Categories
The PRWeek UK 2025 Awards are an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the best campaigns, projects, agencies, in-house teams and individuals in the UK.
Campaign
B2B Campaign
This will be awarded to the best on-going or one off
campaign where the business community is the target
audience. Although not an extensive list, judges will
look for the following criteria when reviewing entry
submissions: innovation / creativity, clear strategic
thinking, effectiveness and tangible results.
Best Environmental Purpose Campaign
Recognises the best purpose led campaign that focuses
on social issues. It could be led by a brand, or another
organisation (e.g.: public sector, third sector), or a
collaboration between more than one party. The winning
entry will need to show how it has made significant
progress towards the purpose in question, including,
but not limited to: changing perceptions, changing laws/
regulations, changing behaviour, raising awareness, raising
money. Evidence of the positive impact of the campaign
on the brand or organisation, where appropriate, will
also be advantageous. The winning campaign will show
innovative, creative thinking. Evidence of the work
tangibly improving the world or society will also be
advantageous.
Best Integrated Campaign
This award will recognise the creativity, innovation, impact
and effectiveness of an integrated campaign. Entry is open
to in-house teams, full-service agencies or a combination
of agencies from different marketing disciplines. The idea
must be PR-led, and the role that PR played in the strategic
development and implementation must clearly be stated.
Please explain the role different marketing disciplines
played in the campaign and why they were assigned these
roles. Please give details of the tangible outcomes of the
campaign.
Best International Campaign
For the best campaign originating from the UK that runs
across at least three countries. Judges will be looking for
campaigns that display original, creative ideas that have
delivered tangible outcomes linked to the objectives. The
successful entrant will be able to show how the campaign
has been adapted, if necessary, to the individual markets.
Best PR Event
This category recognises the use of a brand event activity or live event to build the value and reputation of a brand, or fulfil a communication need for a brand or organisation as part of a wider, strategic PR campaign.
It could be (but is not limited to) a concert, product
launch, conference, roadshow, field marketing activity,
sponsorship, stunt or guerrilla opportunity, but it will have
incorporated live event skills to bring a brand to life in the
eyes of end users. It is important that the nature of the
event, strategy, context within an overall PR campaign,
planning, logistics, production and subsequent execution
and measured effect should be summarised clearly along
with details of expert design, production, logistics and
support teams employed.
Best Social Purpose Campaign
Recognises the best campaign that has a good or
progressive purpose at its heart. It could be led by a brand,
or another organisation (e.g.: public sector, third sector),
or a collaboration between more than one party. The
winning entry will need to show how it has made www.
prweekawards.com significant progress towards the
purpose in question, including, but not limited to: changing
perceptions, changing laws/ regulations, changing
behaviour, raising awareness, raising money. Evidence
of the positive impact of the campaign on the brand or
organisation, where appropriate, will also be advantageous.
The winning campaign will show innovative, creative
thinking.
Best Use of a Celebrity(ies)
This category will award the most effective, innovative and
creative campaign that uses one or more
celebrity/ies to achieve its aims. The idea must be PR-led,
although we will not exclude entries that involve payment
or other incentives to celebrities; however, please detail
these in your entry. Judges will be looking for details of
how the celebrity element was incorporated into other
parts of the campaign and clear evidence that the goals
had been reached or exceeded. This includes outcomes
rather than merely social media analytics data. Entrants
are advised not to include social media influencers as
‘celebrities’, even those with a high profile; we recommend
the Best Influencer Marketing Campaign category for
these campaigns. The focus for this category is celebrities
who draw their fame from other means (e.g.: actors,
sportspeople, musicians, politicians), although they may
have gained a sizeable social media following off the back
of their pre-existing fame.
Best Use of Content
This award will be given for the most effective use of
content by a consultancy, in-house team or a combination
of both. The objectives, strategy and method deployed
should be clearly set out. Entry should include methods
of how content was distributed, used to attract and retain
audience and how the content is enhancing audience
behaviour. Judges will also be looking for the creativeness
and innovativeness of the distribution along with specific
evaluation discussing engagement and customer retention.
Best Use of Creativity
This award will be given for the most effective use of creativity within a campaign run by a consultancy, inhouse team or a combination of both.
Your entry should outline the aim(s) of the campaign, the
creative ideas injected into it and carried out to make the
campaign a success. Please note this category will solely
focus on the innovative and creativeness of the campaign.
Judges will be looking for the inspiration, overall concept
(visually and with text to support), innovative strategy
from idea to execution, and managing any risk of the
campaign.
Best Use of an Influencer(s)
This category will award the most effective, innovative
and creative campaign that uses one or more social media
influencers to achieve its aims. The idea must be PR-led,
although we will not exclude entries that involve payment
or other incentives to influencers; however, please detail
these in your entry. Judges will be looking for details of
how the influencer marketing element was incorporated
into other parts of the campaign and clear evidence that
the goals had been reached or exceeded. This includes
outcomes rather than merely social media analytics data.
For the benefit of this award, we are defining a social
media influencer as an individual or group that has become
influential off the back of their own social media platform
or platforms. It excludes anyone with pre-existing fame
(eg: actors, sportspeople, reality TV stars).
Best Use of Planning, Strategy and Evaluation
Please divide your entry into three subheadings: Planning,
Strategy, Evaluation. Within each subheading you should
consider a number of key points. In planning, explain in
detail the research carried out when the brief was received,
explain how the research developed into campaign
objectives, and outline campaign objectives. In strategy,
explain how you implemented your research throughout
the campaign to deliver your objectives, explain how the
campaign message was delivered throughout different
activities to ensure optimum exposure and explain the
consideration of contingency plans. In evaluation, discuss
campaign results in detail, discuss the strengths and
weaknesses of campaign, and explain how are results a
direct result of planning and strategy.
Best Use of a Small Budget
This category will award the most successful use of a
small budget (Under £40,000) in a one-off campaign.
This category applies to all in-house and agency PR teams
across all sectors. Judges will be looking for details of the
demographic target audience and research undertaken as
part of the planning process, and the impact, creativity,
total cost and effectiveness of the campaign. When part of
an integrated marketing campaign, please explain the role
that PR played in the development and implementation
must be clearly stated.
City & Corporate Communications
For the best on-going or one-off campaign of a corporate
brand carried out in-house or on behalf of the organisation
(as opposed to specific branded products or services).
Such campaigns should be targeted primarily at the
business, City or investor relations community (can also
include corporate reputation campaigns aimed at the
public). Entries can include: corporate rebranding and
repositioning projects; reputation management, corporate
social responsibility (CSR), merger, acquisition, flotation
or rights issue PR. The judges will look for a strategic
approach to the development of activity; evidence of
success in building corporate reputation, enhancing
company positioning, communicating with investors or
other stakeholders, or achieving other corporate goals. In
the case of CSR related projects, tangible benefits to the
communities in which the organisation operates will also
be taken into account.
Financial Services
This award will be given for the most effective on-going
business or consumer campaign or one-off project
undertaken by or on behalf of a company operating
specifically in the financial services (banking, insurance,
mortgages, life assurance etc.) sector.
Healthcare: Ethical & OTC Consumer
This category covers on-going work or one-off projects
undertaken by an inhouse pharmaceutical companies PR
team or on behalf of a pharmaceutical company relating to
ethical (prescription only) drugs. This category also covers
also on-going work or one-off projects relating to licensed
OTC medicines and other consumer healthcare products
and targeted at consumers, either directly or through
pharmacists, GPs, other primary care professionals or
retailers who interface with the general public. Campaigns
can be at any stage in a product lifecycle and include
communications with target audiences such as prescribers,
primary care departments, NHS budget holders, patient
groups and specialist media as well as disease awareness
and direct to consumer work. Campaigns lobbying central
or local government or government agencies should be
entered into the public affairs category.
Internal Communications and Employee Engagement
Entries should describe how ongoing strategic
communication or a significant project has engaged
internal stakeholders such as managers, employees,
and trade unions. They should specify: the business
and organisational needs addressed (e.g. performance,
productivity, ESG topics, customer service, cost
management); the outcomes sought for key stakeholders,
such as shifting employee or management attitudes and
commitment, achieving real engagement or behavioural
change; how the success of the communication
was evaluated against the outcomes specified; how
communication was integrated with other activities.
Issues and Reputation Management
This award will be given for the most effective
management of an issue or crisis by a consultancy or
in- house team or a combination of both. The objectives,
strategy and method deployed should be clearly set out.
Because of the sensitive nature of this type of work,
entrants may mark parts of their submission as strictly
confidential and not for publication.
Marketing Communications: Automotive and Transport
Applicable to campaigns covering motor vehicles, services,
in-car entertainment, fuel, tyres, dealers, distributors
etc. Also applicable to campaigns covering all forms of
transportation. Entries should include details of the
demographic target audience and research undertaken as
part of the planning process and the impact, creativity and
effectiveness of the campaign. When part of an integrated
marketing campaign, please explain the role that PR played
in the development and implementation.
Marketing Communications: Culture, Media, Sport and Travel
Includes campaigns for the arts, cultural events, museums,
music, sports, travel and leisure. Entries should include
details of the demographic target audience and research
undertaken as part of the planning process and the impact,
creativity and effectiveness of the campaign. When part of
an integrated marketing campaign, please explain the role
that PR played in the development and implementation.
Marketing Communications: Health, Beauty, Retail and Fashion
Applicable to campaigns covering goods such as soft
drinks, toiletries, toys, processed foods, alcohol and
cleaning products, healthcare products including skin care
and all campaigns promoting fashion brands, clothing,
footwear and grocery. Entries should include details of the
demographic target audience and research undertaken as
part of the planning process and the impact, creativity and
effectiveness of the campaign. When part of an integrated
marketing campaign, please explain the role that PR played
in the development and implementation.
Marketing Communications: Leisure and Hospitality
Includes campaigns for leisure and
hospitality. Entries should include details of the
demographic target audience and research undertaken as
part of the planning process and the impact, creativity and
effectiveness of the campaign. When part of an integrated
marketing campaign, please explain the role that PR played
in the development and implementation.
Not-for-Profit
This category will recognise the most effective work for
or by a charity, voluntary or not for profit organisation,
including campaigning and patient groups. Particular
attention should be paid to the cost-effectiveness of the
campaign, and in the case of fundraising activities, to the
monies received.
Public Affairs
Relates to the most effective use of PR to change or enlist
political or public opinion utilising either lobbying or
broader grassroots public affairs tactics including media,
digital, and social media activities. The target audience
should be clearly identified. Where advertising has also
been utilised in the campaign, the judges will look for
evidence of the distinct role and results of public affairs
and lobbying.
Public Sector
Open to government departments and public sector
agencies and bodies including the police and local
authorities. PR agencies who have carried out work for
an authority may also enter.. This award will be given
for the most effective campaign or communications
programme on a single topic e.g. health, road safety, crime,
environment. These can include media relations, use of
on-line media, posters, publications and consultation
processes..
Technology
This award will be given for the most effective on-going
business or consumer campaign or one-off project
undertaken by or on behalf of a company operating
specifically in the technology sector (this includes but is
not limited to the Metaverse and Web3). The judges will
note campaigns that focus on sustainable issues in this
market sector.
Gold Awards
Boutique Consultancy of the Year
Open to any PR consultancy generating fees from the UK market of less than £3m annually. Your entry into Boutique Consultancy of the Year should cover three A4 sheets of paper.
Page one: Cover sheet. Please include relevant facts and figures. Include: Date of incorporation, numbers employed (split executive and support staff ); key clients; two years’ fees and profits data. Judges will look for evidence of financial growth.
Page two/three: Your opportunity to provide ‘colour’ Include: Client list and growth, client retention, staff retention and PR innovation. Emphasis should be placed on the consultancy’s achievements within the period covered by this year’s awards.
In this section you should also highlight your agency citizenship; how effective the team is, the agency’s contribution to industry along with CSR and business performance in relation to your values. Agencies will also be commended for their dedication to diversity. Please outline the proportion of employees who are women, and who are black/ Asian/or of other minority ethnic background, both across the company and in senior leadership roles. Please also outline any initiatives in place to encourage under-represented groups, and information on the agency’s working policies to support the staff.
Please note that the long-listed entrants for this category will be invited to attend a VIVA presentation as part of the judging process.
Please note to enter Boutique Consultancy of the Year you must also
have entered one or more Campaigns: Sectors or Campaigns:
Techniques categories.
Mid Consultancy of the Year
Open to any PR consultancy generating fees from the UK market between £10m and £20m annually. Your entry should cover three A4 sheets of paper.
Page one: Cover sheet. Please include relevant facts and figures. Include: Date of incorporation, numbers employed (split executive and support staff ); key clients; two years’ fees and profits data. Judges will look for evidence of financial growth.
Page two/three: Your opportunity to provide ‘colour’. Include: Client list and growth, client retention, staff retention and PR innovation. Emphasis should be placed on the consultancy’s achievements within the period covered by this year’s awards.
In this section you should also highlight your agency citizenship; how effective the team is, the agency’s contribution to industry along with CSR and business performance in relation to your values.
Agencies will also be commended for their dedication to diversity. Please outline the proportion of employees who are women, and who are black/ Asian/or of other minority ethnic background, both across the company and in senior leadership roles. Please also outline any initiatives in place to encourage under-represented groups, and information on the agency’s working policies to support the staff.
Please note that the long-listed entrants for this category will be visited by the judges during September as part of the judging process.
Please note to enter Mid Consultancy of the Year you must also have entered one or more Campaigns: Sectors or Campaigns: Techniques categories.
Small Consultancy of the Year
Open to any PR consultancy generating fees from the UK market between £3m and £10m annually. Your entry into Small Consultancy of the Year should cover three A4 sheets of paper.
Page one: Cover sheet. Please include relevant facts and figures. Include: Date of incorporation, numbers employed (split executive and support staff ); key clients; two years’ fees and profits data. Judges will look for evidence of financial growth.
Page two/three: Your opportunity to provide ‘colour’. Include: Client list and growth, client retention, staff retention and PR innovation. Emphasis should be placed on the consultancy’s achievements within the period covered by this year’s awards.
In this section you should also highlight your agency citizenship; how effective the team is, the agency’s contribution to industry along with CSR and business performance in relation to your values.
Agencies will also be commended for their dedication to diversity. Please outline the proportion of employees who are women, and who are black/Asian/or of other minority ethnic background, both across the company and in senior leadership roles. Please also outline any initiatives in place to encourage under-represented groups, and information on the agency’s working policies to support the staff.
Please note that the long-listed entrants for this category will be visited by the judges during September as part of the judging process.
Please note to enter Small Consultancy of the Year you must
also have entered one or more Campaigns: Sectors or Campaigns:
Techniques categories.
Large Consultancy of the Year
Open to any PR consultancy generating fees from the UK market in excess of £20m annually. Your entry should cover three A4 sheets of paper.
Page one: Cover sheet. Please include relevant facts and figures. Include: Date of incorporation, numbers employed (split executive and support staff ); key clients; two years’ fees and profits data. Judges will look for evidence of financial growth.
Page two/three: Your opportunity to provide ‘colour’. Include: Client list and growth, client retention, staff retention and PR innovation. Emphasis should be placed on the consultancy’s achievements within the period covered by this year’s awards.
In this section you should also highlight your agency citizenship; how effective the team is, the agency’s contribution to industry along with CSR and business performance in relation to your values.
Agencies will also be commended for their dedication to diversity. Please outline the proportion of employees who are women, and who are black/ Asian/or of other minority ethnic background, both across the company and in senior leadership roles. Please also outline any initiatives in place to encourage under-represented groups, and information on the agency’s working policies to support the staff.
Please note that the long-listed entrants for this category will be visited by the judges during September as part of the judging process.
Please note to enter Large Consultancy of the Year you must also have entered two or more Campaigns: Sectors or Campaigns: Techniques categories.
In-House Team of the Year (Private)
Open to any in-house team within the private sector. In your entry please include number of staff employed within team (split executive and support staff ) and annual PR budget (broken down into areas of marketing activity directly under the teams control). The judges will look for evidence of success in executing campaigns or programmes during the period covered by the awards as part of an overall PR strategy. They will also look for cost-effective use of both in-house and external resources. Teams will also be commended for their dedication to diversity. Please outline the proportion of employees who are women, and who are black/Asian/or of other minority ethnic background, both across the team and in senior leadership roles. Please also outline any initiatives in place to encourage under represented groups, and information on the team’s flexible working policies to help staff work part time.
Please note that the long-listed entrants for this category will be invited to attend a VIVA presentation as part of the judging process.
In-House Team of the Year (Public/Third Sector)
Open to any in-house team within the public and third sector within local and national governments and other public authorities, government agencies, health authorities, trade unions and trade bodies as well within NGOs, charities or other not-for profit organisations. In your entry please include number of staff employed within team (split executive and support staff ) and annual PR budget (broken down into areas of marketing activity directly under the teams control). Where relevant, details should be included of success in meeting government regulations or standards (e.g. e-Government and consultative clauses in the Local Government Act). The judges will look for evidence of success in executing campaigns or programmes during the period covered by the awards as part of an overall PR strategy. They will also look for cost-effective use of both in-house and external resources. Teams will also be commended for their dedication to diversity. Please outline the proportion of employees who are women, and who are black/Asian/or of other minority ethnic background, both across the team and in senior leadership roles. Please also outline any initiatives in place to encourage under represented groups, and information on the team’s flexible working policies to help staff work part time.
Please note that the long-listed entrants for this category will be invited to attend a VIVA presentation as part of the judging process.
People, Agencies & Team
New Consultancy of the Year
Open to any consultancy which has been trading for up to 24 months.
Include: Date of incorporation, numbers employed (split executive and support staff ); key clients; two year’s fees and profits data. Annual income (fees + mark up on disbursements) should cover the full trading period.
Also Include: Details of sources of start up finance and in the case of subsidiaries or breakaway brands, full explanation must be included of relationship with parent companies including on-going financial and infrastructure support (e.g. access to training, HR, financial management etc). Judges will look for evidence of financial growth, client list growth, client retention and PR innovation. Agencies will also be commended for their dedication to diversity. Please outline the proportion of employees who are women, and who are black/ Asian/or of other minority ethnic background, both across the company and in senior leadership roles. Please also outline any initiatives in place to encourage under- represented groups, and information on the agency’s flexible working policies to help staff work part time.
Please note that the long-listed entrants for this category will be
invited to attend a VIVA presentation as part of the judging process.
Specialist Consultancy of the Year
This category is open to any PR consultancy and specialist division within a PR consultancy whose business is concentrated on a specific sector, whether an industry sector, a market segment or a PR discipline (e.g. healthcare, technology; youth; or broadcast PR). Judges will be looking for evidence of market share and financial growth, client list growth and client retention, understanding of market and PR innovation. Please include: Date of incorporation, annual income, numbers employed (split executive and support staff ), client list and two years’ fees and profit data. Agencies will also be commended for their dedication to diversity. Please outline the proportion of employees who are women, and who are black/ Asian/or of other minority ethnic background, both across the company and in senior leadership roles. Please also outline any initiatives in place to encourage under-represented groups, and information on the agency’s flexible working policies to help staff work part time.
Please note that the long-listed entrants for this category will be
invited to attend a VIVA presentation as part of the judging process.
Young PR Professional
Progressive with their thinking across all aspects of their job e.g work, clients, processes, behaviour, attitude. They’re always one step ahead and produce culturally relevant work in today’s society. This entry is open to any UK-based PR or public affairs professional aged under 30 on 15 October 2025, working either in-house or agency-side. Nominations are accepted from employers, who should include the details of the nominee’s career history and professional qualifications. Along with the submission please attach a 200 word statement or short video* from the person nominated, outlining why they feel they should win this award.
Judges will be looking for:
• Evidence of outstanding achievement in handling PR campaigns
• Creativeness in relevance to brief and results
• Influence and contribution to the company and colleagues
• Evidence of the nominee’s ability and willingness to extend their range of PR skills.
Please note the video does not need to be high production quality; it can be recorded using your phone. There will not be extra points given for high production quality videos. This is an opportunity for the nominee to express themselves and their personality within the entry.
Please note that the long-listed entrants for this category will be invited to attend a VIVA presentation as part of the judging process.
Best Agency Outside London (Headquarters Outside M25)
Given the concentration of PR agencies inside London, this award recognises the most accomplished agency outside the capital. Judges will be looking at commercial achievements (eg: revenue and profit growth, client wins, employee numbers), as well as creative successes and an ability to innovate. The award is open to any agency that has its headquarters outside the M25. Agencies that have an office in London but are headquartered elsewhere in the UK will be eligible.
Please note that the long-listed entrants for this category will be
invited to attend a VIVA presentation as part of the judging process.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champions
This category rewards agencies, in-house teams or industry bodies/organisations that have done the most to promote diversity and inclusion in the PR industry through a specific initiative or a series of initiatives. Judges will be looking at entrants’ success in terms of expanding opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds, relating (but not limited) to gender, race, disability, LGBT+, educational or geographical background. Particular credit will be given to original, creative ideas for promoting diversity.