2010 PRISA PRISMs - all the winners

There were entries in over 22 awards categories and entries were judged based on competence in five areas: statement of the problem, research, planning, execution and evaluation.

“The high number of entries this year ensured stiff competition and a challenging job for the adjudicators,” said Marilyn Watson, chief judge. “What differentiated one entry from the next was the ‘wow' factor - excellence, innovation, passion, creativity and an obvious return of investment for the client.”

Premilla Hamid, GM - Public Affairs for Anglo American in South Africa and a judge at this year's awards, agreed. “Whilst the past year has been challenging for a number of businesses, it's encouraging to see the investment still made by companies in public relations and this is reflected in the large number of entries in the awards.

“The entries were certainly of a high standard, and I was particularly impressed to see actual measurement against the objectives being included in the communication plans.

“I would however have liked to see more entries from corporate in-house communication professionals, as I know there is a great deal of excellent work being done by this group of public relations professionals.”

Overall Gold Award winner

Ogilvy PR took overall Gold Award for its high-intensity Goodbye Citi campaign that successfully combined print, radio and television media with the global revolution of internet and cellular-based social media. The campaign delivered outstanding audience response and talkability through an ongoing series of blogs, Facebook groups, Twitter, Flikr and YouTube uploads, achieving total coverage to the value of R4 036 368 (AVE 1:1), including significant exposure in traditional media as well.

The agency receives the PRISM trophy designed by Jenna Clifford and entry into the international IPRA (International Public Relations Association) Golden Awards. The case study is published in Tony Koenderman's AdReview in FinWeek and the agency receives acknowledgement in BizCommunity and exposure in Communika magazine.

Commenting on her two gold awards, Greater Than MD, Galia Kerbel, said, “I just wish all my team could be here. Winning these awards just goes to prove that in this business the overall result is greater than the individual effort involved. We all work smart and hard but it's only effective when we pull together.”

The agency's account manager Marisa Logan was beaming when it was announced that she had won the “Best Up-and-coming Public Relations Professional” Gold award. Marisa (22) has a public relations diploma from Cape Peninsula University of Technology and has been with the company for two-and-a-half years.

“Marisa did a nine-month internship with us before she joined us as a junior account executive,” said Kerbel. “She has such a thorough grasp of business - from its ethics to its operational capabilities - that I can and do leave the running of the business in her hands when I am away on business or on holiday. Her success reflects what we stand for and that PR is essentially a people business. When we find talented, exceptional people we hold on to them and nurture them.”

Winners (in alphabetical order)