PR Prism Awards announced

The awards, hosted by the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa's (PRISA) Public Relations Consultants' Chapter (PRCC), are aimed at those who have successfully incorporated strategy, creativity and professionalism into PR and communication programmes.

PRISA president Merle O' Brien spoke on the importance of the awards, while the chairman of the Public Relations Consultants' Chapter, Morné Ebersohn, highlighted the vision of the chapter and the future direction.

The PRISMs, which are open to consultancies, individual practitioners and corporate and government in-house departments, showcase success stories, and aspire to set - and raise - the bar for the local industry.

An increase in the number of entries was submitted by public relations professionals for the 2004 competition, and they were carefully scrutinised by a judging panel comprising experts with outstanding credentials and years of experience.

Ebersohn says that the judges were impressed with the standard of work submitted, adding that there had been a 360-degree improvement on last year's entries. PRISA was also thrilled at the number of large and prominent consultancies that took part, believing that this will further reinforce the credibility of the awards.

Participants had a choice of 23 categories to enter. Awards were only made where there were deserving winners.

Media personality Tracy Going was the master of ceremonies.

The special award winners of the 2005 PRISA PRISM Awards are as follows:

GOLD: Cycad Communications walked away with this prestigious kudos for its entry in the community relations category. The consultancy showcased its campaign for Clover's Mama Afrika - Ukwakha Isizwe 'Nurturing the Nation' initiative.

SILVER: Text 100 Public Relations received this prize for its submission to the recovery from crisis category. The entry dealt with Microsoft South Africa's Security Image campaign.

BRONZE: Bristol-Meyers Squibb was honoured for its corporate social responsibility programme known as Secure the Future.

CHAIRMAN'S AWARD: The South African Environmental Observation Network, a research facility of the National Research Foundation, won this award for its entry in the special event: observance under eight days category. The submission involved the launch of the South African Environmental Observation Network.

THE IVAN O'BRIEN LEADERSHIP AWARD:
Monica du Plessis - Cycad Communications
The Ivan O'Brien Leadership Award, sponsored by BlackRock Communication, is an honorary award presented to the team leader of the Gold Award winner. It is in recognition of his or her noted leadership qualities in having a vision, inspiring a team, supporting people and communicating trust through good public relations. Above all, this leader is recognised for consistently building sustainable relationships by doing the right thing. By doing this, he or she leaves a legacy of empowerment.

Category winners:

OVERALL INSTITUTIONAL: Arcay Communications won this category for its Brand South Africa public relations campaign for the International Marketing Council. (Sponsored by: CIMA)

PUBLIC SERVICE: InZalo Communications impressed the judges with its national awareness campaign on over-indebtedness carried out on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Banking Council of South Africa. (Sponsored by: Brandspace Communications)

RECOVERY FROM CRISIS: Text 100 Public Relations clinched this award for its Microsoft South Africa security image campaign. (Sponsored by: Design and Media Planning)

COMMUNITY RELATIONS: Cycad Communications won this category for its role in Clover's Mama Afrika - Ukwakha Isizwe 'Nurturing the Nation' campaign. (Sponsored by: Brandspace Communications)

INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS: Cycad Communications won this category for its Clover - leave no stone unturned campaign. (Sponsored by: the National Research Foundation)

CONSUMER MARKETING - NEW PRODUCT OR SERVICE: Marcus Brewster Publicity was honoured for its store launch of Louis Vuitton South Africa. (Sponsored by: InZalo Communications)

MARKETING - EXISTING CONSUMER PRODUCT OR SERVICE: Marcus Brewster Publicity accepted this award for its FHM Sexiest Women campaign. (Sponsored by: Clover)

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS MARKETING - ESTABLISHED PRODUCT OR SERVICE: Text 100 Public Relations won this category for The Business Software Alliance's Truce Campaign. (Sponsored by: FCB Redline)

SPECIAL EVENT - OBSERVANCE UNDER EIGHT DAYS: The South African Environmental Observation Network, a research facility of the National Research Foundation, was commended for its launch of the South African Environmental Observation Network.

ARTS: Magna Carta South Africa won this category for its Hands that Shape Humanity Global Arts Exhibition campaign. (Sponsored by: Brandspace Communications)

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Bristol-Meyers Squibb won this award for its Secure the Future campaign. (Sponsored by: Mondi Business Paper South Africa)

OTHER: K C Communications won this category for its publicity campaign on both the Kimura Shukokai discipline of karate and the Kimura Shukokai International Karate Championships.

Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom will be treating the winners of the Gold Award to a weekend break, while other major sponsors of the event include Mondi Business Paper South Africa, Paperlink, Colour Planet and Distell.