Best Small Consultancy 2009
I have always loved the Communiqué Awards.
I attended as a young receptionist in 1997, when a last min cancellation led to a free place. Packed with PRs, booze and disco I was awed by the scale of such an event.
>>FastForward a considerably amount of time.
The evolution of our agency can be tracked by our approach to awards do’s. Year 1 saw us crash them all. The SAS of healthcare – business cards in hand, old contacts to be hunted out – driving business, mindful of our outgoings. I even remember being particularly proud of myself when I was thrown into an awards do in Chelsea by the security whilst pretending to be drunk and lost outside. As I brushed myself off and walked into the tent, I saw Jas coming out of the kitchens carrying a tray and Ian vaulting the outside wall, undergrowth-covered suit and all. Brilliant.
This year sees us attend the multitude of do’s a little more legitimately – We even paid for a table! I hope we never lose the ability to act like we did in the early days; efficient, streetwise and none too serious..
The Communiqués this year saw over 300 PR and Med Ed entries received and judged by a panel of communications professionals. One of those entries was for us.
The submission date for Best Small Consultancy landed during a day when it all was happening for us – two pitches, 1 review and a rather boozy board meeting. Staggeringly the resulting page saw us be shortlisted to a list of 4 agencies.
The subsequent interview, held with 15 big hitters, covered such delights as people, differentiation, margin and funding. We emerged eventually, confirmed as finalists. That surreal afternoon –Ian, Jas and I answering questions with seeming sense – was one we have recounted to each other many times. Thoroughly enjoyable – it all made so much sense.
Last night we attended the awards do to hear the announcement of winner. Our whole team was crammed on a table with more champagne than the table could bear. The tension built and the announcement was made and guess what?
WE DIDN’T WIN!
There is nothing worse than seeing a whole table disappointed at a result, gutted. Despite being totally over the moon to be a finalist, and to be highly commended, it’s still a punch when you lose.
However, we did manage a clear victory in a dance-off with the award winners and will just have to make do with Highly Commended.
We hope being in the finals gives new clients the confidence to try our offer, to pick up the phone and let us share our approach. We really are a little different.
Damn.
Mat Morrison said (July 10th, 2009 at 10:18am)
Well done on getting the highly commended. Even better on the headline writing! Love the video, and love the fact that you used the still as your team picture for the awards — it really stood out.