wonderful winners. mighty mugs. and jaws. the UnAwards 2024 had it all.

A few days on and I still have a lovely warm glow from the 9th annual UnAwards.

by Darren Caveney

I spent my weekend wading through lovely messages and chatter on social and email, reflecting on the love, celebration, connection and atmosphere at the UnAwards 2024.

I’ve said it many, many times but I am so fortunate to be able to run and host the UnAwards. Plus, it’s a great excuse to unleash the velvet once a year.

It is quite literally my favourite work day of the year. And the feedback from many is that they love it too.

Thank you to everyone who made it possible and who came along and supported it.

What a room-full of talent we had in the 141 capacity audience.

Here are some reflections…

Yes, the UnAwards is a work day.

As I always say, the UnAwards IS a work day, but work doesn’t have to be dull.

Over half of the audience were there for the first time. I just love that. If that’s you, please let me know how you found it.

Attendees travelled from Scotland, Wales and England and battled the usual UK train headaches.

Many attendees have been to the UnAwards multiple times. There were a couple of 8-time attendees in the room, plus ever-present, Adrian Stirrup. That’s quite a record.

Smile…

There are almost 400 lovely photographs from the big day – you can access them HERE.

Tunes!

King of digging in the crates, Ben Capper, pulled together a fantastic playlist for the day – You can listen back to it HERE.

What’s the film, Darren?

During the past couple of weeks almost every conversation I seemed to have with a comms person centred on the choice of film for the UnAwards!

I think some people were more excited about learning the identity of the secret movie choice than the actual UnAwards and ceremony itself, which I love and which makes me smile.

This year I went with what I think is one of the top 10 greatest movies ever made – the brilliant Jaws. 50 years old next year, this film has everything – great actors, a superb storyline, unforgettable quotes, an iconic soundtrack from John Williams, and the maestro director himself, Steven Spielberg.

A new look

So many people fed back on how much they loved the new look branding for the UnAwards this year. I know I did. Huge thanks to the talented Alan Oram and Alive with Ideas.

Talented teams, wonderful work – the highlights

From a record-breaking 593 entries the team of 30 external judges whittled them down to 128 shortlistees, resulting in 27 highly commended entries and 24 winners.

Receiving ‘highly commended’ in categories with over 40, 50, 60 or - in one case - 70 entries is a serious achievement so very well done to everyone who achieved this.

There are too many great stories, pieces of work and wins to single out completely here – we’ll do that at the UnAwards Winners Masterclass in spring 2025 (more news on that exclusively here in the new year. First, I have to smile nicely at the sponsors).

But, a few worthy of special mention are Staffordshire County Council who nailed a record breaking five wins. Jude Tipper lifted her 7th win, and 6th in the best guest post category - also a record. And we had our first ever tie in a public vote, with both Derbyshire Constabulary and West Mercia Police sharing the crown of best comms team. Well done to everyone on the list.

Local government were the big winners grabbing an impressive 14 UnAwards. For a sector under such extreme pressure it speaks volumes to the teams and individuals plugging away and still delivering quality work.

You can see the full list of winners and highly commended entries HERE. 

What next?

Well I’m looking forward to reading through the entries as I haven’t had a chance to look at yet, and with some down time looming in a couple of weeks.

The majority of the 593 entries this year will go into an updated new COMMS:FILES – surely the largest new treasure trove of commsy goodness anywhere and all free to access and browse. I’ll work with UnAwards partner CAN Digital on this in the new year and shout when it’s ready.

And pencil in Friday 5 December 2025 for the 10th annual UnAwards. We have big plans for it already.

Giving

Each year the UnAwards supports a charity and this year it’s one which is important me and a loved one – the Epilepsy Society. A wonderful charity which offers support and help often not available elsewhere. If you would like to support them you can do HERE. Thank you.

Saying thanks…

Thank you to everyone who entered. Finding the time to enter can be tricky I know but it’s always a useful exercise and opportunity for self-evaluation and reflection in my experience.

Thank you so much to everyone who came to the big day. I hope you enjoyed it. That’s always the aim.

And special thanks too to the official UnAwards 2024 partners and sponsors: CAN Digital, Alive with Ideas, Orlo, e-shot, the Local Government Association, Perago, Seashell Communications, Gey Fox Communications and Marketing, Whetstone Communications, the Behaviour Change Network and Ruby Bhattal Coaching.

And finally

I have come to realise is that the UnAwards is absolutely not my event. It’s the community’s event. It would be nothing without the people who make it happen and elevate it sky high with a hell of a lot of love and enthusiasm 🖤

Darren Caveney is creator and owner of comms2point0 and creative communicators ltd and organiser of the UnAwards.

the UnAwards 2024 - your guide to the big day

After a three-month build-up the UnAwards 2024 is almost here. Here’s your guide to the sold out big day…

by Darren Caveney

Now in their ninth year, there has never been a more important role for the UnAwards in saluting, recognising and celebrating the work of communicators across our industry. Most of you are still working under tough conditions. Some of you are constantly adapting to smaller resources and increased demands. And most are just busy delivering damned fine work.

The UnAwards is my own way of giving a little bit back to an industry which has been very good to me. I take huge pride and pleasure in being able to take a decent chunk of time out each year, away from the day-to-day consultancy work, to organise the UnAwards and to help fly a flag – in my own small way – for our communications community.

The big day

If you have managed to secure a ticket to the UnAwards 2024, thanks and well done – it’s a total sell out (please message me to join the waiting list if you want to be there)

Win or not you’re in for a great day where we can come together to celebrate your hard work across the year.

The UnAwards is my favourite work day of the year. It’s quite unlike any other industry event I’ve been to.

Not winning…

Of course, if you’re shortlisted but don’t win, you’ll be disappointed.

With a record-breaking 593 entries and 128 on the shortlist it’s stating the obvious in saying that not everyone can win. Some incredibly good work wasn’t shortlisted such was the volume of entries and sheer competition.

If you’ve been to a traditional awards event, paid handsomely for it, and left empty-handed it can feel like a massive anti-climax. I know, I have experienced that.

The UnAwards is different

The UnAwards aims to give everyone a fun day whatever the results.

The day is designed so that win or not you can genuinely enjoy a fun event and a unique opportunity to connect with industry colleagues new and old. That in itself is reason to be there.

Social media will be buzzing

Share pics of your journey and your day. If you can’t be at the UnAwards follow it on social using the #UnAwards24 hashtag.

Announcing the winners and snaps of the big day

I’ll be posting the winners names to the UnAwards website after the event.

We also have a photographer snapping and filming the event and I’ll get these online as soon as possible.

Timings, ceremony, film and food

The venue for the UnAwards 2024 is the very cool Everyman Cinema up on the third floor of Birmingham's Mailbox, B1 1 RF.

If you are driving I recommend you park in the Mailbox car park – not the cheapest but nearest and best. Sat Nav code is B1 1RS.

If you are coming by train the Everyman Cinema in the Mailbox is a 10-12 minute walk – leave New Street Station via the Victoria Square exits and turn left. Cross the road carrying straight on at the lights and you’ll see the large red Mailbox buillding straight ahead of you.

If you’re coming along aim to be at the venue by 9.30am for registration, a mug of fresh coffee and a croissant. The UnAwards ceremony will begin at 10.00am sharp.

After the ceremony we’re watching a brilliant film, kept a closely-guarded secret until the day.

After the film we’ll have food in the diner – there’s a selection of veggie and non-veggie sharing plates to tuck into and be done by 3pm. I expect plenty of you may the stay behind for a pre-christmas celebratory tipple. And why not.

And the dress code is…

Whatever you fancy. Literally. This is NOT black tie, as you’ll have guessed 😊 But if you want to come in your fancy clobber then go for it. I will, as always, be giving the annual outing to an UnAwards velvet jacket.

Fancy a pre-UnAwards social gathering?

You have snapped up almost all of the places we have reserved at Brum’s favourite restaurant - The Indian Streatery. Tables are booked for 8pm. Put your name on the list HERE.

If you would like to be there too you could see if there are any tables free and come and join the fun. Their smoked aubergine curry is a thing of beauty. Just saying.

Giving back

Each year the UnAwards donates to an important charity.

This year it’s the Epilepsy Society.

Epilepsy has a huge impact on the people affected, and around 80 people a week develop it in the UK, many in later life.

A small donation would make a real difference

 You can donate HERE.

Thank you

Saying thanks

Thanks so much for your support again this year, it means an awful lot. Everyone who entered, posted and supported.

Thanks to the panel of 30 external judges, who tackled an enormous challenge this year.

Special thanks too to the official UnAwards 2024 partners and sponsors: CAN Digital, the Local Government Association, Alive With Ideas, Orlo, e-shot, Perago, Whetstone Communications, Grey Fox Communications and Marketing, Seashell Communications, Ruby Bhattal Coaching and the Behaviour Change Network. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – there would be no UnAwards without you.

I really look forward to seeing you on Friday 6 December

Darren Caveney is owner and creator of comms2point0, creative communicators and organiser of the UnAwards

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the unawards 2024 shortlist is live

The wait is over – the full UnAwards 2024 shortlist is LIVE.

by Darren Caveney

It’s been an enormous task for the UnAwards judges this year.

593 entries is a pretty astonishing return - and a record for the UnAwards.

Huge thanks for the time and effort which all entrants took this year.

If you have made it onto the shortlist you should be really proud, it’s a major achievement.

And if you didn’t make it onto the shortlist you’ll of course be sad. We’ve all been there. But that should not detract from you being proud of your work. Some amazingly good work didn’t make the shortlist.

You can view the full UnAwards 2024 shortlist HERE.

BEING AT THE BIG DAY…

Each year the publication of the shortlist sparks a run on the remaining tickets.

I am going to limit ticket sales to two per organisation so that I can get as many shortlisted people to the big day as possible.

Ticket availability is limited and is first come, first served.

You can buy up to two tickets HERE.

SAYING THANKS

Finally a big, big thank you to the team of external judges - all 30 of them:

Ross Wigham, Ian Curwen, Matt Nicholls, Victoria Ford, John-Paul Danon, Holly Bremner, Gemma Styles, James Morton, Lauren Castle, Alan Oram, Georgia Turner, Emma Rodgers, Sally Northeast, Alex Waddington, Dominic Ridley-Moy, Carla Ryan-Griffiths, Laurel Smithson, Sadie Burgess, Dan Hare, Mandy Pearse, Julie Odams, Ruby Bhattal, Sarrane Postans, Jude Tipper, Andrew Walker, Farid Norat, Chris Elias, Louisa Dean, Paul Masterman and Ben Capper.

It’s been a huge amount of work for you all and I thank you so much for your time and efforts. I owe you all a beer.

I look forward to seeing many of you on the big day on Friday 6 December.

Darren Caveney is organiser of the UnAwards, creator and owner of comms2point0 and creative communicators ltd

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THE UNAWARDS 2024 PUBLIC VOTE IS OPEN

Choose your favourites now…

by Darren Caveney

After receiving a record-breaking 593 entries a team of 30 external judges are currently battling through a tonne of great work to draw up the 2024 UnAwards shortlist.

But, as you know, the UnAwards are different to other awards because YOU get the chance to choose three of the big winners through a public vote.

And that public vote is now open.

You have a tough, tough challenge now to select the winners from three important categories:

>> LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

>> COMMS TEAM OF THE YEAR

>> BEST GUEST POST OF 2024

You can cast your votes HERE

The public vote closes on Monday 25 November (midnight)

Choose wisely.

And good luck to all of you.

DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR TICKET TO THE BIG DAY

Darren Caveney is owner and creator of comms2point0, creative communicators ltd and the UnAwards

wow. a record breaker. what next in the unawards 2024?

🔥 WOW. WOW. WOW. 🔥
You lot are amazing.

by Darren Caveney

An absolute record-breaking haul of almost 600 entries has landed in the UnAwards 2024.

That’s huge.

In the process, you just created the biggest new treasure trove of comms learning, insights and case studies I can think of.

Thank you so much.

Incredibly, the last entry dropped into the inbox at 23.59 last night. Yes I did stay up til the witching hour to watch.

Well done to everyone who entered.

It's now over to the small army of independent judges to put their expert skills to good use. They have a hell of a lot of work to do so thank you, I appreciate you.

What next?

- 30 judges will work through your entries
- Shortlists will be published by 17 November.
- And the public vote will go live in 3 categories before then.

If you want to guarantee being at the glittering #UnAwards24 ceremony get your tickets whilst you can HERE.

The detailed timeline is available HERE.

See you on Friday 6 December at the epic Everyman Cinema, Birmingham.

Finally… Thank you, thank you

Huge thanks to the sponsors who make this all possible:

CAN Digital

ALIVE WITH IDEAS

ORLO

E-SHOT

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

BEHAVIOUR CHANGE NETWORK

PERAGO

WHETSTONE COMMUNICATIONS

GREY FOX MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

SEASHELL COMMUNICATIONS

RUBY BHATTAL COACHING

Darren Caveney is creator and owner of comms2point0 and Creative Communicators Ltd and creator of the UnAwards

10 x top tips to win an UnAward

Here are some valuable lessons and insights from past winners, judges and sponsors

by Darren caveney

Thanks to everyone who attended the recent webinar - How to win an UnAward.

We heard top tips and insights from past winners, judges and sponsors on how to get shortlisted and win an UnAward.

It was fascinating to listen to their insights, and my top 10 takes from the session were:

1.  Know your metrics (and include them) – Don’t be vague here, the judges are looking out for evidence of SMART objectives

2.  Include testimonials – Can you include testimonials from the your audiences on the work you have delivered?

3.  Data is your friend – what data was your work based on? Make sure you include them in your entry.

4.  What is creativity? Creativity comes in many forms. We tend to think of creativity as the visual elements but think more widely about it, for example where you creative with your use of data?

5.  Use the EAST framework when it comes to behaviour change work.

6.  The AMEC evaluation framework is a great resource and way to shape your work and entry content.

7.  Check out COMMS:FILES for inspiration and examples of previous entries.

8.  Can AI help you with your entry?

9.  Be creative with your entry. Comms people are creative writers so write your entry form creatively. One past winner shared that their entry included references to David Bowie and The Matrix.

10.  And, finally, don’t be scared to enter. So many people say that they “haven’t done anything good this year”. This isn’t true. Every team has done good and important work. Give it the chance to flourish and be noticed.

If you missed the webinar it’s really worth a listen - here’s the recording of the session.

The UnAwards close on 30 October, midnight, and are never ever extended.

Here’s the dedicated UnAwards website with everything you need to craft and enter your winning submission.

Good luck.

Darren Caveney is creator and owner of comms2point0 and Creative Communicators Ltd and creator of the UnAwards

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UNAWARDS 2024 TICKET SALES ARE LIVE

Tickets for the UnAwards 2024 ceremony are LIVE. Don’t leave it too long to grab yours…

by Darren Caveney

The 9th annual awards will be held at’s iconic home - the Everyman Cinema in the Mailbox in Birmingham - on Friday 6 December at 9.30am for a 10am start.

Tickets will cost just £30 + vat and are on sale now.

Please remember it’s always a sell out so please don’t be slow to buy

You can buy your tickets HERE

ALL NEW WEBINAR: HOW TO WIN AN UNAWARD

Winning an UnAward is a very special thing.

But how can you win one?

Find out exactly how by getting the inside track from past winners and current judges in this special new webinar.

by Darren Caveney

There’s plenty of time left to get your entries in to the 9th annual UnAwards.

I’ve seen first hand the difference an award shortlisting and win can make to an individual and to a team. Even an organisation. I truly believe that they’re a very important part of what we do.

External, independent recognition makes us feel good, yes, but it’s also an important endorsement that what we do makes a real difference and is considered to be good practice.

They look pretty good on the CV too.

I see brilliant work every single week on my travels around the UK working with teams.

But some teams are convinced that they haven’t done anything good enough to enter.

I disagree – everyone has delivered good and valued work in the past 12 months.

Now is the time to showcase your work – no one else will do this for you

It’s absolutely a time to be selfish and to spend some time on you and your work and to get an entry in, and see how far it can go.

The phrase “in it to win” is much over-used but it does however still ring true.

So what’s this new webinar?

It’s a one-ff chance to hear from past winners and current judges who will share their trade secrets about what has gone in to an UnAward win and, importantly, what the judges look for.

You can pitch in with questions to our extra special panel too.

Who is on the panel?

• Alan Oram – judge and director at Alive with Ideas

• Mandy Pearse - experienced award winner and judge

• Laurel Chilcot-Smithson - strategic communications manager at Hertfordshire Council

• Lindsay Coulson – experienced award winner

• Hannah Yorke - social and digital consultant at Orlo

• John-Paul Danon – judge and commercial director at CAN Digital

• Alex Waddington - owner of Whetstone Communications

• Chris Elias - communications lead at Perago

Plus, some previous winners and others involved in this year’s UnAwards.

When is it?

Wednesday 9 October – 12 noon - 1pm.

We thought it might be a good time at the end of the week to put work away and join a short, fun webinar aiming to inspire you for the final two weeks of the entry window.

Fancy it?

We’ll do it on Teams and you can register below.

if you can’t be there we’ll make the recording available.

But try to be there – it will be a fun hour that might just help you get an UnAward win.

REGISTER HERE

Darren Caveney is creator and owner of comms2point0 and Creative Communicators Ltd and creator of the UnAwards

THE UNAWARDS 2024 ARE OPEN

The 9th annual UnAwards launch TODAY. They're the most exciting and accessible industry awards around. Now is not a time to quietly sit back and hope your organisation recognises and appreciates your efforts. Instead try and get yourself shortlisted for an UnAward to really put your work on the organisational map.

by Darren Caveney

Well, 2024 has been more of the same for communicators everywhere - stretched, busy, in demand, and with a general election thrown in for good measure. But still you have delivered brilliant and important work.

So, as summer turns to autumn, it’s time to launch the UnAwards and get you, your teams and the industry proudly entering and showcasing your best work. Now is not the time to let it pass and wait until next year.

The UnAwards are a huge passion of mine. They were established to recognise the hard work, creativity, successes of the communications and PR industry, largely but not exclusively by any means in the public sector.

They are truly accessible and do not run to generate a profit. They exist to celebrate and fly a flag for good people doing good things.

Something I think are now even more important than ever before.

WHAT DO I MEAN BY ACCESSIBLE?

Well, for starters it’s £free to enter

For seconds, it’s the simplest entry form you’ll find anywhere. This year again there is the fancy online entry form, courtesy of headline sponsors, CAN Digital. You can enter multiple categories with a single entry form too.

And for thirds, if you manage to bag a golden ticket to the most fun awards ceremony around it will cost you just £30.

I hope you’ll agree that definitely classes as accessible.

NEW TO THE UNAWARDS?

Well there's more here but in a nutshell they are the most accessible and innovative awards in our industry - free to enter, fun to attend and a celebration of our community's achievements.

There are 21 categories, so something for everyone, including this year an all-new behaviour change category sponsored by the Behaviour Change Network.

Even better you can enter the same piece of work in multiple categories to increase your chances of being shortlisted.

And if you come along to the big day – shortlisted or not – you’ll enjoy one of the very best networking events of the year

Oh and you get to watch a classic movie, which always remains a closely guarded secret until the day.

THE UNAWARDS IN NUMBERS…

• 9th annual UnAwards

• 450 entries last time

• 21  categories

• 3 public votes categories to decide winners

• 2k public votes last year

• 20+ external judges

• 275k visits to the comms2point0 website so far in 2024

• 140 attendees

THE UNAWARDS – THEY KEEP ON GIVING...

Each year the winners are invited to showcase their winning work at the popular UnAwards Winners Masterclass in the new year. Also free to attend. More on that another time.

HOW DO I ENTER AND WHAT IS THE DEADLINE?

The cool new online entry form can be found HERE.

And the closing date is 30 October at midnight. Please, please remember that the closing date is NEVER extended.

WHEN IS IT AND HOW CAN I ATTEND?

The 8th annual awards will be held at its iconic home - the Everyman Cinema in the Mailbox, Birmingham - on Friday 6 December at 9.30am for a 10am start.

Tickets cost just £30 + vat and will go on sale on 18 September. Please remember it’s always a sell out so don’t be slow to buy.

And there’s more…

There will be a pre-UnAwards social at the comms world’s favorite Brum restaurant, The Indian Streatery on 5 December. The food is delicious and I’ve agreed a £25 per head menu that you’ll love. If you’d like to join us you can register HERE.

So, ‘People of Comms’

How often have you heard the phrase – comms and PR people are bad at their own comms and PR?

That really shouldn’t be the case should it? Would you buy the services of a web agency who had a terrible web site?

So it’s time to kill that one off for good.

It's time to promote our successes – shout about them, if not quite from the rooftops then at least down the corridors of power. Let’s be proud and celebrate our achievements.

Other professions do, and some may deliver a hell of a lot less than you do.

So embrace this rallying call and book out some time in your diaries to pull together your entries and showcase your best work.

No one else will do this for you.

That other non-important work demand which can stifle – meetings, ad-hoc requests, multiple distractions and the “could you just…” passing trade won’t go away. Ever.

But you might have a rather nice UnAward-winning certificate hanging proudly on your office wall. So be a little selfish with your time for once.

Darren Caveney is creator and owner of both comms2point0 and the UnAwards and the owner of creative communicators ltd