THE UNAWARDS 2024 PUBLIC VOTE IS OPEN

Choose your favourites now…

by Darren Caveney

After receiving a record-breaking 593 entries a team of 30 external judges are currently battling through a tonne of great work to draw up the 2024 UnAwards shortlist.

But, as you know, the UnAwards are different to other awards because YOU get the chance to choose three of the big winners through a public vote.

And that public vote is now open.

You have a tough, tough challenge now to select the winners from three important categories:

>> LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

>> COMMS TEAM OF THE YEAR

>> BEST GUEST POST OF 2024

You can cast your votes HERE

The public vote closes on Monday 25 November (midnight)

Choose wisely.

And good luck to all of you.

DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR TICKET TO THE BIG DAY

Darren Caveney is owner and creator of comms2point0, creative communicators ltd and the UnAwards

ALL NEW WEBINAR: HOW TO WIN AN UNAWARD

Winning an UnAward is a very special thing.

But how can you win one?

Find out exactly how by getting the inside track from past winners and current judges in this special new webinar.

by Darren Caveney

There’s plenty of time left to get your entries in to the 9th annual UnAwards.

I’ve seen first hand the difference an award shortlisting and win can make to an individual and to a team. Even an organisation. I truly believe that they’re a very important part of what we do.

External, independent recognition makes us feel good, yes, but it’s also an important endorsement that what we do makes a real difference and is considered to be good practice.

They look pretty good on the CV too.

I see brilliant work every single week on my travels around the UK working with teams.

But some teams are convinced that they haven’t done anything good enough to enter.

I disagree – everyone has delivered good and valued work in the past 12 months.

Now is the time to showcase your work – no one else will do this for you

It’s absolutely a time to be selfish and to spend some time on you and your work and to get an entry in, and see how far it can go.

The phrase “in it to win” is much over-used but it does however still ring true.

So what’s this new webinar?

It’s a one-ff chance to hear from past winners and current judges who will share their trade secrets about what has gone in to an UnAward win and, importantly, what the judges look for.

You can pitch in with questions to our extra special panel too.

Who is on the panel?

• Alan Oram – judge and director at Alive with Ideas

• Mandy Pearse - experienced award winner and judge

• Laurel Chilcot-Smithson - strategic communications manager at Hertfordshire Council

• Lindsay Coulson – experienced award winner

• Hannah Yorke - social and digital consultant at Orlo

• John-Paul Danon – judge and commercial director at CAN Digital

• Alex Waddington - owner of Whetstone Communications

• Chris Elias - communications lead at Perago

Plus, some previous winners and others involved in this year’s UnAwards.

When is it?

Wednesday 9 October – 12 noon - 1pm.

We thought it might be a good time at the end of the week to put work away and join a short, fun webinar aiming to inspire you for the final two weeks of the entry window.

Fancy it?

We’ll do it on Teams and you can register below.

if you can’t be there we’ll make the recording available.

But try to be there – it will be a fun hour that might just help you get an UnAward win.

REGISTER HERE

Darren Caveney is creator and owner of comms2point0 and Creative Communicators Ltd and creator of the UnAwards

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Two days on, I still have a lovely warm glow from the 7th annual UnAwards.

by Darren Caveney

I spent my Saturday morning wading through lovely messages and chatter on social and reflecting on the love, celebration, connection and atmosphere at the #UnAwards22.

There aren’t enough face to face industry events post Covid hitting our lives, and we know that the appetite for them is less than it was. But, there’s nothing quite like spending a day with peers, friends and new connections and, as I always say, the UnAwards IS a work day, but work doesn’t have to be boring.

Talented teams, wonderful work – the highlights

From the 342 entries the team of 27 external judges whittled down to 109 shortlistees, resulting in 28 highly commended entries and 19 winners.

Receiving highly commended in categories with well over 30 entries is a serious achievement so very well done for all 28 shortlisted teams.

There are too many great stories, pieces of work and wins to single out completely here – we’ll do that at the UnAwards Winners Masterclass in spring 2023 (more news on that exclusively here in the new year). But, a few worthy of special mention are Louisa Dean’s three individual and team wins. I’ve watched her journey over the past five years and this was a fitting result.

Celebration of the event goes to the excellent Rob McCleary of Gedling Borough Council for his celebration of his (and Nathan’s) win for best small team. Durham Constabulary were double winners, as were the county councils of Hertfordshire and Staffordshire. And Jude Tipper set a new - Bjorn Borg-esque – record fifth consecutive win for best guest post of the year.

Winners came from local government, police, fire, agency side and the water industry, and from the three nations of Scotland, Wales and England.

You can see the full list of winners and highly commended entries HERE.

What next?

Well I’m looking forward to reading through the entries I haven’t had a chance to look at yet with some down time looming in a couple of weeks.

The majority of the 342 entries this year will go into an updated new COMMS:FILES – surely the largest new treasure trove of comms goodness anywhere and all free to access and browse. I’ll work with UnAwards partner CAN Digital on this in the new year and shout when it’s ready.

And pencil in 1 December 2023 for the #UnAwards23.

Saying thanks…

Thank you to everyone who entered. Finding the time to enter can be tricky I know but it’s always a useful exercise and opportunity for self evaluation and reflection in my experience.

Thank you so much to everyone who came to the big day. I hope you enjoyed it. That’s always the aim.

And Special thanks too to the official UnAwards22 partners, CAN Digital and Hello Lamp Post, and to the official sponsors the Local Government Association, Alive With Ideas, Orlo, Perago, Sorted Communications, DigiKind, Amanda Coleman, Ruth Dale and Vanilla Ruffles. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – there would be no UnAwards without you.

I’m feeling very proud of this beautiful community 🖤

Take a look at all of the official pics courtesy of Edwin Ladd HERE.

Darren Caveney is creator and owner of comms2point0 and creative communicators ltd

*Sign up for the comms2point0 eMag*

The comms2point0 eMag features exclusive new content, free give-aways, special offers, first dibs on new events and much, much more.

Sound good? Join over 3k other comms people who have subscribed. You can sign up to it right here

THE UNAWARDS22 PUBLIC VOTE IS OPEN

Choose your favourites now…

by Darren Caveney

After receiving a staggering 342 entries a team of 27 external judges are currently battling through a tonne of great work to draw up the 2022 UnAwards shortlist.

But, as you know, the UnAwards are different to other awards because YOU get the chance to choose three of the big winners through a public vote.

And that public vote is now open.

You have a tough, tough challenge now to select the winners from three important categories:

>> LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

>> COMMS TEAM OF THE YEAR

>> BEST GUEST POST OF 2022

You can cast your votes HERE 

The public vote closes on Friday 25 November (midnight)

Choose wisely.

And good luck to all of you.

Darren Caveney is owner and creator of comms2point0, creative communicators ltd and the UnAwards

*Sign up for the comms2point0 eMag*

The comms2point0 eMag features exclusive new content, free give-aways, special offers, first dibs on new events and much, much more.

Sound good? Join over 3k other comms people who have subscribed. You can sign up to it right here

A BEAUTIFUL THING HAPPENED TODAY - THE UNAWARDS POST OF THE YEAR CEREMONY

December for me for the past 8 years has meant the UnAwards – a seasonal day of joy to reflect on the brilliant work of a community.

by Darren Caveney

The Guest Post of the Year Ceremony, which took place online today, really was a beautiful gathering. A chance to talk to friends and colleagues about the work and experiences which sparked their shortlisted blog posts.

The shortlist

Getting the inside track on this is always fascinating to me as I love to hear how work gets created – what sparked the idea, how it developed and how it ended.

All nine of the shortlisted posts showed tremendous insight, leadership and, in some cases, courage.

I’ve always promoted the benefits of writing and sharing blog posts. Putting yourself out there almost always generates benefits, some of them unexpected. Many of the blog post authors talked about this during the ceremony.

The public gets what the public wants (sometimes)

As always with the UnAwards the comms community votes – this year 1k votes were received. Thank you if that was you.

You selected the top three and the winner.

The top 3

In third place:

The brilliant Eva Duffy

'Lone doesn't mean alone: 5 top tips for solo comms professionals'

In second place:

The multi-talented Louisa Dean

 'What's harder than being a head of comms? Being two heads of comms'

And the WINNER of Best Guest Post of the Year 2021 is:

From the dynamic duo of Jude Tipper and Andrew Kirby for

'How to create key messages and a strategic narrative'

Well done, Team.

This is a record-breaking 4th consecutive win for Jude, taking her past Emma Rodgers’ triple win.

Thank you all and to everyone who wrote a guest post this year.

If you would like to write a guest post in 2022 please message me.

The full blown UnAwards will return in 2022, by the way, more here soon. 🖤

Darren Caveney is creator and owner of comms2point0 and creative communicators ltd

*Sign up for the comms2point0 eMag*

The comms2point0 eMag features exclusive new content, free give-aways, special offers, first dibs on new events and much, much more.

Sound good? Join over 3k other comms people who have subscribed. You can sign up to it right here.

MY BEST EVER WORKING DAY - REFLECTION ON AN AMAZING DAY AT THE UNAWARDS19

The UnAwards19 was my best work day ever. I’ve been reflecting on why...

by Darren Caveney

There are so many highlights from the UnAwards19, too many for one post, but I wanted to share some reflections post-event.

The UnAwards soak up my time. They are not-for-profit and so as a self-employed team of one it is a pressure at a busy time of the year. But I am very fortunate and very proud to be able to run and host them. And, of course, I don’t run them alone – there are a team of people who put a lot of love and passion into them too, from the sponsors who make it even possible, to the 140 attendees who travel from all parts of the UK to celebrate.

As my friend Georgia Turner said “it’s a true feel-good event which hits you from the moment you walk into the venue”

Thank you, thank you, thank you

The UnAwards are special and for so many reasons. From seeing the joy on the winners’ faces to seeing people connect and have fun at the end of a very busy year.

There are so many people to thank so I made a little video here.

So many highlights…

The aim of UnAwards day is simple – to celebrate the people in our wonderful industry and that whether you win or not you have a fun day with friends old and new. Simple.

But, of course, there have to be some winners too and there many highlights this year.

Jude Tipper picked up best comms pro, and best guest post, for the second year running. She tells me that her home has high ceilings so she has room for a few more winners certificates yet. Can she do the treble in 2020?

Doncaster Council have in my opinion set the bar for best in class social media over the past couple of years so I thought their win in the best social media account category really was deserved. But there are a chasing pack of brilliant accounts after their title next year. Game on.

Two top comms leaders moved into new jobs at exactly the same time – Donna Jordan at Derbyshire Constabulary and Julie Odams at Derbyshire County Council – had to collaborate really early on in the new roles and handle the Whaley Bridge comms. They came out on top and that was great to see. Their award for best crisis comms was testament to good people, working hard together and just simply plying their trade based on years of experience and many skills. Bravo.

The Local Government Association do so much to support the sector in what has been a pretty traumatic last 10-years. Picking up the best collaboration UnAward was a fitting way for them to sign off the decade.

Seeing the Office of the Public Guardian pick up their first ever comms team award in the best internal comms category was a joyous thing.

Tower Hamlets Council’s comms team and been rebuilt in recent years by director of comms, Andreas Christophorou. The team there picked up an UnAward win for the second year on the trot. That kind of consistency really does point to a high performing team so well done to all.

The most entered category was – no prizes for guessing – was best low-cost comms. 50 entries hit my inbox. Wow. If you hit the shortlist here you did some exceptional work. The winners – Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority - picked up the win, having had an 11-hour journey to even make it to the big day. Two more lovely and deserving winners than Anna MacLean and Joanne Ford you’d struggle to find.

And Jo Bland – huge congratulations on joining a very small band of comms people who have picked up the prestigious Lifetime Achievement UnAward. That’s something to be really proud of.

Health and wellbeing

This year for the first time I launched the ‘best support for health and wellbeing’ UnAward. I won’t lie, I was slightly nervous about the kind of response it might get but I shouldn’t have been. There were 19 entries, which was brilliant to see.

Network Rail claimed the inaugural UnAward in this category and I’m hoping they will come to the UnAwards Winners Masterclass to tell us more. The judges raved about it.

Spare a thought…

Spare a thought for the brilliant small but perfect comms team at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, run by head of comms Alex Mills. Winners in 2018 and 2019 they were shortlisted in no less than four categories. They were so close to another win picking up a highly commended. I’m sure they’ll be back in 2020.

Spare a thought too for people like Sally Northeast – individually and in teams nominated in a mighty four categories, and for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead nominated in three. I genuinely great return, and more wins are surely on the cards next year.

I was impressed with so many of the shortlisted entries. If you made the shortlist for best social media account and best social media campaign you are delivering truly exceptional work.

If you made the shortlist for best low-cost comms work then congratulations. That’s where real creativity shines through. Bravo to you.

And then there was the takeover. Rascals, including Sally Northeast, Georgia Turner, Louisa Dean, Ben Capper, Holly Bremner and many of the Comms Unplugged gang took to the stage to give me an UnAward. Something about being a superstar or something. It was a total shock. I was really chuffed and appreciated it very much - thank you to you all. You’re a lovely lot.

Well done to all of this year’s winners - you can find the full list here.

Get your diaries out

A diary date for you – the #UnAwards20 will take place on Friday 11 December 2020 when we can do it all again and I can spend three month’s worrying about film choices.

The importance of giving

This year the official UnAwards charity was mental health campaigner Jonny Benjamin’s Beyond Shame Beyond Stigma initiative.

You raised over £300 on the day so thank you for that and thanks too to Harriet Small who pulled together some great raffle prizes and to Comms Unplugged for offering up a two-night stay as the top prize. Well done to Kath Middleditch for winning that little treat.

Pulp Fiction – what a film

Choosing a film for 140 people is always tricky. There isn’t a film which everyone will love. In previous years I have chosen movies based on themes but this year I just wanted to treat a room full of brilliant, creative people to a brilliant, creative film. Launched in 1994 wow Pulp Fiction still packs a punch. In my view it’s much copied but still peerless. Many of the room hadn’t seen it before and even more not on the big screen.

2 hours 34 minutes of creative genius.

Gratitude

I’m so grateful to get to run and host the UnAwards but even better than that is the chance to spend the day with a room of amazing people, some who I have come to value as friends. Thank you for making this the best UnAwards yet.

A good friend of mine had some brilliant and important news just hours before the vent and this really was the icing on the cake.

Some final, special mentions…

Luke Williams, Ben Caper, Adrian Stirrup and Nigel Bishop thank you for all of your help. You are a pleasure to work with and a talented bunch.

To the attendees, thank you for giving up a busy Friday in December. I hope you had fun.

To everyone who submitted the 350 entries thank you for allaying my annual fear that one year no one will enter because you’re all so busy.

The UnAwards remains a not for profit event and I am so grateful to the official partner Granicus, and the official sponsors Orlo, CAN, NUJ PRCC, the Local Government Association, Alive With Ideas, Ineo Digital and Perago-Wales - without your kind support the UnAwards would not be possible.

I shall be asking you all very nicely if you’re able to support the UnAwards Winners Masterclass too, which I will make happen in the spring of 2020.

Until next year…

p.s. If you’re interested in being involved a sponsor for the UnAwards Winners Masterclass in the spring and/or the UnAwards20 please shout me – I’m on darrencaveney@gmail.com

Darren Caveney is organiser of the UnAwards, creator of comms2point0 and owner of creative communicators ltd

pic by Nigel Bishop

THE #UNAWARDS19 – YOUR GUIDE TO THE BIG DAY

After a three-month build-up the #UnAwards19 is almost here. Here’s your guide to the big day…

by Darren Caveney

Now in their sixth year, there has never been a more important role for the UnAwards in saluting, recognising and celebrating the work of communicators across our industry. Some of you are working under tough conditions. Some of you are adapting to smaller resources and increased demand. And others are just delivering damned fine work.

The UnAwards is my own way of giving a little bit back to an industry which has been very good to me. I take huge pride and pleasure in being able to take a decent chunk of time out each year, away from the day-to-day consultancy work, to organise the UnAwards and to help fly a flag – in my own little way – for our communications community.

The big day

If you have managed to secure a ticket to the #UnAwards19, well done – you’re in for a treat.

The event is sold out. The 141 available tickets have been in huge demand.

Win or not you’re in for a great day

The UnAwards is my favourite work day of the year. It’s quite unlike any other industry event I’ve been to.

Not winning…

Of course, if you’re shortlisted but don’t win, you’ll be disappointed.

With nearly 350 entries and 100 on the shortlist it’s stating the obvious in saying that not everyone can win.

If you’ve been to a traditional awards event, paid handsomely for it, and left empty-handed it can feel like a massive anti-climax. I know, I have experienced that.

The UnAwards is different.

The day is designed so that win or not you can genuinely enjoy a fun event and a unique opportunity to connect with industry colleagues new and old. That in itself is reason to be there.

Twitter will be buzzing

If you can’t be at the UnAwards19 follow it on Twitter using the #UnAwards19 hashtag.

Announcing the winners and snaps of the big day

I’ll be posting the winners names to the UnAwards19 website after the event.

We also have the fab Nigel Bishop taking snaps and filming the event and we’ll get these online as soon as possible.

Timings, ceremony, film and food

The venue for the UnAwards19 is the very cool Everyman Cinema up on the third floor of Birmingham's Mailbox, B1 1 RF.

If you are driving I recommend you park in the Mailbox car park – not the cheapest but nearest and best. Sat Nav code is B1 1RS.

If you are coming by train the Everyman Cinema in the Mailbox is a 10 minute walk – leave New street Station via the Victoria Square exits and turn left. Cross the road carrying straight on at the lights and you’ll see the Mailbox straight ahead of you.

If you’re coming along aim to be at the venue by 9.30am for registration, a mug of fresh coffee and a croissant. The #UnAwards19 ceremony will begin at 10.00am.

After the ceremony we’re watching a brilliant film kept a closely-guarded secret until the day.

After the film you’ll tuck into hearty bowl of veggie chilli and be done by 3pm. I expect plenty of you may the stay behind for a pre-christmas celebratory tipple. And why not.

And the dress code is…

Whatever you fancy. Literally. This is NOT black tie, as you’ll have guessed 😊 But if you want to come in your fancy clobber then go for it. I will, as always, be giving the annual outing to my UnAwards velvet jacket.

Fancy a pre-UnAwards social gathering?

If you’re coming to Birmingham the day before I have reserved spaces at Brum’s best restaurant - The Indian Streatery. Tables are booked for 7.30pm. If you would like to be there please add your name to this Google list by close of play on Friday 29 November so I can let the restaurant know confirmed numbers. Their smoked aubergine curry is a thing of beauty. Just saying.

Saying thanks

Thanks so much for your support again this year, it means a lot. Everyone who entered, tweeted and endorsed.

Special thanks too to the official UnAwards19 partner, Granicus UK, and our official sponsors the Local Government Association, Alive With Ideas, the NUJ PRCC, Orlo, the Council Advertising Network, Ineo Digital and Perago Wales. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – there would be no UnAwards without you.

I really look forward to seeing lots of you on Friday 6 December

Darren Caveney is creator of comms2point0 and organiser of the UnAwards

THE #UNAWARDS19 SHORTLIST IS LIVE

The wait is over – the UnAwards19 shortlist has been published

by Darren Caveney

It’s not an exaggeration to say that it’s been a massive task for the UnAwards judges this year.

342 entries is a pretty astonishing return.

Huge thanks for the time and effort which all entrants took this year.

If you have made it onto the shortlist you should be really proud, it’s a major achievement.

And if you didn’t make it onto the shortlist you’ll of course be sad. We’ve all been there. But that should not detract from you being proud of your work.

Many on the shortlist this year tried but didn’t make it in 2018. So please don’t give up – try again next year.

You can view the full UnAwards19 shortlist HERE.

BEING AT THE BIG DAY…

Each year the publication of the shortlist sparks a run on the remaining tickets.

I am going to limit ticket sales to two per organisation so that I can get as many shortlisted people to the big day as possible.

Ticket availability is limited and is first come, first served.

You can buy up to two tickets HERE.

SAYING THANKS

Finally a big, big thank you to the team of external judges - all 20 of them:

Dave Worsell, Matt Johnson, Ross Wigham, Phil Morcom, Carolyne Mitchell, David Grindley, Ian Curwen, Fran Collingham, Stuart Banbery, Rachael Richardson-Bullock, Matt Nicholls, Victoria Ford, John-Paul Danon, Phil Jewitt, Holly Bremner, Harriet Small, Madeline O’Phelan, Andy Carter and Ben Capper.

It’s been a huge amount of work for you all and I thank you so much for your time and efforts. I owe you all a beer.

I look forward to seeing many of you on 6 December.

Darren Caveney is organiser of the UnAwards, creator of comms2point0 and owner of creative communicators ltd

THE #UNAWARDS19 PUBLIC VOTE IS OPEN

The UnAwards19 Public Vote is now Open which means you can now choose your favourites this year…

by Darren Caveney

After receiving a staggering 342 entries a team of 20 external judges are currently battling through a tonne of great work to draw up the 2019 UnAwards shortlist.

But as you know, the UnAwards are different to other awards because YOU get the chance to choose three of the big winners through a public vote.

And that public vote is now OPEN.

You have a tough, tough challenge now to select the winners from three important categories:

>> LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

>> COMMS TEAM OF THE YEAR

>> BEST GUEST POST OF 2019

You can cast your votes HERE  

The public vote closes on Monday 25 November (midnight)

Choose wisely.

And good luck to all of you.

Darren Caveney is creator of comms2point0 and organiser of the UnAwards

NOMINATE SOMEONE BRILLIANT IN THE UNAWARDS19

We know that a common complaint from comms professionals is a lack of recognition for their work. The UnAwards19 is your chance to change that. In a big way.

by Darren Caveney

Whether it’s a brilliant campaign, managing communications through a crisis, or just turning up every day of the year and being the best you can be, it’s not a lot to ask to get the odd ‘well done’ or ‘thank you’.

But it doesn’t happen often enough for many and that is one of the reasons behind the comms2point UnAwards - to shine a light on the professionals proudly flying comms, pr, marketing and digital flags across the sectors.

Now there’s only one thing better than being shortlisted for an award - that’s being nominated by someone else for an award. It’s a special thing.  It means you’ve caught someone’s eye, demanded their attention or impressed them with your creativity, doggedness, enthusiasm or skills.

Know someone like that? Then why not nominate them in the UnAwards19?

There are two ways in which you can nominate.

Option one - If you think an individual or a team should be in the running this year just complete this short online form and hit submit. I’ll do the rest and contact them on your behalf.

Option two - you can nominate an individual or a team in any of this year's categories and complete the entry form for them. You can do this in all categories with the exception of the best guest blog post category.

Three categories which really lend themselves to nominations are:

-  Best comms/digital team

-  Lifetime achievement UnAward

-  Supporting health and wellbeing in communications (new to the UnAwards19)

For the Lifetime Achievement UnAward, all you need to do is complete the simple entry form here and email it through to admin@comms2point0unawards.co.uk

Accessible is good, right?

When I set up the UnAwards six years ago it was with the very clear mission to make them the most accessible industry awards around.  And where the community were actively involved in shaping and deciding some of the winners.

So, best of all you, the comms community, gets to choose the winners through a public vote in the first two categories above, as well as in the 'Guest post of the year' category.

I’ll tell you more about the public vote soon.

HOW LONG HAVE I GOT TO NOMINATE SOMEONE?

The closing date is 30 October (midnight) so get nominating.

P.S. the UnAwards deadline is never extended.

BE THERE ON THE DAY…

Want to soak up the atmosphere of the coolest comms, PR, marketing and digital event of the year in person? UnAwards tickets will be priced at just £20 + vat each. See, I told you the UnAwards were really accessible.

By the way… Tickets will be available soon on a first come, first served basis and will sell out so don’t hang around.  Keep following  the official comms2point0 channels for updates -  @comms2point0, the UnAwards website, and sign up to the all-new comms2point0 eMag for  the latest news on this.

Shout me if you have any questions.

Good luck.

Darren Caveney is creator of comms2point, owner of creative communicators ltd and organiser of the UnAwards19

Image via Tullio Saba

DIE HARD + CHRISTMAS + CREATIVITY + FRIENDS = THE UNAWARDS18

As the magic dust settles on the UnAwards18 I’ve been reflecting on what I think was the best UnAwards yet.

by Darren Caveney

There are too many highlights to savour and people to thank in just one post but I wanted to share some reflections as I sit here at home supping on a nice fresh coffee post-event.

As I mentioned at the ceremony, I don’t get nervous speaking at events or hosting events. It’s not a boast, I just don’t. But because the UnAwards is so personal and because I want everyone there to have a fabulous day - win, lose or draw - I have in previous years been a tiny bit tense on the day.

This year I did not. I just thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. It was relaxed with a room full of superb people.

If you were there, I hope you enjoyed it too.

So many highlights

There were many highlights for me amongst the winners. Think about a council like Northamptonshire, so often in the news these past twelve months because of the situation they find themselves in. Imagine how difficult it must have been for their comms team at times. To come through that and win an UnAward shows immense skill and character.

Think about the daily pressures front line NHS comms teams are faced with. To see so many shortlisted and some go on to win warrants huge credit.

And think about university comms teams under so much pressure to satisfy multiple stakeholders and now also help turn a profit too. Hats off to them for their shortlistings and wins.

Seeing teams like Warwickshire County Council win big at the UnAwards18 after years of trying shouts perseverance and that is to be applauded.

Three organisations picked up two UnAwards – Tower Hamlets Council, Loughborough University and Bradford Council, including Albert Freeman as best comms officer this year. One UnAward win is great, two is a little bit special.

Then there are teams like South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service winners for the second year on the trot. That isn’t a coincidence. It’s a great team full of ideas delivering consistently. Well doe to Alex Mills and the team.

A word about the private sector and a well done to Rebecca Roberts, owner of Thread and Fable, a woman who has left in-house behind and set up her own businesses which is now picking up awards.

And a shout-out for Sally Northeast and Georgia Turner - the people behind Comms Unplugged - who literally deliver something amazing in their spare time and on top of their regular and busy day jobs. That’s passion, creativity and desire all rolled up into one and I was very happy to see their hard work rewarded.

I was impressed with so many of the shortlisted entries. If you made the shortlist for best social media account and best social media campaign you are delivering truly exceptional work.

If you made the shortlist for best low cost comms work then congratulations. That’s where real creativity shines through. Bravo to you.

As it’s Christmas, when we do things in twelves, here are my top 12 key reflections…

1. It’s Christmas

The UnAwards now officially marks the start of Christmas for our comms community. As Paul Masterman put it “The UnAwards is the comms equivalent of the switching on of the Oxford Street lights”

2. Ever presents

There were five people in the room who have been to all five UnAwards. Wow. And six if you include me. I should give you all an UnAward for good attendance 😊

3. Local Government fights back

Local Government where the biggest winners this year picking up eight of the 18 awards. NHS, Police and Higher Education picked up two apiece.

4. We must learn from the winners

I will endeavour to find the sponsorship to put on another UnAwards Winners Masterclass in the new year where I’ll ask the winners to come and share the lessons of their winning work (please shout me if you’re up for supporting this) As always, it will be free to attend, true to the ethos of the UnAwards.

5. Truly UK-wide

Attendees came from far and wide across the UK – from Scotland, from Wales, from Yorkshire, the North East and North West England, from South West and South East England, and from the Midlands and Brum itself.

6. Making people feel good

Winners, smiled, laughed and cried. That’s a special thing to be able to enable.

7. Let there be music. Cool music…

If you want to listen to Ben Capper’s awesome #UnAwards18 playlist go here

8. Lifetime achievement

Huge congratulations to Dionne Mayhew, Rachael Shaw, Antony Tiernan and Jayne Surman for being nominated in the Lifetime Achievement award. That is a special accolade and one you should be really proud of – good people with huge skills. In the entire history of the UnAwards only 18 people have been nominated, and only five people hold the title. So it really is a unique band of communicators.

Well done to Jayne Surman who just pipped the other three.

9. Get your diaries out

A diary date for you – the #UnAwards19 will take place on Friday 6 December 2019 when we can do it all again and I can spend three month’s worrying about film choices.

10. The importance of giving

This year I wanted to have an official UnAwards charity and chose one close to home. Thank you to everyone who donated on the day to St Basils, who do amazing work for homeless young people in Birmingham. I shall give an update on what we collected on the day asap but if you would like to donate online you can do so here.

11. Die Hard IS a Christmas film

Strangely for such a film anorak as myself I’d never actually watched the whole film before. And never on the big screen. I thought it was brilliant and it’s my new favourite Christmas film. (I know, I am exceedingly late to that party)

12. Gratitude

I’m so grateful to get to run and host the UnAwards but even better than that is the chance to spend the day with a room of amazing people, some who I have come to value as friends. Thank you for making this the best UnAwards yet.

Some final, special mentions…

Luke Williams, Ben Caper, Adrian Stirrup and Nigel Bishop thank you for all of your help. You are a pleasure to work with and a talented bunch.

To the attendees, thank you for giving up a Friday in December. As Adrian Stirrup put it “what’s not to like about spending the day laughing with friends, recognising excellence, and watching Die Hard”

To everyone who submitted the record-breaking 420 entries thank you for allaying my annual fear that on one will enter because you’re all so busy.

The UnAwards remains a not for profit event and I am so grateful to the official partner Granicus, and the official sponsors Orlo, CAN, NUJ PRCC, the Local Government Association,  Alive With Ideas and Perago-Wales - without your kind support the UnAwards would not be possible.

A shout-out to Dave Worsell of Granicus, a supporter of the UnAwards from year one, but who couldn’t be there this year.

A shout to my buddy Phil Jewitt. You know why.

And finally an extra special mention to the lovely Caroline Roodhouse and Alan Oram of Alive With Ideas who sadly could not attend. You were very much missed.

Until next year…

p.s. if you were there and have any feedback on the day please shout me. And if you’re interested in being involved a sponsor for the UnAwards19 please shout – I’m on darrencaveney@gmail.com

Darren Caveney is organiser of the UnAwards, creator of comms2point0 and owner of creative communicators ltd

image from Joanne Ford