brandhouse Responsible Drinking Media Awards winners announced

The winners of the 2011 brandhouse Responsible Drinking Media Awards were announced at a cocktail reception ceremony at the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg on Wednesday (1 June) evening

The awards acknowledged winners in five different categories, following a judging process of at least 60 entries received

The winners are:

  • - Dalena Theron (Kuier magazine) - Journalist of the Year (Prize money of R10 000)
  • - Cape Argus (Wall of Shame) - Best Print (Prize money of R10 000)
  • - Bafana Mahlangu (Sowetan) - Best Photograph (Prize money of R10 000)
  • - Bronwyn May (Reviewme.co.za) - Best Online and Blog (Prize money of R10 000)
  • - Phiri Cawe (Vukani) - Best Community (Prize money of R5 000)

“We congratulate the winners and are very grateful of their support in entering the first ever Responsible Drinking Media Awards launched by brandhouse earlier this year. These journalists are true ambassadors for responsible drinking and through their work, they have helped to raise awareness associated with various alcohol issues and helped promote responsible drinking,” said Priscilla Singh, Corporate and Brand PR Manager at brandhouse.

Speakers at the awards ceremony included Gavin Krenski, brandhouse Marketing & Innovation Director; Ruda Landman, RDMA judge and renowned media authority; and Thezi Mabuza, Chief Director of the National Liquor Authority NLA.

The brandhouse Responsible Drinking Media Awards, the first awards initiative of its kind in the country, aims to recognise journalistic efforts in supporting, promoting and contributing to the Responsible Drinking agenda.

The judging panel comprised leading media authorities Ruda Landman and Chris Moerdyk and well-known counselling psychologist, author and lecturer from the Western Cape, Jason Bantjes. A Deloitte representative verified that the judging was conducted in a fair and legitimate manner.

The awards were open to all South African journalists who consistently demonstrated efforts to support and promote responsible drinking. Articles must have been published in South Africa media (print, broadcast, online) and could have covered any issues related to alcohol and its potential consequences.

“With this being the first year of the awards, we were very pleased with the overwhelming response and support we have received from the media, government and related industries. We look forward to making this an annual event. The media’s role in spreading the word about responsible drinking cannot be underestimated. We need to recognise their contribution in raising awareness and helping to change consumer behaviour,” concludes Singh.

brandhouse is deeply committed to responsible drinking and is involved in numerous interventions driving this important message to consumers. The awards form part of the company’s ongoing efforts not only to raise consumer awareness about the potentially harmful effects of alcohol abuse, but to change their behaviour and drink responsibly.

Priscilla Singh
Corporate and Brand PR Manager, brandhouse.

2011 comments:

Bronwyn May ( ReviewMe) - Best Online and Blog
“Brandhouse gave me the opportunity to voice my concerns and experiences with regards to the abuse of alcohol as well as to meet a group of wonderful writers from various publications all with the same view; Drink Responsibly. I only have fond memories of that entire experience and I truly believe this is a cause worth fighting for.”

Dalena Theron ( Kuier Magazine) – Journalist of the year
“I was extremely honoured to even just be a finalist at the awards. To realize that I had in fact won the award, was unbelievable. I was also really grateful and happy that Kuier was recognized for the unique way in which they engage with their readers about issues such as alcohol use and abuse. It is a subject where it becomes easy for publications to ‘talk down’ to their readers, but Kuier manages to give advice so that it sounds like it’s coming from the next door neighbour rather than the school headmaster – and the brandhouse Responsible Drinking Media Awards saw it . Thank you, thank you, thank you! “

Gasant Abarder ( Cape Argus) – Best Print
“It was a great privilege for the Cape Argus to participate and win the print category of last year's inaugural brandhouse Responsible Drinking Media Awards. We believe our campaign to name and shame drunk drivers has significantly helped to change attitudes and encouraged those who get behind the wheel of a car to drink responsibly. Our thanks to Brandhouse for recognising our work in this area”

Phiri Cawe ( Vukani) – Best Community
“Being nominated at the first brandhouse Responsible Drinking Media Awards,then being the winner of my category was unbelievable. it is not always a case when people get to realize the work we do as journos. The awards were well organized and different from other awards in many ways than one. The work was exhibited so nicely that captured the eye of all of us. It was encouraging to see every journalist so optimistic about their chances of winning. But at the end we all became winners, by just our mere contribution to responsible drinking. I had a good time with everyone including” judges. Thanks to all that contributed”

David Minchella ( Soccer Laduma ) – Finalist
Last year’s brandhouse Responsible Drinking Media Awards was a unique experience for me and I was honoured to take part in it. The initiative not only highlights the effects of alcohol abuse which is one of the biggest problems we face as a nation, but it also recognizes the efforts that we ( journalists) make to turn things around. Being finalist and getting to spend time with my colleagues on the night of the awards ceremony was just amazing and I would like to thank brandhouse for the opportunity.

brandhouse launches Responsible Drinking Media Awards

brandhouse, one of South Africa’s leading alcohol beverage companies, officially launched the brandhouse Responsible Drinking Media Awards today, the first awards initiative of its kind in the country. The awards will recognise journalistic efforts in supporting, promoting and contributing to the Responsible Drinking agenda and ultimately to helping change consumer behaviour.
Read more