Public sector comms pros celebrate excellence

Communication professionals work incredibly hard to maximise budgets, be ahead of the game and ensure employees are informed, engaged and inspired.

Rachel Miller All Things IC This was evident on Thursday when I attended the UK Public Sector Communications Awards and Conference at the Emirates Stadium in London.

Having judged four of the categories, I’d read first-hand how comms teams across Emergency Services, Local Authorities and Healthcare organisations have been aiming for communication excellence.

The campaigns were varied – from sexual health, to fouling dogs and community initiatives. But what united them all was creativity and a robustness in understanding and measuring their successes and impact. (Tweet this).

It was a pleasure to present two of the awards (pictured) and finally meet comms pros I’ve Tweeted with for years including Bridget Aherne, @BridgetAherne, Head of Corp Comms and Admin at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Emma Rodgers @EmmaRodgers, Strategic Manager (Comms and Marketing) at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Kristian Ward @KristianWard29, Digital Engagement Officer for Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner, and Darren Caveney @darrencaveney, Head of Communications and Engagement at Health Education England.

You really can’t beat face-to-face communication. I know we say that all the time as comms professionals, but it was a genuine delight to meet in person.

I was sat on the Judges’ table next to comms ace Andy Green @andygreencre8iv at dinner and am the proud recipient of a copy of his Tubespiration book, which I’m looking forward to reading.

Conference speakers included Simon Enright, @simonenright, Director of Communications at NHS England, Drew Benvie @drewb, Founder of Battenhall, Martin Fewell, Director of Media & Communications at the Metropolitan Police and Ben Page, Chief Executive of Ipsos MORI.

Ex Children’s TV presenter Andy Crane did a sterling job hosting both the conference and awards.

Congratulations to the UK Public Sector Communications Award winners:

PublicsectorcommsawardsCommunity Relations Campaign of the Year
Dudley Council – Online Community Forums – getting people to like their council

Best use of Video
Diva Creative – 10 Ways a condom can’t protect you

Integrated Communications Campaign of the Year
NHS Blood and Transplant – Blood Doesn’t Grow on Trees

Crisis Communications Campaign of the Year
Dudley Council – Dudley Sunday Fun Day

Local Community Initiative of the Year
Millom Alliance – GPs for Millom

Low Budget Campaign of the Year
Hope&Glory – Cell-fies

Partnership engagement initiative of the year
Grayling Communications – National Consumer Week Good Neighbours Stop Rogue Traders

Social Media Campaign of the Year
Health Education England – The ‘Come Back to Nursing’ campaign

NHS Blood and TransplantSocial Marketing Campaign of the Year
Portsmouth City Council – Beware of lurking Trolls

Media Relations Campaign of the Year
Peppermint Soda – Launching Adopt North West

Internal Communications Campaign of the Year
NHS Blood and Transplant – Your Voice Creating an engaging employee survey

Publication of the Year
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust – Need to Know 247 news site for staff

Digital Campaign of the Year
myclever Agency  –  Showcasing the ‘great & good’ England has to offer in ‘England’s Hall of Fame’

Website of the Year
NHS Blood and Transplant – Project Self-Service

Insight Award
Define Research & Insight – Every Job Beware Asbestos Behaviour Change Campaign 2014-15

Best use of evaluation or Research
Red Consultancy – Greatest Team In The World

Small In–House Communications team of the Year
Anchor

Large In–House Communications team of the Year
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

Small Agency of the Year
GTCreate

Large Agency of the Year
Acceleris.

Further reading
How to enter comms awards

Post author: Rachel Miller

First published on the All Things IC blog 17 July 2015.

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