THE 2011 AWARD WINNERS ARE DETAILED BELOW:

The full 32-page Guide to the Winners can be downloaded by CLICKING HERE.
______________________________________________________________________

Sponsored by:



THE GOLD STANDARD AWARD FOR CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
This award identifies excellence in the development of a CSR, sustainability or good governance project which enhances corporate reputation. It is open to corporations, NGOs and public bodies who can show commitment to sustainable business practices, governance values or corporate responsibility either through a single campaign, case study or broader corporate commitment to these outcomes.

The shortlisted nominees:

• COMMENDED: Chevron Philippines: Creating the Minataw Marine Park and Sanctuary
• Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd: Project Jyoti
• THE WINNER: Kraft Foods: The Kraft Hope Kitchen (China)

Sponsored by:



THE GOLD STANDARD AWARD FOR COUNTRY OR TRADE PROMOTION
This award recognises effective communications and public affairs activity in the promotion of a country, industry or trade. It focuses on the work of chambers of commerce, embassies, trade and industry groups and government trade promotion and investment agencies. It is open to any domestic, regional or global trade promotion activity connected to the Asia Pacific region.

The shortlisted nominees:

• APCO Worldwide: For the 5th Vibrant Gujarat 2011 Summit
• Meat and Livestock Australia: "Together with Japan" * Nominated by Kreab Gavin Anderson
• THE WINNER: Edelman IndoPacific: For the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) "Taiwan Excellence in Indonesia" campaign



Sponsored by:



THE GOLD STANDARD AWARD FOR CORPORATE FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS
This award is designed to identify excellence in corporate financial communications, government relations or regulatory affairs. It is open to corporations, financial institutions, government agencies or regulatory bodies active in the financial communications arena. Entrants should show "Gold Standard" excellence in areas such as M&A communications, IPO communications or related regulatory or governmental affairs.

The shortlisted nominees:

• Hutchison Port Holdings Trust: Managing the Singapore Initial Public Offering (IPO) *Nominated by Kreab Gavin Anderson
• Bright Food (Group) Co. Ltd: The acquistion of Manassen Foods in Australia * Nominated by Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Shanghai
• THE WINNER: Sabana Shari’ah Compliant Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust: Singapore Exchange Limited’s (SGX) first Shari’ah-compliant listing * Nominated by Weber Shandwick



Sponsored by:



THE GOLD STANDARD AWARD FOR DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT
This award identifies excellence in diplomatic engagement through the nomination of any ambassador, embassy or diplomatic mission. It recognises achievement in corporate public affairs in areas such as the promotion of trade, economic, political or cultural relations. Nominations can be made by diplomatic missions themselves or by a third party, such as a foreign ministry, a partnering corporation, trade group, chamber of commerce or NGO. Entries must show achievement of a desired strategy or outcome following a process of external engagement by the ambassador, embassy or consulate.

The shortlisted nominees:

• THE WINNER: Ambassador Marciel and the Public Diplomacy Section of the US Embassy in Indonesia * Nominated by AmCham Indonesia
• The Embassy of France to New Zealand: For the Rugby World Cup 2011 and French Cultural Diplomacy
• The US Embassy Seoul and Ambassador Kathleen Stephens
• The US Embassy in Indonesia and the US Trade Representative (USTR) * Nominated by News Corporation



Sponsored by:



THE GOLD STANDARD AWARD FOR ISSUES MANAGEMENT AND CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS
This category requires nominations outlining excellence by any corporation, government, NGO or agency in communicating key messages in the management of an “issue” or “crisis”. It is open to entrants from all sectors which can show a "Gold Standard" response to an event which took place in the 18 months prior to the close of nominations.

The shortlisted nominees:

• THE WINNER: North Head: China issues management on behalf of Siano, a leading Israeli digital mobile TV solutions provider
• eBay Government Relations (Korea): Engaging with the Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC)
• Golden Agri-Resources: Building stakeholder communication to defend Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) against deforestation claims * Nominated by Pelham Bell Pottinger




Sponsored by:

THE GOLD STANDARD AWARD FOR NGO ENGAGEMENT
This award identifies excellence in NGO engagement with external groups. It applies to domestic and international NGOs operating in Asia Pacific or to Asian NGOs operating overseas. Nominations should identify "Gold Standard" achievement by an NGO in its strategic engagement with government, business or civil society. Nominations can be self made or by a third party, such as a fellow NGO/corporation/chamber of commerce or government agency.

The shortlisted nominees:

• The Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Society. * Nominated by Jackson Wells Pty (Australia)
• Dignity for Chronic Pain Sufferers. Nominated by McClusky & Co Pty Ltd Public Relations and Communications
• THE WINNER: CRY (Child Rights and You)



Sponsored by:

THE GOLD STANDARD AWARD FOR PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
This award recognises excellence in any project involving both the public and private sector in Asia Pacific. It reflects the growing importance of public private partnerships in areas such as health promotion, environmental protection and the delivery of public services. The award will be made to the partnership group in recognition of the public affairs and communications engagement, execution and outcomes connected to their PPP programme.

The shortlisted nominees:

• Australia’s Cholesterol Crossroads: SHJ and Baker IDI
• THE WINNER: The Coca-Cola India 'Support My School' campaign * Nominated by Perfect Relations Pvt Ltd
• Infosys BPO India and the Income Tax Department (ITD)



Sponsored by:



THE GOLD STANDARD AWARD FOR SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
This award recognises excellence in the use of social media as a communications tool by business, governments or NGOs. Entrants must show how social media has been used to effectively communicate with target stakeholder groups and has achieved desired outcomes.

The shortlisted nominees:

• Kraft Foods Australia: Cadbury Spread the Joy
• THE WINNER: Ambassador David Huebner and the US Mission New Zealand
• RIM: Love What You Do. * Nominated by Edelman
• Johnnie Walker Black Label: Keep Walking - walking the talk in China. * Nominated by Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Shanghai



Sponsored by:

THE GOLD STANDARD AWARD FOR STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
This award identifies excellence in a strategy or campaign engaging stakeholders such as government, the media, regulators, employees and the public. It is open to corporations, governments, embassies, NGOs and trade groups represented in Asia Pacific or representing Asian interests outside Asia. Outcome based it will show how a process of planned engagement has achieved a positive outcome with stakeholders.

The shortlisted nominees:

• THE WINNER: Corporate Voice - Weber Shandwick: Save The Children’s ‘Every One’ campaign
• GolinHarris/West Kowloon Cultural District: Developing Hong Kong as a global capital of art and culture
• Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide: Chengdu Pambassadors
• Weber Shandwick: Promoting Pfizer's Enbrel drug across a spectrum of channels

PEOPLE AND PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES:

THE GOLD STANDARD AWARD FOR ‘CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR’

Sponsored by:

CATEGORY A: PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR
This award identifies public affairs excellence by a consultancy at either the in-country office or regional network level. It is open to public affairs and public relations consultancies operating in Asia Pacific who have developed service offerings in the areas of public affairs, government relations and corporate affairs. Entrants must illustrate excellence in benchmark areas such as such as client relationships and deliverables, professional team development and business growth.

The shortlisted nominees:

• THE WINNER: Fleishman-Hillard Korea
• Vriens and Partners Pte Ltd
• COMMENDED: Weber Shandwick Asia Pacific

______________________________________________________________________

Sponsored by:

CATEGORY B: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR
This award identifies corporate public relations and communications excellence by a consultancy at either the in-country office or regional network level. It is open to public relations and comms consultancies operating in Asia Pacific who deliver service offerings in the areas of corporate communications and corporate public relations. Entrants must illustrate excellence in benchmark areas such as client relationships and deliverables, professional team development and business expansion.

The shortlisted nominees:

• COSMO Japan
• THE WINNER: Pelham Bell Pottinger
• Weber Shandwick Asia Pacific



Sponsored by:

THE GOLD STANDARD AWARD FOR ‘IN HOUSE’ TEAM OF THE YEAR
This award identifies excellence in an in-house public/corporate affairs or communications team in Asia Pacific or related to the region. It is open to multinational and domestic corporations, government agencies and NGOs. Entries are expected to demonstrate the development and strategic importance of functions such as corporate communications/public affairs/government relations and illustrate their importance and contribution to broader business goals and corporate strategy.

The shortlisted nominees:

• COMMENDED: Brand and Communications Team, Prudential Corporation Asia
• THE WINNER: External Relations Team, Procter & Gamble India
• Citi (China) Corporate Affairs Team



Sponsored by:

THE PROSPECT GOLD STANDARD AWARD FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
This award recognises achievement by a communications, corporate or public affairs professional connected to the Asia Pacific region. It is open to senior corporate or consultancy communications and public affairs professionals who are seen as leaders among their peer-groups and the broader corporate affairs and communications industry in Asia Pacific.

The shortlisted nominees:

• Deborah Hayden, Managing Partner, Kreab Gavin Anderson, Japan
• Janice Armstrong, Regional Director for Government Affairs in Asia Pacific at GSK
• THE WINNER: Kumi Sato, CEO, Cosmo Public Relations Corporation
• Shin Tanaka, President, Fleishman-Hillard, Japan

Sponsored by:



THE GOLD STANDARD AWARD FOR POLITICAL COMMUNICATIONS
This category recognises excellence in political communications. It is open to anyone or any corporate, NGO or governmental group to nominate a politician, public figure or campaigner who has shown significant achievement through their communications over the previous 18 months.

• THE WINNER: Noriyuki Shikata, Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Public Affairs, Director of Global Communications, Prime Minister’s Office, Japan
• Honorable Ambika Soni, India’s Minister of Information & Broadcasting
• Wen Jiabao, Premier of China

Questions concerning the criteria, entry process or the wider Gold Standard Awards programme can be answered by emailing Mark O'Brien at goldstandard@publicaffairsasia.com