Hamilton PR agency wins national award for Buddy Day campaign
Hamilton PR agency HMC Communications took out a top Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) award at the industry organisation's annual conference dinner in Wellington on Thursday night (20 May).
HMC Communications was one of nine category winners of the 21 award finalists, winning the Sustained Public Relations category for its work with child advocacy agency Child Matters on the annual child abuse prevention awareness event, Buddy Day.
HMC Communications director Heather Claycomb co-developed the concept for Buddy Day alongside Child Matters, in 2011.
Since then, Buddy Day has grown to include four cities and engage thousands of adults throughout New Zealand and will celebrate its fifth event on 13 November.
"It's wonderful to be recognised again for our work on Buddy Day in a public relations capacity. It is truly an honour to work with Child Matters on what is such an important issue in New Zealand society, so we are very grateful," said Mrs Claycomb.
"It's one thing to create a short-term public relations campaign that creates hype and publicity for clients. However with Buddy Day it has been most exciting to see our independent research results showing the awareness event is making a difference in people's attitudes, awareness and intentions around child abuse prevention.
"It's an honour to have this sustained piece of work recognised by our industry's national body."
Heather Claycomb and Amy Meade from HMC Communications and Child Matters Communications and Marketing manager Summer Reid accepted the award on behalf of their organisations.
This is HMC Communications' third PRINZ award. The company were also winners in 2011 and 2013.
Read more about the awards here
Read more about Buddy Day here
HMC Communications was one of nine category winners of the 21 award finalists, winning the Sustained Public Relations category for its work with child advocacy agency Child Matters on the annual child abuse prevention awareness event, Buddy Day.
HMC Communications director Heather Claycomb co-developed the concept for Buddy Day alongside Child Matters, in 2011.
Since then, Buddy Day has grown to include four cities and engage thousands of adults throughout New Zealand and will celebrate its fifth event on 13 November.
"It's wonderful to be recognised again for our work on Buddy Day in a public relations capacity. It is truly an honour to work with Child Matters on what is such an important issue in New Zealand society, so we are very grateful," said Mrs Claycomb.
"It's one thing to create a short-term public relations campaign that creates hype and publicity for clients. However with Buddy Day it has been most exciting to see our independent research results showing the awareness event is making a difference in people's attitudes, awareness and intentions around child abuse prevention.
"It's an honour to have this sustained piece of work recognised by our industry's national body."
Heather Claycomb and Amy Meade from HMC Communications and Child Matters Communications and Marketing manager Summer Reid accepted the award on behalf of their organisations.
This is HMC Communications' third PRINZ award. The company were also winners in 2011 and 2013.
Read more about the awards here
Read more about Buddy Day here
