This year's Prism Awards lineup 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.
2018 Prism Awards young judging panel. Image supplied.
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 and 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.
Competitive judging environment
“The Prism Awards have grown in stature and magnitude over the years, and this year’s submissions made for a very competitive 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 enthusiasts 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 Prism Awards senior judging panel
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 Bhengu | Public relations and communications: MTN |
Bridget von Holdt | Business director: Burson Cohn & Wolfe |
Candi Guvi | Group communications manager, investment management at Barclays Africa Group Limited |
Carol Allers | Issues and crisis communication manager: Eskom |
Charlene Lamb | Director: On Spot Communication |
Chris Maroleng | Chief operations officer at the South African Broadcasting Corporation |
Corne Meintjies | Senior lecturer: University of Johannesburg |
Cynthia Mabela | Owner and CEO: Eyezwe Consulting and Interior Designs |
Danette Breitenbach | Writer and 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 and Roberts |
Esme Arendse | Founder and CEO: One Reputation |
Harvard Norway | Manager: Burson Cohn and 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. |
Lisa van Hoogstraten | Managing director: Bespoke Communications |
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 Pretorius | 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 and Wolfe |
Sharon Piehl | Managing director: Fleishman Hillard and Partner |
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 and 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
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 and Wolfe |
Simbongile Ndlangisa | Co-founder and 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 |
The 21st Prism Awards ceremony will take place on the 22 April 2018.