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ESA Awards – 2023 Winners
2023 ESA Awards Sector-focused awards
Arts & Culture Sponsorship: 2 sub-categories
Arts & Culture Sponsorship – Charitable Organisations
– WINNER: Innis & Gunn Brewing X The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2 Scottish Icons
Arts & Culture Sponsorship – Non-charity
– WINNER: An Post Irish Book Awards: “Everyone A Reader”
Best Use of Cutting-edge Technology
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Using Tech to Enhance the Fan Experience and Unlock Brand Growth
– WINNER: Full speed ahead with an AR lens on Snapchat
Best Use of ESG & Purpose-led Sponsorship: 2 sub-categories
Best Use of ESG & Purpose-led Sponsorship – Non-sport
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Energia Get Ireland Growing
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: SuperValu TidyTowns Save the Bees
– WINNER: Allianz + Women’s Aid #TheWorldsStrongestWomen
Best Use of ESG & Purpose-led Sponsorship – Sport
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: AIG | Support for Drummo
– WINNER: Bord Gáis Energy ‘State of Play’
Esports & Gaming Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: DHL & ESL
– WINNER: EXCEL ESPORTS and EE
Media Sponsorship
– COMMENDED: AIB HOTY
– WINNER: Broadcast Breakaway: WHOOP x Eurosport innovation unlocks the Giro d’Italia
Music Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: DHL FAST-TRACK
– WINNER: BST Hyde Park Is Epic #withAmex
Sport Sponsorship: 4 sub-categories
Sport Sponsorship < €250,000 sponsored by caytoo
– COMMENDED: Full speed ahead with an AR lens on Snapchat
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Circle K – Here for Ireland
– WINNER: IDEAPARK & CLASSIC: Sports entertainment in the middle of a shopping centre
Sport Sponsorship €250,000-€499,999 sponsored by caytoo
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Summer Olympics 2021 – record results on and off the arena
– WINNER: Sky x WNT Outbelieve
Sport Sponsorship €500,000-€999,999 sponsored by caytoo
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Heineken x UEFA Women’s EURO 2022
– WINNER: The Masterpiece
Sport Sponsorship €1M+ sponsored by DataPOWA
– COMMENDED: Accor Live Limitless X Paris Saint-Germain
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Visa X UEFA Women’s EURO 2022
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Workday x F1: Driving a Changing World
– WINNER: eBay x EFL – Small Businesses United
2023 ESA Awards Discipline-focused awards
Best Employee Engagement
– WINNER: Road to Women’s EURO 2022 – Visa X UEFA
Best Newcomer
– WINNER: OUTBELIEVE Sky x WNT
Best Use of Content
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Energia AIL – A 30 Year Rugby Legacy
– WINNER: Outbelieve Sky x WNT
Best Use of Digital Channels
– WINNER: Castrol Game Changers
Best Use of Measurement & Insight
– WINNER: VodafoneZiggo & Blauw Sponsoring Insights: Continuous Impact Tracker
Best Use of PR: 2 sub-categories
Best Use of PR Outside Soccer
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Energia Get Ireland Growing
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Vodafone Haptic Suits
– WINNER: The Masterpiece
Best Use of PR – Soccer
– WINNER: FedEx – The Art of Defining Moments
Best Use of Talent: 2 sub-categories
Best Use of Talent – Non-regulated
– WINNER: Accor Live Limitless X Paris Saint-Germain
Best Use of Talent – Regulated
– WINNER: Full speed ahead with an AR lens on Snapchat
2023 ESA Awards Special Categories
Agency of the Year: 2 sub-categories
Group Owned Agency of the Year
– WINNER: Teneo Sports Advisory
Independent Agency of the Year
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Bright Partnerships
– WINNER: WeAreFearless.
Event of the Year sponsored by Dataflow Events
– COMMENDED: FedEx: Official Sponsor of the UEFA Champions League Final 2022
– WINNER: Vhi More Than Running
2 Special Categories announced at ceremony:
ESA Best of Europe sponsored by SPONSORIUM
– Special mention: Finland – IDEAPARK & CLASSIC: Sports entertainment in the middle of a shopping centre
– BRONZE WINNER: Denmark – Made By Denmark
– SILVER WINNER: Slovenia – Laško and Slovenian Olympic Committee: “Mission: Glacier”
– GOLD WINNER: United Kingdom – eBay x EFL – Small Businesses United
ESA Sponsorship of the Year
– Special mention: Allianz + Women’s Aid #TheWorldsStrongestWomen
– Special mention: An Post Irish Book Awards: “Everyone A Reader”
– RUNNER-UP: IDEAPARK & CLASSIC: Sports entertainment in the middle of a shopping centre
– WINNER: Broadcast Breakaway: WHOOP x Eurosport innovation unlocks the Giro d’Italia
ESA Awards – 2022 Winners
Sector-focused awards
Arts and Culture Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia
– WINNER: Something is happening at Ulven
Esports and Gaming Sponsorship
– WINNER: BLAST x TW Steel – Time to Rush
Media Sponsorship
– WINNER: #VisitNature by Nature Valley
Music Sponsorship
– WINNER: Something is happening at Ulven
Purpose-led Sponsorship: 2 sub-categories
Purpose-led Sponsorship – Non-sport
– WINNER: Leaving a mark we’re proud of. Children’s reading in Ireland.
Purpose-led Sponsorship – Sport
– WINNER: DHL x Formula E: Every Move Counts
Sport Sponsorship: 3 sub-categories
Sport Sponsorship < €1M
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Blue Tire – Swapfiets
– WINNER: FBD Insurance “Support” of Team Ireland
Sport Sponsorship €1M – €5M
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: McDonald’s Fun Football
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Vodafone x The British & Irish Lions
– WINNER: Dreams x TeamGB x ParalympicsGB
Sport Sponsorship > €5M sponsored by DataPOWA
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Heineken x EURO 2020
– WINNER: Cadbury FC – Club Together
Discipline-focused awards
Best Employee Engagement
– WINNER: Building to Tokyo – ParalympicsGB x Sir Robert McAlpine
Best Newcomer
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: FRS Recruitment – 70 Minutes of Home
– WINNER: Dettol Up: Play On
Best Use of Branded Content
– WINNER: Dreams x Team GB x ParalympicsGB: Dreams Team Bedtime Stories
Best Use of Digital Channels (inc Social Media): 2 sub-categories
Best Use of Digital Channels (inc Social Media) – Non-UGC
– WINNER: Reading in Ireland. Leaving a Mark We’re Proud Of
Best Use of Digital Channels (inc Social Media) – UGC
– WINNER: #VisitNature by Nature Valley
Best Use of PR
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: “Guinness – #NeverSettle” – Wilson Hartnell (IOI) and Hope&Glory (GB)
– WINNER: Energia Get Ireland Growing 2021
Best Use of Talent
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: BT & Hope United
– WINNER: Aviva Ireland Safe To Dream Campaign
Best Use of Virtual Experiences sponsored by vVenues: 2 sub-categories
Best Use of Virtual Experiences – Existing Event sponsored by vVenues
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Virtual Official Match Ball Carrier – UEFA Europa League Final 2020
– WINNER: Vodafone Team of Us LIVE
Best Use of Virtual Experiences – Newly Created Event sponsored by vVenues
– WINNER: The O2 in Fortnite featuring easy life
Special Categories
Agency of the Year (Pan-Europe)
– WINNER: WeAreFearless.
Agency of the Year (Single Nation)
– WINNER: Teneo Sports Advisory
Best Ethical Response to COVID-19
– WINNER: SuperValu, Centra & The GAA – Club Together
Event of the Year sponsored by Dataflow Events
– WINNER: I Am Team GB presented by Toyota
Rights Holder of the Year sponsored by caytoo
– WINNER: ParalympicsGB: Rights Holder of the Year
ESA Best of Europe sponsored by SPONSORIUM
Special Categories announced at ceremony
ESA Best of Europe sponsored by SPONSORIUM
– No BRONZE winner
– SILVER WINNER: Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland): Eco Explorers Club
– SILVER WINNER: Slovenia – SPORTO Sponsorship Award (SPORTO Awards): Lidl Slovenia x Slovenian Paralympic Committee: I’m missing nothing
– GOLD WINNER: Finland – SPOT – Sponsorointi ja Tapahtumat ry – Vuoden sponsorointiteko 2021: Strong Tailwind
ESA Sponsorship of the Year
– RUNNER-UP: The O2 in Fortnite featuring easy life
– WINNER: Dreams x TeamGB x ParalympicsGB
ESA Awards – 2021 Winners
Sector-focused awards
Arts and Culture Sponsorship
– WINNER: Secret Sofa by Häagen-Dazs
Esports Sponsorship
– WINNER: BMW – United in Rivalry
Media Sponsorship
– WINNER: SuperValu Inspiring Cooking
Music Sponsorship
– WINNER: The Virgin Money Unity Arena: the world’s first socially distanced live music venue
Purpose-led Sponsorship: 2 sub-categories
Purpose-led Sponsorship – Cause
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Energia Get Ireland Growing
– WINNER: Generali’s Community Sponsoring with The Human Safety Net
Purpose-led Sponsorship – Sport
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: 20×20: AIG, Investec, KPMG, Lidl & Three
– WINNER: INTERSPORT – NOT BAD FOR A GIRL
Sport Sponsorship sponsored by DataPOWA: 3 sub-categories
Sport Sponsorship < €1M sponsored by DataPOWA
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Energia – The Power Behind Irish Rugby
– WINNER: Ramboll Stockholm half marathon
Sport Sponsorship €1M – €5M sponsored by DataPOWA
– WINNER: Carlsberg & Liverpool FC – ‘Champions’ Campaign
Sport Sponsorship > €5M sponsored by DataPOWA
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: O2 x England Rugby
– WINNER: NatWest Cricket
Discipline-focused awards
Best Employee Engagement
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Ramboll Stockholm half marathon
– WINNER: FedEx – Official Sponsor of the UEFA Europa League
Best Newcomer
– WINNER: SUPERCELL x Paris Saint-Germain, an innovative new partnership
Best Use of Branded Content
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: An Post Insta Story Club with Image
– WINNER: O2 x England Rugby – RWC TVC
Best Use of Digital Channels (inc Social Media)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: VIRGIN MONEY UNITY ARENA
– WINNER: Old El Paso #MessFreeChallenge
Best Use of Insights
-WINNER: Energia – The Power Behind Irish Rugby
Best Use of PR
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: INTERSPORT – NOT BAD FOR A GIRL
– WINNER: VIRGIN MONEY UNITY ARENA
Best Use of Talent
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: SuperValu Inspiring Cooking
– WINNER: Cadbury Win The Captain
Best Use of Virtual Experiences: 2 sub-categories
Best Use of Virtual Experiences – Fan Engagement
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: West Ham United’s ‘Best Seat in the House’ brought to you by Experience Kissimmee
– WINNER: Heineken and UEFA present the Opening Party powered by Defected
Best Use of Virtual Experiences – Participation
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Vhi Virtual Women’s Mini Marathon
– WINNER: Secret Sofa by Häagen-Dazs
Special Categories
Best Ethical Response to COVID-19: 2 sub-categories
Best Ethical Response to COVID-19 – Cause
– WINNER: Electric Ireland & Pieta – Sunrise Appeal
Best Ethical Response to COVID-19 – Sport
– WINNER: Wasserman x United Nations ‘Keep It Up’ Campaign
Rights Holder of the Year
– JOINT WINNER: Paris Saint-Germain Football Club
– JOINT WINNER: Transport for London
ESA Best of Europe sponsored by SPONSORIUM
– BRONZE WINNER: France – Sponsor of the Year 2020 (Sporsora Jeep ELITE naming, French basketball championship
– SILVER WINNER: Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland) Team Of Us
– GOLD WINNER: Norway – Best Campagne (Sponsor og eventforeningen) “Practice makes perfect” by Gjensidige
ESA Sponsorship of the Year
– WINNER: Old El Paso #MessFreeChallenge
ESA Awards – 2020 Winners
Sector-focused awards
Arts and Culture Sponsorship
– WINNER: An Post Irish Book Awards
Community Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Electric Ireland Game Changers
– WINNER: The Match Against Bullying
Gaming Sponsorship
– WINNER: DHL & ESL One – The Rise of EffiBOT
Mass Participation Sponsorship
– WINNER: Darkness into Light proudly supported by Electric Ireland
Media Sponsorship
– WINNER: Strong Roots broadcast sponsors of the Guinness Six Nations tournament on Virgin Media
Music Sponsorship – WINNER: ibis MUSIC
Purpose-led Sponsorship: 2 sub-categories
Purpose-led Sponsorship (cause)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Darkness into Light proudly supported by Electric Ireland
– WINNER: Gillette – Changing the face of men’s health with Movember
Purpose-led Sponsorship (sport)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Powering Arsenal FC and Octopus Energy to score joint sustainability goals through a purpose-led partnership
– WINNER: Electric Ireland Game Changers
Sport Sponsorship: 4 sub-categories
Sport Sponsorship < €400k
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Leinster Rugby and Energia
– WINNER: Electric Ireland Game Changers
Sport Sponsorship €400k – €1M
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Boots brings glory to women’s football
– WINNER: Paddy Power – Save Our Shirt
Sport Sponsorship €1M – €5M sponsored by SportsPro
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Vodafone Team Of Us – Everyone In
– WINNER: Marriott Bonvoy and Manchester United
Sport Sponsorship > €5M sponsored by POWA index
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Cadbury and The Premier League
– WINNER: Rwanda Development Board and Arsenal Partnership
Discipline-focused awards
Best Employee Engagement
– WINNER: Gjensidige Games
Best Newcomer: 2 sub-categories
Best Newcomer (global)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: PayPal and The FA
– WINNER: Marriott Bonvoy and Manchester United
Best Newcomer (UK & Ireland)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Boots brings glory to women’s football
– WINNER: An Post Irish Book Awards
Best Use of Branded Content
– WINNER: Right Guard – You can’t handle the truth
Best Use of Digital Channels
– WINNER: Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Championships
Best Use of Hospitality
– WINNER: Vodafone Everyone In
Best Use of Insights
– WINNER: Boots brings glory to women’s football
Best Use of PR
– WINNER: Paddy Power – Save Our Shirt
Best Use of Social Media
– WINNER: Littlewoods Ireland #StyleOfPlay – Building Brand Love to Build the Bottom Line
Best Use of Sponsorship across Multiple Markets
– WINNER: Hyundai N – Official Safety Car of WorldSBK
Best Use of Talent
– WINNER: Cadbury FC Ambassador Programme
Game Changer: 2 sub-categories
Game Changer (non-sport)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Beyond The Invisible: How Standard Life turned the lens on endometriosis
– NO WINNER
Game Changer (sport)
– WINNER: Paddy Power – Save Our Shirt
Organisation-focused awards
Agency of the Year (Pan-Europe)
– WINNER: WeAreFearless.
Agency of the Year (Single Nation)
– WINNER: MKTG
Rights Holder of the Year
– WINNER: AEG – All Points East
Special Categories
ESA Best of Europe sponsored by SPONSORIUM
– BRONZE WINNER: Slovenia – SPORTO Awards (Marketing Association of Slovenia) Petrol’s winning service
– SILVER WINNER: Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland) Aldi Play Rugby
– GOLD WINNER: Denmark – Spot:On Awards (Spot:On Club) The Sydbank Cup: The 99% Broadcast
ESA Sponsorship of the Year*
– WINNER: An Post Irish Book Awards
*The ESA Sponsorship of the Year award brings together winners to be judged again by the expert panel of judges and one campaign that is regarded as the very best among these winners is crowned ‘ESA Sponsorship of the Year’.
ESA Awards – 2019 Winners
Sector-focused awards
Arts and Culture Sponsorship
– WINNER: Warehouse x Barbican: ‘Inside Out’
B2B Sponsorship
– WINNER: Wickes & The EFL – Always Cheaper with Wickes TradePro
Best Music Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Co-op in Partnership with Live Nation
– WINNER: Fortum Singalong Shuttle at Ruisrock Festival
Community Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Aldi Ireland – Aldi Play Rugby
– WINNER: Electric Ireland Game Changers Campaign
CSR Partnership
– WINNER: Darkness Into Light supported by Electric Ireland
Mass Participation Sponsorship
– WINNER: Darkness Into Light supported by Electric Ireland
Media Sponsorship (print, radio, cinema or online)
– WINNER: Kellogg’s & Love Island turn the nation into Cereal Daters
Sport Sponsorship of the Year: 3 sub-categories Sport Sponsorship < €1M
– WINNER: Electric Ireland Game Changers Campaign
Sport Sponsorship between €1M and €2M
– WINNER: Opel & Feyenoord | The Great Feyenoord DNA Study
Sport Sponsorship > €2M sponsored by POWA index
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Vodafone #TeamOfUs
– WINNER: PSV ENERGIE | PSV & energiedirect.nl
TV Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: SLI scored a hat-trick with their Lions and Sky Sports partnership
– WINNER: Wickes – sponsorship of Channel 4’s homes related programmes
Discipline-focused awards
Best Newcomer to Sponsorship
– WINNER: Indeed and Eintracht Frankfurt
Best Use of Branded Content in Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Telegraph presents Nigel Owens’ Rugby Referee Challenge sponsored by Specsavers
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: TITANS
– WINNER: AIB Backing Club & County #TheToughest
Best Use of Data, Insights or Analytics
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Heineken When You Drive, Never Drink
– WINNER: Indeed and Eintracht Frankfurt
Best Use of Digital Channels in Sponsorship
– WINNER: Carlsberg in Partnership with Live Nation – Cold Cans Digital Campaign 2018
Best Use of Employee Engagement in Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: FedEx – Official Sponsor of the UEFA Europa League
– WINNER: Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones
Best Use of Hospitality in Sponsorship
– WINNER: Courtyard & Bayern Munich – Where Winners Feel at Home
Best Use of PR in Sponsorship
– WINNER: Fortum Singalong Shuttle and Ruisrock Festival
Best Use of Social Media in Sponsorship
– WINNER: SAP + Manchester City ‘Who’s The Blue?’
Best Use of Sponsorship across Multiple Markets
– WINNER: Mastercard – UEFA Champions League 2017/18
Best Use of Talent in Sponsorship
– WINNER: Vodafone #TeamOfUs
Game Changer – WINNER: Samsung SmartSuit
Organisation-focused awards
Agency of the Year (Pan-Europe)
– WINNER: Octagon
Agency of the Year (Single Nation)
– WINNER: WeAreFearless.
Special Categories
ESA Best of Europe sponsored by SPONSORIUM
– BRONZE WINNER: Denmark – SPOT:ON Awards YouSee eSport League – Denmark’s eSport league
– SILVER WINNER: Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland) Bord Gáis Energy #HurlingToTheCore
– GOLD WINNER: Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet [Swedish Event & Sponsorship Awards] (SES Sponsrings och eventsverige) Join Us Outdoors!
ESA Sponsorship of the Year*
– WINNER: Electric Ireland Game Changers Campaign
*The ESA Sponsorship of the Year award brings together winners to be judged again by the expert panel of judges and one campaign that is regarded as the very best among these winners is crowned ‘ESA Sponsorship of the Year’.
2017 ESA Awards Winners
Sector-focused awards
*Arts and Culture Sponsorship of the Year
– WINNER: Vodafone Comedy Festival
*B2B Sponsorship of the Year
– WINNER: Cadbury & Premier League Partnership
*Community Sponsorship of the Year
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: McDonald’s – 15 Years of Supporting Community Football
– WINNER: Wickes – Kits for Kids
*CSR Partnership of the Year
– WINNER: Electric Ireland’s ‘Darkness into Light’ Sponsorship
*Media Sponsorship of the Year
– WINNER: An Oykos Island Escape
*Sport Sponsorship of the Year < €1M
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Skoda – Driven By Something Different
– WINNER: Wickes – Official Partner of the EFL
*Sport Sponsorship of the Year between €1M and €2M
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Telenor Gold – SIM
– WINNER: #wimblewatch LIVE
*Sport Sponsorship of the Year > €2M
– WINNER: Vodafone Ireland : Irish Rugby #Team of Us
Discipline-focused awards
Agency of the Year (Pan-Europe)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: WeAreFearless.
– WINNER: Nielsen Sports
Agency of the Year (Single Nation)
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: MKTG UK
– WINNER: Teneo PSG Sports (Formerly PSG Sponsorship)
Best Newcomer to Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Cadbury & Premier League Partnership
– WINNER: Bridgestone ‘Chase Your Dream, No Matter What’ Olympic Sponsorship Activation in Europe
*Best Use of Branded Content in Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Bridgestone ‘Chase Your Dream, No Matter What’ Olympic Sponsorship Activation in Europe
– WINNER: Ricoh Rugby Change Series
Best Use of Digital Channels in Sponsorship
– WINNER: TAG Heuer Pressure Test
Best Use of Employee Engagement in Sponsorship
– WINNER: HEINEKEN Race to the Tower
Best Use of Hospitality in Sponsorship
– WINNER: Mastercard – UEFA Champions League Final 2017
Best Use of Innovation in Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: NTT DATA, Official Patron of The Open Championship
– WINNER: DHL Innovation Experience – Discovering future-oriented solutions in Mixed Reality
Best Use of PR in Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Mini National Team sponsored by Gjensidige
– WINNER Vodafone Ireland : Irish Rugby – Launch
Best Use of Social Media in Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: #wimblewatch LIVE
– WINNER: The Betsafe True Player Challenge
*Best Use of Talent in Sponsorship
– WINNER: Skoda – Driven By Something Different
Rights Holder of the Year
– WINNER: FNATIC
Special Categories
ESA Best of Europe BRONZE
– WINNER: Slovenia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association) Laško x NK Maribor
ESA Best of Europe SILVER
– WINNER: Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet (Swedish Event & Sponsorship Awards) SILVA sponsoring history’s greatest adventure
ESA Best of Europe GOLD
– WINNER: Norway – Sponsor og Eventforeningen (Sponsor and Event Award) Telenor Gold SIM
ESA Sponsorship of the Year
– WINNER: Electric Ireland’s ‘Darkness into Light’ Sponsorship
***The ESA Sponsorship of the Year Award brings the winners of 10 eligible categories (see asterisk) together to be judged again by the expert panel of judges and one campaign that is regarded as the very best among these winners is crowned ‘ESA Sponsorship of the Year’. 
ESA Excellence Awards – 2016 Winners
Sector-focused awards
*Arts & Culture Sponsorship Award
– WINNER: Hilton Presents Udderbelly at London Southbank & Edinburgh Fringe Festival
*B2B Activation Award
– WINNER: Vodafone Ready Business Britain
*Community Sponsorship Award
– WINNER: The Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme
*CSR Partnership Award
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Electric Ireland’s ‘Darkness into Light’ Sponsorship
– WINNER: Scope – End the Awkward
*Live Music Sponsorship Award sponsored by CMU
– WINNER: O2 Academy Venue Sponsorship
*Mass Participation Sponsorship Award sponsored by Kru Talent
– WINNER: Prudential RideLondon 2016
*Media Sponsorship Award
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Aunt Bessie’s and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!
– WINNER: Colgate Expert White Toothbrush Plus Whitening Pen and Britain’s Next Top Model
Rights Holder Award
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: AEG Europe – Three cities, three venues, three unique naming rights deals
– WINNER: Snowboxx Music Festival Sponsorship Acquisition
Sport Sponsorship Award < €750,000
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Electric Ireland’s sponsorship of Team Ireland for the Rio Olympics #ThePowerWithin
– WINNER: Lidl’s Sponsorship of Ladies Gaelic Football
Sport Sponsorship Award between €750,000 and €2million
– WINNER: evian #wimblewatch Takes Centre Court in 2016
Sport Sponsorship Award > €2million sponsored by Sportcal
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: DHL Formula E Sponsorship
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Mars #Believe
– WINNER: O2 ‘Wear the Rose’ for England Rugby
*Sport Sponsorship Award sponsored by Kru Live
– WINNER: Lidl’s Sponsorship of Ladies Gaelic Football
Discipline-focused awards
Best Newcomer to Sponsorship
– WINNER: Lidl’s Sponsorship of Ladies Gaelic Football
Best Use of Digital sponsored by The Bosco
– evian #wimblewatch Takes Centre Court in 2016
Employee Engagement Award
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Lloyds Banking Group’s Principal Partnership of BBC Children in Need
– WINNER: McDonald’s EURO Cup 2016
Best Use of Hospitality Activation sponsored by Just Displays
– WINNER: DHL Hospitality at Rugby World Cup 2015
Best Use of Innovation in Sponsorship sponsored by Infinite360
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: DHL Formula E Sponsorship
– WINNER: Fitness First & Team GB – The Sport Profiler
Best Use of PR
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Fiat Professional Tradesman Trials
– WINNER: Electric Ireland’s sponsorship of Team Ireland for the Rio Olympics #ThePowerWithin
Best Use of Social Media sponsored by Pictures Experience
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: Using Social Media as the lead channel for Nissan’s Rio 2016 Campaign
– WINNER: AIB Backing Club & County #TheToughest
*Best Use of Sponsorship across Multiple Markets
– HIGHLY COMMENDED: PepsiCo & UEFA Champions League
– WINNER: McDonald’s Player Escort Diaries
Special Categories
ESA Best Professional Development Programme
– WINNER: Optimising PRISM Talent
ESA Best of Europe Bronze Award
– WINNER: Croatia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association) Allianz – The missing piece
ESA Best of Europe Silver Award
– WINNER: UK – UK Sponsorship Awards O2 Wear the Rose
ESA Best of Europe Gold Award sponsored by SPORTO Magazine – WINNER: Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet (Swedish Event & Sponsorship Awards) McDonald’s – a little too proud sponsor
ESA Sponsorship of the Year Award*** – WINNER: Lidl’s Sponsorship of Ladies Gaelic Football
***The ESA Sponsorship of the Year Award brings the winners of nine eligible categories (see asterisk) together to be judged again by the expert panel of judges and one campaign that is regarded as the very best among these winners is crowned ‘ESA Sponsorship of the Year’.
ESA Excellence Awards – 2015 Winners
*Arts & Culture Sponsorship Award
Winner: KPN – Late Rembrandt exhibition campaign 2015
*B2B Activation Award sponsored by Gaudio Awards
Winner: Lloyds Bank & Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme
Best Use of Digital
Winner: Evian #wimblewatch; bringing a new spin to Wimbledon
Best Use of Hospitality Activation
Winner: McDonald’s – The FA Community Awards
Best Use of Insight
Winner: – Octagon The Passion Shift™
*Best Use of Integrated Marketing
Winner: Tennent’s Lager T in the Park
Best Use of PR sponsored by Sportcal
Winner: Electric Ireland GAA All-Ireland Minor Championships #ThisIsMajor
Best Use of Social Media sponsored by Pictures Experience
Highly Commended: Barclays Spirit of the Game Heroes
Winner: EE: The Wembley Cup
*CSR or Community Sponsorship Award sponsored by SPORTO Magazine
Winner: The FA Mars Just Play Programme
Employee Engagement Award
Winner: Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones
*Live Music Sponsorship or Activation Award sponsored by CMU
Highly Commended: Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park
Winner: Tennent’s Lager T in the Park
*Mass Participation Sponsorship or Event Award sponsored by KruTalent International
Winner: Buxton Water #WithYouAlltheWay – London Marathon 2015 Sponsorship
*Media Sponsorship Award
Winner: Morrisons’ It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
*Multi-National Award
Winner: Microsoft Lumia Music
Rights Holder Achievement Award
Winner: What Car Awards – Rewarding amazing sustainability in sponsorship
*Sport Sponsorship Award sponsored by VIP Sportstravel
Highly Commended: Electric Ireland GAA All-Ireland Minor Championships #ThisIsMajor
Winner: British Gas’ sponsorship of British Swimming
Best of Europe joint BRONZE:
Belgium – Belgian Sponsorship Awards (VAAV Communication)
Joint Winner: ING – Mons European Capital of Europe 2015
Germany – ISA (International Sponsoring Award) / FASPO (Fachverband für Sponsoring-Agenturen und Dienstleister)
Joint Winner: Mercedes-Benz – “Bereit wie nie” (ready as never before)
Best of Europe SILVER:
Serbia SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
Winner: Frikom Basket Project – Basketball
Best of Europe GOLD:
Sweden Gyllene Hjulet (Swedish Event & Sponsorship Awards)
Winner: Tele2 Sweden – A world class Arena
Sponsorship of the Year: ***
Winner: Buxton Water #WithYouAlltheWay – London Marathon 2015 Sponsorship
***The Sponsorship of the Year Award, new for 2015, brings the winners of nine eligible categories (see asterisk) together to be judged again by the expert panel of judges and one campaign that is regarded as the very best among these winners is crowned ‘Sponsorship of the Year’.
ESA Excellence Awards – 2014 Winners
ESA Professional Development Award
Winner: Fuse Sport + Entertainment
ESA Best of Europe
Gold: KPN – Olympic speed skating campaign 2014 (The Netherlands)
Silver: Liberty Insurance – GAA All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (Ireland)
Bronze: AB Inbev Jupiler & Red Devils ‘We Are Ready’ World Cup campaign (Belgium)
Best Use of Public Relations
Winner: Jaguar – Keep Pushing
Best Use of Social Media
Highly Commended: McDonald’s FryFutbol
Winner: Heineken #ShareTheSofa
Business to Community
Special Commendation: 1% FairShare®
Winner: Cravendale: Do Something Marvellous for Sport Relief
Business to Community – Low Budget
Winner: An Post Cycle Series
Business to Consumer
Winner: AG BARR, Proud Soft Drink Supplier Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
Business to Consumer – Low Budget
Winner: Electric Ireland GAA Minor Championships #ThisisMajor
Business to Consumer/Business – Media
Winner: Citroën #DrivenByBeauty
Business to Employee
Winner: McDonald’s EURO Cup 2014
Business to Youth
Winner: Kellogg’s Krave – The Quest for the Chocovore Idol
Multi-National Award
Winner: Heineken #ShareTheSofa
ESA Excellence Awards – 2013 Winners
ESA Best of Europe Award For 2014 national sponsorship award winners across Europe (by invitation only)
Bronze: Sky’s Sponsorship of the Great Britain Cycling Team (2013 UK Sponsorship Awards
Silver: Hypo Alpe Adria – Basket of Services EuroBasket 2013 (2013 SPORTO Awards, Slovenia)
Gold: Electric Ireland’s Sponsorship of Team Ireland in London Olympics 2012 (2013 The All Ireland Marketing Awards)
ESA Professional Development Award
Winner: MEC Access
Business to Business
Winner: Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open
Business to Community
Highly Commended: Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week
Winner: Genworth Putts4Charity
Business to Consumer
Winner: Liberty Insurance and the GAA
Business to Consumer – Low Budget
Highly Commended: Little Mix / Schwarzkopf LIVE Color XXL
Winner: SAP at Kieler Woche
Business to Consumer – Media
Highly Commended: Anchor and Food Glorious Food
Winner: Morrisons – Ant & Dec Bring Out The Talent
Business to Employee
Highly Commended: Prudential RideLondon
Winner: British Gas SwimsBritain
Social Media
Winner: RBS 6 Nations
Rights Holder Award
Winner: British Athletics and Sainsbury’s
Multi-National Award
Highly Commended: The Standard Chartered Trophy
Winner: McDonald’s EURO 2012 Player Escort Programme
ESA Excellence Awards – 2012 Winners
ESA Best of Europe Award
Bronze: SuperValu Proud Sponsors, Real Supporters of the GAA Football All Ireland Championship
Silver: DreamHack powered by TELIA
Gold: O2 Academy Sponsorship
ESA Professional Development Award
Winner: Synergy
Business to Business
Highly Commended: UPS and London 2012
Winner: Cisco London 2012 Games Partnership
Business to Community
Winner: Lloyds Olympic and Paralympic Games
Business to Consumer
Highly Commended: Emirates Air Line Highly Commended: P & G’s “Thank you, Mum”
Winner: Mars – “Work, Rest, Play Your Part for England”
Business to Consumer – Low Budget
Winner: Birds Eye – The Great Food Journey
Business to Consumer – Media
Winner: Arla Foods – Cravendale and the Muppets
Business to Employee
Winner: A Personal Best for Lloyds Banking Group
Multi-National Campaign
Winner: MasterCard Disney Sponsorship
Rights Holder Award
Winner: Gaelic Athletic Association – Kellogg’s Cúl Camps
Social Media Activation
Highly Commended: O2 Academy Social Media Activations
Winner: Golden BMW
ESA Excellence Awards – 2011 Winners
Business to Business
Highly Commended: NYSE Euronext European Champions Fantasy League
Winner: Aviva Premiership Rugby
Business to Community
Winner: Barclays Cycle Hire
Business to Community – Low Budget
Winner: UniCredit Pass it on!
Business to Consumer
Winner: Telefónica Ireland Ltd – The O2 Dublin
Business to Consumer – Low Budget
Highly Commended: MAOAM meets SNO!ZONE
Winner: Arla Foods – Kids Closer to Nature
Business to Employee
Winner: The McDonald’s Cup
ESA Rights Holder Award
Highly Commended: ParalympicsGB
Winner: The Lawn Tennis Association
Multi-National
Highly Commended: Alltech FEI World Equestrain Games 2010
Winner: Compeed – ATP World Tour Sponsorship
ESA Excellence Awards – 2010 Winners
Business to Business
Winner: Philips and The National Theatre
Business to Community
Highly Commended: Barclays Ball Kids
Winner: British Gas Pools 4 Schools
Business to Community – Low Budget
Winner: The AEGON Breakfast Club
Business to Consumer
Highly Commended: Guinness Premiership: Season 2009-2010
Winner: O2 Be The Difference / Irish Rugby
Business to Consumer – Low Budget
Winners: O!Karte Riga Night Run
and: Specsavers – An Eye for Expertise
Business to Employee
Winner: BT – The Difference is You
Multi-National
Highly Commended: Castrol 2010 FIFA World Cup
Winner: MasterCard UEFA Champions League Sponsorship
ESA Excellence Awards – 2009 Winners
Business to Business
Highly Commended: The Standard Chartered Great City Race
Winner: DHL Football Delivered
Business to Community
Highly Commended: Turk Telekom – Schools & Beyond: For the Education of Turkey’s Young
Winner: Nicotinell – Helping Football Fans Kick the Habit
Business to Consumer
Highly Commended: Coke Zero Presents: Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker and: PUMA Ocean Racing
Winner: Wrigley’s Extra – Extra 90+
Business to Employee
Highly Commended: The McDonald’s Cup
Winner: Heineken Internal Table Football Competition (HitFC)
International
Highly Commended: Vodafone Formula One and: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Sponsorship 2009
Winner: PUMA Ocean Racing
ESA Excellence Awards – 2008 Winners
Business to Business
Highly Commended: Accenture’s silver sponsorship of Skandia Team GBR
Winner: iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series 2008
Business to Community
Winner: Turkcell – Snowdrops
Business to Consumer
Highly Commended: Bank of Scotland totalART
Winner: Etihad Airways & The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship
Business to Employee
Winner: G4S 4teen
International
Winner: Castrol UEFA Euro2008™
Special Acknowledgement
KD Life Insurance: A child’s smile is the meaning of life!
ESA Excellence Awards – 2007 Winners
Business to Business
Highly Commended: Silver Sponsorship of Skandia Team G
Winner: The Unilever Series at Tate Modern
Business to Community
Winner: BT Community Connections
Business to Consumer
Highly Commended: MTV Under The Radar
Winner: AIB’s Banking on the Ryder Cup
Business to Employee
Winner: Norwich Union Join Our Team
International
Winner: Allianz BMW ORACLE Racing Sponsorship