Last night Team Teal and I joined 420 internal communication professionals at the iconic Natural History Museum in London for the Institute of Internal Communication (IoIC) Awards 2024.
Congratulations to everyone who was shortlisted, it was a fun night and I loved seeing IC professionals having their hard work recognised and honoured.
The IoIC Awards are tough to win. As an awards judge for a number of years, I can testify to their rigour and thoroughness. Thank you Justine Stevenson, Jen Sproul and Rebecca Nicholls for all your hard work.
Louise, Caroline, Dan and I enjoyed cheering on clients and comms friends and marvelling at the incredible venue.
Awards Chair, Justine Stevenson and IoIC’s Chief Exec Jennifer Sproul hosted the night, which had the biggest ever audience. It felt like a fitting way to mark IoIC’s 75th anniversary and all the internal communicators who have gone before us.
IoIC say: “With almost 300 entries this year, the Judges commented that the entries are ‘so uplifting for the pride in our profession’ and ‘a thrill to judge.’ Class winners’ trophies were handed out, along with a #WeMatterAtWork Award and once again the Grand Prix Award winner was the pinnacle of the evening. This top trophy went to: Mission:Possible by Currys plc. and The fresh Group.”
Jennifer started off the evening’s proceedings saying: “In this iconic setting, where history and evolution are celebrated, it feels particularly fitting that we are here tonight to celebrate our evolution as internal communicators. The IoIC is marking its 75th anniversary this year and it’s been a fascinating journey understanding how we have grown and professionalised. One thing that has remained constant throughout our history, is our work to ensure that people feel that they matter at work and communication has always been at the very heart of that. It is an incredible privilege to lead your Institute to shine a light on the amazing work you all do.“
Justine remarked on how presiding over the Awards – and being part of the internal communication community – makes her incredibly proud: “I’ve chaired the IoIC awards for some years now and this dinner is always a highlight for me but this year really does surpass what’s come before. I am an enormously proud internal communicator, it is core to me, and to be able to stand here and celebrate with so many brilliant communicators is one of those mic drop moments. This is a fantastic, supportive community and one which I love being a part of. As a profession, we continue to demonstrate the vital role that internal communication plays in organisations.”
Thank you to my fellow judges Sally Otter and Sonia Squires for being such a dream team to judge with.
Missed out? Keep an eye on our What’s On page as we collate award schemes there.
Strategy and campaigns
Best Change/Transformation Campaign
Ericsson MELA Momentum Strategy Launch by Ericsson MELA and Lively Agency
Best Employee Experience Programme
AQA Values Awards by AQA Internal Comms Team
Best Employee Voice Programme
Macmillan Direct Services Culture Review by Macmillan Direct Services and The Culture Club
Best Engagement Programme
Mission:Possible by Currys plc. and The fresh Group
Best Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Campaign
An Epic Fundraiser by Travelport
Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Campaign
In Their Shoes: a one-of-a-kind DE&I immersive experience by HSBC (working together with Vivida)
Best Global Communications Campaign
Celebrating the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 globally by Sony Interactive Entertainment
Best Internal and External Communication Alignment
LU 160 integrated campaign 2023 by Transport for London
Best Leadership Communication Programme
Empowering Global Leaders to Drive Change by Afiniti
Best Ongoing Campaign
Bring Your Dubai-ness Internal Communications Campaign by Dubai Airports and The Engage Group
Best Single Campaign
Benefits Month: Health & Wellbeing by Sky Internal Communications
Skills
Best Design
Water and Wastewater Cycles Graphic by Scottish Water Internal Communications Team
Best Imagery
Visualising our purpose by phs Group and Scriberia
Best One-Off Feature
Showtime at Selfridges – Christmas Broadcast by Selfridges
Best Storytelling
Celebrating our 60th birthday by phs Group
Best Writing
No shortlisted entrants
Channels and events
Best Event (virtual or in person)
Best Event: VLM and VEAs by Voyage Care
Best Intranet
Creating a new ‘Mutualnet’ – a SharePoint hosted intranet, moving from an externally sourced solution by The NFU Mutual Internal Communications Team with a little help from our friends in IT
Best Magazine
Launch of new employee magazine by Bupa Dental Care
Best New or Relaunched Channel
Engaging the hard to reach – Grid:home field experience by Colleague Communications and Engagement, National Grid
Best News Channel
Checkout by People Strategy & Communications, Tesco Bank
Best Podcast
Best Podcast: Tech & Soul by Colt Technology Services
Best Video/Animation
We Are Biffa: Shifting mindsets and sparking business-wide conversations by Biffa and H&H
Innovation
Game Changer
Use Better Words by SSEN and Better Company / StudioLR
Innovative Use of Media/Technology
Our Rocket Fuel Plan for Loop by Moto Hospitality
Teams
Best Small Agency (1-10 people)
Culture Club
Best Medium Agency (11-30 people)
The Engage Group
Best Large Agency (30+)
H&H
Best In-House Teams
Best In-House Team 1-5 people
Speedy Hire People Engagement and Internal Communications Team
Best In-House Team 6-10 people
Tesco Bank, People Communications Team
Best In-House Team 10+ people
Virgin Money Colleague Communications Team
Best Public Sector or Not for Profit Teams
Best Public Sector or Not for Profit Team 1-5 people
WithYou Internal Communications Team
Best Public Sector or Not for Profit Team 6-10 people
Cancer Research UK Internal Comms Team
Best Public Sector or Not for Profit Team 10+ people
AQA Internal Comms Team
Best Internal Communications Newcomer
Rachel Moran, Govia Thameslink Railway
Internal Communication Manager of the Year
Nick Soulsby, Cooper Parry
Internal Communication Leader of the Year
Alli Cary, Voyage Care.
Congratulations to you all.
Post author: Rachel Miller
First published on the All Things IC blog 27 September 2024