After the glittering ceremony of 2022, the ESA Awards will return in 2023 with a goal of being bigger and more inclusive than ever.
The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) turns 35 next year and the 2023 ESA Awards in London on Thursday 9 March will be a truly universal celebration of the best in sponsorship.
ESA’s mission is to inspire, unite and grow a welcoming and diverse sponsorship industry – and the #ESAawards is designed to reflect that purpose. The cost of entries is lower than in 2022, and entrants will have a choice of providing a video or written submission.
The Awards will again take place at The Brewery venue and entry is now open with a closing date of 21 October 2022. One new category – Best Use of Cutting-edge Technology – has been added for 2023.
ESA Chairman Andy Westlake said: “I’m very excited to see what the ESA Awards will bring in 2023 as we celebrate a year of post-COVID creativity and innovation.
“The market has really moved on over the past 12 months and landmark events like UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, as well as the return of major live music festivals across the continent, have put brands at the heart of some incredible sport and entertainment experiences. I can’t wait to see the work that our community has been creating.
“With an updated mission to ‘inspire, unite and grow a welcoming and diverse sponsorship industry’, we’re keen to open up the Awards to the broadest possible community across Europe. We represent an incredible, creative community and we’ll keep exploring ways to make the ESA Awards more accessible and representative.
“The ESA Awards is always such a fantastic celebration of the power of sponsorship as an integrated part of the marketing mix. I can’t wait to get together with so many friends when we gather again in London.”
Those entering the 2023 ESA Awards will be asked to submit a 250-word ‘elevator pitch’, one composite graphic with logos, a short showreel video and either a 10-minute video presentation or written entry.
The credibility of the ESA Awards is firmly established, with a reputation for high-quality judging among the strengths highlighted by regular entrants.
To coincide with today’s launch, ESA is calling for senior sponsorship and marketing professionals to apply to the 2023 ESA Awards judging panel. Applications for this rewarding and challenging experience are now open – click here to apply.
ESA Awards Chair, Matthew Leopold, said: “The ESA Awards continues to go from strength to strength thanks to high-quality entries and judging. It’s a celebration of sponsorship innovation that really resonates within the industry.
“However, this is not a moment to rest on our laurels and we are determined to make the Awards as inclusive as possible. That’s why we have revisited the entry format for the benefit of all potential entrants who hope to be up on that stage when we gather again in March 2023.
“We already have a diverse judging panel comprising many of the best brains in the industry, but our judging needs to remain fresh and accessible like the Awards itself. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the opportunity to anyone who has extensive experience of sponsorship.”
ESA would like to thank the event sponsors that make a vital contribution to the success of the ESA Awards. DataPowa, Sponsorium, caytoo, CSM Live, Dataflow Events and SPORTO have already renewed their support for 2023. For sponsorship opportunities please contact us at opportunity@sponsorship.org.
-ENDS-
For media queries, please contact:
Jonathan Coates | ESA Marketing, Communications and Events Manager
marketing@sponsorship.org | +44 7788 352219