by MarkLives (@marklives) The 20th PRISM Awards, which celebrated, recognised and rewarded excellence in the South African public relations industry, took place Saturday evening, 6 May 2017. Seventy three awards were presented: 18 Gold, 30 Silver and 25 Bronze. Over 220 entries has been received.
The Rocomamas #ElectionBurger Campaign by Tribeca Public Relations and Retroviral, scooped top honours, taking the South African Campaign of the Year Overall Gold Award. Global agency Burson-Marsteller won the Gold Award for African Network of the Year.
The 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sejamothopo Motau, MP. ‘Sej’ is the DA shadow minister in the presidency, planning monitoring and evaluation. Motau is ambassador-at-large and former president of PRISA, the Institute for Public Relations and Communication Management in Southern Africa and former chairman of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.
The full list of Gold winners
| Category | Consultancy | Campaign | Client | Category Sponsor |
| Campaign of the Year | Retroviral and Tribeca Public Relations | RocoMamas #Election Burger | RocoMamas | The Park – House of Events on 7 |
| African Network of the Year | Burson-Marsteller (Pty) Ltd | MTN | ||
| Best up and coming public relations PR ofessional | Lameez Mohd | Ogilvy Public Relations | Madea Couture | |
| Best use of Social Media as a support tool in a communication programme | Clockwork Media | LGV20 launch | GroundUp Media | |
| Business-to-business | Atmosphere Communications and the King James Group | 1001 Days | Santam | Business Report |
| Community Relations | Development Communications Solutions | The Abashitshi Social mobilisations | Sappi Forestry Division | BVSA |
| Corporate Responsibility | PR Worx | Mimi Women Shock Box | Mimi Women | Lounge Around |
| Environment | Engage Joe Public | #Cloverdroughtrelief | Clover South Africa | Madea Couture |
| Financial services | Atmosphere Communications and the King James Group | #Conspicuoussaving | Sanlam | CIMA |
| Healthcare | By Design Communications | Launch of #VaginaVarsity | Libresse | Innovative Glass |
| Launch of a new product, service or category | Epic MSLGROUP | Dunkin’ Donuts give South Africans the power to get their taste of Dunkin’ sooner | Dunkin’ Donuts | Keystone Productions |
| Media relations | One-eyed Jack | Rocking the Daisies | Rocking the Daisies | Afroflame |
| Student Campaign | University of Johannesburg | IOM #TraffickingIsReal | IOM | Start Me Up |
| Public Relations on a shoestring | Positive Dialogue Communications | weFix Shark Spotters Campaign | WEFIX | GroundUp Media |
| Social Media as the primary method of Communication (best use of social to lead a programme with no social media spend) | Tribeca Public Relations | RocoMamas #ElectionBurger | RocoMamas | Integrated Marketing Solutions |
| Social Media as the primary method of Communication (best use of social to lead a programme) | Atmosphere Communications and the King James Group | #Conspicuoussaving | Sanlam | Keystone Productions |
| Sponsorship | Tribeca Public Relations | Hollard Daredevil Run 2016 | Hollard | Lounge Around |
| Technology | Clockwork Media | Mimecast Black Friday Newsjacking | Integrated Marketing Solutions |
Last updated at 9.11am on 8 May 2017.
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Well done to all the entrants and a big shout out to to all the winners. The standard was high, so if you won an award, then you can really be proud.