In a recent celebration of excellence in public relations, several noteworthy achievements were recognized across various categories. The South African Campaign of the Year was awarded to The Friday Street Club for their innovative project, “Go Solr The Light Paper.” The Alkemi Collective also received a Special Mention for the Esther Mahlangu Retrospective, showcasing the vibrant cultural contributions of South Africa.
Agency Recognition
Paddington Station Inc. emerged as the Grand Prix Agency of the Year, further solidifying its reputation in the industry. The agency also clinched the title of Best Small Public Relations Consultancy, demonstrating its versatility and impact.
Tribeca PR was honored as the Best Mid-Sized Public Relations Consultancy, while Flow Communications took home the award for Best Large Public Relations Consultancy, highlighting the diverse talent within the sector.
Leadership and Professional Awards
Recognition in PR leadership was bestowed upon Paul W. Reynell from Paddington Station Inc., Caroline Smith from Flow Communications, and Bradly Howland from Alkemi Collective, each making significant contributions to the field.
Keabetswe Taele of M-Sports Marketing Communications was named the Best Public Relations Professional, with Awande Dlamini from Magna Carta Reputation Management Consultants as the runner-up. In the category of Best Up-and-Coming Public Relations Professional, Thato Moloi of Grey Advertising Africa took the top spot, followed closely by Mikateko Maswanganyi and Kaylin van der Vent.
Internship and Dedication Awards
The Best Public Relations Intern of the Year saw Tasneem Felix from Dialogue Communications and Zané Neethling from Paddington Station Inc. as runners-up. The newly titled Dedication Award was presented to Martin Slabbert of Alkemi Collective, recognizing his lifetime of achievements in the industry.
B2B and B2C Categories
In the B2B segment, Brandsmith’s “#WomenpreneurHerPerfectPitch” campaign by Jacaranda FM won Gold in the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Campaign category. The Education & Training category saw Weber Shandwick’s “Iron Sharpens Iron” take home Silver.
In the B2C categories, MSL’s “Disney+: Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire” was awarded Gold for Consumer PR for an Existing Product or Service, while Flow Communications received Bronze for their work with SANBI.
Environmental and Corporate Communication
The Friday Street Club’s “Go Solr – The Light Paper” also excelled in the Environmental category, securing Gold. In Corporate Communications, Tribeca PR’s “WE are Malan Scholes Attorneys” won Gold, showcasing effective messaging in a competitive landscape.
Digital and Social Media Campaigns
Digital reputation management was highlighted with Ogilvy South Africa’s “Life Healthcare Always On” winning Gold. In social media, Dialogue Communications’ “#BokFriday” campaign took the top prize, reflecting the growing importance of digital platforms in public relations strategies.
Special Recognitions
Honorary awards were presented to several distinguished individuals, including Maria Dax, Kate Bapela, and Malesela Maubane, among others, acknowledging their significant contributions to the field of public relations.
As the public relations landscape continues to evolve, these awards serve as a testament to the creativity, dedication, and impact of professionals in the industry, paving the way for future innovations and successes.
