On the evening of Wednesday 7th February 2018, the Science Museum set the scene for the sponsorship industry’s renowned ESA Excellence Awards, where the industry’s finest gathered to acknowledge and celebrate campaigns that evoked emotion in 2017.
The sparkling black tie ceremony saw a multitude of UK and international winners crowned across 24 categories, including the ultimate kudos of winning ESA Best of Europe Gold and ESA Sponsorship of the Year awards.
ESA Awards 2017 ceremony at the Science Museum
Now in its 11th year, the ESA Excellence Awards were created by the European Sponsorship Association (ESA), the membership body that seeks to inspire, unite and grow the sponsorship industry.
The Awards celebrate the very best campaigns from Europe across a multitude of disciplines including: branded content, talent, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community, media and employee engagement; as well as the more established sporting and entertainment verticals.
Anticipation amongst the audience crescendoed towards the highlight of the evening, the announcement of the eminent ESA Sponsorship of the Year award. This award brings the winners of 10 eligible categories together to be judged against each other by an expert panel of independent judges.
And, for 2017, the winner was revealed as Electric Ireland’s ‘Darkness into Light’ Sponsorship.
ESA Sponsorship of the Year 2017 award winner: Electric Ireland
Commenting on their win, Lisa Browne , Head of Marketing , Electric Ireland said:
“We’re delighted, proud and moved to be awarded ESA Sponsorship of the Year 2017. Our campaign, which sees both brand and charity come together in the community, is a real example of a true partnership.”
The 2017 ESA Excellence Awards saw a number of high-profile awards handed-out, including:
- ESA Best of Europe Gold: Telenor Gold SIM
- Best Use of Innovation in Sponsorship: DHL Innovation Experience – Discovering future-oriented solutions in Mixed Reality
- Best Use of Digital Channels in Sponsorship: TAG Heuer Pressure Test
- Best Newcomer to Sponsorship: Bridgestone ‘Chase Your Dream, No Matter What’ Olympic Sponsorship Activation in Europe
- Arts & Culture Sponsorship of the Year: Vodafone Comedy Festival
- Agency of the Year (Pan-Europe): Nielsen Sports
ESA Best of Europe Gold 2017 award winner: Telenor
A full list of the shortlisted nominees, highly commended campaigns and winners, can be found here.
Andy Westlake, Chairman of the European Sponsorship Association, said:
On behalf of ESA I’d like to congratulate all the winners and pass special thanks to our new venue partner, the Science Museum, for hosting us with such style. We also rely on a number of other sponsors and suppliers, and I extend my special thanks to them too.
Most importantly, I’d like to thank all of our members for supporting us so enthusiastically, yet again. We’ve seen a really high quality of submissions this year, which made the judging an especially enjoyable process and it’s fantastic to see some standout campaigns rise to the top! The decision on ESA Sponsorship of the Year was a tough one, but Electric Ireland really did pull out the stops and are the well-deserved winners.
There is no doubt that, as an industry, we continue to push the boundaries and deliver campaigns that engage and inspire both UK and international audiences. I’m really excited to see what’s in store for us in the forthcoming year!”
The ESA Excellence Awards showcase the very best work in the sponsorship industry across Europe. Every year ESA receives submissions from some of the most innovative, thought provoking and memorable sponsorship campaigns.
Visit the ESA Excellence Awards and discover ESA.
–ENDS–
Notice to Editors
For more information please contact:
Charlie Staerck
Marcomms & Events Manager – European Sponsorship Association (ESA)
e: charliestaerck@sponsorship.org | t: +44 (0)20 8390 3311 | www.sponsorship.org
About ESA Excellence Awards:
The ESA Excellence Awards showcase the very best work in the sponsorship industry across Europe. Every year ESA receives submissions from some of the most innovative, thought provoking and memorable sponsorship campaigns. The awards include ESA Sponsorship of the Year and ESA Best of Europe as well as sector-focused categories such as Media Sponsorship of the Year.
About European Sponsorship Association:
The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) is a membership association whose mission is to inspire, unite and grow the sponsorship industry for the benefit of its members. ESA will do this through education, guidance, representation, the recognition of excellence and the sharing of best practice and performance. Its many activities, which include policy, governance and corporate responsibility, education and training, information, networking and the ESA 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 and consultants, professional advisors and suppliers.
