Awards
Convergence actively supports the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ).
Three of our four Partners are PRINZ Fellows and we support our staff joining and studying for PRINZ accreditation (the recognised industry qualification) once they have sufficient experience. We also encourage entries in the annual PRINZ awards and judge entries (in categories we’ve not entered). We’ve had great success in the PRINZ awards over many years.
2023
Convergence was proud to pick up three awards for our work on Phil Mauger's electoral campaign for the Christchurch Mayoralty.
Convergence partner Erin Jamieson led a talented team to undertake a fully integrated campaign, that picked up a Silver award for Community Relations and Engagement, Bronze for Best Use of Digital and Social Media, and Bronze for Government Relations and Public Affairs.
2022
Convergence Partner Lisa-Marie Richan won the gold award for the year’s best Government Relations and Public Affairs project – for the second year in a row.
The latest gold award was for: An Unsafe Proposal – making the case to retain regional air traffic services – a project for the New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA), a longstanding Convergence client.
2021
Convergence Partner Lisa-Marie Richan and Account Director Katie Moore were co-winners of the PRINZ’s overall Supreme Award, for the most outstanding communications campaign of the last year.
Their confidential project entry involved an integrated government relations and media strategy for a long-term Convergence client, and was also the gold award-winner in the Government Relations and Public Affairs category.
This marked the second time in recent years that Convergence has been co-winner of the Supreme national award.
We also received a Silver award in the Community and Stakeholder Engagement category, the most hotly contested, for our work on Canterbury Museum’s $195 million proposed redevelopment project. The Museum’s earlier redevelopment plans were halted by the Environment Court, putting intense pressure on stakeholder buy-in and a smooth consent application process to ensure success of the latest redevelopment plan.
2019
We were highly commended in the Sustained Public Relations category for our pro-bono work for long-term client, Husky Rescue NZ, which rehabilitates and rehomes huskies.
The judges said that it was “exciting to see the power of PR harnessed and put to such good use.”
2017
We were highly commended for our support of ethical beauty products business Ethique in the Sustained Public Relations category.
The judges said: “A really well thought through campaign on a limited budget. Great audience analysis. Achieved great results. It was an extremely well executed campaign over a sustained period. Liked the shift to digital media as a low-cost option.”
2014
We won the Limited Budget category for communicating the sustainability messages for music and arts festival Splore.
The judges said: “A good, clear entry demonstrating how communication was used to influence behaviour. Overall, this was an excellent corporate social responsibility project executed well.”
2012
A joint entry by Convergence Communications and Social Innovation won the Supreme Award for communications by the Student Volunteer Army following the 22 February earthquake.
Awards chief judge Anna Radford said the Student Volunteer Army campaign captured the public’s imagination and support. “Working in a crisis situation with limited resources and budget, the Student Volunteer Army’s organisers achieved outstanding results by leveraging community empathy through clever mass media targeting and social media savvy.”
PRINZ President Jane Dodd described the project as “well-planned and executed and a great example of leading-edge work in the public relations sector”.
2010
Convergence Partner Erin Jamieson was part of a team working with the Canterbury District Health Board that was highly commended for its work on ‘Stopping Swine Flu’ in Canterbury.
The project also won the inaugural PRINZ Crystal Clear Literacy Award.
