25 November, 2008

Network PR AUT Award winners announced for 2008

Network PR and AUT University are pleased to award this year’s PR Planners top project award to the student team who worked for KidsCan Charitable Trust.

The Network PR award recognises excellence in the practical application of communications theory and enables students to showcase their major end-of-year project. Network PR’s Auckland General Manager, Jane Dodd, says the winning group stood out for their strategic approach and their passion for the project.

“This group demonstrated a good working knowledge of what makes a successful PR campaign. They made excellent use of KidsCan’s existing celebrity contacts, while also bringing their own ideas to the project.”

The students’ campaign for KidsCan raised awareness of the charity through media, social networking sites and a public event in downtown Auckland called the ‘Big Backyard Bash’.

AUT’s Head of Communication Management, Joseph Peart, said the joint Network PR and AUT award gives students the chance to hone their presentation skills and experience a real life pitching situation. “We’re delighted that Network PR gives students the opportunity to showcase their work in front of a high calibre judging panel. This presentation demands that they measure results and are accountable for the outcomes according to professional best practice.”

Guest judge Paul Hayes, Marketing Manager for the New Zealand Blood Foundation, says the winning team has added real value to their client, KidsCan, by setting them up with some valuable resources that will endure beyond this project.

Two groups were equal runners-up this year in second place; the Silver Ribbon Foundation and Auckland District Health Board’s ‘One for the Girls’ campaign. The student group working with Habitat for Humanity were also a highly commended finalist.

The Network PR AUT Award recognises third year and post-graduate students in the Bachelor of Communications degree for work they do for non-profit clients. All Communications students were invited to submit their project to be eligible for the award, and four finalist groups were then invited to present to the judging panel.

Over four months, AUT University students run their own public relations agency, Outside the Square, in which they work voluntarily, under supervision, for non-profit clients. Each year, more than 20 AUT student projects provide event management and publicity valued between $5,000 and $20,000 per campaign.

ENDS

© Scoop Media