Drinkaware wins Communications Team of the Year

28 Sep 2010

Charity scoops two prestigious awards in one month

Alcohol awareness charity Drinkaware won the best ‘Communications Team’ award at the prestigious Third Sector Excellence Awards 2010. The ceremony, held at the Lancaster London Hotel on 23^rd September, recognised excellence in the charity sector and acknowledged the communications team for working together to exceed its targets. This comes just a few weeks after Drinkaware was named highly commended ‘Charity of the Year’ by the Charity Times.

The two awards reinforced Drinkaware’s position as the consumer’s primary source for alcohol information and as the top alcohol awareness charity . In the last year the Drinkaware website has received more than two million unique visitors and campaign evaluations show great effectiveness in reaching the target audience. Through month on month increases in media hits between January 2009 and 2010 the communications team has driven a 480% increase in coverage, raising the charity’s profile, strengthening campaigns and delivering key messages to consumers.

Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says:

“We are honoured to have been recognised at two prestigious charity awards. Challenging the drinking habits of a nation is not easy and we know we won’t change behaviour overnight - but this doesn’t stop us trying. These awards recognise the hard work and determination of Drinkaware staff and stakeholders in striving to achieve tangible social change in the UK.

“Our campaigns are both necessary and effective and we are proud and grateful for the acknowledgement of this. We will continue to endeavour to achieve more and will be back next year with even more successes under our belt.”

Siobhan McCann, Communications Manager of Drinkaware, says:

“To be awarded best ‘Communications Team’ is very gratifying. The team have worked tirelessly over the last year to reach consumers with responsible drinking messages in new and innovative ways. This is sometimes tough but through real teamwork and with the support of other Drinkaware colleagues we have made great strides in raising Drinkaware’s profile.

“We will continue to strive to achieve excellence in our communications as we move towards a new year with high ambitions and expectations.”

Drinkaware’s latest five year, £100 million campaign is the biggest ever responsible drinking campaign. With the backing of more than 40 industry stakeholders and the support of Government, the second year of the ‘Why Let Good Times Go Bad?’ campaign is set to exceed all expectations. It hopes to reach even more 18 to 24 year olds with smarter drinking messages through outdoor advertising, materials in supermarkets, convenience stores, pubs and bars and media coverage targeting both consumers and stakeholders. It is ambitious campaigns like this which exemplify Drinkaware’s credentials as a highly commended ‘Charity of the Year’ and offer the communications team an opportunity to shine.

-ENDS-

For more information or to interview a spokesperson please contact:

Laura Ellis

Communications Officer

e-mail: lellis@drinkaware.co.uk

Tel: 0207 766 9914

Mob: 07917 135 436

Notes to Editors:

About Drinkaware:

Drinkaware provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness and effect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works alongside the medical profession, the alcohol industry and government to achieve its goals. For further information, visit www.drinkaware.co.uk

About Charity Times:

Charity Times is the leading business and management magazine for UK non-profit professionals. Every two months it offers a wide range of in-depth, independently-written features and news analysis. The Charity Times Awards are designed to recognise and reward excellence in the management and co-ordination of all charitable activities. For further information, visit www.charitytimes.com

About Third Sector:

Third Sector is the UK’s leading publication for everyone who needs to know what’s going on in the voluntary and not-for-profit sector. Many of the 80,000 readers are chief executives, trustees and senior managers in charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Others are parliamentarians, lawyers, finance professionals and private sector executives concerned with corporate responsibility.

Third Sector offers unrivalled coverage of the whole range of voluntary sector concerns through the printed magazine, the website, and a range of conferences and events. For further information, visit www.thirdsector.co.uk

Page last updated by: Unknown, 10 May 2012.