25 January 2017

The Stationers’ Company Innovation Excellence Awards. New award categories for 2017

The Stationers' Company recognises the criticality of innovation and creativity as key driving forces that generate both prosperity and growth through enhanced competitiveness within the UK Communications and Content industries. 

These prestigious awards, now in their fourth year, provide a significant opportunity to:

-promote the key role that the Communications and Content industries play in the UK economy

-highlight outstanding innovation and creativity able to generate future growth and prosperity for the industries concerned as well as enhance the services which are provided to society as a whole

By submitting their entries, organisations in the Communications and Content industries are invited to share their examples of innovation and creative ideas; be they associated with product, service offering or business process development. 

In the past, entries have been received from the following sectors; digital publishing, book, newspaper and magazine publishing, computer and mobile games, paper, printing, printing supplies including inks and coatings, printing machinery, office supplies, media management and packaging. In 2016, there were 49 entries representing a 50% increase from the previous year.

In 2017, companies are invited to enter any of 5 categories from the list below:

• Novel manufacturing technology (covering paper, print, print supplies and machinery, bookbinding and packaging)
• Innovative application of digital technologies (across all Communications and Content sectors)
• Creative means of communicating with target audiences (publishing, magazines, newspapers, advertising, books, broadcasting)
• Novel product designs for retail markets (office supplies, book retailing)
• New communication programmes that enhance social development (community projects, education, environment)

Each category will be judged on criteria driven by the novelty of the innovation, its economic performance/potential and its overall social impact within the UK. There will be an award for each category as well as one for the overall 'Innovator of the Year'.

The team of judges, composed of Peter Day (BBC), Gerry Flynn (Innovate UK), Jonathan Drori CBE (Chairman of Ravensbourne), Tim Webb (Liveryman and past Chairman of PICON), John Charnock (Director of Print Research International) and Ian Bennett (Master of the Stationers' Company), will be chaired by Tony Mash (Stationers' Company Industry Committee Chairman). 

An electronic entry form can be accessed via the Stationers' Company website (https://stationers.org/about/engagement-with-our-industries/innovation-excellence-awards.html).

On completion, forms should be sent via email to the Stationers' Company's Communications Manager ([email protected]). 

The results of these awards will be announced at a special luncheon and exhibition to be held at Stationers' Hall on 20 June 2017. Details of all entries will be publicised in a special Awards brochure which will be circulated widely to the media, trade associations and members of the Stationers' Company. 

All entries must be received by 9 April 2017.