PM Society Digital Media Awards 2009

Click here for the full results of the PM Society Digital Media Awards 2009

The inaugural PM Society Digital Media Awards 2009, which took place on Thursday 1st October 2009 at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London, proved a resounding success with some 400 guests witnessing the recognition of creativity in digital marketing.

Awards Chairman, and PM Society vice Chair, Rachel Farrow was thrilled with the event commenting: "The evening was a great success and I am confident that we have started an event that will run and run. There was a really good overall feel to the proceedings and the fantastic venue meant a real networking opportunity plus there were higher levels of engagement with the host and the work being presented.
 
"I was so pleased that a new awards ceremony could gather such momentum, culminating in a successful evening with people genuinely delighted to be receiving awards. We've had great feedback from sponsors who had gone out on a limb to support us in our first year, as well as many emails of support from people that attended." 

The evening started early with guests arriving at 6.30pm for a champagne reception and networking opportunity in the King George III room where a string duet entertained. There was a growing sense of anticipation as people caught up with friends and colleagues before being called through to the historical Porter Tun room for dinner at 8pm.

Following dinner, Rachel Farrow took to the stage to welcome everyone to the event and provided some background information on how the digital marketing awards originated, explaining the importance of recognising the fantastic digital media solutions and new channels being developed. Rachel then introduced Carole Cochrane, Chief Executive of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, which is the PM Society's current nominated charity.

Carole showed a short film on the work of carers in the UK covering a range of age groups and informing everyone that there are currently 6 million carers in Britain. Sometimes this role can be a thankless task and she reminded everyone that these people need to be recognised for the work they do by knowing that there is a support network out there and that they are entitled to a break now and again. Following a collection from all the tables, Carole was thrilled to walk away with over £2,500 through generous donations.

Carole said: "Many thanks to the PM Society for once again organizing an event which has proved a great fundraiser for our charity. Carers are often an overlooked section of our society and as one in eight of us are, or will be, carers we need to be able to continue to offer support through our network of carers' centres and websites."

"£2,500 will enable 100 carers to have a night away in a nice hotel, 500 carers to go to the cinema and have pizzas or 500 carers to indulge in a pamper session!"
 
The charity also provided a prize draw offering tickets for two to see Hairspray with dinner at The Langham. The lucky winner was Anna Williams from Hall and Partners.

The Awards were hosted by controversial former Labour spin-doctor and Blair spokesman, Alastair Campbell, who is also a media communications expert. Alastair spoke about the importance of the pharmaceutical industry in the UK and the need for it to be seen in a positive light. After regaling a few witty stories of his times as the most 'evil man in Britain' (along with Peter Mandelson – who he was initially concerned was the PM in the PM Society!), he went on to host the prize-giving ceremony with a key representative from each sponsor company presenting the winners with their award. Photos were then taken of all the winners and sponsors in each category with trophies proudly on display.

The Awards were split into four categories, with 13 awards presented on the night and a final one, Digital Media Pioneer 2009, to be announced. The awards fell into four sections - Best use of Digital Media for Education or Clinical Benefit, Best Use of Digital Media for Promotional Use, Technology and Premier Awards.

The big winner on the night was Creative Lynx who won six awards for both its Virtual Clinic for Novartis and its work on Concerta XL for Janssen-Cilag. Other winners were: Brandcast Media, Ogilvy-Health PR and Digital, Big Pink, Doctors.net.uk, CMPMedica and PAN Advertising, Radical Departures and McCann Erickson Communication House Manchester.
A full list of winners and nominees can be found by clicking here

Commenting on their wins, David Hunt, Digital Director at Creative Lynx, said, "We were blown away to have picked up so many awards. The past 12 months have been hugely significant in the growth of the digital offering at Creative Lynx, and the team has produced some excellent work. I'm really proud that the quality of our output has been recognised."
 
Commenting on the agency's position in the healthcare marketing sector Healthcare Director David Whittingham, added, "We've been recognised as one of the leading agencies in healthcare marketing for over 20 years, and it's been a fantastic experience to take that knowledge into the digital arena. David Hunt has done a great job building up the team and has produced some excellent projects over the years. The PM Society Digital Media Award wins really cement our belief in our integrated offering of creative and technical expertise."

Steve Clark, the PM Society Chairman, then thanked Rachel Farrow and fellow PM Society committee member Sandy Royden for all their hard work by presenting them with bouquets.

After the presentations, the celebrations continued as guests made their way to the bar area at the back of the room for more drinks, networking and to practice some very individual dance moves to the throbbing disco sounds.

We would like to say a special thanks to all of our sponsors for their support as they help us to make events such as the Digital Marketing Awards possible.

Rachel is already geared up for next years' awards adding: "Despite the amount of work involved, I'm really looking forward to planning next year's PM Society Digital Awards ceremony. I'm already receiving many offers of help from people who have been similarly excited by this new industry event."

This excellent, smooth running, inaugural event looks set to be a permanent fixture in the pharma industry calendar. Many thanks to Rachel Farrow, Sandy Royden, and from our Society, Vivien Bennett and Jackie Brown, who contributed so much into making this new event such a success.

The PM Society looks forward to welcoming you to further functions over the coming months including its educational, training, networking or other social events.  Details of all forthcoming activities are available by clicking here.
 

Held on: 01/10/2009