What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 4th March 2013

Welcome to another week and its Awards Central at Cloud 9 Towers!

Fresh 2013 is now open for entries and in addition to lots of exciting new categories, as we are celebrating our 10th year, its Freshtival time.

Rather than just another awards do, we have plans for a three day "Freshtival" from 25-28th September and we'll be using The Lowry Outlet Mall, MediaCityUK, The Lowry Theatre, The Egg at Salford University, Manchester United and one or two bars all around Salford Quays - with a series of guest lectures, seminars, surgeries, special lunches, exhibitions etc.
There is also a Battle of the Bands and a Freestyle Football competition, and we are staging the Fresh PR Awards on the Wednesday night, and the Creative Awards on the Friday night.
We want to pack as much into the three days as possible, and allow delegates to pick and choose their own festival experience (and price) and as a result there will be various free events as well as those you'll need to pay for.
 

The Midlands Media Awards continue to gather momentum and not only have we an excellent jury in place, chaired by Peter Lowe from Sky News, there are also great categories and a unique opportunity for the awards to be shaped by a Public Vote for the first time.

The Public Choice category invites members of the public to vote for their favourite medium via either Twitter or Facebook and we'll be calculating the results based on comments and RT's alike!

Next we have a great new initiative which is part an awards ceremony, part a unique training experience, part an opportunity to hear from some industry legends and get first hand exposure to some of the best PR campaigns and strategies around, all of these elements will come together under the banner the PRCA DARE Awards.

There’ll be five DARE Events all scheduled for June 2013 and we’re getting ready to launch the programme which will be chaired by Lord Chadlington and Guy Black.

DARE to be different this year with the brand new recognition programme from the PRCA. Challenge your contemporaries and demonstrate the courage of your convictions in unique style.

DARE is diverse and so much more than just another awards scheme for the Public Relations & Communications Industry. It’s about providing new business opportunities, developing talent and showcasing effective communication techniques and campaigns.

DARE to be dynamic and deliver your professionalism and expertise like never before….

ACHIEVE more with DARE. Each of the five, day long DARE events will offer an exclusive opportunity as the events will be a heady mix of key industry speakers covering the topics that matter; a key training element; client consultations and networking ; exhibition opportunities and prestigious lunches where awards will be presented only to those organisations or individuals who have shown the courage to challenge.

Open to Consultancies and In-House teams, DARE is all about encouraging you to be different. In your thinking, in your ideas and in your approach to communications and each event will provide a platform for powerful and positive reinforcement of the excellence that is demonstrated on a daily basis.

RECOGNISE that in this increasingly competitive and challenging industry, embracing new skills and understanding how the array of tools and tips available can make a significant impact on your effectiveness and achievements.

DARE has a commitment to deliver a definitive training element to each event and two of the industries leading professionals will also deliver key lectures. Client invitations will be issued enabling new business opportunities and all delegates and guests will be part and play a part in the DARE event, with networking and connection exercises.

ENGAGE in DARE in 2013. The first step requires an entry from you or your organisation, and includes submissions from Individuals, Consultancies and In-House Teams from both the Public & Private Sector. There are just 10 entry categories in DARE although an additional Award will be presented which will be the Chairman of the Judges Choice:

Full details will be available soon so make sure you don't DARE miss a moment!

We are also engaged with Bristol Media this year and coming soon will be an exciting new awards entitled Brand You which focuses on the individual rather than the collective. 

There is a great opportunity to get involved with Brand You early as we need a great logo for the programme so take a look at our Design Competition

What’s Your Idea of Brand You?

There’s a new initiative coming soon from Bristol Media and you can help to shape the programme. We’re looking for an innovative design which is representative of Brand You – a new award scheme which will focus on individual achievements in a wide range of disciplines covering everything from animation to art direction, creativity to communications. There’s no lengthy brief here, as all we want is a great logo which sums up your interpretation of Brand You.

The winning design which will be chosen by a panel including the Bristol Media Board and the Fresh Creative Awards and will then be used to launch this exciting new project. The winning designer will get the chance to enter the work into The Fresh Awards this year, free of charge, as well as enjoying VIP treatment at the Bristol Media Brand You event in September.

So get your thinking caps on, and get your ideas and designs over to paula@freshawards.co.uk on or before Friday 15th March..

So, awards a plenty and we've lots of other things going on as well so have a great week everyone and remember you have to be in it, to win it!

Enjoy!