PRINZ Awards open, with AU judge on board

AUCKLAND, Thursday: PRINZ has secured a top Australian creative and marcomms specialist as a lead judge for this year’s PRINZ awards, which have just opened for entry.

Chris Savage, business growth specialist and principal of The Savage Company, will join 50 local PR professionals in assessing the top public relations works of 2022. He was recently named Mumbrella 2020 creative & marcomms Industry Leader of the Year.

“I am delighted to be a judge again at the PRINZ Awards,” he said (in a release issued by PRINZ).

“The NZ PR industry sets high benchmarks, and I’ve always been so impressed with the entries, and learnt a lot.”

Head judges Denise Mackay (director of communications at Te Puni Kōkiri), and Andrew Pirie (communications consultant and chair of the Spark Foundation), believe the last year was a pivotal moment for public relations.  

“Submissions close 17 February with the Awards ceremony scheduled for late May.”

Denise Mackay said, “As the country emerges from the restrictions, interruptions and turmoil that Covid has created, I think there is a much deeper understanding and appreciation for public relations and effective communication. We’re excited to see what this year brings.”

Andrew Pirie said, “We were impressed with the entries in last year’s awards, many reflecting the awesome mahi done during the pandemic. This year, we are predicting a greater focus on innovation, audience insight and diversity, as communicators respond and adapt to the realities of Covid in our communities, and to more challenging economic times.”

The PRINZ Awards will see judges – from across in-house, agency and government roles – review the best work of the last year across 17 categories. A panel of head judges, including Chris Savage, review the top entries and select the Supreme Award winner.

There are 13 sector and four team categories in the PRINZ Awards, which are in their 49th year.

“It really is the ultimate accolade within the PR profession to say your work has been judged by leading professionals as the best in this dynamic industry,” Denise Mackay said.

Submissions close 17 February with the Awards ceremony scheduled for late May.

• Enter here: prinz.org.nz/prinz-awards

About PRINZ
PRINZ (the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand) was established in 1954 as a largely volunteer-run organisation. Today it has 800 members, a head office in Auckland and a regional presence in Waikato, Wellington and Christchurch. It has run annual awards since 1974, including through two years of Covid.

• prinz.org.nz