Diageo,
the world's leading premium drinks business, is today launching its annual
Africa Business Reporting Awards. Initiated by Diageo in 2004, the awards
recognise excellence in business journalism about Africa with a view to
strengthening and encouraging more coverage within Africa in a drive to
increase the continent's share of voice in the international media. The Awards
have grown year on year and in 2010 attracted over 700 entries from more than
25 countries.
The
number of categories was extended last year with sector-specific categories to
reflect the important role that various industries play in economic
development. African media is increasingly influencing perceptions of the
continent globally and shaping investor sentiment. This is why the best
journalistic talent and influential media outlets from Africa, as well as
international sources, are being strongly encouraged to enter the Awards and be
seen by the assessment panels.
Nick
Blazquez, Managing Director, Diageo Africa, commented: ‘2010 was a very
important year for Africa. As 16 African countries celebrated their 50th Year
of Independence and South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup, we saw more clearly
than ever a Continent brimming with diversity and opportunity. It is thus with
excitement and confidence that we look forward to 2011, which promises to be a
year of growth and huge potential. 2011 in Africa will be a year in which we hope to see
increases in foreign direct investment; the dramatic expansion of broadband
Internet capacity as more undersea cables go live; not to mention over 18
African presidential elections. These are significant milestones.'
It is against
this backdrop that Diageo is launching the Diageo Africa Business Reporting
Awards 2011, which will once again recognise journalists from around the world
who have excelled in reporting accurate and unbiased information about the
region and have helped shape opinions and create an enabling environment for
business in Africa to succeed. This year the high-profile judging panel will be
particularly looking for journalists
demonstrating integrity and a true commitment to reporting.
The
awards ceremony will be held on 30 June, 2011 in Central London. The closing
date for entry is 21 March, 2010. Entries can be submitted online at:
www.diageoafricabusinessreportingawards.com. There is no entry fee.
The Categories
1. Best ICT feature
A feature or
series of related features delivered on any media platform (print, broadcast,
online) that examines any aspect of the ICT sector in a thoughtful and engaging
way. This might include, but is not limited to, telecommunications
infrastructure, mobile, networking, security, cyber crime, e-learning,
hardware, software, Internet.
2. Best Finance feature
A feature or
series of related features delivered on any media platform (print, broadcast,
online) that examines any aspect of the finance/banking sector in a thoughtful
and engaging way. This might include, but is not limited to, investment
opportunities, retail banking, credit cards, corporate finance, mobile money,
payment systems.
3.
Best Infrastructure feature
A feature or series of related features delivered on
any media platform (print, broadcast, online) that examines any aspect of
infrastructure (physical or otherwise) in a thoughtful and engaging way.
Features addressing issues of energy and transport can enter this category.
This might include, but is not limited to, infrastructure development projects,
aviation, oil, roads, rail, and energy.
4. Best Agribusiness / Environment feature
A feature or
series of related features delivered on any media platform (print, broadcast,
online) that examines any aspect of agribusiness or environmental issues in a
thoughtful and engaging way. This might include, but is not limited to, climate
change, agriculture, food security, water management, farming, resource
management.
5. Best Tourism feature
A feature or
series of related features delivered on any media platform (print, broadcast,
online) that examines any aspect of the tourism industry in a thoughtful and
engaging way. This might include, but is not limited to, hotels, eco-tourism,
travel, 2010 FIFA World Cup South AfricaTM.
6. Best use of New Media in a story
A piece developed using new media (online
digital photography, blogs, vodcasts, videos, podcasts or a mixture of these)
that effectively supports a story about business or the economy in an African
context. The topic is open, but use of new media must help deliver a fresh
perspective that helps the audience engage with a story in a way not possible
through traditional media alone. Entry must include a live URL.
7.
Best Business News story
A news story or series of related
stories delivered on any media platform (print, broadcast, online) that:
·
Addresses a breaking news story from the
time period of the awards
·
Answers all basic questions in a clear and balanced fashion
·
Demonstrates
journalistic flair - a style that is engaging, though-provoking and accessible
to its audience
8. Best Business Feature story
A feature or
series of related features delivered on any media platform (print, broadcast,
online) that:
·
Examines
business or the economy in an African context
·
Provides useful
background material for readers to understand relevance
·
Gives bigger
picture and importance to Africa, as well as specific issues it might be
addressing
·
Brings the
business and economy to life, while answering the serious questions
9. Best Newcomer
A
portfolio of three features (can be across different platforms) by a journalist
who has been working as a reporter for less than five years. Proof of first
date of accreditation will be required. Judges will be looking for overall
quality of reporting, understanding of business issues and personal insights,
as well as a commitment to sustained
coverage of the business and economic climate in Africa, which serves to
highlight opportunities as well as challenges
10. Media of the Year
A print publication, broadcast programme/channel, website or blog that is a
comprehensive resource for its audience providing sustained coverage of
Africa's business and economic news, issues and analysis (sector-specific or
otherwise).Please submit a portfolio of five articles of no more than 5,000
words each, or five broadcast programmes, of no more than 3 hours in total. In
addition to quality of reporting, balanced perspective, insight and analysis,
judges will be looking for style and presentation, as well as outlets that are
building a reputation amongst business
and investor communities as a valued source of information about Africa.
11. Journalist of the Year
A
portfolio of three features (on any one or a mixture of media platforms) of no
more than 5,000 words or 1 hour each. Submitted pieces can cover different
topics, industries or people, or be part of a series of reportage. Judges will be looking for features that
demonstrate:
·
Quality, style, presentation and a way of
engaging the audience
·
A commitment
to sustained coverage of the business and economic climate in Africa which
serves to highlight opportunities as well as challenges
·
A reflection of
journalistic integrity and ethics and a true commitment to reporting that does
not sensationalise stories or individuals.
For more
information, visit www.diageoafricabusinessreportingawards.com or contact:
Alexandra
Reza, Awards Secretary, africapractice, [email protected], +44 (0) 207 209 7501
About Diageo
Diageo is
the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of
beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These
brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo,
Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling
Vineyards wines.
Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the
world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the
London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people,
brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that
promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools,
information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.
Celebrating
life, every day, everywhere.
Diageo Africa
Diageo
Africa is active, particularly in brewing, but also in distilling, in the
majority of the sub-Saharan African countries. For Guinness, in particular, the
connection with Africa is a long one; the first recorded exports of Guinness to
Africa were to Sierra Leone in 1827. Now Guinness is brewed in over 20 countries
throughout Africa and is exported to many others. The popularity of the brand
is going from strength to strength in Africa - Nigeria is the second largest
Guinness market in the world. Diageo brands are enjoyed in more than 40 African
countries.
Diageo
Africa region is responsible for nearly a third of Diageo's net sales of beer
globally, and with over 4,500 employees accounts for around 15 per cent of
Diageo's workforce worldwide.
Several
of the larger Diageo companies in Africa are quoted on local stock exchanges.
Guinness Nigeria, for example, has over 60,000 shareholders. All of these
companies have active corporate social responsibility programmes, covering
initiatives in water, health, education and other areas of value to the
communities in which we operate.
