Advertising legends inspire marketing awards

THE best creativite minds in the marketing and media industries will be rewarded at this year’s Publicity Association of Northern Ireland’s Awards. Launched this week in its 14th year, the event features five categories including television, radio, outdoor, press and digital, with specialisms in each sector. The contribution of media owners will also be recognised across two dedicated categories. New this year is the addition of a social media award with the Digital Advertising category and Magazines. Also making its debut is a gong recognising the best mixed media campaign reflecting a creative idea of strategy integrated across a number of channels. PANI chair Siobhan Lavery said the awards would promote excellence in the industry. She added: “By doing this collectively we are continually raising the bar and improving the quality of the creative community.” The judging panel, chaired by Billy Mawhinney, of WJPM, London, will comprise 10 other advertising chiefs from the UK and Ireland. PANI Awards chair Nuala Meenehan added: “As we celebrate excellence, it is fitting our theme features some of the greatest icons of the advertising industry. “From Saatchi to Ogilvy, these greats have led the way and set standards to which we can all aspire. I would contend there are already numerous local campaigns to rival those on the international stage and as chair of these awards I will be very proud to showcase them at our gala event in October.” The PANI Awards website will go live to receive entries from Monday, June 5, with the closing date for submissions on midnight Sunday, August 13. For more information about the categories and ceremony at the Culloden Hotel, visit www. paniawards.com.

LAUNCH Nuala Meenehan and Siobhan Lavery