The 2013 Communiqué Awards are now open for entry, with this year’s programme promising a number of refinements to its categories and judging.
The programme, run by PMLiVE publisher PMGroup, is specifically designed to recognise and commend excellence and best practice in local, European and international healthcare communications.
To ensure that in 2013 Communique remains the best respected healthcare communications recognition programme, categories have been refined to ensure they cover key aspects of healthcare communications.
There is also one new category this year, Excellence in the use of Innovative Media Outreach, which has been introduced to recognise the impact and effectiveness of innovative and integrated media relations initiatives.
Meanwhile, the programme’s judging criteria have been reviewed to ensure a continued focus on effectiveness.
In particular, evidence for successful outcomes against key objectives will be key and the judges will be looking for work that changes attitudes, behaviour or clinical practice, and ultimately improves patient care.
Trish Savage, PMGroup marketing director, said: “As a benchmark of excellence, the Communiqué programme provides a showcase for healthcare communications, together with the means to champion the highest possible standards and help shape future thinking.
“The judging process is rigorous, which surprises many first time judges, and once again in 2012 achieved the highest possible feedback rating from the professionals involved, who commended the process and the standards achieved.”
One of last year’s first time judges was Harry Brady, communications leader, external affairs, at Merck Sharp & Dohme UK.
He said: “I had no idea that it involved so many health communications experts from across the industry. I was impressed by the calibre of the panels and the insights that they brought on what excellence in healthcare communications really is. I was also very impressed by the robust judging process, from the respect for the confidentiality of entries to the rigorous process of analysis and debate to select winners.”
The Communiqué Awards will be presented at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, on July 4, 2013.
Beyond the awards night itself a follow up programme will ensure that learnings from the process of the awards can be shared and help to shape thinking for the future.
- Full information about the 2013 Communique programme and how to enter