2023 PRISM Award Winners Revealed

The 2023 PRISM Awards were presented to PR and communication professionals who successfully incorporated strategy, creativity, and professionalism in their successful strategies and campaigns over the previous year.

The PRISM Awards, celebrating its 26th year, announced its 2023 winners at a gala event at The Galleria in Sandton on Saturday 29 July under the theme of ‘Telling a Story’. ‘The theme really resonated with entrants,’ said Landiwe Manana, Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) General Manager and PRISM Awards Chairperson.

‘We are PR specialists who tell stories in whatever shape or form, from a strategy outline to a fully-fledged campaign. We are good storytellers by nature, and I am convinced there are many more stories for our industry to tell and opportunities to engage with diverse audiences in South Africa,’ said Manana.

This year was also the highest number of entries ever received for consideration for Africa’s most prestigious public relations (PR) and communications accolades from PRISA. A total of 454 entries were received, of which 390 met the stringent qualifying criteria. The overwhelming number of entries also resulted in the decision to award Gold, Silver, and Bronze in all categories.

The coveted South African Campaign of the Year was awarded to Levergy for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The Best Large PR Consultancy was DNA Brand Architects (Gold), Flow Communications (Silver), and Eclipse Communications (Bronze). The Best Mid-Sized PR Consultancy was Alkemi Collective (Silver). Best Small PR Consultancy was Paddington Station (Gold), Hook, Line & Sinker (Silver), and The Friday Street Club (Bronze).

The Presidential Awards saw Bridget von Holdt and Palesa Madumo both awarded Gold for Outstanding Legacy of Achievement, while Bradly Howland received Gold in PR and Communications Industry Advancement.

‘It is quite astonishing if you consider this is the largest number of entries received in the history of the PRISM Awards,’ commented Manana. ‘We really did not know what to expect. It is an incredible validation of the credibility and stature of the PRISM Awards in the industry.’

Manana said the 2023 PRISM Awards Committee was tasked with bolstering the integrity of the awards programme. ‘We wanted the winners not only to feel empowered by their success, but for everyone else to be motivated by their peers and consider entering next year again.’

The interest evinced by the industry, combined with the high quality of entries across the board, made it particularly difficult for the panel of 70 judges across the six main categories and their separate sub-categories.

‘We had a very stringent judging process in place. All our judges were industry professionals who gave freely of their time and energy and really put a lot into the adjudication process,’ said Manana. The judging process was officially audited, and all comments collated on behalf of the entrants.

A highlight of the judging process was the PRISM Young Voices programme, which afforded young and up-and-coming industry professionals the opportunity to be part of the judging process itself. ‘This is an initiative dear to my heart as we need to hear from those just embarking on their careers and let them see what is possible and can be achieved,’ said Manana.

As for the future, PRISA plans to extend the PRISM Awards both regionally and include the rest of Africa in the near future. ‘We are approaching a point of critical mass where it makes imminent sense to open up and expand the PRISM Awards. It has established itself as the benchmark for PR and communications excellence and best practice, and we look forward to growing it even further,’ concluded Landiwe.

The Full List Of The 2023 Prism Awards Winners:

PRISM AWARDS
https://www.prism-awards.co.za