Presentation ceremony Kent Press & Broadcast Awards Friday, 10 September, 2021 #KPBA
The Kent Press and Broadcast Awards are organised by
a leading Kent PR, marketing and public affairs agency
How to watch The ceremony will be broadcast on YouTube and Facebook at 5pm on Friday, 10 September.
youtube.com/user/MaximPRKent facebook.com/MaximPR
Please join in on social media using #KPBA
Welcome Rachel Knight, Director, Maxim Welcome to the seventh Kent Press & Broadcast Awards – and our second virtual ceremony. We had to make a decision some time ago on whether we could host a face-to-face event this year and, very reluctantly, decided a virtual ceremony would still be the safest option. We also had to scale things back a little so there are fewer categories, and they focus on individuals. That said, we have introduced a new category for this year only. The 2020 Award specifically recognises the efforts made by the county’s media to serve our communities and help them rise to the exceptional challenges brought by Covid-19. The aim of the awards remains the same as we’re here to recognise and reward local journalism, something that has become even more important during the pandemic. I would like to say a huge thank you to the sponsors who are supporting the awards this year, most of which have done so since the first ever ceremony. In such a difficult economic climate, we are incredibly grateful to them for their commitment to KPBA. Another thank you goes to our judges who once again missed out on their free lunch as they met virtually to review every single entry.
If you’re joining us for the ceremony – thank you. You may well be over online events so we appreciate you sticking with us and celebrating the achievements of the KPBA finalists. Fingers crossed we’ll see you in person in 2022!
The judges Each KPBA category has been assessed by an independent panel of expert judges – all of whom have Kent connections. The judges see every entry – there is no shortlisting process beforehand, and Maxim’s only involvement is attempting to calm the judges down while they argue over the winners – which was once again held by Zoom due to Covid restrictions. The judges’ expertise covers everything from print journalism to social media, and much more in between. On these pages we’ve provided a glimpse into their diverse experience. They all have one thing in common: an enthusiasm for a good story and an appreciation of the efforts every one of the finalists has gone to in their determination to share the news.
Susie Boniface, National journalist, blogger and lecturer Susie (aka Fleet Street Fox) has been a reporter for more than 25 years. Her byline has appeared in The Guardian, The Sun, Daily Mail, Mirror and more. Susie also commentates on the BBC, Sky, ITN, Channel 4 and LBC, as well as lecturing in journalism around the country. She has written two books, The Diaries of a Fleet Street Fox, and The Bluffer’s Guide to Journalism. Susie’s first job was at the Kent & Sussex Courier, becoming chief reporter at the age of 20. Patrick Fuller, Strategic digital consultant Having started his media career in Kent newspapers – including gaining his NCTJ qualification at the Kent & Sussex Courier and working as a sub-editor at KM Media Group – Patrick was, until recently, responsible for Haymarket Consumer Media brands with a combined print and online audience of more than 10 million a month. He
is now a digital media consultant, working with leading UK publishers, and has written a book about vinyl records.
of online news platforms. Now at the University of Kent, Rebecca works in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation and responsible enterprise.
Dr Sarah Lonsdale, National journalist, author and lecturer
Leo Whitlock, Former newspaper journalist and lecturer
Kent resident Sarah has been a journalist for more than 25 years, writing for local and national newspapers including The Independent, Financial Times, Observer, and national and specialist magazines. She now writes about environmental issues – particularly the threat of climate change – for The Sunday Times. Sarah has been a lecturer for more than 10 years and now teaches at City University London. Her latest book, Rebel women between the wars, was published last year.
A local newspaper journalist for more than 20 years, Leo began his career on the production desk of Kent Today, a former evening paper owned by the KM Media Group. He then spent more than a decade editing various titles. Leo has a longstanding commitment to training and mentoring young journalists, having lectured in law, ethics and public affairs at Canterbury Christ Church University. He is now Head of Communications at Canterbury City Council.
Rebecca Smith, Former local online and newspaper editor Formerly senior editor for Kent Regional News & Media, Rebecca worked in news publishing for nearly 20 years. Kentbased and with an in-depth knowledge of the challenges and opportunities faced by the local media, her career has spanned all levels of journalism, from trainee reporter to editor. She was also involved in the development
Kent Broadcast Journalist of the Year The finalists •
Amanda Akass, BBC South East
•
Claire Starr, BBC South East
•
Josie Hannett, BBC South East
•
Zoie O’Brien, BBC South East
Natalie Benville, Communications Manager, Eurotunnel Eurotunnel, the vital link between the UK and continental Europe, is concessionaire of the cross-Channel Fixed Link until 2086. The tunnel is a rolling motorway used by 2.6 million cars and 1.6 million trucks every year. High-speed passenger trains and rail freight trains also run through the tunnel.
Sponsored by
In 26 years, more than 450 million passengers and over 90 million vehicles have travelled through the Channel Tunnel.
Kent Columnist of the Year The finalists • Jane Wenham-Jones, The Isle of Thanet News • Melissa Todd, The Isle of Thanet News • Seb Reilly, The Isle of Thanet News • Simon Finlay, Downs Mail
Neil Vanstone Head of Membership & Events, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce is recognised as Kent’s leading business support organisation for international and domestic trade. The Chamber is the voice of business across Kent & Medway, representing the needs and views at local, County, Local Enterprise Partnership and national levels. It strives to provide an environment that is conducive to business growth and enterprise. Kent Invicta Chamber puts members at the heart of what they do and strives to exceed their expectations. It provides membership benefits, business advice, international business advice, ChamberCustoms, representation and much more.
Sponsored by
Kent Design(er) of the Year The finalists •
Ashley Austen, KM Media Group
•
Jonathan Brewer, BBC South East
•
MMM Magazine
•
Paul Acres, KM Media Group
Wishing all the finalists the best of luck in this year’s Kent Press & Broadcast Awards
hello@redreddesign.co.uk | 07973 194 550
Kent Feature Journalist of the Year (Print) The finalists • Jack Dyson, Kentish Gazette • Lydia Chantler-Hicks, Kentish Gazette • Rhys Griffiths, Kent Messenger / KentOnline • Seb Reilly, The Isle of Thanet News
Sue Rathmell, Director, MHA MacIntyre Hudson MHA MacIntyre Hudson is a Top 12 accountancy firm with a national network of offices including two in Kent, offering a comprehensive range of financial and business strategy services to clients across the UK, enabling them to achieve profitable growth and build sustainable long-term success. The firm is proud of its personal and responsive approach, which it believes is the key to building successful relationships that enable clients to achieve their business goals. Whether your business needs a growth strategy, advice on acquisition or sales, guidance on the complexities of incorporation or flotation, compliance or tax, MHA MacIntyre Hudson can help you seize the initiative. They believe in the power of great conversations, great relationships and great futures.
Sponsored by
Kent Feature Journalist of the Year (Broadcast) The finalists •
Colin Campbell, BBC South East
•
Derek Johnson, ITV Meridian
•
Joe Coshan, KMTV
•
Phil Wellbrook, KMTV
Tom Chown, Founder and Creative Director, Digitom Video Production Digitom is an award-winning production company based in Tunbridge Wells. They are creative specialists with a high degree of expertise, well versed at capturing your story. Their agility enables them to fulfil any brief, without the burden of large overheads. This ensures they deliver for their clients on time and on budget.
Sponsored by
Digitom is pleased to be supporting the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards for the seventh consecutive year. The coronavirus pandemic has meant local journalism has never been more vital for keeping the county up to date with regional issues, continuing to function with ever decreasing resources.
Kent New Journalist of the Year The finalists • Katya Fowler, KMTV • Ollie Collins, KMTV • Sean Delaney, Dartford Messenger / Gravesend Messenger • Tommaso Dimiddio, KMTV
Jamie Weir, Director of External Affairs, EKC Group Formed in 2018, EKC Group is a family of six colleges and four business units that operate across the whole of East Kent. This group of further education colleges has been a passionate supporter of the Kent Press and Broadcast Awards since their inception. EKC Group truly values the important work undertaken by media organisations across the county, and is pleased to be able to celebrate this through the awards. With skills development in EKC Group’s DNA, they say it is absolutely wonderful to support the Kent New Journalist of the Year and celebrate the future talent pipeline of our cherished local media industry.
Sponsored by
Kent Print Journalist of the Year The finalists •
Jack Dyson, Kentish Gazette
•
Katie Heslop, Kent Messenger
•
Lydia Chantler-Hicks, Kentish Gazette
•
Marijke Hall, Thanet Extra
Paul Prentice, Media Relations Manager, Southeastern Southeastern is one of the country’s busiest train operating companies; serving 178 stations across Kent, London and East Sussex. It has continued running services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic – with extra services and enhanced cleaning regimes to ensure passengers can travel with confidence.
Sponsored by
As the main train company serving Kent, Southeastern works closely with local media across the county to inform passengers about its services and how it is investing to improve people’s journeys. Southeastern is proud to be the sponsor for the Kent Print Journalist of the Year category of the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards.
The Neil Bell Kent Sports Journalist of the Year The finalists •
Ben Watts, BBC Radio Kent
•
Joe Coshan, KMTV
•
Juliette Parkin, BBC South East
•
Ollie Collins, KMTV
Becca Smith, Marketing and Communications Manager, Kent Cricket Kent Cricket looks after the sport from grassroots to the elite game. They host top-level domestic cricket and international matches, events and conferences at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence and The County Ground, Beckenham. Visit www.kentcricket.co.uk, or follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more information and to follow the Kent Cricket squads.
Supported by
The 2020 Award The finalists •
Downs Mail
• KMTV •
MMM Magazine – NHS Edition
•
The Isle of Thanet News
Dan Palmer, Head of Communications, BAE Systems BAE Systems is a global aerospace, defence and technology company with locations across the world, including our Electronic Systems base in Rochester. The site is home to approximately 1500 highly skilled and innovative workers and serves as a technology hub that produces world leading augmented reality solutions, critical flight controls and environmentally friendly energy management systems.
Sponsored by
BAE is proud to support local projects with its community investment programmes, particularly during the last 18 months through the pandemic. They say it’s great to see so many of the county’s media serving their communities too, bringing people together and adapting to create a positive impact on so many lives. The 2020 award will be well earned and something everyone at BAE Systems is fully behind.
A tribute to Jane Wenham-Jones
Sadly, Jane Wenham-Jones died last month. We asked her friend and colleague Kathy Bailes of The Isle of Thanet News to pay tribute to her. Jane Wenham-Jones was thrilled to win Columnist of the Year in 2020 and excited to be on this year’s shortlist. She was colourful, exuberant and flamboyant and wrote with humour, compassion and honesty. Jane died of cancer just three days after the publication of her seventh novel. She was 59. She described herself as a Jacquelineof-all-trades. As well as her popular
novels, she wrote self-help guides such as ‘Wannabe a Writer’, thousands of magazine and newspaper columns, and was an in-demand host at literary festivals, talking to some of the country’s best-known authors. One of her proudest achievements was being a co-founder of Broadstairs Lit where she interviewed characters from Jonathan Aitken to Terry Waite. Jane was an inspiration for aspiring authors, the inventor of ‘writer’s bottom’ and as happy pulling on the gloves to make a one-off brew of Plain Jane’s Ales as she was at a glittering industry ball. She was a valued columnist for The Isle of Thanet News, and previously at the Isle of Thanet Gazette, and a friend who will be greatly missed.
These awards are possible thanks to...
For details email kpba@maxim-pr.co.uk