Public Relations Institute announces 25 finalists for industry awards

The awards are designed to recognise outstanding public relations work and highlight the importance of good communications across every aspect of society.

Following judging by 38 senior public relations and communications practitioners, the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) announces 25 finalists in the 2019 annual industry awards.

The awards are designed to recognise outstanding public relations work and highlight the importance of good communications across every aspect of society. This is reflected in categories which range from marketing communications and government relations to not-for-profit and communicating in diversity. This is furthered with the introduction of the new 'PR In-House Team of the Year' category.

Chief Judge and Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand, Kate Woodruff, said that the Awards recognise and celebrate the value that public relations professionals add to their organisations and communities.

"In today's environment, organisations face high levels of public scrutiny and expectations of transparency and social responsibility. Public relations professionals play a critical role in helping organisations navigate this environment successfully by encouraging good business decisions as well as effective communication. The PRINZ Awards showcase the diverse range of success stories generated by our members," she said.

Winners of all categories (except Consultancy of the Year, PR In-house Team of the Year, Sally Logan-Milne Young Practitioner of the Year, and Paul Dryden Tertiary Award) are eligible for the coveted 'Supreme Award', which will be revealed at the Awards Gala Dinner.

Finalists will be awarded 'Highly Commended' or named category 'Winner' at the PRINZ Awards Gala dinner in Wellington at the Beehive on Thursday 25 July. PRINZ does not announce finalists in the 'PR Consultancy of the Year' and 'In-house Team of the Year' categories. All entrants in these categories are essentially considered 'finalists' with winners announced at the Gala Dinner. These categories do not award 'highly commended' status unless the special acknowledgement is requested by the judges.