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CorpComms Awards 2008 - The categories

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The categories

Best corporate website:
• quoted and unquoted companies
• not-for-profit and public sector organisations
We are looking for websites that not only communicate information, but also allow external stakeholders a degree of interaction with the organisation, through both content and functionality. Entries should show how the website presents narrative and numeric information in an intuitive, accessible and well-designed format. They should clearly demonstrate that the site has been conceived to cultivate the desired perceptions among all stakeholder groups. The judges will consider how well the website achieves the overall objective, but will also pay close attention to clarity of communication and ease of navigation.

Mindful of the different stakeholder and legal requirements that organisations face, this category has been split into two. Please see the additional requirement on budget on the ‘How to enter’ page, and remember to include the URL and any passwords required to access the site.

Best annual report:
• quoted and unquoted companies
• not-for-profit and public sector organisations
We are looking for annual reports that reach out to all stakeholder groups with clear, accessible, well-written and well-designed information. The entry should demonstrate how the design of the report reflects the organisation’s values, while serving as an effective communications tool. Mindful of the different stakeholder and legal requirements that organisations face, this category has been split into two. Please see the additional requirement on budget on the ‘How to enter’ page.

Best online annual report
We are looking for online reports that take advantage of the unique characteristics of the web medium rather than simply reproducing the printed version. The judges will consider ease of navigation, accessibility of multi-layered levels of narrative and data, interactivity, spreadsheets and rapid signposted access to the desired areas of information.

Best CSR strategy
We are looking for the organisation that truly embraces its role as a responsible corporate citizen, and ensures CSR is core to its corporate strategy. Entries should demonstrate an organisation’s actual achievements in respect of its CSR activities.

Best crisis management
We are looking for a company or other organisation that has managed a crisis with the least disturbance to its core business or reputation. The objectives, strategy and method deployed should be clearly set out, showing how negative impacts were avoided and positive ones achieved.
Entrants may mark some of their submission as confidential and not for publication owing to the sensitive nature of the work.

Best communications by a public sector body
We are looking for entries that clearly demonstrate how communications have been used to promote the core values of a public sector body. This entry is open to all government departments, local authorities, public sector agencies and associated trusts and organisations, such as the police, health trusts and education trusts.

Best communications by a not-for-profit organisation
We are looking for organisations that use communication tools to promote their corporate brand and values effectively. Particular attention will be paid to costeffectiveness.
This entry is open only to the voluntary sector.

NEW FOR 2008:
Best communications by a private sector company
We are looking for private sector companies that have launched new campaigns, communicated new strategies or developed new programmes. The judges will focus on the efforts of in-house teams, although the role of external agencies will also be considered and entries from agencies on behalf of their clients are encouraged.

Financial and business media relations
We are looking for in-house media relations teams that have successfully conveyed their company’s message to the financial media. The focus will be on the efforts of the in-house team, although the relationship with external agencies will also be considered and entries from agencies on behalf of their clients are encouraged.
This category will be judged by a panel composed of financial and
business journalists.

Best employee communications
We are looking for an employee communications programme that has succeeded in creating an inhouse culture that demonstrates how staff members are now fully engaged with corporate brand values. The entry should demonstrate challenges faced by the internal communications team, and highlight a project or strategy that has engaged the workforce.

NEW FOR 2008:
Best corporate publication
Excluding annual reports, we are looking for printed matter and electronically published material that communicate an organisation’s activities to various stakeholders. This category will include,among other things, internal newsletters, brochures and online magazines. Entries should include three different copies of the publication, with details of its target audience, circulation figures and demonstrable results.

Best rebranding exercise
We are looking for a rebranding exercise that has successfully revitalised both an organisation’s internal and external standing. The entry should document the process, from the initial engagement with all stakeholders to establish the USP of the organisation, through to the eventual relaunch of strategy and brand. It should also demonstrate the value achieved by the exercise.

Best understanding and management of new media
We are looking for entries that either embrace the full potential of new media or have successfully managed the social media environment. The judges are seeking evidence that new media have played an integral part in a communications strategy and programme. Entries demonstrating levels of engagement, tangible success and evidence of enhanced audience participation or changed perception stand a better chance of success.

Best use of broadcast as part of a communications strategy
We are looking for campaigns that effectively use broadcast tools, such as television and radio, to achieve their objectives. The judges are looking for evidence that the project proved significant and effective in its own right, as well as playing a part in an overall integrated campaign.

Individual categories

Corporate communications officer of the year
This category is open only to members of the CorpComms 100 Club, which will be announced in September and recognises the top 100 in-house communications professionals in the UK.
You can nominate yourself or a colleague for the CorpComms 100 Club. For full details, visit www.corpcomms100.com.

Young achiever
This award is open to corporate communications professionals in consultancies and in-house departments who are under the age of 30 on July 1, 2008. Nominations are accepted only from employers, and should include details of the candidate’s career history. We are looking for outstanding achievement in handling and developing campaigns, demonstrating creativity and clear results.
The entry should focus on the candidate’s individual contribution rather than the results of the team. Please note: the judges may need to conduct a telephone interview of shortlisted candidates. Candidates will be contacted in September if this is required.

Grand prix for best overall corporate communications:
• quoted and unquoted companies
• not-for-profit and public sector organisations
These awards cannot be entered directly. The chairman of the judges and the judging panel will nominate and decide on the entries from the winners of each category (excluding the two individual categories).