Red Agency, Weber Shandwick And Ogilvy Win Big At PRIA Awards

Wednesday night saw the next round of the 2015 Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) Golden Target Awards State Finals in Sydney.

The New South Wales State Awards for Excellence ceremony took place in the stunning surrounds of the Pullman Quay Grand, in Sydney’s picturesque Circular Quay. The sold-out event of more than 160 leading PR professionals celebrated the best-of-the-best PR campaigns and industry professionals in New South Wales.

Big winners on the night included:

Weber Shandwick, who were shortlisted eight times, across six different categories with seven awards prizes in total – one win, three highly commended, and three commended, with two Weber Shandwick staff, Heather-Ann Cody and  Hannah Rayment, both commended in the Top sPRinters category (those with under five years’ experience);

Ogilvy, shortlisted seven times, across six different categories with six awardees in total – one win The Release of Peter Greste, one highly commended and four commended elsewhere;

VIVA! Communications, shortlisted and awarded three times in the Health Organisations category (biggest category with 11 finalists), with a win for Our Plea for Life, and two highly commended awardees elsewhere; Melanie Wellington,

N2N Communications, won the Top sPRinters gong for NSW;

Micro-consultancy was won by Lisa Burling, LBPR; medium consultancy gong went to Sauce Communications;

with a highlight of the night being Erik Denison, Sydney Convicts Rugby Club, for his win for Tackling Homophobia in Sport, in the small budget/pro bono category.

Red Agency, shortlisted eight times, across six different categories with six awardees in total – two wins for the EASY Tour: HIV Testing Week, with three commended awards elsewhere, held the loudest roar to the very end of the night when the Sydney arm took – what is believed to be the first time in the recent history of the awards in this category – back-to-back gongs in consecutive years for the Consultancy of the Year award.

James Wright, managing director, Red Agency, said, “It is pretty humbling to be awarded Consultancy of the Year back-to-back. It has been an incredible few years for us and it is testament to the dedication, expertise and passion that the team bring every day. They are an inspiration to me. At Red Agency we continue to challenge what is possible in the PR, experiential and social space, and that requires the trust of our clients and so we thank them for giving us the chance to do the type of work we do. I guess the goal is for three in a row now!”

This industry night-of-nights for PR in NSW displayed astounding campaigns delivered across all sectors, judged by over 70 senior PR professionals from across Australia. Judges stated that, yet again, entries featured examples of cutting-edge creativity and innovation throughout, which helped tell some amazingly inspirational stories. Some of the recognised awardees winners shed a few tears of joy on stage and clients, staff, and peers shared the celebratory feeling during a great night of recognition.

“There were a huge number of entries this year. So many high-quality entries are surely a good sign of the health of our growing industry, and – I believe – of the relevance of the PRIA in pushing for the highest standards for our profession,” said PRIA NSW president, John Vineburg.

Winners from last night now have the opportunity to be recognised at the 2015 GTA National Finals, held during the PRIA National Conference, on Monday 26 October, at Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, Tasmania.