Deadline nigh for PRISA PRISM awards

“Deadlines for entries are tight this year as we need to allow sufficient time from the judges to scrutinise all the entries. This includes our two international judges,” says Bridget von Holdt.

“Being a PRISM winner can create many business opportunities”, says Jane Weaver, chairperson of the Public Relations Consultancy Chapter of PRISA. “It can enhance your company's reputation, increase credibility not to mention build your profile. What better way to start 2009 than by walking away with a coveted award? Show both clients and potential clients the high quality of your work. “

The PRISM Awards recognise and reward the best of the best in the industry. PRISM will once again recognise both campaign categories and individual awards. Categories are in line with the IPRA Gold Awards and range from business-to-business and crisis communication through to strategy, media relations and events. The individual categories are best creative PR professional, best PR educator, best PR professional in media liaison, best small PR consultancy and best strategist PR professional, as well as best up-and-coming PR professional.

Entries need to be well planned and all public relations campaigns entered in the PRISM Awards must exhibit a high standard of excellence. Specifically, each entry is judged in five areas - opportunity, research, planning, execution and evaluation. The size of the campaign or the budget is not relevant and any well-executed campaign stands a chance to win. Furthermore, entrants do not need to be members of PRISA, IPRA or any other professional body. Entries can be downloaded off www.prisa.co.za.

This year's PRISM Awards will be held at the Silverstar Casino near Krugersdorp on 31 March 2009. Sponsors for this year's event are About Entertainment, Caturra Coffee, Changing Spaces, CIMA, Creative Connection, Mangomoon, Shades of Ngwenya, Silverstar Casino, Mercury Media, Star FX Events & Productions, Tony Koenderman's AdReview and Wings Corporate Travel.

For more information on PRISA, contact Margaret Moscardi at PRISA, tel +27 (0)11 326 1262, fax +27 (0)11 326 1259, email and www.prisa.co.za.