The exclusive setting of Porchester Hall in London became the centre of the sponsorship universeas the industry gathered to recognise those companies that made a difference in 2016
Last night, at Porchester Hall in London, the 10th annual ESA Excellence Awards took place. The glittering ceremony saw a plethora of UK and international winners crowned across twenty three categories, including the awarding of the ultimate honour – that of ESA Sponsorship of the Year.
Organised by the European Sponsorship Association (ESA), the ESA Excellence Awards recognises the best campaigns across a multitude of disciplines including hospitality, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community, media and employee engagement, as well as the more established sporting and entertainment verticals.
Undoubtedly the highlight of the evening was the announcement of the prestigious ESA Sponsorship of the Year award. This award brings the winners of nine eligible categories together to be judged against each other by an expert panel of independent judges.
And, for 2016, the winner was revealed as Lidl’s Sponsorship of Ladies Gaelic Football.
Commenting on the win, Jennifer Gleeson, Sponsorship Manager at Lidl, said “It’s absolutely amazing. Lidl has only been in Ireland for 17 years and we’re effectively a newcomer to sponsorship, so to receive this award for our very first sponsorship activation is phenomenal. I’m thrilled for the whole team who worked tremendously hard to make it the success it has become.”
As well as the ESA Sponsorship of the Year Award presentation, the 2016 ESA Excellence Awards also saw a number of other high-profile awards handed-out, including:
- ESA Best of Europe Gold Award: SWEDEN – McDonald’s – a little too proud sponsor
- Best Use of Innovation in Sponsorship: DHL Formula E Sponsorship
- Best use of Digital: evian #wimblewatch Takes Centre Court in 2016
- Arts & Culture Sponsorship Award: Hilton Presents Udderbelly at London Southbank & Edinburgh Fringe Festival
- CSR Partnership Award: Scope – End the Awkward
For a full list of the shortlisted nominees, highly commended campaigns and winners, please go here.
Karen Earl, Chairman of the European Sponsorship Association, said:
“On behalf of ESA I’d like to congratulate Lidl on their very well-deserved win at the 2016 ESA Excellence Awards. All this year’s entries were of an exceptionally high standard and the judges had a difficult time deciding on an outright winner.
There were other outstanding winners of the individual categories, so Lidl’s win should be loudly applauded.
In all the shortlisted entries there was a pleasing and notable rise in standard, together with a demonstration of the flexibility of sponsorship to meet brand objectives.
There is no doubt that, as an industry, we continue to push the boundaries and deliver amazing campaigns that engage and inspire audiences across Europe.”
The annual ESA Excellence Awards celebrate successful sponsorship campaigns in all sectors by assessing their business objectives and campaign results. The ESA Excellence Awards are the only ones to recognise the best sponsorships across Europe and reward outstanding work achieved by sponsorship industry professionals.
–ENDS–
For further information on ESA, and the 2016 ESA Excellence Awards please contact:
Keef Sloan
keefsloan@sponsorship.org
+44 (0) 20 8390 3311
+44 (0) 07973 614302
About ESA
The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) exists to inspire, educate and raise standards within the sponsorship and wider marketing industry. As a membership association ESA’s vision is to encourage consumer engagement through effective multi-channel marketing. Its many activities, which include policy, governance and corporate responsibility, education and training, information, networking and the ESA Excellence Awards, all have these goals as their core objectives. ESA’s reach encompasses all types of sponsorship activity from sport, broadcast, education, the arts and culture through to environment and the community. Its membership includes sponsors, rights holders, agencies, consultants, professional advisors and suppliers.