SignsAward11: Premiere in Munich
A new prize honors marketing and media personalities who have made a mark in the world of communication
Prominent personalities in the world of media and marketing gathered on 4 May in the extravagant ‘Werkraum’ at the Munich Kammerspiele Theater. The occasion was an auspicious premiere: the first presentation of the Signs Award, a prize for the ‘Communications Groundbreaker of the Year’. It is awarded to individuals who - with passion, engagement and a future-oriented approach – strive to achieve direction and clarity, setting a decisive course for the communication of the future.
Further information can be found on www.signs-award.de
Communicators like Dr Bruno Sälzer, managing director of Escada, the head of communications of OTTO, Thomas Voigt, the CEO of BritishTelecom/BT Germany, Karsten Lereuth, or the marketing director of Douglas, Daniela Mündler, were awarded the glass ‘Dot’, for their communications, which were characterized by credibility, authenticity, innovation and sustainability. Renowned media planner, Thomas Koch, was recognized for his engagement in support of the free press in repressive states. The famous blogger, author and columnist, Sascha Lobo, was acknowledged in the “Visions” category.
With his charm and wit – not to mention striking appearance - the Berlin-based communications and strategy consultant spoke to w&v editor-in-chief, Jochen Kalka, elaborating upon the huge variety of new communications channels and about how to harness and utilize them. Psychologist and market researcher, Jens Lönneker, subsequently aired his views – with an almost testimonial appeal - on how people will receive and interpret the multiplicity of messages in the future. He also emphasized that as a counter pole to the many years of individualization and segmentation, there is now a yearning for clear, substantiated and enduring communication and for an emphasis on similarities.
Initiator of the new Awards, Journal International is one of the world’s leading corporate publishing houses specializing in the implementation of successful target-group and marketing media, in collaboration with the ‘Signs’ partners, namely the media and marketing trade publication W&V, the Kongress AMD11/Munich Media Days and Gabler Publishing. “The SignsAward is intended to stimulate better communication in media and marketing and will now be awarded annually,” explained JI Publishing boss, Stefan Endrös, in closing the event. Parallel hereto, this year will also see the launch of a book project featuring the most important contributions about communication in the future, appropriately named “SignsBook.”
Award Winners 2011
from left to right:
1. Daniela Mündler (Head of Marketing of Douglas)
Category: Authenticity in Communications
2. Sascha Lobo (Author, Communications & Strategy Consultant)
Category: Visions in Communications
3. Thomas Voigt (Head of Communications of the Otto Group)
Category: Innovation in Communications
4. Thomas Koch (Media planer)
Category: Engagement in Communications
5. Bruno Sälzer (CEO Escada)
Category: Strategy in Communications
6. Karsten Lereuth (CEO BT Germany)
Category: Sustainability in Communications