Why we judge industry awards (and what it means for our clients)

Helping clients put together award submissions is a standard part of what we do. We are good at it, and we have the track record to show for it. But our involvement in the awards landscape goes further than that, and it is worth explaining why.

For many years, our senior leadership team of Pru Quinlan, Sue Ralston and Carlotta Vittori, have been invited to judge some of the most respected award programs in Australian technology and media, including the IT Journalist Awards (better known as the Lizzies), B&T Awards and Women Leading Tech Awards.

The invitations keep coming because the organisations running these programs need judges who understand the sector, have the experience to assess submissions critically, and will not mistake confident language for substance.  And our team meets those requirements with ease.

Aside from the honour of being invited, we view the role of judging as an opportunity to genuinely give back to the community.  That’s because we have been working in technology communications for over two decades and have benefited enormously from the industry and the people in it. Being asked to contribute our experience and perspective to programs that recognise excellence across journalism, PR and technology feels like the right use of that experience. It matters to us that these awards are judged well.

Further, awards nights are just good for the soul. The energy in the room when someone who has worked incredibly hard is recognised for it is something you cannot replicate in a Zoom call or a LinkedIn post. These events bring together journalists, clients, peers and the broader industry in a way that reminds you why the work matters. For us they are one of the best opportunities all year to reconnect with the network we have spent two decades building, and to meet the people who are shaping what comes next.

We will keep showing up, keep judging, and keep cheering loudly for the people and work that deserve it.