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