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www.prism-awards.co.za #prisms2018

16 April 2018, the 21st PRISM Awards are ready to take off on 22 April at Jozi’s latest star-studded skylight location, The Empire Conference & Events Venue in Parktown Johannesburg.

Africa’s leading public relations and communication professionals have submitted over 230 entries, judged by over 67 judges alongside 11 PRISMs Young Judges, and will be eagerly awaiting the final results of their efforts on awards night.
This year’s MC will be broadcast duo; award winning Radio Personality, Gau TV and Bona Retsang television Presenter and Social Entrepreneur Melody Miya.

This year’s partners and media partners include: BizCommunity, Mark Lives, Media Update, African News Agency and Newsclip, Vuma Reputation Management, FlieshmanHillard, Atmosphere, Flint and Tinder Events, Expand A Sign, Samsonite, Alexander Forbes, Innovative Glass, CIMA, The Daily Sun newspaper, youth content creation start-up Hip-Hop 411, Afroflame hostesses, Lounge Around Décor and Furniture, GroundUp Media and The Peartree Conferencing centre.

The PRISM Award ceremony will start at 16h00 and ticket prices for entrants will be R570, and for guests R700, and can be purchsed through Nutickets.

About the PRISM Awards

The PRISM Awards are presented to public relations and communication professionals who have successfully incorporated strategy, creativity and professionalism in their public relations and communication campaigns. Visit www.prism-awards.co.za or www.prisa.co.za to find out more.

04 April 2018, judging for this year’s PRISM Awards has been wrapped up and the steller line up of over 60 judges alongside 11 PRISMs Young Judges have deliberated on over 230 entries submitted by leading public relations and communication consultancies, corporates and NGOs for their 2017 campaigns.

The awards are presented to public relations and communication professionals who have successfully incorporated strategy, creativity, professionalism and measurable returns in their public relations and communication campaigns.

The comprehensive judging process entails deliberation over eleven clusters comprised of industry specialists who review entries ranging from community to financial campaigns led by this year’s chief judges; Marilyn Watson co-founder of Cinnamon Communications and long standing Judge in Chief; Lucy Balona, Head of Marketing and Communications, CANSA; Daniel Munslow Founder, MCC Consulting; Jerry Mpufane, Chairman, M&C Saatchi JHB Group of Companies; ByDesign founder Kevin Welman; Vicki St. Quintin, Corporate & Healthcare Consultant; Thabisile Phumo, Head of Stakeholder Relations, Sibanye Stillwater; Margaret Moscardi, Fellow member of PRISA and Dr Amanda Hamilton-Attwell, Managing Director of Business DNA.

“The PRISM Awards have grown in stature and magnitute over the years, and this year’s submissions made for a very competive judging environment. The winners in each category are a true reflection of the excellent work that our industry is producing,” said PRISM Awards Convenor, Bridget von Holdt.

“What has made judging even more exciting this year is for the second time, we invited young communication enthusiats from across the country to participate in the judging process, and selected eleven of the coolest, brightest minds who brought some really fresh insight to the process,” says judge and founder of the PRISMs Young Judges initiative, Palesa Madumo, Executive Director of Strategy at Vuma Reputation Management.

The 21st PRISM Awards ceremony will take place on the 22nd April 2018.

The PRISM Awards senior judging panel comprises of the following industry experts;
Andre Oberholzer – Group Head for Corporate Affairs: Sappi Limited
Anton van Rensburg -Financial Advisor: Sanlam
Ashraf Garda – Radio Presenter: SAfm
Brendan Seery – Founder and CEO: Brendan Seery Media
Bridget von Holdt – Business Director: Burson Cohn & Wolfe
Candi Guvi – Group Communications Manager, Investment Management at Barclays Africa Group Limited
Carol Allers – Issues & Crisis Communication Manager: Eskom
Charlene Lamb – Director: On Spot Communication
Corne Meintjies – Senior Lecturer: University of Johannesburg
Cynthia Mabela – Owner and CEO: Eyezwe Consulting & Interior Designs
Danette Breitenbach – Writer & Content Provider: Bizcommunity
Dave MacLeod – Managing Director: Gameplan Media
David Furlonger – Editor-at-Large: Financial Mail and Business Day
Doug de Villiers – Vice Chairman Africa: Superunion
Dustin Chick – Strategic Planning Director: Ogilvy PR
Ed Jardin – Group Investor and Media: Murray & Roberts
Esme Arendse – Founder and CEO: One Reputation
Harvard Kleppa – Manager: Burson Cohn & Wolfe Norway
Heidi Brauer- Chief Executive Officer: Hollard Insurance
Hein Kaiser – Communication Specialist: Fast Jet
Ingrid Lotze – Joining Force: Join the Dots
Jill Hamilton – African Managing Director: Weber Shandwick
Katherine Madley – Group Executive, Strategy and Innovation: Alexander Forbes
Kavitha Kalicharan – Corporate Communications Manager: Adcock Ingram
Keri-Ann Stanton- Group Communications Director: M&N Brands
Kerrin Tessendorf – Account Director: Bespoke Communications
Kylie Salmon – Strategic Director: Beetle Inc.
Lizel Esterhuysen – Change Management Specialist: Independent
Louise Marsland – Editor, Content strategist, Trend analyst at Louise Marsland Media
Madelain Roscher – Managing Director: PR Worx
Mandy Kojetin – Senior Consultant: Atmosphere Communications
Maritha Pritchard – HOD: University of Johannesburg
Megann Outram – Regional Director: Atmosphere Communications
Natalie Pringle – Mentor: Personal Brilliance
Neo Mokoena – Group Social Media Manager: Investec
Nicky James – Owner and Senior Consultant: Tribeca Public Relations
Nicola Chaning-Pearce – Founder: Tynago Communications
Nikki Munsie – Business Director: Independent Agency Search and Selection Company (IAS)
Palesa Madumo – Executive Director of Strategy: Vuma Reputation Management
Peter Mann – CEO: Meropa Communications
Pheliswa Mayekiso – Media and Internal Communications Manager: Johannesburg Stock Exchange
Pieter Pretoruis – General Manager Strategic Marketing: Eskom
Reatile Tekateka – Managing Partner: Engage Joe Public
Ronel Rensburg – Professor of Communication and PR: University of Pretoria
Roslyn Jones- Corporate Communications Consultant: Anglo American Platinum
Ruth Kolevsohn – Chief Operating Officer: Burson Cohn & Wolfe
Sharon Piehl – Managing Director: Fleishman Hillard and Partners
Sonja Verwey – Professor and Head of Department of Strategic Communication: University of Johannesburg
Sylvester Chauke- Chief Architect: DNA Brand Architects
Tasneem Carrim – Chief Director Policy & Research at Government Communication and Information System: GCIS
Thandi Moticoe- Director: Purple Room Communications
Tom Manners – Managing Director: Clockwork Media
Vincent Magwenya – Founder and CEO: Conversations Media and Communications

After a search for judges between the ages of 18 and 30 residing in Johannesburg, Durban, or Cape Town who are currently employed, self-employed, studying towards a qualification in public relations or actively involved in the industry, eleven talented entries were selected for the PRISMs Young Judges for the PRISM Awards 2018.

The PRISM Awards young judging panel comprises of the following;

Boitumelo Molusi – PR Account Manager: Frayintermedia
Floyd Magubane – Marketing Graduate: Boston Media House
Khangelani Dziba – Senior Brand Architect: DNA Brand Architect
Nontobeko Vilakati – Student: University of Johannesburg
Phushaza Sibiya – Content Producer and Presenter: Talk Radio 702
Sanele Mashinini – Public Relations Intern: Burson Cohn& Wolfe
Simbongile Ndlangisa – Co-founder & Director: Melenial Media
Simone Carter- Lecturer: University of Johannesburg
Sithulile Mbayi – Business Analyst: Discovery
Warren Mposi – Account Manager: Magna Carta
Wynand Monyeseala – Graduate: University of South Africa
Simone Carter – Lecturer: University of Johannesburg

Rocomamas #ElectionBurger Campaign Wins Coveted Campaign of the Year at the 20th PRISM Awards

“An all-round winning campaign with exceptional results!”  This is how the judging panel described the Rocomamas #ElectionBurger Campaign by Tribeca Public Relations and Retroviral, which scooped top honours, taking the South African Campaign of the Year overall Gold Award at the 2017 PRISM Awards.  Celebrating 20 years of excellence in communication and public relations, the Awards ceremony took place on 6 May at The Park – House of Events on 7, in Hyde Park, Sandton.

“The Rocomamas #ElectionBurger Campaign had all the elements of a winning campaign”, said Chief Judge Marilyn Watson. “Our panel of judges said that the results were measurable against the objectives – delivering superb Return on Investment for Rocomamas”. Watson went on to add that the campaign was well-supported by research.

RocoMamas #ElectionBurger: Proof that the Politics of Great Food is No Joke
The six-week RovoMamas #ElectionBurger campaign was not only the most successful marketing campaign in the restaurant’s three-year history, but also exceeded RocoMama’s business objectives.  Sales increased a significant 20% year-on-year: with over 35 000 burgers sold.  The campaign, which ran from 1 October to mid-November 2016, was driven through digital and social media, supported by PR and positive word of mouth.

African Network of the Year
Global agency Burson-Marsteller won the Gold Award for African Network of the Year. Last year the consultancy strengthened its African footprint even further – launching in Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles, Madagascar and the Comores, It also extended its partnership with Icon Burson-Marsteller, Cameroon, into Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon, making 36 Burson-Marsteller branded consultancies across Africa.

Lifetime Achievement Award
The 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sejamothopo Motau, MP.  ‘Sej’ is the DA Shadow Minister in the Presidency, Planning Monitoring and Evaluation.
A former journalist, Motau worked for the Pretoria News where his beats were education, labour and politics in that order, the hot topics of the day. He then joined the Africa Edition of The Star where he covered southern African politics. A former chairman and director of various companies, Sej has held several senior management positions in some of the biggest corporations in South Africa.
Sej is ambassador-at-large and former president of PRISA, the Institute for Public Relations and Communication Management in Southern Africa and former chairman of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.
He holds a recognition award for his contribution to the public relations profession from FAPRA, the Federation of African Public Relations Associations.

Gold Award Winners
The full list of Gold winners is as follows:

73 Awards were presented – 18 Gold Awards, 30 Silver Awards and 25 Bronze Awards. Over 220 entries were received.

An ever-evolving Industry
Commenting on the entries received for this year’s Awards, PRISM Awards Convenor Bridget von Holdt said:  Judging the PRISM Awards in its 20th birthday celebration is special:  Our industry is certainly filled with very talented and passionate people!  What is also very noticeable is how dynamic the Awards are and how the various categories have changed to be a reflection of an ever-evolving Public Relations and Communication industry”.
The PRISM Awards sponsors include Afroflame, BVSA, CIMA, GroundUp Media, Hyde Park Hotel, Innovative glass design, Integrated Marketing Solution, Katlego Maboe  and Katleho Sinivasan (Programme Directors), Keystone Productions, LiveWired, Living Photography, Lounge Around, Madea Couture, MTN, Newsclip,  The Park – House of Events on 7, Vicky Crease Catering & Events and Vuyani Dance Company.

Media Supporters include Bizcommunity, Business Report, Cliff Central, Meetings, Newsclip, Niche Radio, Redzone, Start Me Up You Tube Channel, UJ and The Event.

www.prism-awards.co.za #prisms2017

The PRISM Awards is calling for nominations for its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. This honour will be bestowed on a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the public relations profession, at the awards ceremony taking place on Saturday 6 May 2017. The deadline for nominations is 17 March 2017.

“The Lifetime Achievement Award is about exactly that:  recognising a person’s lifetime achievement in our profession – rather than a single contribution,” explains Bridget von Holdt, Convenor of the PRISM Awards.

“The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented for achievement in, leadership, volunteerism, practice/consulting, mentoring, teaching, research and service,” continues Bridget. “Evidence of this can be demonstrated in three key ways: 1. Performance of the nominee on the job; 2. Service beyond the requirements of the job; and, 3. Service to a professional body. This is an excellent opportunity for our industry to recognise and celebrate our heroes,” concludes Bridget.

If you know someone in the public relations and communication space who has demonstrated great leadership/mentorship, goes beyond his/her call and has added substantial value to the industry – why not nominate them for their efforts that have perhaps gone unnoticed despite their immense contribution?

For more information on how to nominate a candidate visit: http://www.prism-awards.co.za/ or e-mail Margaret Moscardi on margi@moscardi.co.za

Sponsors of the 2017 PRISM Awards include The Park – House of Events on 7,  Afroflame, GroundUp Media, Integrated Marketing Solutions, Katlego Maboe, Lounge Around, Mango and Zoom Photography.

Bridget von Holdt – PRISM Awards Convenor

In an exciting ‘first’ for the 20-year old PRISM Awards, aspiring, young PRISM judge wannabes will have the opportunity to be part of this year’s judging. The PRISM Young Judges initiative will see youngsters shadowing experienced PRISM judges as they assess the continent’s top public relations campaigns. Entries for the PRISM Awards close on 21 March, culminating in the awards ceremony on Saturday 6 May.

“While it is the 20^th year, it is time to include the youngsters in the planning and behind the scenes activities, and this includes the judging process.   The young professionals will learn from the highly skilled and professional judging panel that comprises industry leaders from across the communication spectrum,” says Bridget von Holdt, Convenor of the PRISM Awards. “We are preparing a future generation of judges for the PRISM Awards, as well as for the broader public relations industry.  The Young Judges are going to add an exciting dynamic to the judging process – and no doubt some new energy and new insights!!”

The PRISM Awards team’s young judges should be:

• Between the ages of 18 and 25
• Living in Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town
• Working in Public Relations or Communication
• Studying a qualification in Public Relations or Communication.

The initiative has the keen and active support of PRISA’s new Jumpstart  initiative, a chapter of PRISA – created to offer the youth of the PR Industry in South Africa a voice.

“What particularly stands out for me is how all of the young people we speak to have an enthusiastic approach to transforming the world of PR through innovative communication tactics,” says Thabiso Makhubela, JumpStart chairperson.  “This will set the foundation of the future of PR and communication in the hands of the next generation. This fresh approach, coupled with the fundamentals that the more senior professionals can transfer through this initiative, is a recipe for a healthy, sustainable industry. As JumpStart, we are incredibly thrilled to be able to support the PRISMs with their young judges initiative,” says Thabiso.

If you would like to be considered to join this bright team of PRISM Young judges, send us a convincing motivational piece on why you believe you are the prodigy of public relations. Remember to get permission from any company or brand and include it in your presentation. Send your submissions either as a 2 minute video OR a 400 word paragraph to palesamadumo@gmail.com

The closing date is Friday 3 March.

For more information, contact Palesa Madumo Tel: 072 973 2996 Email: palesamadumo@gmail.com