New industry PR awards announced
Announcing a new PR award scheme because it’s an area in which the industry is under served. You’ll undoubtedly have suggestions for categories.
The PR industry doesn’t do enough to celebrate the excellence it delivers to the clients and organisations it serves. The industry is awash with unsung heros that deserve recognition.
I’ve set out the categories below with a little help from Ryan Wallman. To be fair I’ve blatantly nicked his idea for alternative industry awards from Delusions of Brandeur. I’m confident he’ll approve.
WTF
The worst example of measurement in a PR campaign. The objective will be wholly unconnected from organisational outcomes and measurement will be based on advertising value equivalent (AVE).
Purpose washing
Celebrating two-faced brands and organisations jumping on issues such as the environment and diversity that are otherwise wholly unconnected with their business.
Social media maven
Recognising excellence in virtual signalling and other forms of woke behaviour. This inaugural winner will almost certainly be a liberal-minded vegan.
Mind the gap
The agency with the largest gender pay gap and least diverse representation in its management team. Prior recognition as agency of the year in other award schemes should not be an impediment to entry.
Piss poor pitch
Celebrating lousy agency briefs and mismanaged pitches. Entries where business has been awarded to an agency will be disqualified.
It’s a duck
A brand award that celebrates floating stuff down the Thames and other daft quackery.
All about me
A category that’s expected to be fiercely fought, awarded to the PR practitioner with the greatest opinion of themselves. Yours truly is ineligible for nomination, obvs.
Copycat
The most blatant but uninspired rip off of an existing creative idea. Campaigns may be based on an original campaign or an agency pitch.
Industry gobshite
Recognising the least representative conference, media or membership organisation in the PR industry.
Agency or client bitch
The most soul destroying agency or client manager.
Unhealthy living
Agency spouting the most bullshit about mental health. Yoga and apple eating are likely to be compulsory activities.
We’re keeping it simple for the first year. Please send your nominations to stephen.waddington@wadds.co.uk.
