Walking the Walk When it Comes to Awards Programs.

Barbara Bates, CEO, Eastwick

Up until last year, we had not put much emphasis into submitting for industry awards. The “cobbler’s children” syndrome was alive and well. However, our clients started encouraging us to go after the wide industry recognition they thought we deserved. Soon Eastwick’s award program was born.

We’re proud to report that we have been recognized 10 times in the last year, most recently being named winners of the In2 SABRE award for best “New to Market — Company Launch or Rebrand” campaign for our work with SmartHome Ventures’ launch of PEQ. Eastwick was also named to the shortlist in the “Lean Marketing” category for our work with Women’s Startup Lab as well as in the category of “Most Innovative Agency.”

The awards gala dinner was held on February 18 in San Francisco, the culmination of the In2 Summit, a two-day event focused on innovation and insights, bringing together experts and senior practitioners in data and analytics, brand storytelling and content creation to address issues impacting engagement.

As an In2 SABRE award winner, Eastwick was recognized as a company that

“shines a spotlight on work that is truly breaking new ground and challenging assumptions around the boundaries of communications.”

Judges of the 2015 North American In2 competition included executives from Google, Greylock Partners, Dell, FICO and RedPoint Ventures.

So what was the secret to our banner year for awards? Here are a few tips for a winning awards program:

• Most breakthrough campaigns require just that, a campaign approach. Think integrated communications that include digital, social and media strategies. You’re more likely to land the success metrics needed to rise to the top of your award competitors.
• Have a well-planned awards calendar so you can take the time to gather the data and information required for a winning submission instead of chasing last minute deadlines.
• Don’t wait until award season to get to know award sponsors and judges. The more familiar they are with your body of work, the more likely they will remember your one award submission. Plus, by getting to know them you’ll understand what’s important to them and can focus your submission on those areas.
• Drafting stellar awards submissions takes time. Only submit awards that your customers would care about. Be brutally honest with yourself and only submit truly award winning work.

• Speaking of data, the more hard data and measurement metrics you have, the better. Start every client program as if it will be award winning and set those targets for measurement ahead of time.
• Make sure your passion shines through in your award submission, making it entertaining to read. The judges have to read hundreds of entries and the language you use to stand out could mean the difference between your work being passed over or selected as award winning.

Eastwick’s other award wins this past year include:

• Business Insiders 2014 40 Best Public Relations People in the Tech Industry
• 2014 In2 SABRE shortlist
• PR News 2014 Agency Elite winner
• PR News 2014 Platinum PR Awards honorable mention
• PR News 2014 Rising PR Stars 30 & Under
• PR News 2014 Top Places to Work in PR
• San Francisco Business Times 2014 Largest PR Firms

Looking for ways to up your awards game? Drop us a line.