You’re only a few steps away from entering the CorpComms Awards 

Communicating with investors has never been more important, whether that is about a new company strategy or an upcoming initial public offering. The judges are looking for any initiative involving City-focused audiences.

The judges are looking for initiatives that support the communities in which organisations operate, or the wider society. They will consider the rationale underpinning the initiative - for example, it may be structured to address a specific problem, how it fits with the organisation’s values and its ultimate impact – both on the communities and employees. While the initiative may have been in place for some time, the judges will be looking at its most recent results.

A good corporate website should create business, reputation and stakeholder value for your organisation. The judges will consider both content and the experience. Great content should pull the reader into the site – not simply replicate printed materials – while a great experience will keep them there. Special attention will be paid to the three Ms: is it memorable? Is it motivating? Is it meaningful?

The judges are looking for a partnership between a corporate and a charity or not-for-profit organisation in which both sides have benefited from the experience, although not necessarily financially. They will also consider the logic behind the partnership, and whether there appears a natural fit between the two participants.

The judges are looking for a campaign that uses insight, research, and a carefully defined strategy to raise awareness, educate key stakeholders and build advocacy. They will want to see evidence that the insights and research have shaped the eventual campaign and underpin (and reinforce) the results.

The judges are looking for examples of a well-defined and well-executed strategy that helped to mitigate the potential fall out from a crisis or issue. The entry should clearly explain the repercussions of not handling the issue appropriately.

The judges are looking for a campaign that was effectively delivered through digital or social media channels. They will consider the objective of the campaign, the role and relevance of the chosen platform(s) and the ultimate results.

The focus on diversity and inclusion has never been stronger. The judges are looking for initiatives and strategies, either ongoing or recently, that are designed to establish a sense of belonging for all. They recognise that true progress takes time but want to see evidence that this is a Board-led initiative and that every employee understands their role in creating the requisite inclusive culture.

Actions speak louder than words. The judges are looking for organisations who demonstrate their corporate purpose either through their everyday actions or through strategic operations. Please spell out your organisation’s corporate purpose and highlight how activities have brought this to life.

The judges are looking for a holistic strategy that has improved employee engagement levels and two-way dialogue within an organisation. Entries should demonstrate how employees’ needs were identified, the initiatives put in place, and the results, including the impact on engagement scores.

The judges are looking for a campaign that, while initiated in the UK, has a remit across at least three countries. They want to understand the challenges of reaching different audiences, and any change in approach needed to reflect different cultures or media consumption behaviours.

The judges are looking for an in-house team that works well together, and where each member plays an essential role and contributes to its success. They will consider how the corporate communications team supports and engages with its various stakeholder audiences. Use your entry to describe how the team works together rather than providing a list of campaigns and initiatives.

Internal communications have played a vital role during Covid-19, keeping employees engaged and updated at a time when their normal working practices are disrupted. The judges will consider how the team has listened to the needs of their colleagues, identified solutions and worked together to keep them updated and engaged. Evidence of improved engagement levels, such as Pulse Surveys, are welcome.

The judges are looking for an in-house team that works well together, and where each member plays an essential role and contributes to its success. A media relations team’s success is dependent on the strength of its relationships with journalists. The judges will consider how these were maintained during lockdown, how the newsroom operates and ongoing coverage.

The judges are looking for a campaign that demonstrates creativity and excellence across multiple channels.

The judges are looking for a campaign that was created either to mitigate a potentially negative issue, such as business transformation, crisis or M&A, or galvanise employees around a specific business initiative from new vision and values to ESG. The campaign should have clear objectives, consider how risks were managed and/or employee participation achieved and include clear measurement of results.

Organisations are increasingly recognising the critical role leaders play in employee engagement. But to become effective communicators and listeners, leaders first need to be engaged themselves, and be equipped with the right tools and skills. The judges are looking for programmes and activities that have had a positive impact on leadership engagement and their effectiveness as communicators. Please spell out the levels of leadership targeted.

It can be virtual, hybrid or in person, but the judges are looking for an event – either internal or external – that considers the needs of it audience, whether that is employees, shareholders, or any stakeholder group. There should be a clear purpose for the event; the judges are looking for evidence that it engaged with its audience in a creative way, and that it had an impact.

It doesn’t cost money to be creative. The judges are looking for a campaign in any discipline that achieves (or exceeds) its goals without spending more than £25,000.

Sometimes the most effective way to promote a message is through the media. The judges will consider the effectiveness of the campaign, which should go beyond simply generating coverage. While traditional media remains the predominant channel, campaigns promoted through relevant influencers, such as bloggers, are included.

The judges are looking for a publication, either online or printed, that demonstrates its understanding of its audience both through design and content. They will also consider return on investment. Annual and sustainability reports are excluded from this category.

Social purpose relates to the specific contribution that an organisation makes towards advancing societal goals. It is distinct from its corporate purpose. The judges are looking for a campaign that highlighted a particular cause, such as inclusivity, the environment or philanthropy, and had real, measurable impact. 

The judges are looking for an agency that provides that critical ‘outside view’ for its clients, while offering clear advice, insight and support. Examples of how the client partnerships work in real life are useful, as are 'endorsements'. Please note: no agency personnel will be involved in judging this category. The judges will all be in-house practitioners.

The judges will be looking for sustainability initiatives that are driving change and serving to lessen an organisation’s impact on the planet. While some will focus exclusively on the environment, others may reflect broader societal concerns, such as education and access to resources. Most will be aligned against one or more of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The judges will be looking at the underlying business case for the initiative, how it fits with an organisation’s ethos and – recognising that these are long-term projects – the results achieved to date.

From blogs to employee-generated videos and corporate podcasts, companies are experimenting with content as never before. The judges are looking for a one-off campaign or ongoing initiative with a compelling narrative that brings the corporate story to life. This can be across any platform, and either an internal or external.

The judges are looking for a campaign in which video played an integral part. It does not matter if the video has been produced on a smartphone, to Hollywood standards or whether it is of TikTok length. The key here is creativity, rather than simply viewing figures.

This category is open to communications professionals working in-house or within a consultancy aged under 30 as of 31 July 2022. The judges will be looking for evidence of the individual’s own initiatives and work rather than their contributions as part of a team. The entry should be supported by a letter of recommendation, no longer than 400 words, by the candidate’s manager.

Required supporting material

• Name of candidate
• Image of candidate