The Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) has unveiled the 2017 PRAU Excellence Awards with a call for entry to individuals, organisations and agencies that wish to participate in the prestigious awards, the 7th edition of its kind since they were formed.
The PRAU Excellence Awards celebrate the greatest achievements and innovations across the public relations and communications industry in Uganda.
According to Ms. Cynthia Mpanga, the PRAU president, the awards will this year be organized under the theme “UPHOLDING PR EXCELLENCE IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES” and shall honour companies and individuals with awards across thirteen categories.
“This year’s theme is reflective of the tough business environment that we operate in. We are aware that spend for communication work is shrinking by the day but there are brands out there that have been consistent in ensuring the produce excellence work no matter the environment they are in. These are the ones that we shall seek to award this year in the PRAU Awards,” said Ms. Mpanga.
At the launch, the issue of the impact of digital PR over traditional PR arose again which highlighted the much needed impact of the current communication professional to stay abreast of the changes in the industry.
“The impact of digital on our profession continues. We are seeing more and more brands use the digital space to advance their communications. It will be interesting to see how far these brands have gone to ensure excellence in their work even as they use digital channels to get across to their clients and customers” she added.
Entries for the 2017 awards will be accepted from 1st August to 30th September 2017, with the winners announced at a glamorous gala on Friday October 27th 2017 at a venue yet to be named by the organizing committee.
Speaking at the launch Sheila E. Kangwagye, the associations Secretary General, highlighted the need to start early: “This year we have give a full two months to our members to submit their award entries. This will allow each and everyone who is participating enough time to prepare their award submissions as we understand this takes quite some time”.
The awards are open to; PR and communications practitioners, business enterprises/SMEs, government bodies, PR agencies, associations, NGO’s, students pursuing PR related courses, and In-house PR departments. Entries submitted to the PRAU Excellence Awards competition will be judged by an independent panel of senior and experienced practitioners.
The 2017 PRAU Excellence Awards will be presented in the following categories:
PR Campaign Category
- a) Best Media Management Campaign
- b) Best Event
- c) Best Crisis Management Campaign
- d) Best Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign
- e) Best Public Sector Campaign
- f) Best Not for Profit Campaign
- g) Best PR agency
Supplementary Category
- h) Best Corporate/online Publication
- i) Best Social/digital Media Campaign
- j) Best Young Communicator of the Year
Honorary Category
- k) PRAU Golden Honors
- l) PRAU Sheppard Honors
- m) People’s Choice Award
Award Submission Rules:
Each entry must start with an opening 100-word statement describing why the entry should be deemed worthy of an award.
The entry submission should be limited to 1,200 words in English and with Arial font of 12 point size. (This excludes the 100 words above)
The entry must follow this submission structure; (i) Statement on problem/opportunity (ii) Research (iii) Planning (iv) Execution (v) Evaluation
One MUST upload on PRAU’s website www.prauganda.ug ; a completed entry form, upload a written submission in Microsoft word or in PDF format and upload a video to support their entry.