Campaigns and communications

Best internal communications campaign
This award goes to the single campaign or project that best exemplifies excellence in internal communications. Judges will look for clear objectives, a creative-strategic approach and well-defined results.
- SME
- Large business under 10,000 employees
- Large business over 10,000 employees

Best communication of change or business transformation
This award recognises those campaigns or programmes that successfully aid a business in a time of change. Entries should clearly state the challenge and objectives and have results that speak to those starting points. Judges would like to hear how you've used internal communications planning to drive transformation/change.

Best internal communications campaign across multiple markets
The entry that shows excellence in internal communications in more than one market will receive this award. Entries can be from the UK and discuss work done in other markets, or from abroad and include the UK market.

Best alignment of internal communications with external messaging
This award goes to those entrants who best align the internal communications strategy with their organisation’s external brand or communications. Judges will examine the collaborative approach and the alignment of messaging and they would also like to see the external messaging, how it's used and any external testimonials to re-enforce the internal results.

Best internal communications in a crisis
This award will celebrate the best internal communication after or during a economical, social or political crisis. Entries should discuss the crisis as well as the impact the internal communications approach had on the organisation.

Process

Best use of data
This category rewards organisations that have used data effectively to communicate or engage with their internal audience. Judges will want to see a clearer link between the data, the internal comms output and the outcomes.

Best use of content
This award will recognise best practice in content development for the internal audience. Entries may include CEO or leadership blogs, social media discussions, campaign or other instances of content development.

Best use of storytelling
This award will go to the organisation that best uses narrative or storytelling to engage the internal audience. Entries should discuss why that approach was taken and explore its impact on the organisation. Judges would also like to hear about the long-term strategy behind the storytelling.

Best engagement of brand ambassadors
The winner of this award will show best practice in identifying, working with and encouraging retention of brand ambassadors within an organisation. Judges will look for creativity in recruitment, retention of ambassadors and how their internal influencers activated messaging.

Best evaluation process of internal communications
Entrants in this category should demonstrate excellence in evaluation of internal communications. The evaluation process should be able to measure the impact of a campaign as it relates to that campaign’s objectives. Entrants can discuss their overall IC strategy or a specific campaign.

Best ongoing commitment to internal communications
The recipient of this award is the team or organisation that best proves a long-term commitment to high standards in internal communications. Entries should discuss work done over a long-term, either on one campaign or several. The entrant must discuss and evaluation their own internal communications strategy.

Outputs and deliverables

Best use of mobile or apps
This award will go to the entry that demonstrates excellence in the development or management of a mobile campaign or internal app. Entries should discuss the creative or innovative approach taken with regards to the use of these platforms. When sharing results, show how they compare to previous ones and any context. 

Best intranet
Recipients of this award will demonstrate best practice in intranet development, management and implementation. Judges will look for creativity as well as the ability of the intranet to cater to each organisation’s unique needs. In your submission you may want to give the judges a 'walk-through' and feedback relating to the user experience.

Best use of audio
From podcasts to recordings, audio branding to internal radio, many organisations are increasingly using audio to engage their employees. This category rewards those that have used audio effectively to enhance their internal communications.

Best use of social media
This award will go to the entry that demonstrates the most effective use of social media. The social platform can be existing, bespoke or internal, but a strong strategy should be evident from the entry.

Best use of video and animation
Entries in this category should exemplify excellence in the production, creation and dissemination of film. The film should be used for internal communications purposes and clear results should be included in the entry. Please give the judges an idea of audience size, so they understand the engagement and results better.

Best event
This award goes to the entry that presents the most effective internal communications event. The event can be team, region or company-wide. Judges want to understand why the event was held? Was any research conducted pre-event? Any post-event analysis? The entry should discuss the objectives and results, proving how the event made an impact for the internal audience.
- In-person
- Virtual/hybrid

Best internal publication: Print
Winners of this award will set the benchmark in print communications for the internal audience. Entrants may submit an internal publication, poster campaign, white paper or other printed material. Judges want to see details results in the submission.

Best internal publication: Digital
Winners of this award should exemplify excellence in the production of an internal publication with a digital distribution model. Entrants may submit an internal publication, digital campaign, white paper or other digital material. 

Best innovation
The best innovators in internal communications will be judged on their creativity, their problem-solving approach, their ability to meet the challenges expressed in the entry and the impact they ultimately had on the organisation. Please include details of any long-term outcomes.

Culture and purpose

Best communication of corporate culture
This award recognises outstanding initiatives or campaigns that effectively convey a company's values and mission to its internal stakeholders. It celebrates excellence in fostering a cohesive and authentic corporate culture through compelling communication strategies.

Best DE&I initiative
This award honours organisations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within corporate community. This category celebrates initiatives that promote a welcoming and equitable environment for all individuals, embracing diverse perspectives and experiences.

Best engagement of corporate purpose
This award celebrates organisations that effectively align their business practices with a clear and impactful corporate purpose, demonstrating commitment to social and environmental responsibility while driving positive change.

Best internal communications by sector

This category will determine how well a company performs within its sector. Judges will compare and contrast companies within their peer group. Entries can reflect on campaigns, strategies and outputs. The sectors which organisations can enter include:

• Charity, NGO or NFP
• Education
• Energy and utilities
• Engineering and manufacturing
• Extraction (oil, gas and mining)
• Farming and agricultural
• Financial services
• FMCG
• Food and beverage
• Healthcare and pharmaceutical
• Industrial and basic materials
• Professional services
• Property, construction and facilities management
• Public
• Retail
• Sports, travel, leisure and tourism
• Technology, media and telecommunications
• Transport and logistics

Special recognition awards

One to watch
This award is presented to an internal communications professional who is forging a great career in internal comms. They will have been in the role for less than three years.

Internal communicator of the year
This award is presented to an internal communications professional who has made the greatest impact on their company’s or client’s internal communications. This individual must demonstrate the ways they have created positive and transformative change within the internal organisation, as well as growing their skills they've developed along the way. Judges would like to see clear supportive results.

Business leader of the year
This award is given to a business leader who understands the importance of internal communications. The winner of this award will demonstrate a track record of engaging their organisation’s workforce. 

Internal communications team of the year
The recipient of this award is the team or organisation that best proves a commitment to high standards and a contribution to their company’s or client’s internal communications. In your submission ensure you bring to life the team, the people and the structure.

Grand Prix
By entering any of the above categories, you are automatically entered into the following categories. The results of which will be revealed at the ceremony and decided by our judges.