New Diversity, Equity & Inclusion awards unveiled

AUCKLAND, Today: Entries have now closed for the 2022 Aotearoa Effie Awards with judging beginning later this month. New to the Effie Awards program – and all of the Comms Council awards programmes this year – is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards – sponsored by Stuff. 

Comms Council ceo Simon Lendrum said (in a fully bilingual release): “As part of its strategic vision the Comms Council is focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its business.

“From graduate recruitment through to awards recognition, there is a desire to see an industry that better reflects the diversity of Aotearoa.

“Advertising and culture are intertwined. At our best, advertising is informed by the culture in which it operates, and in turn informs that culture. Until our industry is fully representative of Aotearoa and all the cultures that live here, we will not be the best we can be.

“When the Comms Council set out its new strategic objectives, Stuff was a natural fit for the diversity, equity and inclusion award categories. Stuff has also been on its own journey since being brought back into New Zealand ownership in 2020.

Until our industry is fully representative of Aotearoa and all the cultures that live here, we will not be the best we can be.

Stuff chief revenue officer Andy Symons said: “Diversity, equity and inclusion is woven into the everyday fabric at Stuff through its Pou Tiaki strategy and priority of te ao Māori with a focus on all cultural communities in Aotearoa.

“Partnering with the Comms Council to champion diversity and inclusion in the advertising industry is a natural fit for Stuff and we look forward to acknowledging those who are going above and beyond in this important area.”

The dates

• Finalists Announced:  Wednesday 7 September
• Tickets on sale: Wednesday 7 September
• Executive Judging: Tuesday 11 October
• Effie Awards Show: Thursday 20 October

The 2022 Aotearoa Effie Awards in association with TVNZ are sponsored by commercial partner oOh!media, along with NZME, Nielsen, The Radio Bureau, Google, Cartology, Neuro-Insights, NZStory, Meta, and Stuff.

• More here: commscouncil.nz