2015 Douglas Smith Student Award launched

The 2015 Douglas Smith Student Award, which carries with it a £1000 prize, was launched today (19 January 2015).

Organised by CIPR International, the award this year is to develop an international public relations campaign about a new wearable technology product: a contact lens.

Students may decide whether to prepare a PR campaign in support of the product’s launch or one for a group which opposes the launch of this contact lens. Ethical considerations should feature highly in this year’s topical campaign.

Entrants must be CIPR student members and be on a CIPR-recognised public relations course. The deadline for entries is 31 March 2015.

The judging panel includes:

• Stephen Davies, digital consultant and guru, founder Substantial Digital and Digital Health UK
• Prof Anne Gregory, chair of the Global Alliance, Professor of Corporate Communications, Strategy, Marketing and Economics
• Sarah Pinch, President of the CIPR, managing director Pinch Point Communications
• Stephen Waddington, European Digital and Social Media director, Ketchum, CIPR Immediate Past President, and Visiting Professor of Practice in Public Relations, Newcastle University

The winner will be announced in June 2015.

The Douglas Smith Student Award was created in memory of Douglas Smith, a founder and patron of CIPR International. “Douglas was a great supporter of young and emerging talent and this award is our way of celebrating his memory and continuing his legacy by encouraging the next generation to think internationally,” said Eva Maclaine, chair of CIPR International and CIPR Board member.