CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award on Monday, Sept. 28. Horton was presented the award through a surprise video message from Country artist Ashley McBryde during a virtual CMA U.K. Task Force meeting. This award recognizes outstanding achievements in the media, which contribute to the development of Country Music outside the United States.

Horton began working for Richard Wootton Publicity in the early ’90s and developed her career before establishing Claire Horton PR in 2016. Focusing on executing publicity campaigns for international artists and U.S.-based Country artists in both specialist and mainstream media in the U.K., Horton has worked with contemporary and legendary Country artists including Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash, Luke Combs, Waylon Jennings, Lady A, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley and more. Horton has also executed publicity campaigns for international events including Country to Country festival, Country Music Week U.K., the U.K. Americana Awards, as well as CMA’s international CMA Songwriters Series and Introducing Nashville tours.

“We are delighted to be presenting Claire Horton with the 2020 CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award,” says Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development. “She’s been an important contributor to the story of Country Music’s growth in the U.K., working incredibly hard to help build artists’ profiles in mainstream media, as well as Country media. We’re thrilled to see that her efforts have been recognized by the industry.”

The CMA International Awards honor industry executives and artists who have supported and made a difference towards the growth and promotion of Country Music in the international marketplace. Nominees are recognized in five categories acknowledging their dedication and efforts in growing opportunities for Country Music in their local territories.

Earlier this year, CMA awarded Ben Earle of U.K. Country duo The Shires with the 2020 CMA International Country Broadcaster Award, Ilse DeLange with the 2020 CMA Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award, and John Esposito with the 2020 CMA Jo Walker-Meador International Award. The CMA International Artist Achievement Award will be presented later this year.