Entries for the PRISM Awards close on Friday, 17 March, culminating in the awards ceremony on Saturday, 6 May.

“While it is the 20th year, it is time to include the youngsters in the planning and behind the scenes activities, and this includes the judging process. The young professionals will learn from the highly skilled and professional judging panel that comprises industry leaders from across the communication spectrum,” says Bridget von Holdt, convenor of the PRISM Awards. “We are preparing a future generation of judges for the PRISM Awards, as well as for the broader public relations industry. The young judges are going to add an exciting dynamic to the judging process – and no doubt some new energy and new insights.”

The PRISM Awards team’s young judges should be:

  • Between the ages of 18 and 25;
  • Living in Johannesburg, Durban, or Cape Town;
  • Working in public relations or communication; and
  • Studying a qualification in public relations or communication.

The initiative has the active support of PRISA’s new Jumpstart initiative, a chapter of PRISA created to offer the youth of the PR Industry in South Africa a voice.

“What particularly stands out for me is how all of the young people we speak to have an enthusiastic approach to transforming the world of PR through innovative communication tactics,” says Thabiso Makhubela, JumpStart chairperson. “This will set the foundation for the future of PR and communication in the hands of the next generation. This fresh approach, coupled with the fundamentals that the more senior professionals can transfer through this initiative, is a recipe for a healthy, sustainable industry. As JumpStart, we are incredibly thrilled to be able to support the PRISMs with their Young Judges initiative,” says Makhubela.

For more information, visit www.prism-awards.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Twitter.

Read more about this initiative in our article, JumpStart’s Thabiso Makhubela on PRISMs' youth focus