Well that was fun.
Yesterday saw the end of our public vote and the announcement of the #UnAwards15 shortlist. I went slightly bog-eyed watching it all unfold but we now know the runners and riders in all 15 categories.
Over 140 entries poured into the UnAwards15 from across the UK and from as far afield as Norway. Central government, local government, NHS, Police, Housing, Fire, Higher Education, third sector and the agency world all took part and our 14 external judges have had quite a task in getting down to our final shortlist.
The standard of your entries this year has been high. We know this because some of our judges are hard to impress, But impressed they were.
Our love and respect for this fabulous comms, PR, marketing and digital community, which we all exist in, just grows and grows and thank you so much for supporting the #UnAwards15.
It’s extra work for everyone who gets involved – from entrants all the way through to judges - but I shall never stop believing that recognising great work, memorable achievements and creativity is just about the most important part of what we believe in at comms2point0 headquarters.
The fact that 2.7k votes were cast in the public vote tells us that you believe this too.
Here is the shortlist - huge thanks to everyone who entered.
If you weren’t shortlisted this time, I’m sorry. The standard this year was incredibly high and in some categories really good entries still weren’t good enough to make the final cut. This doesn’t mean that your work wasn’t great, of course, and reflecting on what worked well is always time well spent. Don’t give up – as us Birmingham City F.C. fans say, “there’s always next year”.
Tremendous thanks go to our team of judges for taking the time to make this happen – Dan and I were itching to judge but as we know so many of the entrants now through our consultancy work, training and events we thought it fairer all round to butt out.
And whether you are shortlisted or not do get yourself to the best comms event of the year on 3 December at the very cool Everyman Cinema.
The event features the ceremony, the watching a classic comms and PR film, eating a tasty meal with friends and colleagues, and the chance to learn and network with your industry.
‘Yes, it’s work’, if your boss questions it.
And ‘no’, it’s not a stuffy black tie affair where you have to part with £300 and listen to a bad after dinner speaker.
Tickets are selling fast and once they are gone, they are gone I’m afraid.
To guarantee your place on a very comfy sofa for the big event rustle through your wallets and purses for £20 and grab your prized ticket now.
I hope to see lots of you there. Dan may even buy you a drink.
Darren is co-creator of comms2point0 and the UnAwards
Image via Flickr creative commons