The 22nd annual PRISM Awards, which took place on 14 April 2019, were undoubtedly one for the books.

Marketing and Brand consultancy and uber cool thinkers, DNA Brand Architects, walked away with the Campaign of the Year  trophy for their AB InBev Lion Lager digital series campaign iLobola Nge Bhubesi. The campaign showcased the agency’s strategic thinking and that’s precisely why the message landed well with the target audiences. They showed the importance of the partnership between agency and client and truly proved that they were in tune with the times. The campaign showed that brands are not only concerned about the commercial benefits of their work but also ensuring a cultural shift, engagement with the audience, and got the country talking. This campaign “iLobola Nge Bhubesi” certainly ticked all those boxes and got it right, commented the judges.

The Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Robyn de Villiers, Chairman and CEO Africa at BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe). De Villiers has over 28 years’ experience in strategic public relations and communication in South Africa and across the continent.  She is also a recipient of the 2016 SABRE Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement and has recently been announced as the champion of WPP Stella locally, an international leadership and networking group for female senior leaders across the global WPP network.

Here’s a recap of how this prestigious ceremony unfolded:

Here’s what the 2019 PRISM Awards judges had to say about this year’s entries.

And the winner is…

Campaign of the year finalists

2019 PRISM Young Judges

Our 2019 PRISM Young Judges sat down with the MD of IKGB ROi Africa Milton Tshabalala to unpack what it means to step into the exciting role of a PRISM Young Judge.

Watch the full video below:

Our co-convenor Palesa Madumo recently joined Michelle Constant on SAfm Jet Breakfast to chat about the evolving public relations industry, youth skills development and the focus on transformation at this year’s PRISM Awards.

Listen to the full interview below:

The PRISM Young Judges (PYJ) committee, in conjunction with the PRISM Awards and the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA), has announced a stellar group of 10 young judges for the 2019 mentorship initiative.

This follows a call for entries made in 2018 and a subsequent intense selection process conducted by 2018 young judges and PYJ Founder Palesa Madumo.

“It’s always a tough task selecting individuals for the PRISM Young Judges initiative, because there is so much talent out there. The top ten stood out as the most talented, authentic and insightful young minds that are set to bring a fresh perspective to the judging process this year” she said.

The diverse group of ten will have the unique experience of judging PRISM Awards entries under the guidance of seasoned industry experts and will also be paired with industry leads for a year-long mentorship. They are:

• Dorcas Dube, Marketing and Communications Manager at Partners for Possibility
• Fezeka Hadebe, 3^rd year Public Relations Student at University of Johannesburg
• Courtney Jacobs, Publicist at Courtney Chandré Communications
• Tina Lepan, PR Executive at Verve Marketing and Communication
• Makoma Maponya, Stakeholder Liaison at Reputation Matters
• Monare Matema, Associate Architect at DNA Brand Architects
• Siyabonga Ngcobo, Marketing Manager at Uber South Africa
• Carel Scheepers, Senior Strategist at Havas Media
• Ayanda Siswana, Account Manager at Flow Communications
• Sicelo Vilakazi, Digital Strategist at Meropa Communications

Deputy Chairperson of the PYJ Committee and judge of PRISM Awards Campaign of The Year last year, Simone Carter, says they’re excited to welcome the incoming young judges.

‘This initiative has been career changing for many of us, and I truly believe that the collaboration of both experienced and younger professionals and enthusiasts in the awards process and the industry, will ensure its sustainability and assure much needed skills development and mentorship for young people” she said.

The 22^nd annual PRISM Awards are scheduled to take place on Sunday, 14 April 2019 in Johannesburg. The event will acknowledge professionals who’ve implemented successful communication campaigns utilising strategy, creativity and professionalism.

Keep in touch with the #PRISMYoungJudges on the following platforms:

• Twitter – @PRISMYoungJudge
• Facebook – PRISM Young Judges
• Instagram – @PRISMYoungJudges

For more information and interviews, please contact:

Thango Gombiza
Vuma Reputation Management
M +27 72 426 2064
thango@vumareputation.com

With two days to go until the PRISM Awards 2019 entries officially close on Friday, 22 February, the awards committee would like to encourage all communication and public relations consultancies, as well as corporates across the continent, to submit their online entries for the industry’s most sought-after awards.

Entries that successfully incorporated strategy, creativity and professionalism in their public relations campaigns over the 2018 period, stand a chance to be awarded in various categories at the 22^ndannual event, taking place on 14^thApril 2019 in Johannesburg.

Over 60 experienced industry experts including Chief Judges have been selected to evaluate the awards and will be joined by 10 young judges who will be mentored throughout the process.

“This year, our aim is to set the record for the number of entries received, and, in a strong push for more inclusivity and diversity within the awards, we’re making a special call to small and medium sized and black-owned consultancies to enter before Friday.” said Palesa Madumo, co-convenor of the PRISMs.

The PRISMs categories include Business-to-Business, Financial services, Healthcare, Technology, Travel and tourism, Public Affairs, NGO Campaign, Corporate responsibility and Public relations, amongst others.

Online entries can be submitted via https://bit.ly/2MzQr8L.

Website: www.prism-awards.co.za

Twitter: @theprismawards

WE ARE LIVE!

Online submissions for the 2019 PRISM Awards are officially open!

This year, we are celebrating  22 years of public relations excellence and we are making the entry and judging process more efficient for entrants and adjudicators.

Entries are encouraged not only from South Africa but from across the African continent. There are categories for practice expertise as well as sector-specific campaigns.

You can submit your application here. 

The closing date for entries is on Friday, 22 February 2019 and the prestigious awards ceremony will be held in April 2019.

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.