SAEON scoops yet another major industry award

History repeated itself in March this year when SAEON won another award at the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa’s annual awards (a gala function held at the Vodadome in Midrand) this time for the launch of its Egagasini Node.

Four years ago, SAEON was not only the winner in the Special Events category, but also walked away with the Chairman’s Award for excellence in communication and public relations for the launch of both the South African Environmental Observation Network and the Network’s first node at the Phalaborwa Gate of the Kruger National Park.

Johan Pauw, Head of SAEON, praised the team and cited their ongoing enthusiasm, buy-in, support and creative input as one of the main reasons for the success of the launch. He said that they succeeded in raising a high level of awareness for SAEON and obtaining the involvement of their target publics:

“The launch of the SAEON Egagasini Node on 29 November 2007 was an international event attended by SAEON’s primary international audience, that of the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations. More than 600 representatives from many countries around the world attended the GEO meetings in Cape Town.

“From SAEON’s perspective it was a huge success due to the combination of communication tools and strategies that were employed throughout the meeting.

“The launch and associated exhibitions and scientific literature have left a long-lasting impression on an audience normally pre-occupied with their own importance and agendas.”

Beyond tradition

According to the judges, SAEON displayed innovation in coming up with a strategy that really talked to its audiences, and went beyond the traditional way of doing things.

The eleven-strong judging panel for the Awards included industry experts such as Colin Farrington, Director General of the UK Chartered Institute of Public Relations, Prof Nixon Kariithi, Professor of Media Studies: University of the Witwatersrand, and Erika Dykes, Director of Marketing, Advertising and Distribution: Government Communications.

Five key criteria were assessed during the judging – statement of the problem or opportunity, research, planning, execution and evaluation. According to the judges, the planning and execution of the strategy and the media interface demonstrated “very good understanding of a complex area”, and “good work with scientists and journos alike”. The entry itself was found to be “well articulated”, “concise” and “well-written”.

PRISA instituted the PRISM AWARDS more than ten years ago “to promote excellence in public relations and communication, acknowledge the success stories of a complex and demanding profession and honour its brightest stars”.

According to a statement issued by PRISA, the industry as a whole expressed tremendous interest in this year’s awards, and entries were received from all over South Africa.