If you’re new to the UnAwards, they're the most exciting, accessible and fun industry awards around. Loved by many, they are back even bigger and better than before and now is the time to showcase your best work.
by Darren Caveney
2026 has been more of the same for communicators everywhere - stretched, busy, in demand, and with a groaning inbox and to do list. But still you have delivered brilliant and important work.
So, as summer turns to autumn, it’s time to launch the 11th annual UnAwards and get you, your teams and the industry proudly entering and showcasing your best work. Now is not the time to let it pass and wait until next year. Instead try and get yourself shortlisted for an UnAward to really put your work on the organisational map.
The UnAwards are a huge passion of mine. They were established to recognise the hard work, creativity, successes of the communications and PR industry, largely but not exclusively by any means in the public sector.
They are truly accessible and do not run to generate a profit. They exist to celebrate and fly a flag for good people doing good things.
Something I think are now even more important than ever before.
WHAT DO I MEAN BY ACCESSIBLE?
Well, for starters it’s £free to enter
For seconds, it’s the simplest entry form you’ll find anywhere. Here is the ENTRY FORM, courtesy of UnAwards partners, CAN Digital. You can enter multiple categories with a single entry form too.
And for thirds, if you manage to bag a golden ticket to the most fun awards ceremony around it will cost you just £30.
I hope you’ll agree that definitely classes as accessible.
NEW TO THE UNAWARDS?
Well, there's more here but in a nutshell they have grown to become a significant event in the comms calendar.
There are 22 categories, so something for everyone.
Even better you can enter the same piece of work in multiple categories to increase your chances of being shortlisted.
And if you come along to the big day – shortlisted or not – you’ll enjoy one of the very best networking events of the year. I describe it as the best work day of the year.
Oh, and you get to watch a classic movie, which always remains a closely guarded secret until the day.
THE UNAWARDS IN NUMBERS…
11th annual UnAwards
600 entries last time
22 categories
3 public votes categories to decide winners
2.5k public votes last year
35 external judges
140 attendees
THE UNAWARDS – THEY KEEP ON GIVING...
Each year the winners are invited to showcase their winning work at the popular UnAwards Winners Masterclass in the new year. Also free to attend. More on that another time.
HOW DO I ENTER AND WHAT IS THE DEADLINE?
The cool new online entry form can be found HERE.
And the closing date is Thursday 29 October, at midnight. Please, please remember that the closing date is NEVER extended.
WHEN IS IT AND HOW CAN I ATTEND?
The 11th annual awards will be held at its iconic home - the Everyman Cinema in the Mailbox, Birmingham - on Friday 4 December at 9am for a 9.30am start.
Tickets cost just £30 + vat and will go on sale on 16 September via this website. Please remember it’s always a sell out so don’t be slow to buy.
And there’s more…
There will be a pre-UnAwards social at the comms world’s favorite Brum restaurant, The Indian Streatery on 3 December. The food is delicious and I’ve agreed a £28 per head menu that you’ll love. If you’d like to join us you can register HERE.
So, ‘People of Comms’
How often have you heard the phrase – comms and PR people are bad at their own comms and PR?
That really shouldn’t be the case should it? Would you buy the services of a web agency who had a terrible web site?
So, it’s time to kill that one off for good.
It's time to promote our successes – shout about them, if not quite from the rooftops then at least down the corridors of power. Let’s be proud and celebrate our achievements.
Other professions do, and some may deliver a hell of a lot less than you do.
So, embrace this rallying call and book out some time in your diaries to pull together your entries and showcase your best work.
No one else will do this for you.
That other non-important work demand which can stifle – meetings, ad-hoc requests, multiple distractions and the “could you just…” passing trade won’t go away. Ever.
But you might have a rather nice UnAward hanging proudly on your office wall. So be a little selfish with your time for once.
Darren Caveney is creator and owner of both comms2point0 and the UnAwards, and the owner of creative communicators ltd
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