The 2026 Categories
Find out what we’re looking for in each category below.
Campaigns
Corporate and Business Communications Campaign
Judges are looking for campaigns that demonstrate how PR has been used strategically to deliver against an organisation’s business objectives. Entries should show a clear link between insight, strategy and execution, with measurable outcomes that go beyond outputs to demonstrate real organisational impact.
Stronger entries will evidence insight-led planning, clear and relevant objectives, and a strategic approach to channel and message selection.
Internal Communications Campaign
Engaging people is a critical part of communications. We’re looking for stand-out strategic campaigns which have successfully engaged your internal stakeholders, whatever your sector. To make it to the shortlist, the activity needs to have linked to organisational objectives and show the flair we know is possible with internal communications and employee engagement.
Consumer Relations Campaign
We’re looking for the stars of consumer PR with this category. Our finalists will have run a successful campaign to promote a product or service to consumers, with impressive results.
Public Sector Campaign
Public sector communications is a total art form. Whether you’re an in-house team or an agency working with the public sector, we’re looking for the most impactful campaigns for or by a public sector organisation.
Public Affairs Campaign
Public affairs can genuinely change the world. If you’ve delivered a campaign, including lobbying activity, which has driven meaningful change at a government level, tell us about your successes in this category.
Not-for-Profit Campaign
The world needs charity more than ever. If you’ve delivered a successful campaign for a not-for-profit organisation, whether as part of the in-house team or as an agency working for them, we want to hear how you’ve made a difference.
STEM Campaign
The world needs charity more than ever. If you’ve delivered a successful campaign for a not-for-profit organisation, whether as part of the in-house team or as an agency working for them, we want to hear how you’ve made a difference.
NEW - Best CSR Campaign
Entries in this category should demonstrate how PR has been used strategically to deliver a corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaign that creates meaningful social, environmental, or economic impact. Judges will be looking for campaigns that clearly align with organisational values and purpose, engage key stakeholders, and contribute positively to communities or society at large.
Entries should show how insight, planning, and creativity were applied to drive awareness, influence behaviour, or inspire action around a CSR initiative. Strong submissions will evidence measurable outcomes, demonstrate authenticity and long-term value, and highlight how communications played a central role in delivering real, tangible change.
Healthcare and/ or Wellbeing Campaign
You can submit all things healthcare and/or well-being into this category. Judges are looking for PR campaigns that support a physical, mental, or well-being healthcare issue, produce, service or initiative. We include animal healthcare in this category too.
Integrated Campaign
If you got more bang for your buck by integrating a range of tactics within your campaign, here’s your chance to show off your results. We’re looking for successful campaigns creatively delivered through a range of channels and tactics, such as elements of the Paid, Earned, Shared and Owned (PESO) media model, to achieve their objectives.
Low Budget Campaign
If you’ve delivered incredible results on a shoe-string, tell us all about how much bang for the client’s buck you delivered in your entry for this category. Judges are looking for successful campaigns with a budget of less than £15,000 including agency fees and staff time.
Arts, Culture, Sport or Entertainment Campaign
Our lives are enriched by arts, culture, sport and entertainment. We’re looking for successful campaigns which demonstrate the value of these sectors and which make a difference to your defined audiences.
Travel, Leisure or Tourism Campaign
Travel, leisure and tourism have come back with a bang. Impress the judges with your campaign for any company operating in the travel, leisure, or tourism sectors, as well as campaigns that promote travel, leisure, or tourism services, products, or initiatives in any sector.
Best Use of Media Relations
Have you used media relations to capture the public’s imagination? How has harnessing the media delivered on organisational and/or campaign objectives? Whether you’re in an in-house team or agency, judges are looking for examples of creative and successful use of media relations.
Best Use of Content
We’re looking for original and effective content in a successful PR campaign or project. Whether you’ve created video, images, graphics, GIFs, blogs, podcasts, publications, articles or more, if content has anchored your results, we want to know about it.
NEW - Best Campaign of the Year (Outside Northern Ireland)
Entries in this category should demonstrate how PR has been used strategically to plan and deliver a campaign targeting audiences outside of Northern Ireland. Judges will be looking for campaigns that show a clear understanding of the chosen market, including its cultural, social and media landscape, while maintaining a strong and consistent overarching strategy and message.
Entries should outline how insight informed the approach within the target market, how any challenges such as cultural nuance, distance or differing media environments were addressed, and how channels and tactics were selected and adapted to maximise impact. Strong submissions will demonstrate effective planning, localisation and execution, supported by clear, measurable outcomes and evidence of success within the chosen market.
Best Use of Digital and Social Media
If your campaign made waves online, this is the category for you. We’re looking for outstanding use of digital and social media platforms to engage audiences, build communities, drive behaviour change, or amplify campaign messaging.
Whether through paid, earned, shared or owned channels from TikTok takeovers and Instagram reels to digital ads, influencer engagement, or real-time Twitter/X campaigns, show us how you used digital tools to deliver measurable PR impact.
Best Event, Launch and/or Activation
Entries in this category should show how PR has been used effectively to launch a new product or service, grow an audience for an event, or build strong public relationships that enhance and protect the reputation of the event, product, or service. Impress us with details of how the event/launch helped achieve what you set out to.
Best Long-Term Client Care
Not all great PR work is about the jazz-hands, big-bang moments. Sometimes it’s about quietly and regularly providing advice, insight, and support. If you’re the trusted source of strategic communications guidance which helps a client feel confident talking to their board. If you provide regular over-flow resource to enable your client to get the day job done. If you’re the dependable people your clients turn to, now’s your chance to win an award for that often-overlooked service.
We want to hear;
How you support your clients day-to-day and strategically
What makes your approach successful in forming long-term relationships
The size and scale of your retainers - Note: This section is not scored by the judges
A summary of a campaign you are particularly proud of, including details of the brief, objectives, strategy, tactics, outputs, outcomes and budget
Individual / Team Categories
Outstanding Young Communicator of the Year
Our industry will fade to nothing without new talent. We’re looking for the current stars who will be future stalwarts; young people making valuable contributions to their organisation and our industry.
Nominate yourself or anyone aged 30 or under on 25 May 2026, working in a role where the majority of their work is in communications.
Entries must relate to work carried out between May 2025 and May 2026.
Entries must consist of no more than 1,000 words and must:
Demonstrate commitment to professional development and career growth
Outline work-related achievements over the last two years and how they contribute to the wider industry
Provide an outline of a work-related challenge you have faced in the last 12 months, including details of what happened, how you overcame it and what you learnt from it
Provide an outline of a piece of work you have delivered or contributed to in the last 12 months that you are particularly proud of including details of the brief, objectives, strategy, tactics, outputs, outcomes and budget.
Independent PR Practitioner of the Year
Lone ranger. Independent practitioner. However you define yourself, this award is for you if you do it alone. Recognising the huge contribution that individuals make to brilliant PR practice, we’re looking for the solo stars who have produced enviable results for their clients over the last 12 months.
To qualify, you can’t be on a company’s payroll (other than your own) and you can’t have other PR professionals on your payroll either. (Support staff on the payroll are fine). You might work with a team of associates, but as long as you don’t employ them, you’ll qualify for this category.
We’re using this category to give a platform to the achievements, performance and excellent work of an independent PR practitioner over the last 12 months.
Note: This category is open to both CIPR members and non-members.
Entries must relate to work carried out between May 2024 and May 2026.
Entries must consist of no more than 1,000 words and must give the judges:
An overview of your experience, your commitment to professional development and how you contribute to the industry
An outline of your work-related achievements over the last 12 months, including your business objectives and/or plan
An explanation of a work-related challenge you have faced in the last 12 months, including details of what happened, how you overcame it and what you learnt from it
Details of a piece of work you have delivered in the last 12 months that you are particularly proud of, including details of the brief, objectives, strategy, tactics, outputs, outcomes and budget.
Lifetime Contribution Award - NEW
This award recognises an outstanding individual who has made a sustained and exceptional contribution to the public relations and communications industry in Northern Ireland over the course of their career.
Nominations should be for individuals who have demonstrated leadership, integrity, and a lasting commitment to advancing the profession. Judges will be looking for evidence of significant impact on the industry, whether through shaping best practice, mentoring and developing future talent, championing the value of PR, or contributing to the wider business and community landscape.
Nominations should highlight career achievements, influence, and legacy, showcasing how the individual has helped strengthen and elevate the reputation of the PR industry in Northern Ireland. This award celebrates those whose dedication and contribution have left a meaningful and enduring mark on the profession.
Max. 250 words
In-House PR Team of the Year
Are you incredibly proud of your in-house team? Do you deliver brilliant results for your organisation week in, week out? Here’s your chance to get the credit for your commitment and creativity.
Entries must relate to work carried out between May 2025 and May 2026.
Entries must consist of no more than 1,000 words and must include:
Number of employees within the PR team and annual PR budget
Note: This section is not scored by the judgesBusiness objectives and analysis of team performance against budget over the last two years
A brief overview of business/team strategy
A summary of commitment to CPD and professionalism
A summary of recent outstanding achievements
A summary of a campaign you are particularly proud of, including details of the brief, objectives, strategy, tactics, outputs, outcomes and budget
Small PR Consultancy of the Year
We’re looking for the small but perfectly-formed PR consultancies to show us what we already know – that bigger isn’t always better. If your PR fee income is under £1m, here’s your chance to show off your achievements from the last 12 months. We’ll expect to see details of performance and your incredible client work.
Entries must relate to work carried out between May 2025 and May 2026.
Entries must consist of no more than 1,000 words and include:
Number of employees and annual fee income
Note: This section is not scored by the judgesBusiness objectives and analysis of performance against budget over the last two years
A brief overview of business/team strategy
A summary of commitment to CPD and professionalism
A summary of recent outstanding achievements, including client list growth/retention
A summary of a campaign you are particularly proud of, including details of the brief, objectives, strategy, tactics, outputs, outcomes and budget
PR Consultancy of the Year
One of the industry’s most sought-after awards, this category is for consultancies who have had an incredible year. Tell us about what you’ve achieved over the last 12 months, covering your incredible client campaigns as well as financial performance.
Entries must relate to work carried out between May 2025 and May 2026.
Entries must consist of no more than 1,000 words and must include:
Date of incorporation, number of employees and annual fee income
Note: This section is not scored by the judgesBusiness objectives and analysis of performance against budget over the last 12 months
A brief overview of business/team strategy
Your commitment to CPD and professionalism
Recent outstanding achievements, including client list growth/retention
A summary of a campaign you are particularly proud of, including details of the brief, objectives, strategy, tactics, outputs, outcomes and budget