The IoIC Central & North Awards set out to recognise and celebrate the work you do to drive success in large or small, public or private organisations.

Whether that’s internal communications strategy, design or writing skill, or brilliant people that bring organisational objectives to life, we want to hear from you! This year we’ve added some new categories, based on your feedback, which means we now have 24 classes across five categories: Strategy, Skills, People, Print and Digital.

THE IOIC CENTRAL & NORTH AWARDS 2017

HOW TO ENTER

Please send two copies of each entry form (see back page) and one set of supporting materials to:

IoIC Central & North Awards, c/o IoIC, Suite G10, Gemini House, Linford Wood, Sunrise Parkway, Milton Keynes MK14 6PW

The Closing Date is Friday 25 November 2016, with fees detailed below.

WHY ENTER?

Entering awards isn’t just about a pat on the back (although that’s an excellent reason) it’s a great way to demonstrate the value you deliver for your clients, companies and colleagues.

And, in this age of measurement and metrics, it’s an essential benchmarking exercise. You can also receive valuable feedback from our judges to support continuous improvement, which we know is important to you.

COMPETITION RULES

Only entries produced or delivered predominantly between December 2015 and November 2016 will be eligible.

Judges reserve the right to reallocate entries to a more appropriate class if necessary.

Entries should be produced by, or for, a company based in the Central or North regions, or for a company where more than 51 per cent of the audience is based in those regions.

Please see IoIC website for full rules: www.ioic.org.uk

l Tell the judges a compelling story.

l Identify your audience(s).

Non-Member

l Set out your objectives and achievements.

l Evaluation is key. Make sure it links back to your objectives.

l Demonstrate how your entry added value. We are looking for outcomes as well as outputs.

l We are seeking excellence. Let the judges know what makes your entry stand out, what is different about what you achieved.

l Ask someone else to check your entry before you send it.

l Make your entry exciting. Make sure your passion shines through.

TOP TIPS FOR A

WINNING ENTRY

IOIC MEMBER NON-MEMBER

Standard entry fee (for entries received on or before 18 Nov 2016) £39 + VAT (£46.80) £59 + VAT (£72.00)

Late entry fee (for entries received 19-25 Nov 2016) £59 + VAT (£70.80) £84 + VAT (£100.80)

Public sector or not for profit (for entries received on or before 18 Nov 2016) £29 + VAT (£34.80) £39 + VAT (£46.80)

2017 ENTRY FEES

The IoIC Central & North Awards are split into 24 classes, including exciting new classes, across five categories: Strategy, Skills, People, Print and Digital Channels.

CHOOSE YOUR CLASSES

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS Entries to Strategy classes should explain and provide evidence of the requirement addressed, the target audience(s), goals and objectives, a summary of the entry’s approach, the challenges faced and how success was measured. Supporting information should be limited to 1,000 words. Please include examples of the materials produced.

SKILLSEntries to Skills classes should include a short biography of the entrant(s). Supporting information should be limited to 500 words. All entries must clearly state the purpose of the communication and how the entry met this.

PEOPLE IN THE REGIONEntries can be self-nominated and are open to anyone working in-house, for an agency or freelance. It is recommended that entries include a 250-word testimonial from a senior in-house manager or client.

1. Best CampaignA communication strategy and programme covering a single issue or topic.

2. Most Effective Culture Change Programme (New)A communication strategy and programme supporting organisational change including mergers and acquisitions, crises and cultural change.

3. Best Evaluation/MeasurementDevelopment or application of skills, tools and systems to measure outcomes and evaluate ongoing communication or specific campaigns, channels or products.

4. WritingExceptional writing that informs, educates, entertains or inspires its audience. This could be a news story or feature, policy / strategy documents, online content or facilitator guides / toolkits. Anything where the writing has played a key part in achieving the internal communication objective.

5. DesignAn exceptional piece of print design that delivers clarity of communication and captures attention and imagination.

6. DigitalAn exceptional piece of electronic and/or digital design that delivers clarity of communication and captures attention and imagination.

7. ImageryPhotography, illustration or graphics that have enhanced internal communication effectiveness.

8. Best In-House Team Of The YearThe judges will look for evidence of how the team has made a strategic difference to their organisation and how the impact of its work was measured.

9. Best Agency of The YearRecognising an agency team who are role models for our industry, consistently raising the bar and turning good internalcommunication theory into practice.

10. Freelance/Interim of The YearThe award celebrating the individuals who provide sensational support. Open to freelance, interims and consultants.

CHANGEMAKERSSelf-nominated or proposed and are open to anyone leading the organisation, working in-house, for an agency or freelance. It is recommended that entries include supporting evidence and testimonials. Supporting information should be limited to 1,000 words.

CHANNELSThis category recognises the best of multi-channel communication. Information should be limited to 500 words. All entries must clearly state the purpose of the communication and how the entry met this.

18. CEO/Board Champion of IC (New)Is your CEO a true engagement champion? Do they champion your cause and understand how important good internal communication is? If so, we want to hear from you?

19. Central and North Communicator of The Year (New)This award celebrates an individual whose contribution has ensured our regions are a powerhouse of communication. Tell us why they deserve this prestigious title.

21. Best Public Sector Communications (New)Recognising an agency or team working in the Public Sector that has made the biggest contribution to communication. Judges will look for evidence of how the team has made a strategic difference and how the impact of their work has been measured.

GOOD IDEAS COST NOTHINGThese categories celebrate skill and creativity under financial constraints.Information should be limited to 500 words.

22. Success On A Shoestring Award (New)An effective and engaging example of communication (any channel or mix of channels) below a budget of £5,000.

23. The ‘One That Got Away’ Award (New)Have you had an amazing idea that never sadly made the cut? Here’s your chance to relive that inspired moment. Show us your ‘one that got away’ moment that really deserved to be recognised.

OVERALL WINNER24. TOM DAWSON AWARDAs well as the 20 classes listed above, there is also the Tom Dawson Award, a special award made to the communication that, in the opinion of the judges, is the best of all the print channel class winners. You cannot enter this class, the award is made at the discretion of the judges.

For full rules see www.ioic.org.uk

IOC IN THE COMMUNITYThis category celebrates the great work undertaken by not-for-profit and public sector communication teams. Limited to 1,000 words, entries can be self-nominated and should include a 250word testimonial from a senior in-house manager or client.

20. Best Not For Profit Communications (New)Recognising an agency or team working in the Not-For-Profit sector that has made the biggest contribution to communication. Judges will look for evidence of how the team has made a strategic difference and how the impact of their work has been measured.

11. MagazineLikely to have a pictorial cover and include news and/or features. Could be an ongoing magazine or a new or re-launched one.

12. Newspaper/NewsletterLikely to have a mix of news and pictures on the front page. Could be an ongoing newspaper/ newsletter or a new or re-launched one.

13. Stand-out Communication (New)A highly effective, creative piece of comunication in any channel thatexceeded expectations.

14. Video and AnimationAn oustanding example of video, animation or combination of both.

15. Best DigitalOpen to all digital communications including intranets, web, apps and leading-edge technologies.

16. Best Use of Social MediaExample of effective use of social media/campaigns, or creating digital communities.

17. Employee Event of The Year (New) Best case of an engaging employee event, conference or launch.

Book your seat for the Excellence Express at the IoIC Central & North Celebration Dinner on Thursday 16 March 2017.

Thursday 16 March 2017

IOIC CENTRAL & NORTH CELEBRATION DINNER

The night promises to be a glittering event – an exhilarating ride through the very best of internal communications from our two mighty regions. You’ll be in the company of the very best in internal communicators, at what promises to be the best networking event (and party) of the year!

So hurry, book your tickets, pack your glad rags and get ready to board the Excellence Express! On board you’ll enjoy first-class dining, maybe win a gong or two and get to dance the night away.

This special night will be steaming ahead at the stunning location of the National Railway Museum, York.

Tickets are £89 plus VAT for IoIC members and £100 plus VAT for non-members. This includes your three-course meal, entertainment and arrival drinks.Tables of 10 can be booked for £950and we can provide First Class party packages to get your celebrations on the fast track to success! Details to follow.

For venue details see: www.nrm.org.uk

Bookings can be made by email to Brenda Scott (brenda@ioic.org.uk). Places are limited and will be allocated strictly on a first come, first served basis. We have been known to sell out, so please hurry!

There’s a range of hotels in York to suit any budget, and we have secured special discounts with a number of them. To find out more, get in touch with Brenda at brenda@ioic.org.uk before booking your overnight stay. All hotels are conveniently located close to the city centre train station and venue.

So, join us for a celebratory night of communication excellence. Wherever you live in the Central & North regions,or work in the regions, the 2017 Celebration Dinner is an event not to be missed! Join us for the networking, awards and celebration of the year!

Please provide two copies of this entry form for each class entered.

Name of organisation entering:

Contact name:

Email address:

Address:

Contact telephone number:

Title of entry:

Who is it produced for?

Who is it produced by?

Class entered:

ENTER YOUR WORK FOR AN IOIC CENTRAL & NORTH AWARD

Cheque enclosed to the value of £: Or pay online at www.https://www.ioic.org.uk/component/com_pmform/form_id,1/layout,2colsinline/view,form/

If you are lucky enough to win, please provide the details you would like to appear on the certificate:

Title of entry:

Who was it produced for?

www.ioic.org.uk Designed and produced by Words&Pictures. www.wordsandpics.co.uk

IOIC MEMBER NON-MEMBER

Standard entry fee (for entries received on or before 18 Nov 2016) £39 + VAT (£46.80) £59 + VAT (£72.00)

Late entry fee (for entries received 19-25 Nov 2016) £59 + VAT (£70.80) £84 + VAT (£100.80)

Public sector or not for profit (for entries received on or before 18 Nov 2016) £29 + VAT (£34.80) £39 + VAT (£46.80)

2017 ENTRY FEES

SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO:IoIC Central & North Awards, c/o IoIC, Suite G10, Gemini House, Linford Wood, Sunrise Parkway, Milton Keynes MK14 6PW

When paying online please reference IoIC Central and North Awards in the comments field